Berkshire on Stage

by Emily Edelman

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” currently being performed at Hartford Stage, is a joint venture between Hartford Stage and nearby TheaterWorks Hartford, and, remarkably, the first time the two companies have collaborated on a production. The storyline sees the aforementioned Todd, who returns home to London after imprisonment in Australia to find his wife missing and his daughter being raised by the dubious Judge Turpin, plotting revenge as he takes up his former profession as a barber while contributing to Mrs. Lovett’s problematic meat-pie eatery.

This “intimate interpretation” and use of “chamber staging” has reduced the show’s usually large cast to just nine actors, which necessitates some very creative use of resources. Several numbers — most compellingly “Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir” and “God, That’s Good!” — involve the cast roaming around the theater and briefly engaging with audience members, a clever way to account for the lack of ensemble players. Tristan Caldwell, who played the role of Pirelli with aplomb, also took on several minor characters who met with Sweeney Todd’s straight razor in “Johanna (Act 2 Sequence)” — this was played for laughs, something I had never seen before and which worked quite well. Director Rob Ruggiero makes good use of the space, with all aisles, landings and walkways in the house being used at some point by the actors, which has the effect of immersing the audience even more in the action.

Jackie Burns as Mrs. Lovett had a marvelous handle on physical comedy. As the title character, Max Faucher was appropriately furious, which sometimes got in the way of other emotions. Edward Watts’ Judge Turpin was unfortunately denied his signature song. Lauren Maria Medina’s winsome Johanna was enhanced by her clear and lovely voice. Luke Cantarella’s multi-level and beautifully utilitarian set received color and composition from John Lasiter’s skillfully nuanced lighting design. Fabian Fidel Aguilar’s costumes were attractive and distinctive without being over the top. Wiley DeWeese conducted a top-notch nine-piece orchestra who I wish had been able to join the actors onstage at curtain call, as I would have loved to have been able to see and acknowledge them.  

Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford present “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler, directed by Rob Ruggiero, at Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street in Hartford, CT, June 5 – July 5, 2026. CAST: Carey Brown as Beggar Woman, Jackie Burns as Mrs. Lovett, Willem Butler as Anthony Hope, Tristan Caldwell as Adolfo Pirelli/Jonas Fogg, Matt Faucher as Sweeney Todd, Lauren Maria Medina as Johanna, Brian Ray Norris as Beadle Bamford, Cole Thompson as Tobias Ragg, Edward Watts as Judge Turpin. CREATIVE TEAM: Choreographer Ralph Perkins, Music Director Wiley DeWeese, Scenic Designer Luke Cantarella, Costume Designer Fabian Aguilar, Lighting Designer John Lasiter, Sound Designer Beth Lake, Wig, Hair & Make-up Designer J. Jared Janas, Fight Director Michael Rossmy, Dialect and Vocal Coach Jennifer Scapetis-Tycer, Stage Manager Nicole Wiegert, Assistant Stage Manager Julius Cruz.

Performances are from June 5 to July 5, 2026, with evening performances at 7:30 pm and matinees at 2:00 pm, All performances are at Hartford Stage. Tickets start at $30, with lowest prices during preview performances June 5 through June 11. Groups of 10 or more receive a 20% discount; more information is available at HartfordStage.org/Group-Sales. Visit HartfordStage.org or twhartford.org, call 860-527-5151, or stop by the Hartford Stage box office at 50 Church Street to purchase tickets.