Last weekend the Opera/Music Theatre Workshop delivered a performance of the popular musical, “Sweeney Todd,” closely following the original 1979 hit show. 

The plot centers around love, revenge and cannibalism in a dark and occasionally comedic story about an unfortunate barber who lives on Fleet Street in Victorian London. 

Sweeney Todd was in prison for 15 years because the corrupt Judge Turpin lusted after his wife Lucy and used his power to exile Todd. The barber returns to learn the judge raped and discarded his Lucy and then raised Todd’s daughter Johanna as his own. 

Given the difficulty level of such a somber, fast-paced, England-based play, I felt the university crew did a fabulous job. I was especially impressed by the blocking and set design. 

There was a giant box in the middle of the stage, which was spun between scenes to portray Mrs. Lovett’s Pie Shop, Todd’s barbershop, the bake house and Lovett’s parlor. The piece included a dumping shaving chair for Todd’s victims to be directly deposited into the bake house. The all-in-one set design made transitions smooth and was a well-crafted piece by theater professor Steve Schepker, who directed set design. 

After the performance I spoke with Stephen Rushing, a vocal performance professor who played Sweeney Todd. He elaborated his primarily depressing interpretation of Todd’s character. Rushing explained he thoroughly researches the characters he plays and their histories. Although in the Tim Burton film production Johnny Depp played up the barber’s sharp anger, Rushing felt Todd’s circumstances called for a more sullen and sad performance. 

Though not the most youthful voice and not always perfectly matched with accompanying singers, I felt Rushing did an amazing job with singing and acting the role of this mentally complex character. 

There were a few songs such as the “Kiss Me” melody between Johanna and Anthony, which were in the original musical but not the film production. The flowing ensemble chorus proved to be enriching and energetic. The ongoing chorus provided a commentary, furthered the plot and highlighted the overall issue of the musical: the injustice of the class system in Victorian England. 

According to Charles Effler, musical director and conductor, the crew only had one additional week of rehearsals. Taking into account the student actors, the performance was remarkable and I was thrilled to go on the horrific journey through the life of Sweeney Todd.