Categories: Articles, Columnists, Harlem, Linda Armstrong,
“Sweeney Todd” Is A MUST SEE!
By Linda Armstrong
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is theatrical splendor that must be experienced first-hand! From the time you enter the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on W 46th Street you can feel this sense that something great is coming! Showcasing engaging and riveting music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this unforgettable musical has a book by Hugh Wheeler, with stunning adaptation by Christopher Bond. The charged feeling in the air is reinforced by the 26-player orchestration using the original score by Jonathan Tunick. From the time that the cast begins to take the stage and tell the background tale of Sweeney Todd you are hooked. Sweeney Todd is a barber who is set on revenge for the family that was taken away from him—the wife he loved and the child she carried–and the prison time he was wrongly made to serve by a corrupt Judge. Escaping the prison, he returns to London to make all those involved in destroying his life—pay the ultimate price. Todd also has no problem with killing others in the process. Todd finds an ally in Mrs. Lovett, a woman who had always admired him those many years ago and is willing to help him seek his revenge. Mrs. Lovett, you see, is pretty unscrupulous herself. She sells disgusting pies filled with the neighborhood cats, so she has no customers. When she gets together with Todd she finds a way to fill the meat pies with a very different ingredient and her business soars.
Josh Groban is superbly cast as Sweeney Todd! Groban is a tour-de-force as he stays steady on his course for revenge. Annaleigh Ashford is outstanding as Mrs. Lovett! She gives this character so many levels. She’s not just a person that has no problem with doing wrong to her fellow man, she is someone who also is fighting for the love of a man that does not appear to know she exists, accept for her use to his vengeful purpose. Ashford plays this character with so much humor, that you can’t help but be attracted to the dilemmas that are going on in her life. Ashford will bring a smile to your face, a laugh to her heart and make you look forward to every time she takes the stage.
The stage at the Lunt-Fontanne is filled with so many gifted performers. Jordan Fisher gives a tremendous performance as Anthony, a sailor who saved Todd’s life and falls in love with Joanna, a beautiful girl kept from the world by the man who raised her—the same corrupt judge that sent Todd to prison, Judge Turpin. Yes, Joanna is Todd’s daughter. There are many characters that are presented on the stage and it is delightful how they are all connected to Todd’s past. This outstanding cast also includes Maria Bilbao as Joanna, who makes an incredible impressive Broadway debut, Ruthie Ann Miles who delivers the Beggar Woman character with captivating poignancy, Gaten Matarazzo as Tobias is stunning and memorable, John Rapson is very amusing in the role of Beadle Bamford. Jamie Jackson brings a certain grittiness to the role of Judge Turpin. Nicholas Christopher is wonderful as Pirelli. This ensemble cast RULES!
Thomas Kail’s direction is exceptional! Steven Hoggett’s choreography is gripping to watch! If there is one musical you go to see, make it Sweeney Todd! Go to www.sweeneytoddbroadway.com.
