Larry Blank to Conduct Wolf Trap Opera Company’s Sweeney Todd 7/22

Arranger, composer, and conductor makes Filene Center debut following his work as orchestrator of 2011 Tony Nominated Broadway production of Catch Me if You Can.

Friday, July 22, 8:15 p.m. at the Filene Center, tickets start at $20

The Wolf Trap Opera Company announced today that acclaimed Broadway and film conductor Larry Blank will lead the National Symphony Orchestra for a one-night only Operascape production of Sweeney Todd at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Blank replaces James Moore, who was originally slated to serve as the conductor. This is first Filene Center performance of the dark musical thriller by the Wolf Trap Opera Company. Sweeney Todd had a run of more than 500 shows on Broadway in 1979, and later won numerous Golden Globe awards as a movie in 2007.

Blank joins Wolf Trap's production as a Sweeney Todd veteran. In 2002, he led the Kennedy Center Sondheim Festival performance, for which he was personally recommended by composer Stephen Sondheim. The internationally acclaimed conductor's work has been presented all over the world, including some of Broadway's most successful musicals, Carnegie Hall, and top television and film projects.

"We're extraordinarily fortunate to have secured a conductor of Larry Blank's profile for this production, particularly on such short notice," said Kim Pensinger Witman, director of the Wolf Trap Opera Company. "He will be a wonderful asset to our Filene Center Operascape production, which features the NSO onstage along with the actors. The cast, as well as our audience, will benefit tremendously from his expertise."

This inventively staged production of Sweeney Todd with the National Symphony Orchestra features a two-story, 60-foot-wide screen spanning the length of the proscenium with video projections custom designed for the Filene Center. The Sweeney Todd crew includes Stage Director Tara Faircloth, Projection Designer S. Katy Tucker and the company of 2011 Filene Young Artists - the resident artists of the Wolf Trap Opera Company.

About the Wolf Trap Opera Company
Established in 1971, the Wolf Trap Opera Company continues to earn national and international recognition for its mission to discover and encourage outstanding emerging talent in the opera field, serving singers of exceptional achievement and potential who are ready to make the transition to full-time professional careers. In addition to the young professional singers, the company also features the work of emerging designers, directors, and conductors; and provides opportunities for aspiring stage managers, administrators, coaches, and technical theatre professionals.

Tickets for Wolf Trap Opera Company performances can be purchased at the Wolf Trap Box Office located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts at 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia; by calling 1(877) WOLFTRAP; or online at http://www.wolftrap.org. For more information, call Wolf Trap at (703) 255-1868.

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