Amazing vocal talents meet clever wit and dark themes when the cast of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street hit the stage. The Broadway Live production had it’s opening night at the Lexington Opera House last night. Skeptics’ eyes were opened as the overwhelmingly talented cast simultaneously sang and played their instruments to comprise the score of the musical.

Broadway enthusiasts may have seen or heard the story of Sweeney Todd before, but most people only know the tale of the barber from seeing the trailer of the movie, or the movie itself, when it was in theaters a short time ago. Having seen the movie myself, I have to admit that some things were lost in the film. Of course the story and score are the same, but you lose the intimate environment of the stage. Sure the actors are recognizable, but they aren’t playing the score themselves.

There is something to be said when an actor/actress doesn’t have the elements of movie sets to ease the transition of movie sets. In addition to singing, acting and playing an instrument (or two), the actors were also the grips. They could gracefully move a a set of chairs, a ladder and coffin to assemble the various scenes for the whole production. The simple environment did a great job of placing the emphasis on the players and the story rather than the setting in which it took place. It also provided a clever stagered look of the actors and actresses as they stood at various levels on the different sized set peices.

Underneath the actors, stage and instruments is the rich and dark story which is sure to bring out your emotions. From scene to scene you will find yourself laughing, sympathising and recoiling in fear. From start to finish, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is full of emotion and action. You follow the story of a barber who was was wronged and sent away to prison, leaving his wife and child behind with the corrupt judge who is to blame. Upon his escape from prison, he teams up with a struggling pie maker as they look for ways to improve business and enact revenge for his wrongs.

If you have the chance, I highly recommend catching a showing of Sweeney Todd this weekend while it is at the Lexington Opera House. There are two showings today (Saturday, November 22) at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and two more showings tomorrow at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. It is sure to bring you to your feet for a standing ovation, as it did for the crowd last night. After all, it’s a bloody-good time…