Berkshire on Stage

There’s blood on the barber’s chair at Fort Salem Theater! Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Stephen Sondheim’s darkly thrilling musical masterpiece, slices its way through vengeance, loss, and madness. With haunting, complex melodies and a story as sharp as a straight razor.

What drives a man to madness? That harrowing question is explored as the title character, Sweeney Todd, in a stunning performance by James Alexander, leads the audience on a chilling, tragic journey through 19th-century London. For those unfamiliar with the 1979 Broadway classic (or the 2007 Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter), Sweeney Todd follows a barber returned from exile, hell-bent on revenge against the corrupt judge who destroyed his family. Along the way, he meets Mrs. Lovett, a down-on-her-luck pie maker, whose grisly partnership with Todd leads to an enterprise of unspeakable horror, all set to Sondheim’s unforgettable (and perplexingly difficult) score.

This production emphasizes the personal anguish and psychological descent of its characters, giving the show a raw emotional depth. Alexander’s Todd simmers with a tightly controlled rage that finally boils over, creating a chillingly sympathetic antihero. Mrs. Lovett (Molly Waters) steals scenes with a brilliant balance of humor, cunning, and heartbreak. Together, their chemistry electrifies the stage. Lovett’s sly manipulation and Todd’s brooding obsession create a complex, twisted relationship that is both riveting and horrifying to watch.

The tale is populated with memorable supporting characters: Tobias (Charlie Palmer), the loyal but tragic young assistant; Judge Turpin (Travis Barone), whose corruption drives the plot; the cunning Beadle Bamford (Will Heatley); and Johanna (Jenna Wilkinson) and Anthony (Keith DuBois), the young lovers trying desperately to escape the darkness around them. Each performer adds vivid life to the story, weaving a tapestry of desperation, cruelty, and rare moments of tenderness.

Musically, the production shines. Sondheim’s intricate lyrics and complex orchestrations are masterfully delivered. Signature numbers like “The Worst Pies in London,” “Johanna,” “A Little Priest,” and “Epiphany” are performed with emotional punch and vocal prowess. Under the musical direction of Jessica Teresa FitzSisti. The orchestra (small but mighty) provides a lush, driving undercurrent, giving every suspenseful moment and emotional outburst the weight it deserves.

The world of Sweeney Todd is brought brilliantly to life by a set design (Charles J. I. Krawczyk) that is both inventive and immersive.. The iconic barber shop and Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop is stark yet richly atmospheric, with clever transitions that keep the action fluid without over complicated set changes. Particular praise must be given to the lighting design (Laura Darling), which bathes the stage in sickly yellows and eerie reds, perfectly complementing the show’s morbid mood.

Costume design (Rory Alexa) is similarly impressive. From Sweeney’s worn coat to Mrs. Lovett’s shabby yet flamboyant dresses, every outfit helps tell the story of a society riddled with decay, injustice, and despair. Hair and makeup design, particularly that of the Beggar Woman (Meghan DiMeglio) enhance the otherworldly pallor of the characters, making them appear ghostlike even before they meet their fates.

A nod as well to the clever staging of the infamous barber’s chair, which executes Todd’s grisly “dispatches” with alarming effectiveness in a piece of stagecraft that drew audible gasps from the audience.

If you’ve ever wondered what vengeance sounds like in three-part harmony, been curious how meat pies and murder might mix, or simply want to see a masterwork performed with intensity, skill, and chilling beauty, Sweeney Todd at Fort Salem is a must-see. With powerhouse leads, a brilliantly realized set, and a production team firing on all cylinders, this journey into the heart of darkness is not to be missed.

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at Fort Salem Theater, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler, Directed by James Alexander with Musical Direction by Jessica Teresa FitzSisti and Choreography by Kelly Sienkiewicz. CAST: Keith DuBois as Anthony Hope, Jenna Wilkinson as Johanna, Travis Barone as Judge Turpin, Will Heatley as Beadle Bamford, Meghan DiMeglio as the Beggar Woman, Charlie Palmer as Tobias Ragg, and Rory Alexa as Adolfo Pirelli. ENSEMBLE: Kelly Sienkiewicz, Maureen Cossey, Kim Crossway, Katherine Beaulac, Kason Mulderry, Liam Reynolds, Rowan T. Breen, and Michael Bertone as Fogg. CREATIVE TEAM: Assistant Director Siobhan Shea, Stage Manager Mel Magri, Lighting Designer Laura Darling, Sound Designer Rowan T. Breen, Sound Board Operator Natalie Gallagher, Properties Designer Molly Waters, Costume Designer Rory Alexa, Assistant Costume Designer Michael Bertone, and Resident Scenic Designer Charles J. I. Krawczyk. MUSIC: Music direction by Jessica FitzSisti, Robert Ackerman on percussion, Jessica FitzSisti on piano, Peter FitzSisti on trumpet, Lydia Flynn on reeds, Jessica Bowen on violin, and Kindle Young on cello. The production is produced by Fort Salem Theater’s Executive and Artistic Director, Kyle West.

Performances through May 4th. Visit https://www.fortsalem.com/sweeney-todd for more information or to book tickets.