Sweeney Todd descends on the Cypress College Campus

The worst pies in London are now being served at Cypress College. The Cypress College Theater Arts department is currently presenting “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” It’s a dark Victorian-era tale of revenge where innocence is exploited, performed by a talented cast, stagehands, and musicians who bring the thrill of Steven Sondheim’s musical experience to the campus stage. If there’s a hole in your world like a great black pit, then this is the show that will fill it.

“Sweeney Todd” is a story that follows Todd’s return to London after being wrongfully exiled by Judge Turpin. His only desire is revenge for the love he lost. With his skilled barber blade and help from the kooky Mrs. Lovett, he will serve Turpin and the rest of the town under a pie crust.

I got the opportunity to witness the school’s play on opening night. It was impressive to see this level of performance. I’m still thinking about the music days later. 

There wasn’t one aspect of the play that didn’t have me spellbound. As soon as I sat down, I was stuck staring at the stage. It’s moody, beaten, and looks lived in for far too long. During the performance, the way its space was used for the different settings was efficient, switching from a pie shop, to a private party, to a mad house, and other locations. Each change felt like the actors were in these grimy settings.

Performances by the cast were stellar. Ryan Kahn, who plays Sweeney Todd, captures the broken and one-tracked mind of Todd with his performance. His singing has a textured timber to it. Christina Du Chene plays Mrs. Lovett. She’s bombastic with her take on the malicious baker; her movements quick and eccentric. Hearing her sing iconic songs made it clear she’s an experienced talent that’s having fun giving life to her character.

My favorite performances are between Anthony Hope, played by Jack Burford, and Beggar Woman, played by Kayla Stefansson. Jack’s delivery captured the earnestness of Anthony’s character, who wears his heart on his sleeve. It gave me a new appreciation for the character. His warm voice was perfect for the song “Johanna.” Kayla’s stage presence is eye-catching. She steps on the stage as an avatar of everything wrong in London. Her singing voice is a wail that makes you feel the pain the Beggar woman must deal with. She elevated “City on Fire.”

I loved to see the amount of blood this production managed to incorporate. Todd’s fatal shaves were as messy as they were swift. Once the blade ran across someone’s neck, blood would shoot up in different directions. That extra bit of detail brought visual consequences for anybody who sat in that chair. Audience members were gasping in shock at what was being carried out on stage. It made the story’s consequences feel absolute.

The makeup work was impeccable. I sat five rows away from the stage, but I was in disbelief by the detail of the laceration on the Beggar Woman’s neck. There was juicy texture within its layers, like it was freshly broken into. The makeup artist, Raymond Brito, captured the pain and clean strike of the wound. When Todd holds her in his arms, its presence adds to how permanent his brutal mistake was. Effects like this are one of the reasons why I love watching live theater. Being in person to see such intricate details adds to the thrill of the showmanship.

The lighting design for the show was impressive because of the flourishes it added. They would flash during operatic moments. Todd’s blade glistens whenever he raises it in the air. It made it impactful whenever the spotlight would make its presence. The distinct colors used allowed for the stage to morph between different settings and moods. I love to see the amount of thought put into setting the timing right for this system.

When I was leaving, I found out that the show’s orchestra was playing the music live outside the auditorium in a room. I joined a group of audience members that applauded their unseen efforts. Their efforts brought the music of this classic play to life in a magical unseen way. It was a gift they put impeccable effort into that I still have the melodies in my brain. The talent that makes up the orchestra made the soundtrack to my week.

I was impressed by the whole production. It made me realize how much I loved the original play. This is an opportunity to see the talent of local artists coming together to deliver high-caliber entertainment. 

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” still has three more shows at Cypress College on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 pm, Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7 pm; and Sunday, Oct. 18, 4 pm. You can buy tickets online at https://www.cypresscollegetheatre.com/ or at the college.