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Barber Slices To A New Style

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By KATHY L. GREENBERG

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 4, 2008

TAMPA - Sweeney Todd first appeared in 19th century British lore, a vengeful barber with a penchant for meat pies. He re-emerged in Stephen Sondheim's 1979 Tony Award-winning musical, "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

Nearly 30 years later, before Johnny Depp picked up the razor for Tim Burton's film adaptation, director John Doyle put Sweeney back onstage, with a few twists of his own. This week, Tampa Bay area residents will get a chance to see Doyle's original interpretation at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.

Sweeney has repeatedly enthralled audiences on stage and screen. He has popped up in books and newspaper articles, too (like this one). No matter how you slice it, this guy is here to stay.

So what has kept history in the limelight all these years?

"Maybe revenge. Maybe the gory nature of the story is attractive; horror stories have always worked - from Greek times," Doyle wrote in an e-mail interview. "There is also macabre humor, which makes the piece accessible."

In 2005, Doyle banked on the dark side of human nature and created a show in London that dramatically differed from Sondheim's lavish production.

First, there was no barber's chair. In fact, the props were few and far between, the most prominent being an ominous black coffin.

Then the cast was limited to 10 actors. Oh, and they also happened to double as the orchestra. That's right: Each actor played a musical instrument (if not two or three) while alternately acting and singing without ever leaving the stage. It was a risky endeavor, but it worked.

Now on its North American tour, the production has further proved the story's staying power, as well as Sondheim's remarkable talent.

"So many elements can be brought to the surface in different productions. One of the great draws is Stephen Sondheim. It's a testament to his genius because it can be done in so many different ways. The complexity of the music and text is enormous," said David Hess, who plays Sweeney, the trumpet and a little percussion.

Judy Kaye, who portrays Mrs. Lovett and knocks out songs on a tuba, equally credits Sondheim and the inspiration for his work.

"It's a spooky story, a thriller. Human beings like thrillers. It's a tragic tale, but it's also very funny," Kaye said.

"There's also this incredible score. It's one of the best ever written for musical theater. It's arguably Sondheim's masterwork. It's a brilliant piece of writing, and audiences appreciate that."

No doubt Sweeney Todd will continue to traipse the world in various forms, leaving behind a trail of bloody footprints. As with other shows, Doyle's particular production will keep the barber alive and kicking in the minds of theatergoers long after the curtains close.

"I think the success of this production is a combination of great material and of the fact that the audience is asked to do something, a very simple ingredient of all storytelling: to 'imagine,'" Doyle wrote.

ON STAGE

Sweeney Todd

WHEN: Tuesday through May 11; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; matinees at 2 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and

Sunday

WHERE: Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg

TICKETS: $30 to $70; (727) 898-2100 or (813) 287-8844

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