The theatre was packed with eager faces on Friday night as audiences waited for the show to begin. A haunting and repetitive churning sound played over the sound system, leaving those in the audience with a feeling of impending dread. The lights dimmed and we were transported into a dark and dreary version of London that was not for the faint of heart.
The set featured two high risers set on opposite sides of each other as if to signify how close Sweeny Todd actually was to his long estranged daughter. A perfect back drop made the audience feel that they were actively participating in the story. It was an innovative way in which to show the world of “Sweeny Todd.”
The show was made up of a talented ensemble cast that clearly put a lot of work into the characterization of their roles. Having the audience seated so close to the action was the right move for the ensemble were all just as dynamic as the larger roles.
Austin Madison played the manic Sweeny Todd with a kind of quiet, underlying anger. You never knew just when he would explode, which made his performance all the more terrifying. His vocal performance was adequate enough to pull off the complicated and twisted performance.
Taylor Bosta played Mrs. Lovett and absolutely stole the show. Her comedic timing coupled with her underlying desperation for love made for a dynamic performance. Not to mention the fact that Bosta had one of the most powerful voices in the cast.
Haley Mizelle, as Todd’s estranged daughter, was subtle and sweet. She had a lovely little voice that was very fitting for the character. As Johanna is one of the most challenging vocal roles in the show, you could tell Mizelle had the technical training to pull it off.
Anthony Hope is one of the few truly pure hearted characters in the show. Corwin Donnell pulled this off beautifully andcame across as genuinely infatuated with Johanna. In fact, one of the most charming scenes in the show was when Donnell first laid eyes on Mizelle.
Trent Williams, as Judge Turpin, used mostly body language in order to show his character’s inner rage, providing us with some of the tensest scenes in the musical, especially in regards to his power over Johanna.
The Beadle, played by Carlito Trotter, had an almost jolly quality, which did not exactly fit with his henchmen like character. However, he did a wonderful job of building tension in a climatic scene in which he waits for Sweeny Todd to return home.
Colin Williams played the sweet and easily manipulated Tobias Ragg. Williams played the character with a vulnerability that made him one of the most beloved characters in the show. As the show went on, Williams was able to make the audience feel both pity and terror from him. Providing the audience with both the saddest and scariest moments of the show, he ran the gambit of emotions.
Mackenzie Matthews proved that she is a very talented actress in her portrayal of the Beggar Woman. She managed to be subtle in her performance so as not to give anything away. She was funny, sad and scary, often times all in the same scene. All the while giving one of the most poignant acting performances in the show.
Though there were some technical difficulties in the performance, it is worth noting that one particularly tricky scene set in an asylum was pulled off beautifully by both the cast and crew. “Sweeny Todd”, with all its dark twists and turns, is a show that will stick with you long after you leave the theatre. Don’t miss the final performances this Thursday through Friday at 7 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
Actor Corwin Donnell, who plays the part of Anthony Hope, performs whole- heartedly for the attending audience, during this year’s production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”
A multitude of the performing characters actively engage with what is occuring on the stage, by surrounding the character named Toby.
Two actors, Haley Mizelle who plays Johanna and Corwin Donnell who plays Anthony, engage in an enchanting, romantic moment on stage. Perfectly capturing their characters personalities.
