With astonishing voices Morales and Castillo carry the lyrics and build their quirky characters just short of going completely over the top

Vivienne Castillo as “Mrs. Lovett” and Guillermo Morales as “Sweeney Todd” perform in the South Valley Civic Theatre’s version of the operatic musical. Photo by Elizabeth Mandel

This review will be published in the May 10, 2023 issue of Gilroy Life

By Camille Bounds

Camille Bounds

With “Sweeney Todd,” the South Valley Civic Theatre takes on one of the most complex musical melodramas in Broadway history – and they score a big, blood-splattered hit.

The show opened April 28 to well-deserved praise from the audience at the Morgan Hill Playhouse. The bizarre and compelling  story of the “Demon Barber of Fleet Street” contains a plethora of challenging tunes by the legendary composer Stephan Sondheim. The show’s darkly disturbing book was written by Hugh Wheeler. The SVCT orchestra and performers bring to this tawdry classic of Victorian London life a malicious, humorous tweak that will shock the squeamish and tickle the funny bone of gore-seekers.

The story of a vengeful barber and his accomplice, the pie-maker Mrs. Lovett, is a  twisted tale demanding a careful balance of horror, comedy, and tragedy. And SVCT delivers!

The story is a convoluted as the most tangled soap opera. Sweeney Todd (played with sinister flair by Guillermo Morales) returns to London after escaping prison in Australia for a crime he did not commit. He has only one thing on his mind: cold revenge against the corrupt Judge Turpin (Scott Whisler) as well as the Beadle Bamford (Michael Grimm), a man who framed Todd, had his way with the former barber’s wife, driving her mad, and stole his daughter, Johanna (Lucy Nino), to raise as his own.  If this isn’t enough Todd teams up with the astoundingly demented Mrs. Lovett (Vivienne Castillo), a down-and-out baker of “the worst pies in London.” Together they cook up a hilariously macabre revenge scheme that fulfils both their needs.

Photo by Elizabeth Mandel

As the diabolical duo, Morales and Castillo carry their quirky characters just short of going completely over the top.  They have astonishingly professional level voices that masterfully handle the operatic musical’s complex lyrics. A sharp, talented cast ably gives the production a touch of reality.

The success of SVCT’s production relies on the excellent quality of all the performers, including the street people extras. Their ability to convey the emotions and complexities of the Dickensian characters is paramount.

Overall, SVCT’s performance of “Sweeney Todd” delivers a high level of professionalism and attention to detail with direction by Megan Griffin. She uses every nook and cranny on stage in interesting, well-blended ways. Her directing is tight and keeps everything moving at a just on-the-edge pacing, making the show a thrilling and unforgettable ride.

I  want to especially note the excellent lighting design by Michael Combs, well-thought out set design by Megan Griffin and her mother, Michelle Griffin, and the amazing, authentic costumes for a cast of more than 25 performers also brought together by Michelle. Also, praise goes to the clear, fine sound by Brian Bourke of an 11-piece orchestra conducted by music director Mark Wong.

Comedy, tribulation, love and insanity reign in this well done production of “Sweeney Todd.” Its ominous and gory story, might not be everybody’s cup of tea — and it surely isn’t everybody’s meat pie. But if you have the daring for a fun and fabulous musical show, SVCT makes sure this blood-splattered production abounds with entertainment value.

Camille Bounds is the theatre arts reviewer for Morgan Hill Life and Gilroy Life.

Photo by Elizabeth Mandel