Sweeney Todd at The Venue

Posted on by Thor

The second you enter The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive, Orlando, Fl, you are right on top of the action in Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Insane asylum patients moan, twitch and shout out all around you. In this intimate setting the action explodes out towards the audience. Derek Critzer who directed and produced the show also did an amazing job at designing the multi-level set which made maximum use of the cramped stage area. Simple asylum fabrics hid the structure while a staircase gave access to the upper levels at house right. As I approached the theater, the large garage style side door was open and I saw a tall stack of mattresses which is where the slit throated victims from the barber’s chair could collapse. The lighting for the show by Tabor Wiwstead, was simple direct and elegant. Red symbolized the sinister and horrific moments, while cool blue lighting surrounded the lovely Johanna Barker , played by Monica Titus, and the fleeting glimpses of Todd’s once happy past.

Stephan Jones played Sweeney Todd with a dark ruddy maliciousness. The depth of his anger and hatred could be felt in every scene. He performed the role so expertly that he made Johnny Depp seem like an inexperienced fop in the film adaptation. Ginger Minj, Joshua Eads-Brown, as Nellie Lovett added the needed brevity and humor to the show. When she had to peal off her misbehaving eyelashes, a moment likely not rehearsed, it was a golden moment the audience loved. As she swung her rolling pin violently, I could see the sweat on her brow, then trickling down her chest settling in her cleavage. These actors were working hard yet having fun belting out these tunes. Granted there was no room for an orchestra, so recordings had to work instead. Sweeney Todd is a sweeping epic story and yet the small venue actually intensified the confrontational quality of the show. At times, over 20 actors navigated their way on the tight stage. I could see Derek the director watching intently as he leaned over from the upstairs tech booth.

The entire first act was spent waiting for Todd to slit Judge Turpin’s throat. The judge played by Brett Carson could barely fit in the barber’s chair. Though his actions were malicious and self serving, he had a kind demeanor and left the dirty work to others. This is such an ambitious production by Clandestine ARTS yet the cast did an amazing job keeping up with Stephen Sondheim‘s fast and furious lyrics. I was bowled over by what was accomplished in the small Venue. The shows are selling out. I sketched by standing in the back of the theater. The show had all the savory flavor and taste of a perfectly prepared meat pie.

The remaining performances are…

Tonight, Thursday 1/16-7:00 PM
Friday 1/17-8:00 PM
Saturday 1/18- 8:00 PM
Sunday 1/19- 3:00 PM

Tickets are $20.00 and are General Admission. Tickets may be purchased at www.clandestine-arts.com Limited seating is available so be sure to get them early. Tickets may be available at the door based on availability.

Sweeney Todd Dressing Room

Posted on by Thor

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is being presented by Clandestine-ARTs at The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive, Orlando, Fl, through January 19th. This compact production is directed and produced by Derek Critzer. I have read reviews that Ginger Minj who plays Mrs. Nellie Lovett is spectacular in the role. With that in mind, I hoped to get a sketch in the dressing room on industry night to watch his transformation at the dressing room mirror.

The dressing room at the Venue is at most ten by ten foot square and the entire cast of over 20 actors had to use the space. I did my best to try and stay out of every one’s way.  Only one actress was in the dressing room when I arrived. She had on a bright pink skirt. She was happy to be early and she had plenty of time to get ready. It was only later, when I saw the show that I realized this was Monica Titus who plays Johanna Barker. She was perfectly cast for the roll. I was quite swept away. Monica’s rich soprano voice has a warmth and range missing from the film adaptation. Her natural auburn hair was later covered in a wig of golden curls.

Derek came in and started steaming some pants. Stephan Jones, who plays Sweeney Todd, shouted out that it was a furnace in the tight dressing room. Even off set, there was a menace to his voice. Derek got some flack for shooting steam into the already sweaty space. Ginger Minj arrived and quickly transformed. He powdered his face first and let me know he would have to let the powder set for five minutes so he went off for a smoke.

It seemed like the rest of the cast arrived on mass and suddenly the room was buzzing with activity. Lips were painted a sickly blue on insane asylum patients whose eyes were also dark and hollow. Actors quickly stripped and put on costumes. Actors joked that I shouldn’t sketch any nudity and I honored that. Even so, it would have been hard to catch the quick flashes of flesh. The pure energy and excitement in the tight space was quite palpable. Ginger was the last actor in the room, adjusting the large hair buns on her head. I followed her down to the theater. The evening’s performance was sold out. The reviews I had read were spot on. Ginger Minj brought a quick wit to the part and stole every scene she was in. She eyed Mr. Todd with a lurid look as if she might devour him. I was surprised at how often she made me laugh out loud despite the dark sinister humor.

The remaining performances are…

Thursday 1/16-7:00 PM
Friday 1/17-8:00 PM
Saturday 1/18- 8:00 PM
Sunday 1/19- 3:00 PM

Tickets are $20.00 and are General Admission. Tickets may be purchased at www.clandestine-arts.com Limited seating is available so be sure to get them early. Tickets may be available at the door based on availability.

Clandestine-ARTS “Sweeney Todd” Auditions

Posted on by Thor

On September 30th, I went to Lake Howell High School Oviedo, FL to sketch Clandestine-ARTS auditions for the upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim‘s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street“auditions. Derek Critzer the director, had given me the green light to come out. Music Direction in the show will be by Colton Brooks.  Auditions were by appointment only.As I walked towards the High School Theater, I passed a Drum Corp rehearsing.

Sweeney Todd is a 1979 musical thriller with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and libretto by Hugh Wheeler. The musical is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond. Set in 19th century England, the musical tells the story of Benjamin Barker, aka Sweeney Todd, who returns to London after 15 years’ transportation on trumped-up charges. When he finds out that his wife poisoned herself after being raped by the judge who imprisoned him, he vows revenge on the judge and, later, the whole world. He teams up with a pie maker, Mrs. Lovett, and opens a barbershop in which he slits the throats of customers and has them baked into pies.

Chris Leavy was at the piano. Most of the actors auditioning were young women who would be auditioning for the part of  Joanna Barker, (a Soprano, 18-early 20’s) who is Sweeney Todd’s daughter, a ward of Judge Turpin. Beautiful and pure-hearted. The actress I sketched that was wearing the red dress had a very sweet voice. Monica Titus ultimately got the part. Wyatt Glover will play Sweeney Todd and Jessica Hoehn will play Mrs. Lovett. The other actress I sketched in the yellow dress was wearing high heel shoes and the director asked her to take them off when she performed her second song. Another actress was so nervous that Derek felt bad for her. He tried to get her to relax. It is hard to be on your top game when there are butterflies in your stomach. Auditions must be nerve wracking for any performer. Any slip up could result in their not getting the part. Everything is on the line.

Performances will be being held at The Venue, (511 Virginia Dr  Orlando, FL). January 9,10,11,12,16,17,18, and 19th. Sweeney Todd will be presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.