Review: 'Sweeney Todd' by Landmark Student Theatre

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd..."

Thomaston, CT - This summer Landmark Student Theatre chose to tackle the Stephen Sondheim horror classic ‘Sweeney Todd’ under the direction of Dan Checovetes. Mr. Checovetes proudly acknowledges that in the fifth year of the program he has directed a group of teens that is “extremely committed, that work hard all summer long on the show, and that give it everything they have each time they step on the stage..Music in this show is NOT easy to learn, yet these kids have worked hard to master it.”

All of the hours that this group put in at rehearsals was apparent as the story of the Demon Barber of Fleet Story unfolded on closing night. The students in the ensemble sang with an eerie beauty and the leadings characters nailed their dark roles. Dan Porri made his first appearance as the music director for this student theatre group and with pianist John Dressel, tackled this score once again. Both musicians played these pieces for the production of Sweeney Todd that Phoenix Stage Company did in 2013 at their Naugatuck location, where Rhiannon Carta (Lucy Barker/Beggar Woman in this production) also appeared in the ensemble.

Nolan Cummings, home on summer break from University of the Arts where he is working towards a BFA in acting, took on his dream role of Sweeney in his fourth LCT teen show. He was forcefully effective with this demonic role and easily sang the tricky score. He scared me when he interacted with the men seated in the front row and when he was hit with a spotlight in the aisle right next to me for the epilogue. Sydney Wyatt, Heather in last year’s ‘Heathers: The Musical, was far more evil this year as the meat-pie seller Mrs. Lovett;’ their duet of “A Little Priest” was a spectacular take on this iconic work of musical theatre. Kudos to both on leading this production to the next level.

Avarice Jacovino, nominated for two Halo Awards while at Crosby HS, was a scary Judge Turpin, the guardian of the lovely Johanna Barker, played beautifully by Marley Thompson in her third TOH production. Katie Kelley (‘Seussical’ ensemble at the Warner) bravely scaled the high notes of the scamming barber Adolfo Pirelli and so did tenor Philip Coffey (who I remembered as Archie in ‘13’ in Sharon) in the role of sailor Anthony Hope. Mr. Coffey is now a sophomore at Belmont University majoring in Audio Engineering with a minor in Theatre. Watertown HS grad Joshua Viltrakis made the most of his role as Beadle Bamford; the young actor will head to the Institute for American Musical Theatre.

Ms. Carta (‘Sister Act,’ ‘The Wedding Singer’) brought a lot to the role of the crazy beggar woman who keeps turning up. Jess Cocomazzi (‘Heathers,’ ‘ The Wedding Singer’) was stellar in the role of young Tobias Ragg. Pomperaug HS senior Justin Callanan stepped out of the ensemble to play asylum head Mr. Fogg. Other ensemble members were TCC’s Jakob Buckley, Grace Carpenter, Sarah Feero, TCC’s Morgan Griffin, Jewell JD Hearon (Eugene in ‘Grease,’) Ms. Kelly, Olivia Lanteri, Robert Melendez (‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at 7A,) Katie Nemergut, Alyssa Renick (‘Heathers,’) Lindsay Sawyer, and Allison VanDerlyn.

The wooden set designed by the director suggested 19th century London and as always he lit the stage beautifully, especially every time Sweeney used his custom-made barber chair. The meat pie shop upgraded its sign for the second act. Sound by Josh Lopez and Jim Luurtsema worked very well and the costumes by Debbie Cashman fit the period and the young actors, although Mrs. Lovett’s baking top was a bit low-cut for the task.

Gary Kingsbury presented three scholarships from the stage before the final performance of ‘Sweeney Todd.’ The criteria for the financial award was volunteerism with Landmark, leadership, outside volunteer credits and a written essay. Louis Molliconi could not attend the show to accept his scholarship in person, but Kelsey Morris hugged Mr. Kingsbury and Jeffrey Dunn when she came to the stage to pick up her envelope. The final award went to Tori Campbell, one of the assistant stage managers and a member of the running crew for the show. She came out from backstage with her headset in place to accept her envelope.

The Connecticut Community Foundation underwrites Landmark Student Theatre.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and 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. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417