Shadow Ridge ventures into macabre with ‘Sweeney Todd’

Shadow Ridge High School isn’t one to shy away from the macabre, and it shows with this year’s planned performance of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

The bloodthirsty tale features mature themes that explore primitive fears and emotions. The school’s spring musical is set to run at 6 p.m. April 22, 23, 27 and 28 inside the school’s theater, 5050 Brent Lane.

“This is the story of a man who was wronged for really no reason at all,” said Jimmy Carosone, the play’s director. “Now he’s back and seeking revenge. Whereas the movie really focuses on the violence, we focus on the depth of character.”

The story is a dark and twisted one, set in the grimy underbelly of London during the 19th century. It follows Sweeney Todd, whose real name is Benjamin Barker, as he swears vengeance against the judge who unjustly exiled him for 15 years and tore his family apart.

Under his new alias, Todd returns to London and resumes work in a barbershop to give people the “closest shave they shall ever know.”

He soon forms an alliance with Mrs. Lovett, who owns a struggling pie shop above the barbershop. Together, they begin to create “the best pies in London,” with a cannibalistic twist.

“There’s a path to get to the person that ruined Sweeney Todd’s life, and that path has people in it,” Carosone said. “Meat is very expensive to buy during that time, so they have to improvise. It’s dark, but we’ve made some changes to keep it PG.”

Portraying the demon barber in his first musical production is 17-year-old Chase Gutierrez.

“The song ‘Epiphany’ really shows what a complex character Sweeney Todd is,” Gutierrez said. “One minute, he’s yelling bloody murder, and the next minute, he’s sad over his wife. One of the challenges that I have is that it’s hard to think of what Sweeney is thinking at times.”

Returning to the stage is 17-year-old Bailey Calderone as the supporting character, Mrs. Lovett.

“Ever since my mom introduced me to the play, it’s been one of my favorite musicals,” Calderone said. “The fact that I was cast as Mrs. Lovett is an incredible privilege, and I hope I do her justice. She’s a very eccentric lady, but she’s also a hopeless romantic.”

Jordan Dube, 18, also returns as stage manager for the play. He was tasked with creating the chair for the barbershop, which is set to spin and drop people after they are murdered.

“The play will have two 18-foot buildings, another 6-foot building and scenic elements that change as the story progresses,” Dube said. “It’s not only a risque play to produce, but it’s difficult for kids to do.”

Students began practicing in early February, but the production hasn’t been without its challenges. With more than 20 songs and actors, the music-heavy play has little unsung dialogue, which creates difficult transitions.

“I’m an alumni of this school, and I’ve never seen anything to this degree of difficulty,” said Mia Festenese, 19, the play’s co-director. “This is the type of show that can never be practiced enough. The songs are very difficult, and the characters are very rounded. There’s a lot of different choreography and stage movement involved.”

Also contributing are vocal directors Jim Halvorson and Kira Sanoja.

The play is a 1979 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical and features music with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is based on the 1973 play of the same name by Christopher Bond.

Due to its violent nature, the two-hour and 15-minute play is recommended for ages 13 or older.

“We’re really taking big steps forward by producing this play,” Carosone said. “A ‘safe’ play is detrimental to kids and the program’s growth. This is a push forward. Plus, this play hasn’t been done in the valley for at least 10 or 15 years.”

General admission tickets are $10, and VIP tickets are $15. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at showtix4u.com.

To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.