May 4, 2026, Hartford, CT – Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford announce the cast and creative team that will bring Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street to life in a historic co-production between the two downtown institutions. Directed by TheaterWorks Hartford’s Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, this chilling tale of love, murder, and revenge will be performed at Hartford Stage from June 5 to July 5, 2026.
This intimate production will be led by Matt Faucher (Broadway’s Beautiful: The Carol King Musical) as Sweeney Todd and Jackie Burns (Broadway’s Wicked, If/Then, Hair) as Mrs. Lovett. They are joined by Carey Brown as Beggar Woman, Willem Butler as Anthony Hope, Tristan David Caldwell as Adolfo Pirelli and Jonas Fogg, Lauren Maria Medina as Johanna, Brian Ray Norris as Beadle Bamford, Cole Thompson as Tobias Ragg, and Edward Watts as Judge Turpin.
In addition to Ruggiero, the creative team includes choreographer Ralph Perkins and music director Wiley DeWeese. The production features scenic design by Luke Cantarella; costume design by Fabian Aguilar; lighting design by John Lasiter; sound design by Beth Lake; wig, hair, and make-up design by J. Jared Janas; dialect and vocal coaching by Jennifer Scapetis-Tycer; intimacy and fight coordination by Michael Rossmy; and casting by Alldaffer & Donadio Casting. The stage manager is Nicole Wiegert, and the assistant stage manager is Julius Cruz.
“I couldn’t be more excited to begin this journey working on Sweeney Todd with the incredibly talented Jackie Burns and Matt Faucher,” said Ruggiero. “I’ve had the joy of working with each of them before. They’re not only brilliant artists, but truly wonderful collaborators and two of the most creative and genuinely fun people to be in a room with. The rest of the cast is amazing – and together with a wonderfully talented creative team, there’s so much to look forward to. Partnering with Hartford Stage on this very special project signifies over 100 years of great theater making in Hartford.”
Hartford Stage Artistic Director Melia Bensussen added: “I am excited to welcome this exceptional cast along with our colleagues from TheaterWorks Hartford into our spaces at Hartford Stage as this historic partnership comes to fruition. This production promises to be a truly special theatrical experience that celebrates all that our Hartford theater community has to offer.”
Tickets and Performance Details:
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
From an adaptation by Christopher Bond
Performances are from June 5 to July 5, 2026, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2:00 p.m. All performances are at Hartford Stage. Tickets start at $30, with lowest prices during preview performances June 5 through June 11. Groups of 10 or more receive a 20% discount; more information is available at HartfordStage.org/Group-Sales. Visit HartfordStage.org or twhartford.org, call 860-527-5151, or stop by the Hartford Stage box office at 50 Church Street to purchase tickets.
The theaters advise audiences to be careful and not purchase tickets through any other website. Third party re-sellers will try to sell false tickets for twice the price or more. If you have any doubts or questions, please contact the Hartford Stage or TheaterWorks Hartford Box Offices directly. Hartford Stage does not charge any additional fees for tickets.
Special Performances and Accessibility:
Post-Show Discussions: June 14, 2026, at 2pm; June 23, 2026, at 7:30pm; and June 24, 2026, at 2pm – Engage in conversations with the artists connected to the production immediately following the performance. Free with admission.
Music in the Lobby featuring Mad Agnes: June 25 and 26, 2026, at 7:30pm – Enjoy live music in the Garmany Room before the start of the show. Free with admission.
Open Captioned Performance: June 21, 2026, at 2pm – For patrons who are deaf or have hearing loss. Free service with admission.
Audio-Described Performance: June 27, 2026, at 2pm – For patrons who are blind or have low vision. Free service with admission.
