Martha Wilkinson (Mrs. Lovett) partners up with Matthew Carlton (Sweeney Todd).
Per Matt
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is on the prowl, currently performing at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Just in time for Halloween, Sweeney Todd provides a bloody-good show. Produced by the Nashville Repertory Theatre, this musical thriller appears onstage in the intimate Andrew Johnson Theater.
Set in 19th century London, Benjamin Barker returns home after being wrongly imprisoned. Now going by the name of Sweeney Todd, Matthew Carlton vows to get revenge on the judge who framed him. Along the way, Sweeney puts his barber skills to use — sometimes being a legitimate businessman, other times butchering his victims. Teaming up with Sweeney is Mrs. Lovett (Martha Wilkinson), who quickly disposes of the evidence. Thus, her meat pies are to die for!
Further complicating matters, Galen Fott’s Judge Turpin is involved in a love triangle with Sweeney’s daughter, Johanna (played by Whitney Meyer) and Nathan Meyer’s Anthony Hope. Only quick thinking and fast actions by the characters will prevent a series of disasters.
Carlton and Wilkinson are great in their featured roles. The entire cast creates a chilling atmosphere, one which includes a hidden terror behind every corner. The music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim are pure genius and always enjoyable, but Megan Murphy Chambers was surprising as the Beggar Woman. She may have had the biggest voice out of the entire group, but she didn’t have the largest role to showcase it. I was really impressed with her singing style.
Being the first time to visit the Andrew Johnson Theater, I didn’t know what to expect. With revolving sets and actors who walk and sing throughout the audience, it was truly an enjoyable experience. For those who are squeamish at the mere image of blood, fear not. Even though the play involves murder and violence, there isn’t a whole lot of blood on display.
Speaking of blood, before the show started, I got a quick interview with Colleen Burns Garatoni, who is the show’s Assistant Costume Shop Manager and Wardrobe Supervisor. She gave me a brief behind-the-scenes demo of how the actors bleed onstage. It’s a unique process that is quite impressive.
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Thank you, Mr. Pat Patrick for helping to set up the interview and to Ms. Garatoni for taking the time to talk.
Also, 2014 marks the 30th anniversary for the acting company, so make sure to celebrate by attending this show. I highly recommend it.
For More Information:
– Nashville Rep Website
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