Sweeney Todd

I have heard about this musical because I am such a fan of Megan Mullally (Karen Walker in Will & Grace). She performs in musicals and has a fascinating voice. When I was looking for videos of her singing in YouTube, I bumped into a video of her singing Johanna and found the song really captivating.

When I found out that the musical is going to be staged in Manila, I was really excited to catch it (just as I am excited to be watching all musicals staged here in the Philippines). I wanted to go but the limited theatre-geek friends that I have, I am having trouble tugging people to watch. I was a bit hesitant as I thought this might scare me when I watch. Two days before the showing, I decided to watch it, all by myself.

I did not catch the movie so I have no point of comparison which was a good thing, I guess. Unbiased opinions are what you always want to hear, right?

The setting, if I'm not mistaken is in late 19th century in London's Fleet Street. The musical was about a disturbed man, after his wife and daughter have been deviously taken away by a judge in the district, having him locked up for false accusations. When the man was released, he changed his name to Sweeney Todd and worked as a barber to secretly seek revenge to the judge, knowing that his wife is dead. When the judge managed to escape when Todd had a close interaction with him, he decided to practice his method of killing to whomever went to his shop for service. Mrs. Lovett, Todd's partner in crime is selling meat pies. The unaware customers couldn't understand as to why the meat pies taste great though in reality, a special ingredient from Todd's victims goes into the pies.

I think the musical was great. They were composed of really good actors/singers. I loved the acting and singing of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo who played Mrs. Lovett. Her voice was really captivating. The one who played Johanna (Todd's daughter) was an amazing singer as well. I loved it everytime she sprung the number "Kiss Me" when it was inappropriate for the singing (in Act II, if I remember it right). The song "Johanna" remains to be my favorite of the line-up but "Kiss Me" and "Not While I'm Around" which I think I heard somewhere before are a close second. Did I mention that Gerard Salonga was the musical director for this? Yep, he's brilliant.

The production design was alright, nothing grand but they were able to bring to life Sweeney Todd's "process" of killing which was good. There were a lot of students watching as well which it was either a requirement or that theatre is really picking up. In any case, I am excited for the coming year as I will be able to watch Rent and CATS will be showing (though I have no idea on how I can watch it yet). See you in the next musical! :)