Artistic Bios:
Jackie Burns (Mrs. Lovett) has built a career as a dynamic leading lady, known for her powerhouse vocals and sharp comedic edge. A Broadway fan favorite, she is widely recognized for her iconic portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked, where she became the longest-running actress in the role. Burns first appeared Off-Broadway in the original company of Rock of Ages before making her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair. She later led the U.S. National Tour of If/Then, anchoring the production in its central role across the United States. Audiences flipped for her take on “Celine Dion” in the hit Off-Broadway run of Titanique. Alongside these performances, Jackie has championed new work, originating roles in the UK premiere of Burlesque and in U.S. productions of Cowboy Bob, A Walk on the Moon, Hard Road to Heaven, and the Broadway-bound Revolutions at The Goodman Theatre. Her film and television credits include The Magnificent Meyersons, Set It Up, Ghost, FBI: Most Wanted, and Great Wall of Warren. Jackie has also performed internationally in concert with composer Frank Wildhorn. Follow her at @jackieburnsnyc
Matt Faucher (Sweeney Todd) returns to his home state of CT and Hartford Stage and is making his TheatreWorks Hartford debut. CT audiences would have last seen him as Tam in the Goodspeed Musicals production of Maggie. BROADWAY: Beautiful: the Carole King Musical. NATIONAL TOUR: Jersey Boys (Nick Massi), Beautiful: the Carole King Musical. OFF-BROADWAY: The Threepenny Opera (Macheath) [Drama Desk Nomination], Andrew Lippas: I am Harvey Milk at Avery Fisher Hall, Chekov Dreams (Eddie), Othello (Roderigo). REGIONAL: Goodspeed Musicals, The MUNY, Paper Mill Playhouse, Asolo Rep, Northern Stage, The Olney, ACT of CT, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, SkyLight Theatre, The Gateway, and The Monomoy Theatre. TV: FBI: Most Wanted (CBS). FILM: We Lack Definition. EDUCATION: BFA in Acting, The Hartt School. FACULTY: Pace University (Vocal Production, Acting Through Song). Love to Britt Frankie and Lena. IG: @the_fauch
Rob Ruggiero (Director/Artistic Director of TheaterWorks Hartford) is in his 14th season as Artistic Director at TheaterWorks Hartford. He has directed dozens of premieres and local favorites including Fever Dreams, Fun Home, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Next to Normal, Relativity (starring Richard Dreyfuss), and Christmas on the Rocks, which he also conceived. Broadway: Looped (starring Valerie Harper); High (starring Kathleen Turner). Rob conceived/directed the musical revue Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn which ran off-Broadway, and conceived/directed the musical Ella. His work can be seen across the country at Goodspeed, The Muny, St. Louis Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, among others.
Support:
Production Sponsors for Sweeney Todd are Burry Fredrik Foundation, Cheryl Chase & Stuart Bear Family Foundation, Richard P. Garmany Fund, Robert & Francine Goldfarb Family Fund, Katherine Lambert, Dina Plapler & Earl McMahon, Marjorie E. Morrissey, and Robinson & Cole.
About Hartford Stage:
Since 1964 Hartford Stage has played a leading role in the Greater Hartford region—producing world- class theater and serving as a civic space. Led by Artistic Director Melia Bensussen and Managing Director Cynthia Rider, the Tony Award-winning company is dedicated to telling entertaining and thought-provoking stories that reflect the diversity of the capital city, whether reinventing the classics or premiering new work. The theater’s rich legacy includes plays and musicals that have made their way to Broadway, Off-Broadway, and stages around the globe. Hartford Stage’s impact extends beyond the stage, through its robust education programs. More information at HartfordStage.org.
About TheaterWorks Hartford:
TheaterWorks Hartford, led by Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero and Managing Director Jeff Griffin, has produced relevant, engaging contemporary theater for 40 years at their historic Pearl Street address. Founded in 1985, TWH is committed to the power of storytelling in creating community and has produced over 200 plays and musicals including world premiere of High (with Kathleen Turner), Relativity (with Richard Dreyfuss) and Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn, among others. Visit us at twhartford.org.