Sweeney Todd
at Fullerton Union

Reviewed on March 11, 2016

Evan Cusato
Los Alamitos
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Fullerton delivers a clean kill with "Sweeney Todd"

With his unassuming brown coat and humble shop on Fleet Street, no one would expect the simple barber Sweeney Todd to be a vengeful, murderous madman formerly known as Benjamin Barker. However, that is precisely what makes him able to thin the herd of stubble-ridden men in London with nobody the wiser. Todd's beloved razor is just as likely to slit a customer's throat as it is to give them a nice, clean shave.

Fullerton's masterful technical expertise and superbly dedicated and talented cast deliver a fantastically blood-chilling performance of the tale of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Josiah Haugen's performance as the fiendish Mr. Todd is nothing short of astounding as he repeatedly transforms from a mild-mannered barber into a vile madman in the blink of an eye. However, in his song "My Friends," Haugen portrays the human side of Todd's character and the kind, naïve barber from all those years ago. Haugen's tender handling of the razor and the sheer adoration on his face make him appear vulnerable and endear his character just enough to make his pain meaningful but not enough to overshadow the atrocities he commits.

Nicole Wormley, who is opposite Haugen as Mrs. Nellie Lovett provides the perfect contrast to Todd's serious demeanour. All through the show, Lovett's cockney bravado is at the forefront of her character. Flailing across the stage, ordering around other characters, and acting generally ridiculous at times, Wormley sparingly uses her more comic nature to occasionally break the tense gloom that envelops this production, while still maintaining her sadistic nature and demonstrating a blatant disregard for human life, which rivals that of Todd.

An integral technical aspect of the show was the lighting design by Katya Beener and Patrick Lines. The subtle blue tones used in the majority of the show create a more subdued tone, which coalesces with the actors' performance style, and makes the few moments of harsh red light all the more intense. The small amount of haze wafting through the air is quite subtle, but it provides a perfect way to round out the atmosphere and tie the production back into its historical context.

Fullerton's Sweeney Todd delivers a sobering reminder that anyone, no matter how innocent at first glance, could have a dark past and nefarious blood in their heart.

Evan Cusato
Los Alamitos
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Fullerton delivers a clean kill with "Sweeney Todd"

With his unassuming brown coat and humble shop on Fleet Street, no one would expect the simple barber Sweeney Todd to be a vengeful, murderous madman formerly known as Benjamin Barker. However, that is precisely what makes him able to thin the herd of stubble-ridden men in London with nobody the wiser. Todd's beloved razor is just as likely to slit a customer's throat as it is to give them a nice, clean shave.

Fullerton's masterful technical expertise and superbly dedicated and talented cast deliver a fantastically blood-chilling performance of the tale of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Josiah Haugen's performance as the fiendish Mr. Todd is nothing short of astounding as he repeatedly transforms from a mild-mannered barber into a vile madman in the blink of an eye. However, in his song "My Friends," Haugen portrays the human side of Todd's character and the kind, naïve barber from all those years ago. Haugen's tender handling of the razor and the sheer adoration on his face make him appear vulnerable and endear his character just enough to make his pain meaningful but not enough to overshadow the atrocities he commits.

Nicole Wormley, who is opposite Haugen as Mrs. Nellie Lovett provides the perfect contrast to Todd's serious demeanour. All through the show, Lovett's cockney bravado is at the forefront of her character. Flailing across the stage, ordering around other characters, and acting generally ridiculous at times, Wormley sparingly uses her more comic nature to occasionally break the tense gloom that envelops this production, while still maintaining her sadistic nature and demonstrating a blatant disregard for human life, which rivals that of Todd.

An integral technical aspect of the show was the lighting design by Katya Beener and Patrick Lines. The subtle blue tones used in the majority of the show create a more subdued tone, which coalesces with the actors' performance style, and makes the few moments of harsh red light all the more intense. The small amount of haze wafting through the air is quite subtle, but it provides a perfect way to round out the atmosphere and tie the production back into its historical context.

Fullerton's Sweeney Todd delivers a sobering reminder that anyone, no matter how innocent at first glance, could have a dark past and nefarious blood in their heart.

