Newcomer Ben Magnuson Reportedly Cast as Anthony in Sweeney Todd Revival

Cincinnati.com is reporting that Ben Magnuson has been cast as Anthony, the cello-playing young love interest in the upcoming revival of Sweeney Todd. The site reports that the University of Cincinnati student, who most recently portrayed the Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood at the school has been cast in the show , which opens on Broadway later this year. There is no official word yet on any other casting possibilities, or on when any casting will be announced, though word is expected sooner rather than later.

A revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd is set to open on Broadway in mid-October, with preview performances beginning in late September. The production will feature direction by John Doyle and musical direction and arrangements by Sarah Travis, both of whom will recreate their work from the London production.

This production arrives on Broadway from a highly successful London engagement originally staged by the Watermill Theatre which opened at the Trafalgar on July 27, 2004 to wide critical acclaim. That run ended on October 9, 2004 to prepare for a subsequent West End transfer to the New Ambassadors Theatre where it opened on October 13, 2004 and finished its limited engagement on February 5, 2005.

SWEENEY TODD is based on the 19th century legend of a London barber, who is driven to crime when a malevolent judge takes his wife and child from him. His plan for revenge includes a cut-throat partnership with Mrs. Lovett, an enterprising businesswomen, who is soon producing the tastiest meat pies in London.

The original production of SWEENEY TODD opened on Broadway at the Uris Theatre (now the Gershwin) on March 1, 1979 in a production directed by Harold Prince. The musical won 8 1979 Tony Awards including Best Musical of the year.

Subsequent major productions of SWEENEY TODD include Harold Prince's 1980 London production at the Theatre Royal Drury lane, Susan H. Schulman's 1989 Broadway production at Circle In The Square and Declan Donnellan's 1993 production at The National Theatre in London.

This production will mark the first time SWEENEY TODD has been seen on Broadway in over 16 years.