Try the Priest

TRY THE PRIEST | THE BROADWAY BEAT

There’s more than a plot for revenge being cooked up at the Barrow Street Theatre, where the Tooting Arts Club’s production of Sweeney Todd opens this February.  This production immerses audiences in the world of Sweeney Todd by transforming the theater into a functioning pie shop. 

Unlike Mrs. Lovett’s shop in Sweeney, priest is not on the menu at Barrow Street.  There will be, however, both meat and vegetable pie options for theatergoers, created by former White House Executive Pastry Chef William “Bill” Yosses. 

Yosses will be serving up “pie and mash” at the theater prior to each performance.  The dish is traditional of Victorian London, and features a meat (or veggie) pie, mashed potatoes, and hot parsley sauce (also known as “liquor”).  “Bill and his talented team are perfectly placed to be introducing New Yorkers to this quintessential London dish,” said producer Rachel Edwards.  “Their involvement – like all members of our creative team – will contribute so greatly to the atmosphere and authenticity of this unique theatrical experience.”

This production of Sweeney joins what is becoming a long list of efforts to bring more “immersive” storytelling to the New York theater scene.  Yosses, who is hailed by President Barack Obama as “the Crust Master,” commented that the production “will be a truly ‘immersive – you are there – experience’ of the best kind."

Bill Yosses first joined the White House staff in 2007, hired by then First Lady Laura Bush. President Obama has said of his work that “whatever pie you like, he will make it and it will be the best pie you have ever eaten.” Yosses ended his time at the White House in early 2014 and has since moved to New York City, where he is the chef owner & founder of Perfect Pie, which maintains a green and sustainable ethos adhering to strict sourcing guidelines for the integrity and production of artisanal pies.

Can’t wait to see what he and the rest of the creative team are whipping up this winter. 

For tickets and more info, visit www.SweeneyToddNYC.com.