KC Cappies "Sweeney Todd" review by aStrassle

SWING YOUR RAZOR WIDE, SWEENEY

Rating: 3

SWEENEY TODD

Kansas City Cappies

The Kansas City Cappies is the local chapter of the International Cappies Organization. Each fall, a team of critics from the Kansas City area high schools are selected and trained on how to write theatrical critiques, then sent out to see shows at other high schools. They then write reviews and submit them for publication in local newspapers. Every summer, the Kansas City Cappies from the various high schools come together and with only two weeks of rehearsal put on a theatrical performance.

This summer, the KC Cappies at Lee's Summit West High School put on the chilling musical, SWEENEY TODD, which follows Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's account of the razor wielding, mad barber who takes vengeance on the judge who wrongly persecuted. Soon Sweeney turns his anger towards others with the help of Mrs. Lovett, who uses his victims to make her unsavory meat pies.

Connor Branson performed as the title role of Sweeney Todd. Connor portrayed Todd quite well, simultaneously inspiring pity and disgust towards Todd. Amira Aldewick portrayed Todd's evil counterpart Mrs. Lovett. Despite the grim nature of her character, Amira was able to add that little extra bit of humor to the performance. Now, vocally, these two were great. Their various duets together in "Epiphany" and "A Little Priest" were always amazing. I would say these two, Connor and Amira, were perfect for the roles of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett.

Between the murder and mayhem, there is an underlying love story between a young sailor Anthony Hope (Jon Gibson) and a beautiful ward, Johanna (Holly Harris). Together they bring a sort of joy in this dark musical as they fight against the corrupt Judge Turpin (Alden Stockam) and Beadle Bamford (Preston Hereford).

There are various technical aspects of this show that should be mentioned. Costumes, designed by Abby Dorning, fit the time period of Victorian London and also differentiated the two socioeconomic classes, rich and poor, quite distinctly. Lights, designed by Allie Kotzias, added to the ominous nature of the show, especially the red wash as Sweeney does his deadly work.

While I highly enjoyed this show, there were some rough spots. You could tell the music was being played on a CD, as there were pauses between songs that should have flowed together. Some of the vocals were a little rough, but nothing unbearable. Going through the program, I saw that there were to be gunshot effects used during the performance. I believe this was supposed to be a sound cue and it was missed since there was no gunshot effect. While these rough patches don't take away from the entire show, they are worth noting. The cast and crew overcame these minute obstacles to put on a terrific performance though.

Going into the theater, I didn't know what to expect. I worry how well a show is going to be when it only has two weeks to rehearse. After the show ended, I was thoroughly impressed with how well this cast put the show together.  I would recommend this show to others for it tells the tale as poignantly human as it is disturbing. Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street.