Sweeney Todd Slices It’s Way To Kravis

Critics Rating: 3 out of 5 Spotlights

Broadway Across America is currently presenting Sweeney Todd from May 13^th to May 18^th at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. This Tony-Award production featured actors from the 2005 Broadway revival starring Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris.

Sweeney Todd is one of Stephen Soundheim’s most recognizable musicals that tells the story of a barber named Benjamin Barker, later named Sweeney Todd, who is put in jail for a crime he did not commit. Fifteen years later, he returns to London for revenge, and with the help of Mrs. Lovett, the two create a scheme that is clever, funny, bloody and will have audiences glued to their seats.

In 2005, director John Doyle opened the revival of Sweeney Todd where it won many awards for Best Revival of a Musical. One major difference in this revival from the original show was the use of instruments on stage. The actors now double as the orchestra pit playing two instruments each. Through Soundheim’s memorable music and amazing stage work also designed by Doyle, audiences were shown a much different show then what they were used to (for returning members) or what they were expecting (for newcomers). In a single-use staged performance, the actors used different props to produce multiple locations, such as a barbershop, pie shop and a home.

Tony-Award winners, Judy Kaye and David Hess lead a talented of actors and musicians through this dark tale. Judy Kaye, who won her Tony for Phantom, reprised her Broadway role of Mrs. Lovett, the pie shop owner who falls in love with Sweeney Todd and helps him carry out his plans of revenge.

Benjamin Barker/Sweeney Todd, played by David Hess, is a very difficult role to play, but Mr. Hess plays it with ease. Through difficult songs, such as “A Little Priest” and “My Friends”, Hess sang them as second nature.

Special recognition belongs to Keith Buterbaugh, Benjamin Eakely and Lauren Molina, who played Judge Turpin, The Beadle and Johanna respectively.

Sweeney Todd plays through May 18^th at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, including information on their 2008-2009 seasons at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts or at the Arsht Theatre, please visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or www.5minstocurtain.com.

The 2008-2009 season at the Kravis Center has been announced and is filled with amazing shows including a South Florida premier. Starting off the season, Avenue Q will be presented from November 25^th to November 30^th. After Avenue Q, The Drowsy Chaperone will swoop into West Palm Beach from January 6^th to January 11^th. For the first time in South Florida, Legally Blonde the Musical will have audiences saying “Omigod” from March 17^th to March 22^nd. Reliving his Broadway role, Topol will be playing the popular role of Tevye in the classic musical, Fiddler on The Roof from April 14^th to April 19^th. Finishing the season, L. Frank Baum’s masterpiece, The Wizard of Oz will visit the Kravis Center from May 12^th to May 17^th. For more information, please visit www.kravis.org/broadway or call their box office at 561-832-7469