Written by orange• October 22, 2026• 9:44 pm• Cypress, Cypress College

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street @ Cypress College – Review

Photo credit: Ryella Zar Photography

Written by Daniella Litvak

It’s the “Autumn of Sondheim” in Orange County. Musical theater fans, we have been gifted a bountiful harvest of Stephen Sondheim musicals this season: Into the Woods at South Coast Repertory, Assassins at Curtis Theater, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Cypress College. These three very different shows not only illustrate the breadth of Sondheim’s talent, but they are also fitting for fall. Into the Woods and Assassins grapple with the themes of “coming of age” and “loss of innocence” – apropos subjects to meditate upon during the transition from summer to fall. Now, as we move closer to Halloween, our thoughts turn to the grim and ghastly, so we’re ready to dive into the macabre with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (hereinafter referred to as “Sweeney“).

“Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.” In 19th-century London, a barber and his wife (and their infant daughter, Johanna) lived happily. They were a happy family until the wife’s beauty caught the eye of corrupt Judge Turpin. Jealous, Judge Turpin sentenced the barber to life in an Australian penal colony, did unspeakable things to the barber’s wife, and stole Johanna to raise as his own ward. Years pass, and after escaping the penal colony, the barber returns to his hometown under the alias Sweeney Todd. Now with the help of the unscrupulous Mrs. Lovett, who operates a failing pie shop, Sweeney is ready to serve revenge upon Judge Turpin and all of London.

It’s easy to see why Sweeney is considered one of Sondheim’s best. The story is wonderfully over the top. While there’s no shortage of grisly horror, it can also be incredibly funny, and features some unexpectedly tender moments. Many of the songs are memorable, and there is so much witty wordplay. Because of the pacing, the first act can drag, especially if you’re anticipating the plot development that makes Sweeney stand out from other revenge stories, but once you hit that moment, it’s full steam ahead.

Is there a more deliciously depraved duo in musical theater than Sweeney Todd (Ryan Kann) and Mrs. Lovett (Christina Du Chene)? Kann and Du Chene sink their teeth into these meaty roles and deliver outstanding performances. They had intoxicating chemistry during songs like “A Little Priest.” Vincent Alatorre was also fantastic as Tobias Ragg, a boy who becomes Todd and Lovett’s unwitting accomplice. He was great as comic relief, but his rendition of “Not While I’m Around” melts your heart. Brandon Fisser brought the menace as Judge Turpin, and Daniel Anthony strutted it up as Todd’s peacocking rival, Pirelli.

Becky Ogdan did an excellent job with the costume design. I absolutely adored the outfits Mrs. Lovett wore during the second act. I’m also a sucker for dramatic cape flourishes, and Anthony served that up with Pirelli’s cape. Everyone’s costumes fit the setting, and we got to see a good cross-section of classes represented. Paul Hadobas’s wig, hair, and makeup design was striking. Given Sweeney’s subject matter, blood effects are a necessity. This production had the right amount for the dramatics without becoming gratuitous.

The set design instantly said 19^th century London. The way Todd’s customers travel to Mrs. Lovett’s shop was a fun feature. The smoke during the climax added a lot atmosphere to the stage.