Draper Historic Theatre takes a walk on the dark side with ‘Sweeney Todd’
Sep 10, 2024 12:36PM ● By Katherine Weinstein
River Robinson as Mrs. Lovett and Cameron Smith as Sweeney Todd strike a pose in the Draper Historic Theatre production of “Sweeney Todd.” (Photo by Ashley Loewer)
There’s a slight chill in the air at Draper Historic Theatre unrelated to the change of seasons. The theater will present Stephen Sondheim’s comic-horror musical, “Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Sept. 13-28.
Five years ago, Lamplight Theatre Co. explored the class struggle at the heart of “Sweeney Todd” at Draper Historic Theatre, but the current production takes a different approach. Director Melissa Van Dam explained, “I really wanted to make sure that these characters are all grounded in real people. Our show digs into how these characters are a reflection of society, real people going through real things. People will feel the difference.”
This production is not about caricatures. “There will be no white makeup,” Van Dam added, alluding to Tim Burton’s film version starring Johnny Depp. “But there will be lots of blood.”
Sondheim based his original 1979 Broadway musical on a Victorian era “penny dreadful,” a cheap, sensational work of fiction published as a serial. Set in the 19th century, “Sweeney Todd” tells the tale of an unjustly imprisoned barber who returns to London with vengeance in his heart.
The target of his ire is the lecherous Judge Turpin, who imprisoned Todd so he could have his way with his young wife. As Sweeney Todd engages in a murderous spree of revenge, his neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, a baker of meat pies, devises a plan to get rid of the bodies. After all, as she sings, “Times is hard,” and meat is costly.
Mrs. Lovett is a darkly comic character. River Robinson, who has taken on the role, sees her as multi-faceted. “She doesn’t come across as a villain archetype, but there is something brewing underneath,” Robinson said. Alone and barely scraping by, Lovett has her own reasons for revenge on a society that disregards her.
Oliver Haws, in the role of Toby, a street urchin who becomes attached to Mrs. Lovett, said, “I’ve never been in a show that takes such a deep dive, asks how did this character end up in this place. It’s so much more personal. Everyone is just human, everyone thinks they’re the good guy.”
As Judge Turpin, Matthew Davids said that the latter point is key to playing “the worst villain in maybe all of theater.” “To play a villain, you have to believe that you are in the right,” he said.
Because the director has given the actors so much freedom to interpret and bring their own personalities to the characters, the double-cast production has a unique feel to it depending on the cast. “You’re going to see a different production with different actors,” Davids explained. “I think that’s beautiful.”
Jerrod Dew also plays Judge Turpin. “My judge is different in his grooming, he is a master manipulator with seething anger,” Dew said. “He’s menacing. I creep myself out on stage!” Dew admitted that he has apologized on occasion to the other actors for his behavior as Turpin.
The role of Sweeney Todd is played by Cameron Smith and Jonathan Saul in alternating performances. “‘Sweeney’ is a show that’s been done for a long time,” Saul said. “The uniqueness of this production starts with the director. We portray our characters as we see them. It is such an honor to play this part, there is so much more opportunity to add more layers.”
Smith agreed saying that he appreciates “the focus on Sweeney the man.” He feels that the character achieves a degree of redemption. “He definitely knows what he did at the end. He gets what he deserves. It’s a well-written scene,” Smith said. He also noted, “The show is very theme-heavy. Obsession, vengeance, madness—these are big themes.”
These themes are expressed through Sondheim’s evocative melodies, which are sometimes not the easiest songs to sing. As Johanna, Todd’s daughter who is virtually held prisoner as Turpin’s ward, Rachel Saltmarsh hits the high notes. “It’s been very challenging for me as a vocalist but also so wonderful to have that push me as an actor,” she said. “It’s been a rewarding experience.”
Saltmarsh described her character as “the girl in the horror movie who survives at the end.” Johanna’s romance with the young sailor, Anthony, is a ray of light in the darkness.
Tyler Rasmussen, one of the actors who plays Anthony, is enjoying the role. “Anthony doesn’t see the awful things going on around him,” Rasmussen said. “He’s in his own romantic musical. It’s fun playing with that.”
Jaden Burnett, who also plays Anthony, said that he hopes audiences will give their production of “Sweeney Todd” a try. “People should come because we focus on humanity, the need for love and connection,” he said.
“This is a version of the show that people can connect to,” Saltmarsh said.
Van Dam explained how the opening lyrics to the show change their meaning when they are sung again at the end. “Attend the tale of ‘Sweeney Todd,’” she quoted. It’s a cautionary message. “People can get caught up, lose sight of what is good and bad,” Van Dam said, “We have to watch out for things that can make us lose ourselves.”
The Draper Historic Theatre website notes that the show is recommended only for ages 12 and up for its mature themes and disturbing imagery.
“Sweeney Todd” will be presented Sept. 13-28. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays. Draper Historic Theatre is located at 12366 S. 900 East in Draper. For tickets visit draperhistorictheatre.org. λ