Published: October 31, 2009 01:36 am      

Musical thriller evokes Halloween spirit

OKLAHOMA CITY — Enjoying a successful run last year with its revival of "The Rocky Horror Show," Lyric Theatre continues its Halloween tradition with the gory musical thriller, "Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

Lyric is known for attracting performers from Broadway. Regional actors from national Broadway tours and major theater companies join its "Sweeney Todd" cast, rounded out by promising young local college talent.

In Stephen Sondheim's gothic melodrama, Lyric presents Broadway's Jeff McCarthy as the demented barber, Benjamin Barker, who has changed his name after being wrongfully imprisoned. Tony and Drama League Award winner Emily Skinner plays his deranged accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, whose meat pies enjoy amazing popularity when she begins filling them with human remains.

Thomas E. Cunningham is Judge Turpin, the pompous guardian of Todd's long-lost daughter, Johanna. Cunningham was recently seen as Jacob/Potiphar in Lyric's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and has appeared in TV commercials for the Oklahoma Lottery and El Dorado Motors.

Roland Rusinek makes his Lyric debut as Beadle, Turpin's slick, musically-inclined partner in deception. Rusinek co-starred in other productions of "Sweeney Todd" with Kelsey Grammer, Neil Patrick Harris, Melissa Manchester and other stars. He's also performed in a number of shows at the New York City Opera, including "A Christmas Carol" with Lyric's Nick Corley, the director of "Sweeney Todd."

Jeremiah Downes, the artistic director of Philadelphia Music Theater Works, is Pirelli, the Italian potion-peddling rival barber who first succumbs to Sweeney Todd's revenge. Christopher J. Deaton, a Texas resident who played Gaston in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and has appeared in numerous regional shows, debuts as Anthony Hope, a sailor who falls in love with Johanna.

In his first Lyric show, Jimmi Kilduff portrays the lowly Tobias Ragg, taken in by Mrs. Lovett after his boss, Pirelli, suddenly disappears after visiting Todd's barber shop. Kilduff has appeared in several off-Broadway and regional productions. Kris Todd, a featured singer in "Carousel" with Shirley Jones, also debuts as the Beggar Woman, killed by Sweeney's swift blade before he realizes she is actually his beloved wife, Lucy, who swallowed poison and was driven to madness from when he was taken away.

Several local college students shine in the show, including Oklahoma City University sophomore Caitlin Wees in her professional debut as Johanna. Company players include Jason Bias, Rebecca Maiten, OCU alums Brian Hamilton, seen in a memorable performance as Riff Raff in "Rocky Horror," and Traci Bair, soon to join the national tour of "Annie."

Other Company players are University of Central Oklahoma's Patrick Borror, recent Oklahoma University graduate Katie Reid, seen in "Tommy," and Parish Mechling, a regional actress soon to join Lyric's dance faculty.

Due to space constraints, Lyric's Plaza sets are less visually appealing than those constructed in its Civic Center productions. Amanda Foust's simple design, featuring a fancy upholstered barber chair rigged by Sweeney Todd to pitch his bloody customers into the bakehouse after he's slashed their throats, is heightened by Josh Epstein's creative use of red and white lighting.

Jeffrey Meek's incredible costumes are a colorful contrast of wealth and poverty.

The sound, designed by Brad Poarch, was good for the lesser sound effects, but was a complete distraction for this particular performance.With crunchy microphones at the beginning and the deafening volume distorting Kevin Casey's wonderful instrumentalists, the vocals blasted the theatre at uncomfortable levels throughout the show.

McCarthy's Broadway background was evident in his exaggerated gestures, at times overdone for Lyric's Plaza stage. Sounding as if the score's key had been lowered, his deep voice was pleasant enough, a stark contrast to Skinner's cockney accent and vocal style. Die-hard Johnny Depp fans will find it hard to reconcile McCarthy's "Sweeney" to Depp's dark characterization, beyond the obvious differences in their singing.

Skinner was delightful as Mrs. Lovett, humorous and likeable in spite of her character's greed and murderous disregard for her clientele. Cunningham was convincing as the lecherous judge, and Rusinek's voice and physical attributes were perfect for Beadle.

Jeremiah Downes brought distinct personality and flair to Pirelli, and Kilduff was charming as Tobias Rigg. Todd's performance added humor and depth to the pathetic Beggar Woman. Wees showed incredible maturity and vocal diversity as Johanna, with Deaton's smooth voice complimenting her soprano range. The company's versatility and vocal talent blended well with the seasoned Broadway actors. But many of the vocals utilize painful screeching and lunatic rantings that are more annoying than musical when delivered with deafening volume.

The great energy displayed in "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir," "God, That's Good!" and the opening "Ballad of Sweeney Todd" somehow didn't carry throughout the evening. Consequently there was far less excitement in the audience for the opera music and romantic melodrama than was felt during Lyric's rousing "Rocky Horror" musical numbers. Still, some people rose for a standing ovation at the end.

In spite of the impressive bios of its New York-credentialed cast and production staff, Lyric's "Sweeney Todd" lacks Broadway appeal. Although Oklahoma companies sponsor the shows and Sooner residents buy the $40 tickets, Lyric often overlooks OKC-area actors that could have served this production and others just as well.

If you adore Johnny Depp or are a time-warp dancing, "Rocky Horror" enthusiast, I recommend you spend your money on a great horror flick and popcorn. But if you prefer opera music and the stage to Tim Burton movies, be sure to catch "Sweeney Todd" as it continues through Nov. 1 at Lyric's Plaza Theatre location.

For ticket information, call 524-9312 or visit www.lyrictheatreOKC.com.



JANET MURPHY PATTERSON is an Edmond resident.