Theater Review: "Sweeney Todd" at Black Rock Theater and BMA

FAIRFIELD - “Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” a collaboration of Black Rock Theater and Broadway Method Academy BMA Studio Theater in Fairfield, features a professional company of actors and runs at the BMA Studio Theater through June 24. The production team offers special thanks to their creative partner and production sponsor, the generous Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation.

The now iconic musical features music and lyrics by the late Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler.

'Sweeney Todd', formerly known as Benjamin Barker, uses his new alias to resume work in his barber shop above Mrs. Lovett’s struggling pie shop after being wrongfully sentenced to life imprisonment by the corrupt Judge Turpin. After swearing vengeance against the judge that tore his family apart, Mr. Todd and Mrs. Lovett plot a unique plan that helps them both and leads them down a dangerous, thrilling path with deadly consequences.

Audra Bryant has directed and choreographed the young cast with a fine attention to detail and a special respect to the limitations and opportunities of the black box space. The studio theater has been flipped to a new, even more intimate space that brings the audience closer to the ensemble members and the spookier, yet bloodless, aspects. The set design by Ryan M. Howell corroborates the vision of the director, with Elissa DeMaria, Brenna Donahue as scenic artists.

From the first notes of the spine-tingling opening “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” I was hooked. Some of the set pieces are smaller in nature, with a small red chair and a tiny wooden trunk in Sweeney’s shop above the pie shop, except for a rolling staircase, everything is on one level. However, the scope of the baker’s oven is massive, making for an impressive first entrance of the demon barber, backlit in red lights. There are gratings in the stage for steam to rise through and exquisite lighting designed by Curtis Shields serves to strengthen the look.

Costumes designed by Dustin Cross have a contemporary feel, intentionally dirty for the non-elite. Leather coats made a point and the skirt of the Beggar Woman foreshadowed her true identity. Wig design was by Katie Adams. Music direction by Blake Allen and Matt Moisey raises the production to another level. The live orchestra backstage includes Moisey as conductor and keyboard, Elliot Wallace on percussion, Jessie Englander playing reeds, Inna Ramen Langerman on violin, Samantha Marcial on cello and Christie Echols on bass.

Tate McElhaney is a very strong Sweeney Todd, showing off a full singing voice for his solos. McElhaney, a rising senior musical theater major at Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music, played Herr Schultz in “Cabaret” at BMA. In his bio in the virtual program, the actor thanks Stephen Sondheim “for creating this masterpiece.”

Spencer Stanley, usually seen on New London county stages, gives a wonderful performance as the sailor Anthony Hope. Stanley’s professional credits include performing at 54 Below, Goodspeed Opera House and the Ivoryton Playhouse. Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music junior Eliza Levy portrays the Beggar Woman in her BMA debut and Sasha Spitz, who appeared in last summer’s production of “Cabaret,” uses her lovely soprano to portray the judge’s young ward Johanna.

Everything about Rose Messenger as Mrs. Nellie Lovett is perfection. From her acting of the comedic elements to the singing of the classic musical theater number “A Little Priest,” this is a performance to remember. Messenger is a Canadian actor, performing in CT for the first time. She is currently studying Musical Theatre at CCM at the University of Cincinnati.

The evil Judge Turpin is brought to life by Matthew Danforth of New Jersey in his BMA debut. He is currently a rising sophomore in the MT program at CCM.
Nick Pattarini is the equally intimidating Beadle Bamford. Pattarini is from Alexandria, Virginia and is currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater at the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, OH.

Jackson Wood, a BFA Musical Theatre Major at Texas State University portrays the young Tobias Ragg and David Littlefield returns to the BMA stage to play the Italian barber Adolfo Pirelli. Littlefield's favorite credits include “Legally Blonde” (Emmett), “Little Shop of Horrors” (Seymour) and “Cabaret” at BMA.

The talented members of the ensemble include Ranease Brown, Ethan Horbury, Caroline Marchetti, Isabel Rina, Nathan Syzmanski and Abby Tucker.

It was a special treat for me to see Ryan Kennedy in his first professional production as part of the ensemble. Kennedy grew up on the Amity Regional High School stage and has completed his freshman year in the BFA Acting Program at Syracuse University. Kennedy also serves as the understudy for the roles of Anthony and Beadle.

I spotted Ryan’s parents in the opening night audience and I was able to appreciate the horror on the face of Mrs. Kennedy when her son was the first customer to have his throat slit by the evil barber. Also in the audience was Erin Lee Stanley, Theater Director at Stonington High School Drama, supporting her son Spencer.

Kudos to Executive Producer Connor Deane on an inspired production in the BMA space. This is a production of “Sweeney Todd” not to be missed. The production includes flashing lights, a gunshot, murder and nonconsentual sex. Tickets start at $45 and VIP tickets and group rates are available.

Photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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