Lovett has her own plans for Todd, and for her pie shop. Todd, for his part, is fixated mostly on getting revenge on the judge and his accomplice, the weaselly Beadle Bamford (Stephen Wallem), while Mrs. There’s also Anthony Hope (Jake Boyd), a young sailor who rescues Todd on his way back from Australia and soon becomes enamored with Johanna. Lovett (Carmen Cusack), to his arch-nemesis Judge Turpin (Robert Cuccioli), who lusted after Todd’s wife in the old days and, after had Todd exiled on trumped-up charges, has been raising the barber’s daughter Johanna (Riley Noland) and aims to marry her now that she’s older. All the well-known characters are here and impeccably cast, from Todd’s admirer and eventual partner-in crime, meat pie baker Mrs. The story, following revenge-minded barber Todd (Ben Davis) upon his return to London after many years exiled in Australia, is well-cast and expertly paced. This is a big production, as is fitting the huge stage at the Muny, and all the lavish production values are here, fitting the darker and more horror-themed tone with just the right blend of gritty realism and old-style theatrical thrill. With first-class production values that use the vast Muny stage ideally, a sumptuous sounding full orchestra, and a wonderful cast, this is a production of a modern classic that brings all the intense energy with chilling results.

First announced for the eventually cancelled 2020 season and then postponed again after last year’s season was shortened, this production has been long-anticipated, and I’m glad to say it’s been well worth the wait. The Muny has gone darker and grittier with its latest production, and it’s brilliant! Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is one of legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s masterpieces, but it hadn’t been performed at the Muny before, and it’s taken a while for this production.

Sweeney todd by christopher bond