That same leap is imperative when going from Broadway to regional productions. When taking on a big show like Stephen Sondheim and High Wheeler’s Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in a smaller venue, the key is imagination. It all about paring down to emotional moments and not trying to recreate the monstrous sets you see in a huge 1,900 seat stage.

This is where the Actor’s Express gets it right.  Their take on Todd is all about mood and atmosphere not costly set designs. Before the lights even go out there are a few gothic lamps placed near the ceiling. Fog blankets the room. Even the temperature in the space is chilled to give the feel of London in the late 1800’s.

Director Freddie Ashley understands that shadow and wood are his friends. The set has a few chairs and two small wooden platforms on either side of the stage.

That’s it you say?

That is enough.

The sparse design help  produce the industrialized version of London. And then the rest is up to the music and cast. And, thankfully, they deliver.

The ensemble is surprisingly present and intregal to this production.  They provide a  youthful spirit and energy to the show. This is vital because Todd is so dark. They add a lift during the heavy parts.

The show centers on Sweeney Todd, who used to be Benjamin Barker, a barber whose life, wife and child, were seized by a local Judge. He returns for revenge and strikes a deal with local pie maker Mrs. Lovett to provide his victims to her for meat in the delicious pies she sells.

The anchor of the show is Kevin Harry in the title role of Todd. His acting and voice both act as an anchor to the show. Harry’s bass resonates long after he has left a scene or the stage. It lingers in the air like the fog above. It adds to the menace of the show. You know somewhere Todd is lurking with his custom blades ready to give you the closest shave of your life.

Because of his booming bass, there was a fear that it might overpower the performance. But Harry has control, hiding in the pocket of the notes. He lets the emotion seep through, not just the bravado of the role.

In one of the opening scenes Todd is talking to Anthony, a sailor who gives him a ride to London,  and Todd reveals a not so sane side,  Harry is almost whispering his lines. It is way more terrifying in the smallish stage when in theory Todd might reach out and swipe you with the blade.

Harry does the heavy lifting of evoking fear early on in the show, so then he is allowed to stretch artistically during the rest of the performance.

This is evident when he and Mrs. Lovett, played by the mesmorizing Deborah Bowman, are on stage together. The role of Mrs. Lovett usually gets a harder edge which can be overpowering. But Bowman is a shade softer which allows the love of Lovett and Todd to take center stage.

Another thing Harry and Bowman are adept at is comedy. They allow it to mask some of the more macabe moments of the musical. For instance when they sing about which type of meat pie they would like, lawyer or sailor, you are laughing though the undertone of death is just below.

Other noteworthy performances include Jesscia DeMaria as the “beggar woman”, who carries the pain of the city in the lilt of her voice. Also Stuart Schleuse gives the stereotypical Pirelli some depth and style.

The only misstep to me is toward the end of the second act when Mrs. Lovett and Todd have their final scene there is a BIG moment when from my vantage point from the stage I could not see anything.

Wait.

Strike that.

I thought about it, I think the idea of not seeing such a horrific scene and only hearing it added to the fright of the production. I did wonder if the experience for the audience on the other side of the stage was different.

The show takes a very dark piece and adds charm and nuance to something that could have been too big, or frankly, to scary to handle. The show plays until Feb 28. Get your tickets now.

The post Sweeney Todd is Charming in Atlanta Production appeared first on Broadway Black.

Mr. Cooper’s staement:

I wish to announce to the theatrical community that I am no longer a part of the New American Theatre Co. NY benefit concert of SWEENEY TODD by Stephen Sondheim.  As a performer I simply assumed that all of the permissions to do Sweeney Todd had been obtained and granted by the producer of the event. It was deeply embarrassing to me to discover that this had not, in fact, occurred. I’m sure the intentions of the producers of the event were well meaning, but an error of this magnitude has inflicted irreparable damage to my ability to participate in it.

As you know, we posted the article on May 7 expressing our excitement over the announcement of Chuck Cooper being casted in the lead role of the production put on by the American Theatre Co. NY as a benefit concert. We wish the cast and crew the very best and are still looking forward to a wonderful show!

The post BREAKING: Chuck Cooper Will NOT Cut Into Sweeney Todd appeared first on Broadway Black.

UPDATE 5.14.15 : This production will no longer feature Chuck Cooper. Find out more info as to why HERE!

This summer, The New American Theatre Co. NY will present a benefit concert of SWEENEY TODD by Stephen Sondheim staring Tony Award winners Chuck Cooper in the title role and Lillias White as ‘Mrs. Lovett’. Rounding out the cast is an ensemble of color featuring Clifton Oliver as ‘Anthony’, Britney Coleman as ‘Johanna’, and Arbender Robinson as ‘Tobias’. The concert will be directed by Artistic Director, DaMone.

 In a recent video interview on the NATCNY website, Cooper explains how he has wanted to play this role since seeing it portrayed by George Hearn, but quickly accepted the fact that he would never get the opportunity. Happily, that is no longer the case. The mission of NATCNY is expansion and inclusivity in American storytelling and this production fits perfectly.
Sondheim is perhaps one of the most esteemed and revered creators in the American Musical Theater. His work consistently presents artistic and dramatic challenges to all who encounter it and is highly respected in the theater, and now film community.

Furthermore, in recent years, audiences are beginning to see diversity in the actors portraying these iconic roles. This event promises to give a fresh and historic take on the tale of the Demon Barber; one that will hopefully lead to more color in the vast and beautiful world of Sondheim.

The benefit concert of SWEENEY TODD will be Monday August 10th at 7:00pm at The New American Theatre Co. NY
1332A Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11216
For tickets and more information, visit www.natcny.org

The post Sweeney Todd In Color With Lillias White appeared first on Broadway Black.