‘Sweeney’ cast truly instrumental

MUSICIANS sometimes have to choose between playing an instrument and singing. But the revival of “Sweeney Todd” scheduled to open on Broadway on Nov. 3 offers hope that they can do it all.

The actors and the musicians in this “Sweeney” will be the same 10 people. They’ll sing, they’ll act, and they’ll perform Stephen Sondheim’s musical numbers minus a pit band and even a conductor.

Michael Cerveris, in the title role of a murderous barber in 19th century London, will play the guitar. And Patti LuPone, in the role of Todd’s meat-pie-baking inamorata, Mrs. Lovett, will tackle the tuba and the glockenspiel. Both actors have experience on these instruments. LuPone played tuba in her high school band, says musical supervisor and arranger Sarah Travis.

Using this double-duty method, Travis and director John Doyle have staged nine shows, including “Sweeney,” in their home country of Britain. But Travis says she had to re-orchestrate for Broadway to accommodate these particular actors’ instrumental talents. In London, for example, Mrs. Lovett played the trumpet.

“It’s a great ensemble way of working,” Travis says.

“Everybody’s always onstage and in the moment at the same time. It gives the action a great fluidity.”

The actors have joined the musicians’ union and will receive extra wages on top of their acting salaries, according to a spokesman for musicians union Local 802.

And if the acting gigs ever dry up for LuPone, maybe she can find a spot in a polka band.