It’s springtime so it must mean time for a happy-go-lucky musical, or not.
It’s time for a musical adaptation unlike any other seen at SRJC in recent times, Stephen Sondheim’s melodrama Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is coming for the first time to SRJC.
“Sweeney Todd” is a dark and funny masterpiece about a barber from 19th century London, directed by theater arts instructor Leira Satlof, who has directed 16 SRJC productions, mostly musicals.
Set in Victorian London, Sweeney Todd (dually played by Jonah Kaufman and Ian Elliot) wants revenge on those who incarcerated him. The role of Mrs. Lovett was also double cast to Rosie Frater and Sarah Passemar.
The musical winds through many twists and turns as Sweeney is hellbent on revenge and starts killing his customers, most of whom are tricked into getting a haircut or shave. Mrs. Lovett, who’s also a bit nuts, uses the body parts of Sweeney’s victims and puts them in pies she bakes.
The villains in the play are Judge Turpin, played by Nick Herman, and his lackie Beadle Bamford, played by Trevor Sakai.
Sweeney is the anti-hero, and the audience roots for because ultimately he’s a victim, taken advantage of by Mrs. Lovett who is more responsible for Sweeney’s evil side.
The last of the leads are Johannah and Anthony, played by Erin Ashe and Joseph Miranda respectively. These characters represent youth, innocence and naivety. Johannah, who is in love with Anthony, is strongly pursued by and gets tricked into loving Sweeney.
Mrs. Lovett won’t settle for this because she wants Sweeney to keep on killing so she can fill her meat pies. The question is, how will all this flow together and what messages are hidden in the dialogue and songs?
“My expectation is that it will be a spectacular production and the students will work very hard to bring their excellent talents to the public,” Satlof said.
“Sweeney Todd” premieres at 8 p.m. April 20, at Burbank Auditorium on the Santa Rosa Campus. The musical runs from April 20-May 5 with showings at 8 p.m. on April 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 and May 3, 4 and 5. Matinees run at 2 p.m on April 21, 22, 28, 29 and May 5. Tickets are $18 general admission, $12 seniors and $12 students with valid ID.
Viewer discretion is advised and the play is not recommended for anyone under 18. The musical contains strong language, adult content and stylized violence.