Blood and cuts
If you go:
What: ‘Sweeney Todd’
Where: Arthur Storch Theater at Syracuse Stage
When: Now through May 10
How Much: $16 for students
Sweeney Todd’s barber chair, which sits seemingly innocent in his shop, gives each one of his victims a ride to their final resting place after a quick slit to the throat with the tool of his trade – a straightedge razor. But with the pull of a lever, the chair flattens sending victims through a trap door.
The ride looks scary, but for audience members, it’s one not to be missed.
If you travel down to the Arthur Storch Theater at Syracuse Stage for any show, ‘Sweeney Todd’ must be it.
It is the best Syracuse University drama department production of the year. The two-and-a-half hour show transports the audience to the underbelly of society. It is a dark world with contrasting characters and powerful music.
The plot follows Sweeney Todd’s return to London after 15 years in exile. A barber in his former life, Sweeney comes home hoping to find his wife and daughter still waiting for him. He receives news that his wife has died, and his daughter is now the ward of the town’s corrupt judge. The realization transforms Sweeney into a demon barber slashing the throat of all who sit in his chair.
Sweeney, played by Eric Bilitch, a senior acting major, is one of the strongest members of the cast. His voice effortlessly carries, especially during the ballad sung to his straightedge razor called ‘My Friends.’ Throughout many scenes, Todd has a vengeful smirk on his face, evidence that Bilitch knows his character well.
Mrs. Lovett, the pie baker in love with Sweeney, was double cast with musical theater majors senior Chrissy Malon and junior Nadine Malouf alternating performances simply because Lovett has so much time on stage. Saturday night, Malon was performing.
She takes the ticks and humor of Mrs. Lovett and makes the character her own. In a scene where Mrs. Lovett is imagining her perfect future with Sweeney, Malon showcases her passion, and it comes across perfectly in her eyes.
During the same scene, Mrs. Lovett switches in an instant to intense rage at the mention of Sweeney’s past. The extremes of emotion are so convincing, and Malon’s performance stands out the most.
Contrasting the love of Todd and Mrs. Lovett is the youth and purity of Johanna, Sweeney’s long-lost daughter, and her love interest, Anthony. Junior musical theater majors Catherine Charlebois and Brendon Stimson are well-cast in their roles as young lovers.
Charlebois’ operatic voice provides a light and hope, even in the dark world. Stimson sings of love with a pure heart that a character like Anthony must have.
Other notable performances include Pirelli played by senior musical theater major Danny Longoria; Beadle Bamford played by senior musical theater major Gordon Maniskas; and senior musical theater major Ian Joseph’s Toby.
Longoria is magnificent in the role as a rival barber; his voice shines even through a thick accent. Mainskas is confident with his corrupt character while, at the same time, being oddly charming. And Joseph is convincing as a young boy who is slowly changed in the care of Mrs. Lovett.
The central cast members Bilitch, Malon, Longoria and the other six seniors in the show can rest assured they are leaving SU drama on a high note – Stephen Sondheim would be proud.
The way the music is written, with numerous quick patter songs and layered lyrics, the show – directed by Anthony Salatino – is vocally demanding. Even on many of the faster songs, each word can be understood. And the combination of vocals on songs like ‘Pretty Women’ and ‘Johanna,’ makes this musical amazing.
Adding to the richness of the entire picture is the costumes. The cast, clad in layers of colorful patterns and rich fabrics, look almost too well-dressed for the working class in London, as the studded belts and modern corsets are distracting.
There is an air of dance and choreography as the stage transitions. Mrs. Lovett’s Pie Shop pivots with Sweeney’s Barber Shop above. The set fits together like puzzle pieces with various staircases and buildings all occupying the same space. Todd’s barber chair, which arrives in the second act, gives each one of his victims a scary ride to their grave – the basement of the pie shop.
Plain and simple, the stage version is far superior to the film released last November starring Johnny Depp. The acting and singing are amazing, with the power and vocal strength of the chorus only adding to the intensity of the major players. It is those moments that produce chills, even in a gruesome production.
Published on April 27, 2008 at 12:00 pm
