Zachary Ford in Sweeney Todd (Cory Weaver)
It’s October, which means for many of us, our “Spooky Season” switch has been flipped and the only entertainment we’re interested in consuming is of the creepy or macabre variety. Music Theater Heritage has kicked things off with Sweeney Todd, which is the perfect show in that regard.
The classic Stephen Sondheim musical—book by Hugh Wheeler—centers on Todd (formerly Benjamin Barker), a barber who was falsely convicted on trumped-up charges by a corrupt judge and exiled to a penal colony. After escaping and returning to London under his new identity, Todd (Zachary Ford) told that his wife Lucy poisoned herself and that their child, Johanna (Catherine Rae), is being raised by that same judge who sent him away (Drew Duncan). Todd joins up with the owner of a meat pie shop, Mrs. Lovett (Katie Kalahurka), who eventually comes up with a solution to both their problems: Todd’s need for vengeance and Mrs. Lovett’s terrible pies. Todd will use his impressive skill with a straight razor to kill the judge (and a few others along the way) and Lovett will fill the pies with their newly sourced meat supply.
Under Artistic Director Tim Scott’s direction, MTH’s Sweeney Todd is an eerie dream. Dante Lawrence’s gorgeous lighting drapes the show in a moody haze, casting striking, dramatic shadows against Lindsay Mummert’s innovative set. Sweeney’s kills are stylized to highlight the heightened emotions and the drama of the moment rather than the act of murder itself. (Don’t mistake the lack of blood and violence for a sign that this production is more kid-friendly than any other run of the dark play, though.)
Sondheim’s scores are famously challenging undertakings for singers to tackle. There were some stumbles here, with more than a few wonky notes and actors running out of breath. But the show kept driving ahead with such energy and earnestness, hitting the heartfelt moments and mining every bit of comedy, that I found the missteps easy enough to shrug off. It helps that the show, including the music, has an intimate feel. Music director Ty Tuttle leads a trio of musicians performing onstage, with himself on piano, Mike Prucha on Clarinet, and Dana Woolard on Cello. The impact the small group is able to deliver, bolstered by Thomas Newby’s rich sound design, is impressive. Hearing a full orchestra playing Sondheim’s intricate arrangements is a powerful experience, but there’s a special feeling to this sort of stripped-down interpretation.
Those previously mentioned stumbles aside, the cast of Sweeney Todd is solid. The comedic roles, such as Bob Wearing and Drew Squire as the rival barber Pirelli and his delightfully eager grifting assistant Tobias, are especially engaging. But it’s Katie Kalahurka’s Mrs. Lovett who steals this show. She is deeply hilarious while also capturing the darkness of the role, all with a focus and precision that makes those complex musical arrangements sound effortless.
MTH’s mounting of Sweeney Todd is a lot of fun, especially for those looking to get into the spooky season spirit. Even for return viewers already familiar with the musical, there’s enough here that feels unique to this intimate production to make it well worth a trip out.
“Sweeney Todd” runs through October 27 at Music Theater Heritage at Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd. For more information, call (816) 221-6987 or visit musictheaterheritage.com.
