- April 26, 2024
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Sweeney Todd, played by Preston Foss, is filled with an urge to kill Judge Turpin, played by Everett Clark, while shaving his neck. Courtesy photo by Mike Kitaif
The full company performs the opening song, "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd." Courtesy photo by Mike Kitaif
Johanna Baker, played by Caroline Hull, and Anthony Hope, played by John Kearney, profess their feelings to each other. Courtesy photo by Mike Kitaif
Flagler Palm Coast High School acting teacher Kelly Rivera added moments of humor to the show as Mrs. Nellie Lovett. Courtesy photo by Mike Kitaif
Everett Clark performs as Judge Turpin, showing his indescribable lust for Johanna Baker, played by Caroline Hull. Courtesy photo by Mike Kitaif
Preston Foss shows anger as Sweeney Todd. Courtesy photo by Mike Kitaif
Judge Turpin, played by Everett Clark, and Beadle Bamford, played by Kerry Roberts, discuss the best way for Turpin to win over Johanna. Courtesy photo by Mike Kitaif
If you enjoy the darker things in life, Flagler Playhouse’s performance of “Sweeney Todd” is the show for you.
Filled with powerful vocals, thriller-style drama and a gory act two, the musical (with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim) kicked off the Playhouse’s 2018-2019 season and will run through Oct. 7. Larry Williams directed the show, which he said is an incredibly difficult one for a community theater to put on, as there are many intense character roles to fill, tricky tempos and elaborate costumes.
“This show is not for the faint of heart,” Flagler Playhouse President Monica Clark said to a packed audience on opening night, Saturday, Sept. 22.
Twenty-two of the 27 cast members are Flagler County residents, and five are from the surrounding counties. Ormond Beach resident Preston Foss captivated the audience as Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, with piercing eyes and a bloody secret.
Flagler Palm Coast High School acting teacher Kelly Rivera added moments of humor to the show as Mrs. Nellie Lovett, who has the idea to use the human remains of Sweeney Todd’s kills for her meat pie shop (as meat was scarce in London in the 1840s when the play was set).
Flagler County resident Everett Clark’s role as Judge Turpin is sure to make you shiver, as his lust for the girl he stole as an infant, Johanna Barker (played by Altamonte Spring’s Caroline Hull) is depicted in detail. John Kearney, of Flagler County, adds compassion to the show as the love-struck young lad, Anthony Hope, who has his heart set on Johanna.
During intermission, Palm Coast residents Diane and Ray Hauser said they attend at least one or two shows at the Playhouse every season.
“I liked the singing especially, and the costumes are great,” Diane Hauser said.
Ray Hauser added that he hasn’t seen the movie version of “Sweeney Todd,” so he wanted to see what the play was like first.
Palm Coast residents Rob and Joy Souza have been season ticket holders for two years.
“We just think that it’s very entertaining,” Joy Souza said. “The dialogue is wonderful. The costumes are great.”