Hana Khan
Northwood
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Fullerton High executes a delicious production of "Sweeney Todd"

As the lights dim, an eerie red glow reflects performers' dark silhouettes, and the musical immediately begins with a mysterious aura. Fullerton High School's production of "Sweeney Todd" recounts the story of a man driven insane by the loss of his loved ones. Based upon his belief that nobody deserves to live, he grows committed to killing as many people as possible, blinded by his greed, in pursuit of his daughter.

Sarah Ritter as the Beggar Woman introduces the musical's dismal themes, as she transitions between contrasting dispositions within seconds. Her crouched posture and shrill voice convey her character's madness. By switching between a cheerful, maniacal state to adopting a serious, foreboding attitude immediately afterwards, she presents a humorous, yet eerie personality.

Nicole Womley maintains a British Cockney accent throughout her performance as Mrs. Nellie Lovett. She uses her modulated vibrato to add humor to some scenes, while applying it to more serious situations as her character matures later in the musical. Her flirtatious temperament in the presence of Sweeney Todd is made evident through her tendency to stand unnecessarily close to Todd, as well as her straightened posture when she comes near him. Her loud, obnoxious character juxtaposes that of Todd, drawing attention to her large voice and eccentric personality.

Michael Laverde glides across the stage as Adolfo Pirelli, speaking in a thick Italian accent. His movements are animated, exaggerated to resemble a cartoonlike character. Using his entire body to act out his role, Laverde portrays a gangly and clumsy figure, with swift, unnatural movements.

Lighting designers Katya Beener and Patrick Lines strategically enhance the production with coordinate with the simple, geometric set to showcase its versatility. Intense reds reflect off of actors' faces and are contrasted with cool blues to reflect the moods of each scene. During the asylum scene, actors are lit from the back, projecting their silhouettes to display barred rooms that demonstrate the utility of a geometric set. Throughout the musical, lighting is used to transport characters to multiple places while maintaining a single set.

Fullerton Union's powerful production of "Sweeney Todd" revives an undying tale through both the cast and crew's efforts.

Hana Khan
Northwood
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Fullerton High executes a delicious production of "Sweeney Todd"

As the lights dim, an eerie red glow reflects performers' dark silhouettes, and the musical immediately begins with a mysterious aura. Fullerton High School's production of "Sweeney Todd" recounts the story of a man driven insane by the loss of his loved ones. Based upon his belief that nobody deserves to live, he grows committed to killing as many people as possible, blinded by his greed, in pursuit of his daughter.

Sarah Ritter as the Beggar Woman introduces the musical's dismal themes, as she transitions between contrasting dispositions within seconds. Her crouched posture and shrill voice convey her character's madness. By switching between a cheerful, maniacal state to adopting a serious, foreboding attitude immediately afterwards, she presents a humorous, yet eerie personality.

Nicole Womley maintains a British Cockney accent throughout her performance as Mrs. Nellie Lovett. She uses her modulated vibrato to add humor to some scenes, while applying it to more serious situations as her character matures later in the musical. Her flirtatious temperament in the presence of Sweeney Todd is made evident through her tendency to stand unnecessarily close to Todd, as well as her straightened posture when she comes near him. Her loud, obnoxious character juxtaposes that of Todd, drawing attention to her large voice and eccentric personality.

Michael Laverde glides across the stage as Adolfo Pirelli, speaking in a thick Italian accent. His movements are animated, exaggerated to resemble a cartoonlike character. Using his entire body to act out his role, Laverde portrays a gangly and clumsy figure, with swift, unnatural movements.

Lighting designers Katya Beener and Patrick Lines strategically enhance the production with coordinate with the simple, geometric set to showcase its versatility. Intense reds reflect off of actors' faces and are contrasted with cool blues to reflect the moods of each scene. During the asylum scene, actors are lit from the back, projecting their silhouettes to display barred rooms that demonstrate the utility of a geometric set. Throughout the musical, lighting is used to transport characters to multiple places while maintaining a single set.

Fullerton Union's powerful production of "Sweeney Todd" revives an undying tale through both the cast and crew's efforts.

