“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” has got to be the contender for Best Musical in all the awards that Broadway has to offer. This musical is spectacular, powerful, and hilarious. Playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (W. 46th Street), it is boldly brought back to life and is captivating to watch.
Josh Groban gives a fascinating performance as Sweeney Todd, the barber who had his family taken away from him, himself put in prison for life, and after escaping, comes back to London to exact his revenge.
Annaleigh Ashford is an astonishing delight as Mrs. Lovett. This brilliant comedic actress will have you laughing out loud. At times, she seemed to be carried away by her own lines and the rest of us went right along with her for the ride. With a look, a gesture, and much physical comedy, she kept the audience in stitches throughout this remarkable musical. Her character, Mrs. Lovett, is a woman who runs a shop selling the worst pies in London, as she proclaims herself. When she teams up with Sweeney Todd, her pies go from a feline-infused despicable taste to a hearty humanity-filled delicacy that has everyone opening wide and gobbling them down.
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is, of course, the genius of Stephen Sondheim, who provides the fantastic music and lyrics. A thrilling book by Hugh Wheeler and an adaptation by Christopher Bond complete this dynamite package. The choreography of Steven Hoggett is absolutely haunting. I also love the use of the chorus to move the story along and keep reminding us of the evil that Todd possesses.
This cast is what dreams are made of. Groban and Ashford are joined by Jordan Fisher, who is sublime as Anthony, a young sailor who saves Todd from drowning at sea and comes to London, only to fall in love with Joanna, a beautiful girl who is being kept locked away in the home of Judge Turpin, because she is his ward. Fisher catapults to new heights when he sings “Joanna.” The sparks are certainly flying between Fisher and Maria Bilbao, who plays Joanna. Their scenes together are quite passionate.
Ruthie Ann Miles gives a heart-wrenching, unforgettable performance as the Beggar Woman. Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin in TV’s “Stranger Things”) is mesmerizing in the role of Tobias. John Rapson is quite entertaining and funny as Beadle Bamford. Jamie Jackson leaves his mark in the role of Judge Turpin. Nicholas Christopher is a charming Pirelli.
The ensemble for this musical is the best, bar none. Thomas Kail’s direction puts him in a class of his own.
There is something about the music and lyrics of “Sweeney Todd” that gives you chills and thrills, and makes you want to feel that excitement of being dazzled, amused, and astonished at a Broadway show. “Sweeney Todd” is Broadway at its best.
Every facet of this musical screams perfection, including using the original score with Jonathan Tunick’s original 26-player orchestration, along with costumes by Emilio Sosa, sets by Mimi Lien, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Nevin Steinberg, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, music supervision by Alex Lacamoire, and wigs, hair, and makeup by J. Jared Janas.
For tickets to what will certainly be one of the most enjoyable musicals on Broadway, visit www.sweeneytoddbroadway.com.