Don Fowler

Columbus directs engaging ‘Sweeney Todd’ at Brown

Posted 10/1/14

Curt Columbus, Trinity Rep’s talented artistic director, has adapted the classic Stephen Sondheim musical, “Sweeney Todd,” for Brown Theatre’s Sock and Buskin, moving up to College Hill to …

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Don Fowler

Columbus directs engaging ‘Sweeney Todd’ at Brown

Posted

Curt Columbus, Trinity Rep’s talented artistic director, has adapted the classic Stephen Sondheim musical, “Sweeney Todd,” for Brown Theatre’s Sock and Buskin, moving up to College Hill to direct this engaging production.

Not only are the actors engaged, but Columbus engages the audience, making them a part of Fleet Street. The cast becomes a motley group of political agitators, whose signs and placards adorn the lobby and performing space, emphasizing the futility of the working class. While we are on London’s Fleet Street, we could also be in any major city.

The have-nots tell the story of Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, an innocent man who returns home after 15 years of incarceration, looking for revenge. Todd (Patrick Madden) teams up with Mrs. Lovett (Natalie McDonald) to provide her customers with unusually tasty meat pies with an extra special ingredient.

If you know the story (and who doesn’t?) you know the existence of a special barber chair, a sharp razor and a meat grinder. I’ve seen the production done on a proscenium stage, where spectacular special effects are used. Columbus and scenic designer Patrick Lynch have created a simpler but convincing special effect, with the victims nearly ending up in your lap. The production takes advantage of the entire Leeds Theatre space, extending from the aisles to the rafters.

“Sweeney Todd” was written for operatic voices, with many of the lines sung. While the college actors rarely reach that level, with the exception of Katherine Doherty as Johanna, they handle the musical numbers quite well.

This adaptation of the musical emphasizes class struggle and inequality, while showing the extreme measures a man will go to for revenge.

Bravo to Columbus and the large cast for taking on a complex musical and making it a radical, overwhelming, enjoyable production.

“Sweeney Todd” is at Brown’s Leeds Theatre, Waterman Ave., Providence, through Oct. 5. It was sold out opening night and is proving to be a coveted ticket, so call today (863-2838) for tickets.

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