'Sweeney Todd:' Oddly delicious

Miko Calivo

Staff Writer

The murderous plot of making men into meat pies comes alive in the 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, now running through Nov. 15.

A talented cast of actors bring alive the Stephen Sondheim musical to tell the tale of Sweeney Todd (Allen Fitzpatrick) as he seeks revenge upon those who tore his family apart and sent him to prison. All would be well if it weren’t for Mrs. Lovett (Carol Swarbrick), who decides that the proper method of disposing of the bodies would be to grind them up and serve them in her meat pies.

Demonic chords are performed on the organ as the curtain rises and the company takes the stage at the start of the show. Director David Armstrong has assembled a stellar cast to provide a captivating blend of harmonies to delight the ears and frighten the bones.

Fizpatrick and Swarbrick create an honest and comedic partnership for their characters. The chemistry these actors maintain throughout the performance kept the show’s tempo moving forward. Although clocking in at little under three hours, including intermission, the performance doesn’t feel that long. Fitzpatrick nails the character of Sweeney Todd as a troubled man who seeks revenge. His voice is coarse, his songs belted with purpose. Swarbrick, too, goes for the gusto in her performance as Mrs. Lovett, providing much of the humor, especially in “A Little Priest,” when she describes the many flavors of pies she may have if her and Sweeney go into business of making meat pies with Sweeney’s victims.

In a breakout performance, Benjamin Schrader’s performance as Tobias Ragg must not go unnoticed. His majestic voice fills the auditorium during “Not While I’m Around,” a beautiful ballad he shares with Swarbrick. Schrader’s performance is endearing and is one not to miss.

Then there’s the great aspect of lighting that deserves recognition. It’s not an easy feat to create a world of darkness when the stage must be lit for audiences to see. The lighting design by Tom Sturge is a character on its own as it creates mysterious shadows and electrifying gloom for all to see.

So even if Halloween day is behind us, Sweeney Todd is the perfect treat for this Halloween holiday season. But don’t take my word for it. Just listen to the words of Sweeney Todd:

“Attend the tale of Sweeny Todd.
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
He shaved the faces of gentlemen
Who never thereafter were heard of again.
He trod a path that few have trod,
Did Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”