Kim Kollar, left, as Mrs. Lovett and Chris Caswell as the title character and other cast members preparing for a shaving sequence in "Sweeney Todd" at Venice Theatre. RENEE MCVETY PHOTO/VENICE THEATRE
There’s a terrific, intimate production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s darkly comic musical “Sweeney Todd” waiting to emerge in Stage II at Venice Theatre.
The production, staged by Murray Chase, has some wonderful ingredients that include an impressive, audience-surrounding set and an intense and involving performance by Chris Caswell in the title role, nicely, if tentatively, matched by Kim Kollar as Mrs. Lovett, his cohort in gruesome crimes.
Kim Kollar, left, as Mrs. Lovett and Chris Caswell as the title character in the Venice Theatre Stage II production of "Sweeney Todd." RENEE MCVETY PHOTO/VENICE THEATRE
Caswell, a Sarasota area theater veteran, has rarely been seen to such confident and committed advantage. He is perfectly in tune with the vengeful barber seeking retribution against a judge who lusted for Sweeney’s wife and sent him to prison for life on trumped-up charges. With his pristine razors held firmly in his hand, he's just waiting for the chance to slit the judge’s throat in his barber’s chair, and practicing first on other customers.
"Sweeney" actors star as a couple once again
Caswell’s confidence is welcome in a production that needed more on opening night. There were dropped lines, flubbed lyrics and some off-key singing, likely the result of a last-minute change in accompanist. Peter Madpak took over as pianist and conductor just two days before Thursday’s opening (it’s impressive how he got through the show on such short notice even as he struggled to lead the cast through the tricky rhythms and melodies). He is joined by Alyson King on cello. A woodwind player listed in the program was missing from the opening performance.
All those musical changes would explain why Kollar and other performers seemed extra nervous or uncomfortable on opening night. She’s one of the area’s strongest community theater performers and you can see that she has a keen understanding of Mrs. Lovett, who runs a meat pie shop that becomes a success once Sweeney’s clients become her secret ingredient.
Douglas Landin, leeft, and Alyssa Marie Hunek play young lovers in the Stephen Sondheim musical "Sweeney Todd" at Venice Theatre." RENEE MCVETY PHOTO/VENICE THEATRE
The cast also includes Douglas Landin as Anthony, who falls in love with Sweeney’s daughter, Johanna, who has been kept hidden away by the judge. He conveys some of the young sailor’s passion, even if the melodies generally elude him. Alyssa Marie Hunek has a sweet voice as Johanna, but she plays the character as more petulant than alluring.
Robert Austin is more sure with his singing than his speaking lines as the obnoxious Judge Turpin, while Rik Robertson delivers both a strong voice and a fine sense of unctuous charm as the Beadle.
Joe Sergio plays the rival barber Pirelli with a slick and oily sense of self importance, and Lisa Figueroa wanders in and out as a Beggar Woman trapped in a haunted past.
Ryan Hunek doesn’t let the musical problems get to him in his role as Toby, who starts off as Pirelli’s assistant and moves on to help Mrs. Lovett. He has an easy way on the stage.
Tim Wisgerhof’s set of wooden platforms and stairs that wind around the small theater allow for a lot of playing spaces and keep the audience looking around to see what’s happening next. The actors are beautifully costumed (even when their clothes are down and dirty) by Nicholas Hartman, who captures a sense of mid 19th-century London, and John Michael Andzulis' lighting gives a hint of darkness and danger when needed with some heightened drama along with it.
I hope to return to this “Sweeney Todd” to see what happens when the cast and musicians have more time to work together and ease their comfort level of a show that is already almost there.
THEATER REVIEW
"SWEENEY TODD"
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler. Directed by Murray Chase. Reviewed Jan. 21, Venice Theatre Stage II, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. Through Feb. 14. Tickets are $29, $13-$15 for students. 941-488-1115; venicestage.com
