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“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” makes the cut at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. McCoy Rigby Entertainment brings to life another piping hot musical production of haunting chills and musical thrills that will put the audience on the edge of their seat for all the right reasons. The professional level of scrumptious casting, sharp choreography, delectable vocals, superb costuming, edgy sets, crisp sound, and dramatic lighting demonstrate an exuberance of passion and dedication bestowed in this invigorating revival.
“Sweeney Todd” is not only my favorite Stephen Sondheim musical, but I can safely say is now my favorite production at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The entire cast and crew managed to put all the right ingredients together to bake a practically perfect theatrical experience. Direction by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, Fiddler on the Roof) makes all the difference I didn’t believe would be possible. I am so woefully thankful and grateful for being able to attend this show of scale and magnitude. This was one of my most anticipated shows, and it did not not disappoint. Left me in awe when I didn’t think I could be anymore than I have been.
The two main leads are highly praised in their respective field. Playing Sweeney Todd is Tony Award nominee Will Swenson (A Beautiful Noise, Hair, Les Miserables, Jekyll & Hyde). Bringing a heartbroken gravitas to the role. Playing Mrs. Lovett is Olivier award winner Lesli Margherita (Gypsy, Zorro, Little Shop of Horrors, Dames at Sea). Bringing a familiar yet distinctive flair making the character delightfully her own. There is no shortage of peak talent and engaging chemistry as these Will Swenson and Lesli Margherita together on stage.
Attend the dark, witty, and Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder, and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” has become a bloody, worldwide sensation since being awarded eight Tony Awards (including Best Musical) for its Broadway premiere in 1979. Unjustly framed and exiled barber Sweeney Todd (Will Swenson) returns to London seeking vengeance against the lecherous Judge Turpin (Norman Large) and his corrupt accomplice Beadle Bamford (Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper).
The road to revenge leads Sweeney Todd to Mrs. Lovett (Lesli Margherita), the resourceful propriestress of a failing pie shop above which he opens a new barber practice. Sweeney Todd’s daughter Johanna (Allison Sheppard) was precariously taken as the ward of Judge Turpin after ravaging his young wife in Sweeney’s absence. A young sailor named Anthony (Chris Hunter) has unbeknowingly fallen desperately in love with the yellow haired Johanna (Allison Sheppard). Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett attempt to lure the Judge into a trap by challenging rival Italian barber Pirelli (Andrew Polec) to a contest of skill.
Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up for more… and the carnage has only just begun! Matters become more complicated when Pirelli’s servant boy Tobias (Austyn Myers) and the local Beggar Woman (Meghan Andrews) sense suspicious mischief.
If you’ve seen the show before, you haven’t seen it like this. Phenomenal dialouge delivery that would play off differently if not for the meticulous direction. The dark humor hits the right spot and time. Even managing to slide in extra laughs unique to this production. Exquisite choreography blending the ensemble with principle characters and menacing presence with the impressive set pieces. Enthralling sound from the live vocals and orchestra completes a clear audio experience that can never be replicated from streaming a movie at home.
Brilliant twists and tweaks of familiar troupes specific to the show but with a breath of freshness. Instead of opening the musical with Sweeney’s ghostly victims, the patients of the asylum brought to the forefront. Repositioning The Overseer (Jeff Lowe) reminiscing the ghastly events. Genius play on visuals filling an empty stage with more depth than may have originally been envisioned.
Portraying characters back on stage respectively coinciding with “Pretty Woman” evokes a striking and dreamy state. Acknowledging paying tribute to the use of “blood petals” from another production proves so much creativity is still open to interpretation from the same source material. I’m happy to see that alive and well through live theater.
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Hugh Wheeler, from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, originally directed on Broadway by Harold Prince, orchestration by Jonathan Tunick. Musical direction by Darryl Archibald. Choreography by Lee Martino. Direction by Tony Award winner Jason Alexander.
You’re going to want more than a second serving. “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is playing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts from January 30 to February 22, 2026. For more information including ticket sales, visit https://lamiradatheatre.com/
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