From the first shrill blast of a steam whistle, a spellbinding production of “Sweeney Todd” at the Stage Theatre launches the audience on a nightmarish descent into madness and meat pies.
Sensational voices, clever revolving sets, deft splashes of humor and the discordant Stephen Sondheim score make for a deeply rewarding version of the classic.
The breathtaking performances are the highlight while the eagerly anticipated musical adaptations by DeVotchKa are in tune with the 1979 original. That is, the Grammy-nominated local band’s gypsy punk stylings don’t distinguish it much.
The band adds accordion here, sousaphone and theremin there, and at times its members appear onstage, fully costumed. But Sondheim fans will find the band never comes close to overpowering the score; DeVotchKa fans may wish the band were more prominently featured.
The group’s inclusion is an astute move by director Kent Thompson at a time when attracting younger audiences to the theater is a goal. But it’s not the main draw.
Under Thompson, this sharp “Sweeney” pulses with dark energy, not to mention blood.
Robert Petkoff is a dynamic and complex Sweeney, a commanding presence who rises from the depths, telegraphing torment and gloom. His clear vocals transmit raw power, his deepest notes are chilling. He is matched by Linda Mugleston as Mrs. Lovett. Muggleston brings great comedic talent and a jabbering, lilting tone to her Lady MacBeth-like role.
Newly returned to London, the barber aims to avenge the corrupt judge who banished him to Australia years earlier on trumped up charges, and who coveted his wife Lucy at the time. For all his murderous rage, Sweeney is the likeable anti-hero, the hardworking family man turned psychotic killer by circumstances.
Mrs. Lovett may be the true villain of the story. Her pie shop does terribly until she hits upon an idea: meat is scarce, so why not use a new filling that takes advantage of Sweeney’s gifts with the razor, slitting throats upstairs in his barber chair?
Kevin McGuire is appropriately revolting as the wicked Judge Turpin, who now lusts after Sweeney’s daughter Johanna (Samantha Bruce). Sweeney’s friend Anthony (Daniel Berryman) vows to spirit her away.
Dwelvan David sneaks several laugh lines as Beadle Bamford, the Judge’s servant. And Kevin Curtis as Tobias, the naive waif taken in by Mrs. Lovett who figures out Todd’s secret, does a beautiful job on his song, promising protection, “Not While I’m Around.”
The scenic design by James Kronzer incorporates a steampunk flavor, a nod to Industrial Age London. The costumes by Kevin Copenhaver are nicely evocative (Johanna’s dress looks like a blossom).
Love and loss, murder and madness, it’s all a little twisted. Perhaps the most beautiful love song is delivered by Sweeney to his sterling silver razors (“My Friends”), and the most hilarious lyrics describe the varieties of victims to be baked into pies (“A Little Priest”). The perverse themes come together in a remarkable telling based on a penny dreadful, in turn based on an obscure British folktale. The show that was controversial when it debuted hasn’t lost its power.
Sweeney is all about revenge, Mrs. Lovett is about finding a way to score, in terms of profits on pies as well as a mate. Together they lead this dark operetta baked into a discordant score with acerbic, crazily clever lyrics.
The marriage of gritty London underworld and sparkling music and poetic lyrics works beautifully in the DCPA’s production, contrasting the best and worst of humanity.
“Demons are prowling everywhere,” the show warns.
And this ensemble makes us feel oddly alive.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830, jostrow@denverpost.com or @ostrowdp
“SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET” Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler, from an adaptation by Christopher Bond. Musical adaptations by DeVotchKa. Directed by Kent Thompson. WithRobert Petkoff, Linda Mugleston, Kathleen McCall, Samantha Bruce, Kevin Curtis, Dwelvan David. Recommended for age 12+. Through May 15 at The Stage Theatre, DCPA. Tickets $35-40 by calling the box office 800-641-1222 or online www.denvercenter.org.
