[NEohioPAL] L.Eisenstein's Review of Sweeney Todd: Cool Cleveland

[Martin Friedman]

Linda Eisenstein's Review of Sweeney Todd in CoolCleveland:
Quick reviews of recent events
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street @ Lakeland College Civic Theater 2/8
Must-see shivers: Martin Friedman's masterful production of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd may be the most satisfying theatre you'll experience all year. It's certainly the most memorably moving version of the Demon Barber I've ever seen -- a stripped-down version set in a courtroom that brings out its powerful message about the corrosive effects of injustice and revenge.


Casting perfection: The two leads -- riveting Dan Folino with his enormous, effortless baritone and Alison Garrigan, the funniest, sexiest Mrs. Lovett ever -- own the show. Friedman takes advantage of their chemistry, making the comic post-murder song "Have a Little Priest" function as foreplay, literally bringing Sweeney back to roaring life. And Lindsey Sandham is a haunting revelation as Sweeney's long-lost daughter Johanna -- as brittle and vulnerable as the birds she sings about, with a clarion soprano that leads to Friedman's crushing, brilliant finale. Add Connor O'Brien's passionate tenor as her lover Anthony, a creepily foppish Judge Turpin (Douglas Collier), a perfectly funny Pirelli the Italian barber (Josh Theilan) -- and you have a dream cast that had stunned intermission audiences exclaiming to each other that the production could move as-is to PlayhouseSquare at 4X the price.


Production kudos: With his painterly lighting and perfectly configured courtroom set, designer Trad A. Burns kicks up the professionalism a notch, as do Craig Tucker's costumes and Larry Goodpaster's impeccable musical direction. But Friedman's intelligent directorial rendering is what pulls it all together, with dozens of innovative touches that bring out the show's deeper meanings. It's a masterpiece, and you shouldn’t miss it.


Details: Thru 2/22 @ Lakeland Community College, Rt. 306 @ I-90, http://lakelandcc.edu/academic/arts/theatre.
>From Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein lindaATcoolcleveland.com

 
 

PLEASE  NOTE THE NEW CURTAIN TIME: 7:30 PM for Friday/Saturday Performances
 
 
Lakeland Civic Theatre 
presents 
a 
 production of  
  
     SWEENEY TODD: 
      The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 
  
The Complete Version 
  
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim 
  
 Book by Hugh Wheeler 
  
 Directed by Martin Friedman  
 Musical Direction by Larry Goodpaster 
 Scene and Lights Design by Trad A. Burns 
 Costumes Designed by Craig Tucker  
 Sound Design by Eric Simna 
 Production Stage Manager  Lauren Calevich 
Wigs and Hair Design by Winn Douglas 
 Choreography by Amory Sivertson 
  
With an extraordinary cast:  
Sweeney Todd: Dan Folino* (AEA) 
Anthony Hope:  Connor O'Brien 
Beggar Woman: Nicole Groah 
Mrs. Lovett: Alison Garrigan 
Judge Turpin: Douglas Collier 
Beadle Bamford: Thomas E. Love 
Johanna: Lindsey Sandham 
Tobias Ragg: Brian Altman 
Pirelli: Josh Theilan 
The COMPANY: 
Bill Depetro     Aubrey-Kristen Fisher    Elizabeth Blakeslee  
Tim Allen   Clayton Sandham   Aaron Elersich   
Tina  Burgett-Krause    Larry Solomon    Mark Snyder    Kate Buddenhagen     Erin R. diLauro    Caitlin Sandham   Megan Depetro 
Christina Dennis 
  
Production Dates: 
Sweeney Todd will open on Friday, February 6 and run through February 22, 2009. 
Friday, February 13 @ 7:30 pm 
Saturday, February14 @ 7:30pm 
Sunday, February 15 @ 2pm 
Friday, February 20 @ 7:30 pm 
Saturday, February 21 @  7:30 pm 
Sunday, February 22@ 2pm 
  
TICKET PRICES: 
All tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for seniors and $5 for students. Group rates are available.    
  
For more information please feel free to either email me, Martin Friedman, at martinfriedman98 at yahoo.com or call 440.525.7526. 
  
Directions to LAKELAND THEATRE: 
I-90 East to Rt. #306. After getting off the exit turn RIGHT (south) on #306. At the first light turn LEFT into Lakeland Community College. Get in the right lane. At the first stop sign turn RIGHT. At the next stop sign turn RIGHT. Go forward and then turn LEFT into the Faculty/Staff parking lot for FREE parking. The theatre is to the LEFT of the Clocktower. 
7700 Clocktower Drive 
Kirtland, Ohio 44094


      
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