Ryan ChartrandA less-gory version of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, “Sweeney Todd,” will slice its way through the Central Coast with a new minimalist interpretation of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical this Thursday night at the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center.
“This is the kind of show that can turn people who do not normally attend musicals into fans of musical theatre,” said Steven Lerian, director of Cal Poly Arts.
Director John Doyle’s total re-invention of Sondheim’s now classic tale of justice has brought rave reviews from The Wall Street Journal, who called it “The greatest musical of the past half-century. a staging of the utmost force and originality.”
When the curtains open at 7 p.m., a talented collection of 10 actors and musicians will take center stage with Merritt David Janes as Sweeney Todd. Janes’ role as the demon barber will sure to please those who saw Janes star as the easygoing Jersey boy Robbie Hart in last season’s musical “The Wedding Singer.”
Sweeney Todd is based off of the 19th century legend of a London barber who turned to a life a crime after a malevolent judge took his wife and child from him. Sweeney takes his rage out on his wealthy customers by killing them and taking their valuables. To dispose of their bodies, he partners up with a businesswoman, Mrs. Lovett, played by Carrie Cimma, who bakes the human flesh into her meat pies.
Many students will most likely recognize “Sweeney Todd” from the Tim Burton’s 2007 movie adaptation, starring Johnny Depp. However, the musical first premiered on Broadway in 1979 with a 27-piece symphonic orchestra and 30-member cast.
In this adaptation, John Doyle takes the giant Broadway show and cuts it down to its fundamentals with less gore than audiences might be used to. The actors never leave the stage because, when they are not the focus of the scene, they perform all of the music composed for the musical.
The forebodingly plain set is stripped to the bare essentials and the actors utilize only a few essential props to bring the audience to the different locations of 19th century London.
Following a highly-successful London engagement, Doyle’s production of Sweeney Todd opened on Broadway in 2005 to universal critical acclaim where it won the Drama League, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for “Best Revival of a Musical,” and was awarded a Special Citation by the New York Drama Critics Circle.
“I think it going to be one of the most fun and interesting show of the year. This show just wows people in New York. For students it should be a nice break before finals,” said Lerian.
Student and adult tickets for the performance range from $44 to $68 and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Center ticket office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week.
However, students from all locations with valid identification are eligible for $10 at-door rush tickets one hour prior to curtain. Cal Poly faculty and staff may also purchase any available at-door rush tickets at a 20 percent discount with Cal Poly identification at the door.
Due to content, the performance is recommended for adults and students over the age of 14.