A Note from the Newsroom: Cutting edge theater!

Thanks to the Port Polson Players’ production of Sweeney Todd, I’ve been looking at the Hot Pockets in my fridge with varying degrees of suspicion, singing to my razor while shaving much to the chagrin of my roommate and I’ve been avoiding the barber chair like the plague since seeing the show.

Sweeney Todd isn’t an easy production to pull off, not by a long shot. It requires expert singers and musicians, solid production values and a large ensemble cast. The Port Polson Players didn’t just hit the mark with their version of Sweeney Todd but it was a slashing success.

If you haven’t heard about it before, Sweeney Todd is actually an English urban legend about a man who was wronged by society’s elite and returns to London to get even. Musical genius Stephen Sondheim penned this show in 1979 and it has gained wide fame for its slasher-opera qualities.

(Seriously, sit down and listen to the soundtrack of Sweeney Todd and you’ll be humming to yourself for days.)

Excuse the sports reference since I’m the sports editor, but Wendi Arnold was the Michael Jordan of the show with her portrayal of Mrs. Lovett. Her character may have been cooking the worst pies in London but she was belting out the best singing in Polson and was an absolute joy to watch on stage.

Starring across from her was John Mercer as Sweeney Todd. I’ve seen Todd done a couple different ways by actors and I liked Mercer’s the best. In earlier productions of the show, I always felt that Todd was portrayed as a dark, brooding man with nothing but revenge on his mind. Mercer adds a nice touch of humanity to the character, which makes you feel really sorry for him at the show’s climax. So if there is a way to hand out a “Best Sweeney Todd” award (I’m assuming it would be some sort of barber’s razor), it would have to go to Mercer.

The ensemble was simply stunning. Sometimes when you have an ensemble they tend to fade into the background, but this group was full of characters and quirks that made it fun every time they were on stage.

I also absolutely loved how Neal Lewing was the production’s bad guy as Judge Turpin. His performance was very memorable, and provided the perfect foil for Sweeney. It’s not easy making such a rotten character enjoyable to watch.

Mercer’s son Mike, from Lost in Yonkers fame, again hits a home run and shows that he’s years beyond his age in his theater prowess by playing Toby, a young lad that helps out Lovitt and Todd in the bakery. Better become good friends with this kid before he really gets famous.

Megan Gran was stunning with the dual role of Young Lucy and Johanna. Combine her singing to that of David Lewing, as Anthony, and you’ve got some pretty awesome moments.

I really could go on and on. Louis Jepson as Pirelli made me nearly laugh out of my seat, Hope Johnson nailed it as the Beggar Woman and the musical personnel conducted by Bob Mazurek was great. Again, Sondheim’s music is very complex and they were able to perform it wonderfully.

It’s so great to live in a community with such theatrical talent, and Sweeney Todd is another shining example of that. Port Polson Players have done it again!