She returned to Broadway in October 2005 to star as Mrs. Lovett in John Doyle's new Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. In this radically different interpretation of the musical, the ten actors on stage also served as the show's orchestra, and LuPone played the tuba and orchestra bells as well as performing the score vocally.Gans, Andrew."The Lady with the Tuba" playbill.com, April 25, 2006 For her performance, she received a Tony Award nomination as well as Golden Icon Award for Best Female Musical Theater Performance.Hernandez, Ernio."LuPone and Cerveris to Serve Man in Sweeney Todd on Broadway Through Thanksgiving" Playbill, June 26, 2006 Retrieved December 5, 2021 In August 2006, LuPone took a three-week leave from Sweeney in order to play Rose in Lonny Price's production of Gypsy at Ravinia. Sweeney Todd closed in September 2006.
