Josh Groban’s Turn as Sweeney Todd Should Silence the Doubters

Could an artist who was groomed by adult contemporary pop guru David Foster, and whose past projects have included corny classical crossover collaborations, summon the savage wit and sheer rage required for Sweeney? The answer is yes.

Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban in ‘Sweeney Todd.’ Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Fifteen or 20 years ago, the singer Josh Groban would have seemed well suited to perform in a production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” — but not in the title role. With his robust, limpid bari-tenor and mild, affable persona, Mr. Groban might have been a candidate for the role of Anthony, the male ingénue who rescues Sweeney while the latter is escaping from prison, then falls in love with his teenage daughter.

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