The popularity and success of the play finally got my attention and I made a reservation to see the Playhouse Professional Company's presentation at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, New Hampshire. This is not your average musical play. It deals with oppression, poverty and mass murder at the beginning of the industrial revolution in London. The Playhouse's excellent production rivals the best of Boston and New York.
Players artistic director Timothy L'Ecuyer directed this presentation, and Matthew A. Stephens was music director. The first thing that impresses you is the towering set designed by Inseung Park, made to resemble 1800s industrial construction with movable ladders to allow actors to move up and down between the levels.
The cast of ten was led by Jesse Luttrell as Sweeney Todd and Molly Parker as Mrs. Lovett. The tall, muscular Luttrell and his powerful voice dominate the stage, sometimes almost frightening in his anger. Parker is excellent as Lovett, owner of a pie shop and Sweeney's willing accomplice in his murderous rampage, dispatching customers in his barber shop with his razor. The two eventually concoct a diabolical, fiendish scheme that will serve both their needs.
A love story plays out in the background, with Ethan Yaheen-Moy Chan as Anthony Hope and Kelley Jane Davies as Johanna. Dalia Aleman as the beggar woman, a seemingly minor role early on, turns out to be a character of much more importance. Rudy Martinez as Judge Turpin is Sweeney's nemesis. The rest of the superb cast is rounded out by David Fine, John-Michael Breen, Jason Thomas Sofge and Robert Hooghkirk.
Like most Sondheim musicals, the story is told in the songs. I counted thirty-four of them in the program. Even much of the dialog is set to music. Music director Stephens' pounding accompaniment sometimes seemed to shake the theater. I'll remember this production as the best of the 2023 summer theater season in New Hampshire.
No comments:
Post a Comment