I am now a confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool Grobanite. How anyone can experience the current production of Sweeney Todd and not be totally blown away by the performance of Josh Groban is beyond me. This is not, as advertised, “a musical,” but rather, an opera, with Groban’s clear baritone voice (some style him as a tenor) ringing out through the theater.
The story of Sweeney Todd is a tragic one. He has recently returned from having been sentenced to serve 15 years as a convict in Australia. The corrupt judge involved has supposedly killed Todd’s wife and has stolen away his daughter to be raised as his ward. Though Sweeney has changed his name, he is occasionally recognized from his past life…and woe to those who do.
Annaleigh Ashford is Sweeney’s partner in crime; she’s clearly sweet on him, but it’s a one-way street. Mrs. Lovett makes God-awful pies, but when she comes up with the idea of making meat pies out of Sweeney’s murder victims, a successful business is born. Ashford is utterly delightful; that she is funny and pretty, as well as being an accomplished singer, contributes to the show by providing some much-needed comic relief.
This is the Broadway debut of Soprano Maria Bilboa, but with her angelic voice and lovely presence, my advice is to see her now, and be able to brag about it later, when she’s a star. The full orchestra lends an epic sound to the production, but too many people are just running around on stage as village folks.
This is not any easy play. It’s cynical and gory, and at three hours long, you really do need that stretch at intermission. But with that in mind, put in your earplugs and relish the thunderous applause and cheers which welcome the man of the hour, the miraculous Josh Groban.
