#BehindtheCurtain: Get to Know DeAndre Simmons
It’s no small feat to tackle the lead role in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, but we can think of no one better suited than the incredibly talented DeAndre Simmons! Having studied this music directly with Sondheim himself, DeAndre brings that knowledge and experience with him as he takes on this iconic role in what is his favorite musical. It has been a joy watching DeAndre bring this character to life over the course of rehearsal, and now that the production is open, critics haven’t stopped praising his performance. One SD Theatre Critics Circle member, Jean Lowerison, describes the “smashing job” DeAndre does in the show, while Pam Kragen from the Union Tribune and another member of the Critics Circle praises his “stage presence and deep, rich operatic bass singing voice” as being “perfect for the role”. This week we were able to meet with DeAndre to ask him a few of our favorite questions to get to know him a little more, and we can’t wait to share his answers with you all! Keep reading below to see his full blog, and then be sure to purchase your tickets to come see DeAndre and the rest of the cast of Sweeney Todd performing from now until October 20th on the SDMT Stage!
Tell us a little bit about your theatre background. How did you get into it and what made you fall in love with it?
I began performing at 6 years old. I started with Jr theatre and Alex Urban Junior Theatre. By 8 I was doing professional gigs with theatres here in San Diego including The Rep, San Diego Opera, Lambs Players etc. Growing up in San Diego Unified School district and going to an arts magnet school, we were constantly exposed to the arts. People came to the schools and we were taken to performances of the ballet, the symphony, opera and musical theatre. I knew almost immediately that I wanted to be onstage. Not sure exactly how at that age, but I was dead set on a career in the theatre.
Photo by Karli Cadel
Does Sweeney Todd have any special meaning to you? What made you want to be a part of this production?
Sweeney Todd is my absolute favorite musical and written by my favorite musical composer. Sweeney is a bucket list role, top of the list, that I’ve wanted to perform since before I could’ve performed it! I’m happy to be debuting this role in my hometown and that it’s my first show with SDMT. I’m privileged to have been able to work closely with the great Barbara Cook and Stephen Sondheim on so much of Sondheim’s music. I could do this role time after time!
We’ve talked about how SDMT’s Sweeney will be different than any other version people have seen of this show. Can you tell us a little bit more about that? What is different or special about our version?
Most people are used to seeing this show as a huge production on a large stage, but many don’t know that Sondheim originally wanted a more intimate setting of this show so it would be in line with the intimacy of the Christopher Bond play which inspired him to write the musical. Hal Prince wanted to set it at the Industrial Revolution. And after the grand productions by Hal Prince changed the world, John Doyle did the musical in the very intimate setting (probably 2/3 the size of our set) Sondheim had always wanted. So while we aren’t reinventing the wheel, we are keeping in line with the intimate production Mr. Sondheim wanted originally. It makes it so much more about the story and the telling of it. I appreciate that so very much.
Photo by Karli Cadel
The role of Sweeney Todd is such an iconic part. Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like getting to perform this role?
I’ve been a fan of this show since I was a child. I’ve been drawn to Sweeney since I was still a … ahem… treble voice! I couldn’t be more excited to be singing it. The extraordinary Len Cariou and George Hearn, both of whom I also am an enormous fan, have been great bar setters in making this role great. What I’m really honored with and humbled, is being one of so few black men to sing this role professionally. It’s extraordinary to be in the pile with Brian Stokes Mitchell and Norm Lewis. That’s a special feeling. I worked with Mr. Sondheim on some of the songs in the show and started studying well before rehearsals began. Sondheim’s music is complex. Not for the novice. So I didn’t want to arrive in rehearsal having to have pitches plunked out for me. There’s so much more to have to dive into. I love this role for many reasons, one of which is the complexities of him. He’s angry, he’s full of revenge, but he has love in his heart, compassion and happiness. The great challenge is getting all of those across the footlights to those out in the audience. There is a real need to rely on your colleagues. The telling of the story sits heavily on the combination of everyone’s journey in that character.
Photo by Karli Cadel
Do you have a favorite scene or number in Sweeney Todd?
There are a few moments in the show that stand out for me. I love ‘A Little Priest’, when it’s good, you see him at his happiest and playful and relaxed even. Then Sweeneys’ last moments after finding out he’s killed his wife and Mrs. Lovett knew she lived. The madness coupled with love and heartbreak. A real whirlwind of emotion.
For someone who has never seen or heard of Sweeney Todd, what’s one or two things you would love to tell them when coming into this production?
It’s a different musical. You can’t just sit back and rest on pretty melodies and passive characters. Come ready to engage, to connect dots and learn and discover … and yes, hear gorgeous meaningful music/lyrics that will make you think – in a wonderful entertaining way, not in a classroom way! It’s brilliant and there’s constantly something to discover every time you hear and or see it!
Photo by Karli Cadel
If you were to open up your own shop, what would you be selling?
That’s a different question, for sure. Love it. Coffee. A real deal coffee shop with beans galore and flavors and tasting menus. And perhaps that turns into a wine shop in the evening!! Two of my favorite things.
Sweeney Todd Creative Team:
Director: Jason Blitman
Music Director: Richard Dueñez Morrison
Choreographer: Katie Banville
CLICK HERE to buy tickets!
Photo by Julie Licari
