Alpine Theatre Project, Glacier Symphony and Chorale present 'Sweeney Todd'
Stefanie Thompson | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years AGO
<p>Luke Walrath as Sweeney Todd.</p>
<p>John Zoltek directs the Glacier Symphony and Chorale as they rehearse with Betsi Morrison, left, and members of the Alpine Theatre Project on Sunday, March 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Conductor John Zoltek of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and Director Betsi Morrison of the Alpine Theatre Project compare notes during a rehearsal of Sweeney Todd on Sunday, March 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Luke Walrath, left, shares a laugh with the cast as they rehearse for the upcoming Alpine Theatre Project/Glacier Symphony and Chorale on Sunday, March 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Billy Thompson left, looks on as Director Betsi Morrison of the Alpine Theatre Project discusses details of the timing for Sweeney Todd with Conductor John Zoltek of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale on Sunday, March 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Members of the Glacier Chorale stand and sing at rehearsal for Sweeney Todd on Sunday, March 6. For the joint Alpine Theatre Project/Glacier Symphony and Chorale production the Chorale will be in the Orchestra Pit. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Glenn Seven Allen as Adolfo Pirelli rehearses a song from Sweeney Todd on Sunday, March 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Glenn Seven Allen, left, rehearsing a song with Luke Walrath as Sweeney Todd on Sunday, March 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Brad Seaman and members of the Glacier Chorale rehearse a scene from the upcoming Alpine Theatre Project/Glacier Symphony and Chorale production of Sweeney Todd on Sunday afternoon, March 6, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Members of the Glacier Symphony at a rehearsal of Sweeney Todd on Sunday afternoon, March 6. The upcoming production is a joint venture between the Alpine Theatre Project and the Glacier Symphony and Chorale. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Members of the Glacier Symphony at a rehearsal of Sweeney Todd on Sunday afternoon, March 6. The upcoming production is a joint venture between the Alpine Theatre Project and the Glacier Symphony and Chorale. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Conductor John Zoltek of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and Director Betsi Morrison of the Alpine Theatre Project compare notes during a rehearsal of Sweeney Todd on Sunday, March 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Eric Michael Krop as Anthony Hope rehearses a song from Sweeney Todd on Sunday, March 6. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
Audiences should be prepared for a very close shave this weekend, when the Alpine Theatre Project and Glacier Symphony and Chorale combine forces to present “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”
It’s the first collaboration between the two entities in many years. Glacier Symphony and Chorale’s Music Director and Conductor John Zoltek said there was a span of three or four years when the groups had one joint production each year.
“After a while it just wasn’t practical,” Zoltek said. “We collectively decided to take a break.”
“We said, ‘Let’s not force it,’” said Luke Walrath, Alpine Theatre Project co-founder, director of development and marketing and a regular cast performer. “We wanted to wait for something we could all get really excited about.
“Sweeney Todd deserves a full orchestra, deserves a full chorus. This is one of the masterpieces of modern musical theatre.”
“Sweeney Todd” will be performed in a concert format — showcasing the full Glacier Symphony and Chorale on stage as well as the talents of Alpine Theatre Project’s stars from the Broadway and opera worlds.
Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning macabre tale of revenge has enjoyed several Broadway revivals and a 2007 film adaptation directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp in the title role. Zoltek said audiences may be surprised with the differences between screen and stage versions.
“This is certainly one of Sondheim’s strongest works in terms of musicality,” Zoltek said. “It has very difficult scores ... Very challenging. This production really requires the best of everybody involved.”
This concert will feature former Broadway actors, Luke Walrath as Sweeney Todd, Mike Eldred as Beadle Bamford, Eric Michael Krop as Antony Hope, and Betsi Morrison as the Beggar Woman; current Broadway actors Pamela Bob as Mrs. Lovett and Dan Sharkey as Judge Turpin; opera stars Hanna Brammer as Johanna and Glenn Seven Allen as Adolfo Pirelli; and local favorites Sam Benkelman as Tobias Ragg and Valeri McGarvey as Jonas Fogg. It will also feature the full Glacier Chorale and soloists. The concert will be conducted by Zoltek and directed by Alpine’s Artistic Director Morrison.
“This show is dark, but with a lot of comedy,” Zoltek said. “That’s the genius of it. It’s an extremely macabre tale set to a genius score ... It’s very deep.”
“As dark as it is, it’s actually very funny,” Walrath said. “It’s also a massive undertaking. There will be more than 100 people on stage, and it just creates this huge sound. People will be in awe.
“To be surrounded by singers and musicians who are at the top of their game ... It’s incredible.”
Performances will be Friday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 13, at 3 p.m., all at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, located at 600 E. Second St. in Whitefish.
Tickets and more information are available at both the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and Alpine Theatre Project’s box offices, or call GSC at 406-407-7000 or ATP at 406-862-7469, or go online at www.gscmusic.org or www.atpwhitefish.org.
Entertainment Editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.
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