Interview: 6 Questions & a Plug with SWEENEY TODD's Mark Benninghofen

Rave reviews and social posts are boasting the success of Theatre Latte Da's latest staging of SWEENEY TODD, DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, running through Oct. 25, 2015 at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. The local all-star cast appearing on an intimate stage and doing the challenging musical by Stephen Sondheim was draw enough, but adding an actor not known for musical performance made it more intriguing. In the title role, Mark Benninghofen, a theater, film and television actor and voiceover artist most recently seen in JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK at the Guthrie Theater and THE HOT HOUSE with Dark and Stormy Productions, is known for his expert characterizations but not so much for musical prowess - mostly because he has not tried before. Changing all that, he's taking on a challenging role with some of the top musical theatre artists in town.

BWW Minneapolis got to know more about him and his dream musical theatre role in this edition of 6 Questions & a Plug.

Much has been made of the fact that you have never been in a musical before this - why Sweeney Todd, why now?

Sweeney Todd is my favorite piece of musical theater...any theater really. I saw the last preview on Broadway in 1979 and it electrified me. When I saw that Peter was opening his season with it and that Sally Wingert was signed to play Mrs. Lovett I had to at least toss my hat in the ring. The notion of auditioning for my first musical at 54, in front of Peter Rothstein and for this role terrified me. But Peter and Denise (Prosek) were very kind and I got through it.

Sweeney Todd is a pretty heavy character - tell us what your take is on him and what motivates you when playing him?

He is one of the great tragic characters of the modern theater. We get behind his desire for vengeance (at first at least) in light of the wrongs done him. He's us...easily victimized without a thought by a corrupt system if it stands to benefit from such abuse. Playing the bottled up rage is delicious; I've played so many characters who adhere to the rules...move with humor through the world...narrowly avoid great emotional expression. Sweeney Todd lives on his sleeve; he can't be intellectualized. You have to pull the pin and throw the grenade.

Sondheim music is also notoriously difficult; are you trained as a singer and if not, what have you had to do to prepare yourself for this role and the vocal challenge?

I am not a trained singer. I'm a guy who sings secretly...like most guys! Denise Prosek grabbed me by the collar and helped me learn every note of this role...and I still blow a bunch of them! She's a master with Sondheim...no easy feat. She's also very generous with her time, talent and knowledge. I adore her.

I read that you came from NYC via the Guthrie Theater, where you have been in many shows over the years. What roles at the Guthrie did you enjoy most and have any of them prepared you for taking on Sweeney?

My first role at the Guthrie was Herbert Pocket in Barbara Field's beautiful adaptation of Great Expectations in 1984. Those were the rep days...I did many productions in the 80's back and forth from New York. My favorite back then was the Dauphin in St. Joan directed by Patrick Mason. Most recently, Joxer Daly in Juno and the Paycock directed by Joe Dowling. I took a 25 year hiatus through the 90's and early 2000's and made my way as a voice over artist and writer/producer in advertising. Ron Peluso brought me back to the stage with Jeffrey Hatcher's Tyrone and Ralph... a stunning production at the History Theater. Then back to the Guthrie for Kushner's Intelligent Homosexual... Since then I've worked at the Minnesota Jewish Theater, Dark & Stormy, Park Square and in film and television. I think most actors store up experience that helps as they age. I think too my time away helped me understand myself well enough to play full-out.

Talk a little about your impressions of working with Theater Latté Da, Peter Rothstein, Sally Wingert and Tyler Michaels - all are lauded theatre pros like yourself; how has it been working with this talented group?

A huge honor. Listen, Theater Latté Da is a collection of some of the finest creative people in town...in the Midwest...in the country. What they accomplish is a testament to their resourcefulness. I've admired Peter's work for a long time and wanted very badly to collaborate; I had no idea I'd ever be included in a project so important to him and his organization. Sally and I are built of much of the same stuff...same generation, similar sensibilities and we trust each other implicitly. That's rare and can be magical. Tyler...sheesh. What a talent. And a lovely man. I have thanked him to his face for his help on this.

But here's the thing; Matt, Dom, Liz, Sara, Evan, Ben, Jim, Tyler, Sally and I are an ensemble. No one performer would have the courage, energy or the first clue how to get up there and do this without ALL of the others. This is something that's always said...but not always true. It is the law of the land on this one.

What part of the show or number would you tell audience members to pay special attention to in this production, and are there any insider tips about things happening on stage to watch for?

No spoilers from me! I wish I could see this show. It is the whole of the thing I think that has audiences so stirred up. It's a very complex play...many people have told me they'd see it again to catch a deeper layer of detail. They're certainly welcome to do that!

Finally, time for a plug - what's next on the horizon for you on stage or in film/TV?

I've grown very fond of playwriting and will do a good deal of that when this ends. I'm also a husband and dad and those are my other favorite roles. I may also just try to learn to nap!

Read BWW Review by Jill Schafer: /minneapolis/article/BWW-Review-Theater-Latte-Das-Gleefully-ManiacalSWEENEY-TODD-is-Not-to-be-Missed-20151001

More info on SWEENEY TODD: Music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim • Book by Hugh Wheeler • From an adaptation by Christopher Bond • Directed by Peter Rothstein • Music Direction by Denise Prosek • Featuring Sally Wingert, Tyler Michaels and Mark Benninghofen. Visit http://www.theaterlatteda.com for tickets and information.

Photo: Mark Benninghofen as Sweeney Todd and Sally Wingert as Mrs. Lovett in Theater Latté Da's SWEENEY TODD. Directed by Peter Rothstein. Musical Direction by Denise Prosek. September 23 - October 25, 2015. The Ritz Theater. Photo by George Byron Griffiths.

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