The Conifer theatre once again punches above its weight to deliver a well-rounded show

Immerse yourself in the dark underbelly of 19th-century London with Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This timeless musical, featuring Stephen Sondheim’s iconic music and lyrics and the compelling book by Hugh Wheeler, was recently brought to life on Broadway with Josh Groban and Denver native Annaleigh Ashford. Now, StageDoor Theatre in Conifer presents its unique interpretation in a topnotch production.

Under Tanner Kelly’s expert direction, the cast of this production shines, breathing life into the chilling tale of Sweeney Todd. Cooper Kaminsky’s portrayal of Todd’s relentless pursuit of vengeance and Jessica Sotwick’s enigmatic Mrs. Lovett are captivating. Their chemistry on stage creates a unique dynamic that grounds and strengthens the overall production.

As the musical opens, Sweeney Todd has returned to London after being exiled for 15 years by the corrupt Judge Turpin (Aaron Paschall). Todd is out to seek revenge for all the injustices done to him and his family. He immediately re-establishes his barbering business above Mrs. Lovett’s emporium, where she sells meat pies.

Descending into madness, Todd carries his professional duties to the extreme and forms a macabre alliance with Lovett. As part of the complex storyline, we are introduced to Todd’s daughter Johanna (Savannah Vedovatti) and her suitor Anthony (Brandon Metoyer), along with a Beggar Woman (Isabella Duran) who repeatedly appears and plays havoc on Todd’s memory. While projecting Lovett as a mother figure, an increasingly suspicious eyewitness, Tobias, a.k.a. Toby (Sean Davis), is conflicted as he eventually catches onto what Todd and Lovett are doing. The play ends as might be expected – a bloody mess.

Photo: Tracy Doty Photography

A blend of opera and musical

Sweeney Todd is considered by many to be a masterpiece that blurs the lines between opera and musical theatre and delves into the depth and complexity of the human psyche. Most of the production is sung using complex melodies and intricate lyrics, and its somewhat rare to see a small company take it on. The StageDoor cast not only meets this challenge head-on but also exceeds all expectations, immersing the audience in the play’s rich and layered world.

As Sweeney Todd, Kaminsky’s performance is a tour de force — a perfect blend of control and madness. Their powerful voice brings pathos and humor to songs such as “My Friends” and “A Little Priest,” adding to the intensity and drama of the play. Kaminsky’s portrayal of madness is complex and nuanced, and they have found the right balance between restraint and crazed intentions.

Sotwick’s performance as Mrs. Lovett is nothing less than stunning. She has captured the essence of Lovett and explores every possible angle the role has to offer. Her voice is rich and filled with deep emotion and immeasurable comedic timing, with “The Worst Pies in London” being a prime example. It’s truly a star performance.

Well-rounded cast

Every cast member serves the gruesome scenario with exceptional musical talent and commitment to their role. As Todd’s nemesis, Judge Turpin, Paschall is appropriately disturbing and sinister. Despite the heavy storyline, Vedovatti as Johanna, Metoyer as Anthony, and Davis as Toby achieve a certain youthful exuberance counter-balancing the overall darkness of Todd and Lovett. A special shout-out goes to Duran as the Beggar Woman, who draws the audience in with a particular mystery about the role, opening the character up for questions throughout the performance.

Wearing three hats — director, musical director and choreographer — Tanner Kelly has achieved a remarkable juxtaposition with Sweeney Todd. It was a bright, sunny day when I attended the performance. Yet, through Tanner’s outstanding visualization, I was transported to a dark and dank London filled with strong characters and a throbbing storyline.

StageDoor has a unique stage configuration that was advantageously used for this production. Scenic designers Dean Arniotes and Biz Schaugaard created a space that allows the action to move swiftly from locale to locale. Special mention goes to Todd’s barber chair and its “disposable” mechanism. With the lighting designed by Jon Weeks, the space was appropriately menacing and ominous.

Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is not an easy show to produce; however, StageDoor Theatre has hit a home run with a visually stunning production featuring an impressive cast and masterful direction.