By Eva Trieger
CORONADO, California — This ultra artistic reimagining of Broadway’s production of Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, took some notable departures from its original form, written by Hugh Wheeler which premiered in 1979.
With music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim, and performed by live artists, the show feels almost like a living, breathing entity. Coronado Playhouse converted their cabaret space into a seance parlor, making the audience unwitting participants.
This musical thriller reveals Benjamin Barker’s descent into madness, when he returns from a long prison sentence to find his young wife deceived by a scheming judge, and his daughter in the clutches of the same conniving loathsome man. Barker has reinvented himself as Mr. Sweeney Todd (Max Bergstrand) and seeks to exact revenge on Judge Turpin (Steven Jensen). Fortunately for Mr. Todd, pie shop owner, Mrs. Lovett (Meg Woodley) has secreted his knives and his tools of the trade while he’s been away. She also provides the sordid tale of the demise of his young wife (Kay-Marie Morena) and his beautiful daughter, the yellow haired Johanna (Bella Brady).
The Dickensian setting, in impoverished London, serves as the backdrop for Todd’s quest to locate his daughter and dispatch Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford (Hunter Brown) who have destroyed him and robbed him of his life, family and liberty. After establishing his expert skill with his razor in a contest with Pirelli (Roberto Castillo Jr.) Todd sets up business in a room over Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop awaiting his targets with the enterprising and adoring Mrs. Lovett by his side.
Tobias Ragg (Elijah May) a young street urchin, is taken under Mrs. Lovett’s wing and helps out when her business picks up. He is a simple, loyal boy, and while he isn’t sure where his former boss, Pirelli, has gone, he is happy to work serving ale and pies, and develops protective feelings for his new employer.
The young sailor, who has escorted Todd back to London becomes infatuated with the lovely Johanna, whom he sees at her window. The judge has kept her ensconced in his home, against her will. Anthony Hope (Jansen Espares) vows to liberate her and take her away from her prison.
Todd grows ever more desperate and takes it upon himself to singlehandedly rid London of its lowlifes while he waits for his chance to destroy his enemies. The large ensemble relates the grisly tale through energetic singing and choreography. The voices and songs are truly inspired and impressive. The cast includes Brittney Tiger, Cole Chinn, Espie Ignacio, Kaitlyn Summers, Leanna Neely, Myles Davis and Sofia D’Alessio.
Co-directors Leah Osterman and Kailee Ash-Ray did an outstanding job using this small space so effectively, while having actors moving in and about the audience. Equally noteworthy were the costumes, designed by Mikaela Liotta and the spooky set created by Frank Seed. I would be remiss if I did not include the dialect coach who is masterful. Luis Sherlinee provided support for Irish, British and Italian accents in this very fine production.
Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will run through November 3rd. Tickets may be purchased online at CoronadoPlayhouse.org or by phone at 619.435.4856
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the coverage of the arts.