NICOLE CASSESSO in “Sweeney Todd: The Mad Barber of Fleet Street” at the Gem Theatre  (Ron Lyon photo).

By Thom deMartino 
Orange County Tribune

A word of advice, Paleo enthusiasts: steer clear of the meat pies.

The macabre masterpiece “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” has raised its bloody curtain at Garden Grove’s Gem Theater. The Stephen Sondheim classic, directed by Damien Lorton, opens with a pair of seafarers having just arrived in London: the youthful, aptly-named sailor Anthony Hope (Aiden McGuiness) and the mysterious man whom he saved at sea, the brooding, intense Mr. Sweeney Todd (Bryan Fraser).

As the pair part ways, Todd makes his way down the seedy streets and alleys of Fleet Street. He crosses paths with a disheveled beggar woman (Erika Baldwin) who begs, then propositions the pale figure — and yet, she seems to have a glimmer of recognition… has she seen him before?

It seems Todd is no stranger to these cobblestones: something the local purveyor of meat pies, Mrs. Lovett (Nicole Cassesso) suspects when he first appears at her door. She coyly relates to the stranger the terrible tale of a barber condemned to prison, unjustly… and of his wife, cruelly stolen and betrayed… Come from this very house, would you believe it?

The besmirched barber is, of course, Todd himself: but from the ashes of his former life, has come an almost demonic presence — fixated on nothing less than unrelenting vengeance.

And like a twisted Lady of the Lake, Mrs. Lovett offers up the sacred relics she’s been caretaking all these years — his precious, silver-handled straight razors.

And with this fateful meeting, a murderous partnership is born.

Yet, the shadow of the man who coveted his wife and destroyed his life, the corrupt and falsely pious Judge Turpin (James Scognamillo) ever-looms over Sweeney, creeping into the mouldering corners of his mind.
Worse still, the sanctimonious official has been raising the barber’s young daughter Johanna (Sydney DeMaria) as his ward… but a recent, more debauched look in his eye betrays his lecherous desires towards his proxy daughter.

Despite the judge’s inappropriate overtures, Johanna’s heart belongs to another — none other than her real father’s savior, Anthony. Still, Turpin’s servile toadie the Beadle (Trevin Stephenson) seems always at hand to thwart the sailor’s efforts to reach his lady-love, as well as to do the judge’s dirty work.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett and Todd have made a move on the territory of the local barber-surgeon, the arrogant and self-aggrandizing Pirelli (Peter Crisifulli). With their social stock on the rise and the name Sweeney Todd gaining recognition, it’s only a matter of time before the right “gentleman” walks through Todd’s door… And under his blade.

But revenge is never that clean-cut.

Besides the beautifully rendered background of a foggy, sprawling London street, something the audience will first notice is the striking effect of the lighting upon the players: painting the stage in ghastly green and arterial red in the opening number, with the mesmerizing colors and hellish hues providing the perfect atmosphere all way to the (literal) bloody end.

The 12-piece orchestra behind the scenes, conducted by Adrian Rangel-Sanchez, gives the perfect, darkly-textured accompaniment to an exemplary ensemble.

For a piece that walks such a tightrope between humor and horror, you need a deftly-skilled actor anchoring it: and Mr. Fraser is the perfect choice to answer that call. His seething, sustained rage as Sweeney feels both authentic and chilling. The performance of such moody pieces as “My Friends” and “Epiphany”, as well as the playful “A Little Priest” (a witty back-and-forth duet with Mrs. Lovett) are a testament to his talents.

As for his comedic foil, the lovestruck Mrs. Lovett? This will certainly go down as one of Ms. Cassesso’s most celebrated roles, in a career already award-winning and storied. Her portrayal of the smitten pie-maker is instilled with manic energy, bittersweet in her utter devotion to a man whose all-encompassing thirst for vengeance eclipses everything else.

From her introduction with “The Worst Pies In London”, to her daydreaming about her (unlikely) romantic plans with Sweeney in “By The Sea”, to her motherly, comforting manner towards the young Tobias Ragg (JD Cerruti) in “Not While I’m Around”, Cassesso’s performance gives a multi-layered dimension to a character that could just be played for laughs, and yet leans into the tragedy of her blind adoration.

Aiden McGuiness as Anthony shows the breadth of his impressive vocal talents in his performance, just as Sydney DeMaria shines in her turn with her beautiful work as Johanna.

Peter Crisifulli is marvelously over-the-top as the boastful Pirelli (and arguably diabolical, as the audience later discovers); and James Scognamillo’s Judge Turpin, with his booming, authoritative voice and brief-lived inner conflict about his lustful desires, gives an almost sympathetic depth to a reprehensible character.

But we need to talk about the beggar woman.

While Erika Baldwin’s character has her notable moments centerstage, the keen-eyed audience member will notice her uncannily on the periphery of the crowd scenes: wild-eyed and bawdy, broken mind spouting nonsense… but is it, really? Yesterday as today, often the unhoused are overlooked and dismissed… despite being someone’s child, someone with a face, a name, an identity. Yet throughout the tale are sprinkled breadcrumbs to her mystery — particularly note her telling micro-expressions and reactions as she observes the events of the story. It’s an extraordinary supporting performance.

“Sweeney Todd” is an unforgettable, kaleidoscopic array of color, harmony, and stagecraft — with some of the finest, most powerful performances you’ll see all year. Playing for a limited engagement at the Gem Theater, this one should be on everyone’s bucket list… sooner rather than later.

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, Bryan Fraser, Nicole Cassesso and James Scognamillo star in this gripping tale of murderous revenge… and savory pastries. Now playing through September 27 at The Gem Theater, 12852 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA, 92840. Call 714-741-9550 x221 or email boxoffice@onemoreproductions.com for ticketing information.