The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is about to make a guest appearance on University Avenue.
, known for its top-notch productions of classical fare such as Dido and Aeneas and Orpheus in the Underworld, has chosen Sweeney Todd as its 2012 showpiece.
Don鈥檛 be surprised if the show鈥檚 title rings a bell more loudly than its antique counterparts; Sweeney Todd is perhaps the most infamous work by Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim (also known for his frenzied fairy-tale epic, Into The Woods), and was previously brought to the masses by Tim Burton鈥檚 2007 film. 聽
Despite Sweeney Todd鈥檚 pop-culture appeal, however, director Brent Krysa says the show has all the musical depth and staying power of its more traditional counterparts.
鈥淭he work is considered a melodrama,鈥� he explains, comparing its scope and subject matter to Brecht鈥檚 Threepenny Opera. 鈥淚t started out in the musical theatre canon鈥� but a lot of opera companies have adapted it now.鈥�
And while Sweeney Todd鈥檚 music is unusual, it鈥檚 not unpleasant for the audience, says conductor Adam Burnette.
鈥淎lthough it鈥檚 hard to create, somehow it鈥檚 really easy to listen to. [Sondheim] likes puzzles. The music is sort of a puzzle鈥� there鈥檚 a sort of asymmetry to the music鈥� unusual shapes or patterns. There鈥檚 all these sort of jagged pieces put together.鈥�
鈥淣o one could sing it who wasn鈥檛 a singer,鈥� agrees Dal voice professor Marcia Swanston, who is both producing and co-starring in Sweeney Todd.
鈥淓xcept Johnny Depp,鈥� Mr. Krysa adds.
Steampunk sensibility
In fact, the Opera Workshop鈥檚 Sweeney Todd will have little in common with Burton鈥檚 movie: the production will retain elements which the film excised, such as a Greek chorus-like group of narrators. They also plan to eschew filmic subtlety.
鈥淭his piece should be robust,鈥� says Mr. Krysa. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 really try to go to reality in this.鈥� Costumes will be 鈥渟ort of steampunky,鈥� and professors and students from Eastern College will handle the show鈥檚 makeup.
鈥�Sweeney is certainly difficult and demanding, but it鈥檚 also an excellent show,鈥� Prof. Swanston says.
The production has been in the works since last term, and auditions were held in early September.
鈥淚 was a little britches-on-fire for the audition,鈥� recalls third-year student Ian MacNeil, who snagged the plum role of Sweeney Todd. He鈥檚 since had a chance to attend to his britches, and to sink his teeth into his character, which is his 鈥渂iggest role ever. It鈥檚 a lot to sing through!鈥�
Fortunately, Mr. MacNeil is already a seasoned performer: his band, Jackson Jha, is well-known across campus, including its and
鈥淲e鈥檙e just YouTube famous,鈥� he says modestly.
Skin-crawling Technicolor
鈥淚t鈥檒l be scary at moments, it鈥檒l be happy at moments, and it鈥檒l make your skin crawl,鈥� promises third-year student Ryan Josey, who plays Anthony in the production.
So rise from your PCs and laptops and get thee to the box office to purchase tickets to Sweeney Todd (or order your tickets online) 鈥� but leave the young ones at home, as the plot does revolve around murder via close shave and subsequent cannibalistic pie-baking.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not the graphic that鈥檚 scary, it鈥檚 the sound,鈥� says Mr. Krysa of the 鈥渟having scenes.鈥� 鈥淚 think little kids would be scared.鈥�
鈥�(There鈥檚) too much Technicolor for a small person,鈥� Prof. Swanston laughs.
Sweeney Todd will run February 2-4 at 7:30 PM and February 5 at 2:30 PM in the Dunn Theatre (Dalhousie Arts Centre). Tickets are $17.50/12.00 and may be purchased through the .