Candler Cusato
Los Alamitos
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Fullerton Union Haunts with Sinister ‘Sweeney Todd'

Consumed with vengeance against the man who caused his unjust incarceration and grossly manipulated his wife and young daughter, the once naive barber Benjamin Barker returns to the gritty streets of industrial London as Sweeney Todd, a madman who decides that his shining razor is less served for cutting hair and more appropriate for slitting throats. Along with his partner-in-crime, the homely Mrs. Lovett, Todd's wealth soars, as he discovers that the secret to having a disposable income is disposing of the bodies where no one would think to look: Mrs. Lovett's meat pies.

As spine-chilling Sweeney Todd, Josiah Haugen shines despite this production's dreary nature, playing off his character's dementedness with such dexterity that it borders on concerning. However, Haugen also deftly evokes feelings of sympathy for Todd by showing glimpses of humanity when addressing his barbering implements as "friends" and discussing his estranged daughter. His conflicted character is mirrored by his impressive singing voice, which transitions from rich, melodious ballads to rapid and wordy pieces instantaneously.

Devin Rickleff, as the orphaned Tobias Ragg, also demonstrates his ability to transition from naive to nefarious. Originally slouched and informal, his evolving posture mirrors his ascent into high society and emphasizes his descent into madness during the production's final scene. Regardless of his character's mental state, however, Rickleff never fails in executing his musical numbers flawlessly, attacking high notes with clarity and confidence.

Caroline Bilger and her hair and makeup team brilliantly illustrate Sweeney's descent into madness through the use of dark, gaunt makeup and white hair spray, which is applied more heavily as the production progresses in accordance with Todd's deteriorating mental state.

Fullerton's lighting design, thoughtfully concocted by Katya Beener and Patrick Lines, expertly employs the use of dark red and blue lighting choices in order to enhance the sinister nature of this show. When a murder is committed, a red spot immediately focuses on the victim like a splash of blood, and during particularly tense scenes, well-placed lights create large shadowed profiles that cover the theater's walls.

Instead of using razors, Fullerton Union High School kills with hair-raising dramatic and musical performances and brilliantly creative technical choices, making "Sweeney Todd" a sinister standout.

Candler Cusato
Los Alamitos
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Fullerton Union Haunts with Sinister ‘Sweeney Todd'

Consumed with vengeance against the man who caused his unjust incarceration and grossly manipulated his wife and young daughter, the once naive barber Benjamin Barker returns to the gritty streets of industrial London as Sweeney Todd, a madman who decides that his shining razor is less served for cutting hair and more appropriate for slitting throats. Along with his partner-in-crime, the homely Mrs. Lovett, Todd's wealth soars, as he discovers that the secret to having a disposable income is disposing of the bodies where no one would think to look: Mrs. Lovett's meat pies.

As spine-chilling Sweeney Todd, Josiah Haugen shines despite this production's dreary nature, playing off his character's dementedness with such dexterity that it borders on concerning. However, Haugen also deftly evokes feelings of sympathy for Todd by showing glimpses of humanity when addressing his barbering implements as "friends" and discussing his estranged daughter. His conflicted character is mirrored by his impressive singing voice, which transitions from rich, melodious ballads to rapid and wordy pieces instantaneously.

Devin Rickleff, as the orphaned Tobias Ragg, also demonstrates his ability to transition from naive to nefarious. Originally slouched and informal, his evolving posture mirrors his ascent into high society and emphasizes his descent into madness during the production's final scene. Regardless of his character's mental state, however, Rickleff never fails in executing his musical numbers flawlessly, attacking high notes with clarity and confidence.

Caroline Bilger and her hair and makeup team brilliantly illustrate Sweeney's descent into madness through the use of dark, gaunt makeup and white hair spray, which is applied more heavily as the production progresses in accordance with Todd's deteriorating mental state.

Fullerton's lighting design, thoughtfully concocted by Katya Beener and Patrick Lines, expertly employs the use of dark red and blue lighting choices in order to enhance the sinister nature of this show. When a murder is committed, a red spot immediately focuses on the victim like a splash of blood, and during particularly tense scenes, well-placed lights create large shadowed profiles that cover the theater's walls.

Instead of using razors, Fullerton Union High School kills with hair-raising dramatic and musical performances and brilliantly creative technical choices, making "Sweeney Todd" a sinister standout.