Theater Review: 'Sweeney Todd' at Legacy Theatre

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The 2025 season at The Legacy Theatre with “Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” the classic Stephen Sondheim horror musical. Hugh Wheeler provided the book from the adaptation by Christopher Bond.

Colin Sheehan directs this musical chiller, making the dank streets of London fit into the limited space of The Legacy. The set and lighting design by Jamie Burnett works well because of elevated spaces, including the top of a multi-sided roll in piece. Those seated in the front row may find it difficult to view the action at their side of stage, essentially behind them, but it is outweighed by the up close and personal view of the performers in front of them.

The director also has the ensemble members cross through the aisle behind the first row of audience seating to gently enhance the spooky aspect. Setting “Fogg’s Asylum” behind a backlit curtain added to its eeriness.

Karl Gasteyer returns to Legacy to bring to life the demon barber with nuanced facial expression and wonderful bass notes in his singing. Gasteyer teaches at Hamden Hall and previously served as executive director at the Klein Memorial in Bridgeport. Equity member Stephanie Stiefel Williams is deliciously cunning in the role of Mrs. Lovett. The two actors have palpable comic timing during the iconic “A Little Priest,” which is seasoned with an extra bit of cheekiness.

Eric Santagata is impressive in the role of the lecherous Judge Turpin, commanding the stage in all of his scenes.

Thomas Beebe, who appeared as Hysterium in Legacy’s “The Great American Mousical,” plays the judge’s sidekick Beadle Banford (and has fun with “Parlour Songs.”) In her Legacy debut, soprano Ava Broneer sings well the role of the caged Johanna (“Green Finch and Linnet Bird”) and Sarah Anne Hughes brings the right amount of craziness to the role of the Beggar Woman in her Legacy debut.

It was exciting to see Charles Romano once again in the role of the earnest Anthony Hope, a part he played at Downtown Cabaret Theater. The handsome actor was also memorable in the role of Topher in the Warner Theatre’s “Cinderella.” Amron Salgado shines as the shady barber Adolfo Pirelli and the insane asylum owner Fogg.

Brayden Elser does well with the role of the young Tobias in his Legacy debut, with a heartfelt rendition of “Not While I’m Around.” Elser presently studies at Trinity College in Hartford. Ensemble member Nate Bloom, a WestConn graduate, transforms from usher to Londoner in order to sing the first notes of “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” and open the show. Madeline Olexy, Bella Pacheco Rarick, Christine Voytko and John-Michael Whitney are the other busy members of the ensemble.

The tiny orchestra is made up of conductor Mark Ceppetelli on keyboard, Phoebe Suzuki on violin and Sam Moffett on reeds. Costume designer Jimmy Johansmeyer of Pantochino Productions has outfitted the characters in perfect pieces from the 19th century, with fine millinery and rich looking wigs. Overall, the hair and make-up design is darkly impressive.

Performances of “Sweeney Todd” continue through Aug. 24, 2025 The Legacy Theatre, for the first time in their 5-year history, is extending the run of a Mainstage production. The show will continue its run for an additional five performances, now concluding the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, August 31. For tickets, visit LegacyTheatreCT.Org or call the box office at 203-315-1901.

Nancy Sasso Janis of the Connecticut Critics Circle (ctcritics.org) may be reached at nancysjanis@att.net. The CCC is currently seeking new members.

(l to r, top, then bottom)

Nate Bloom, John-Michael Whitney, Stephanie Stiefel Williams, Charles Romano, Christine Voytko

Madeline Olexy, Amron Salgado, Brayden Esler, Bella Pacheco Rarick, Ava Broneer