Sweeney: Bloody FAC play

Nobody knew that Johnny Depp could sing when he took up the silver razors of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street. But his unsuspected ability in the role made famous again the story of the murderous coiffure and his opportunistic culinary companion, Mrs. Lovett, portrayed on the screen by Helena Bonham Carter.

In 1979, the original production of "Sweeney Todd," by Stephen Sondheim, won Tony Awards for Best musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Director of a Musical, Best Book Based on a Musical, Best Score, Best Scenic Designer and Best Costume Designer, defeating "The Elephant Man" in sheer numbers of awards. 

The story revolves around the unjustly exiled Sweeney Todd, who returns to London with a vendetta against the man who framed him and destroyed his life. Todd joins forces with the down-and-out Mrs. Lovett, a cook who harnesses Todd's violence to save her meat pie shop.

The day before "Sweeney" swept the Tonys, an aspiring actor named Alan Osburn sat in the audience and thought that someday he would like to play the character of Todd.

Today, Osburn's dream is coming true. "Sweeney Todd" is currently playing at the SaGāJi Theatre of the Fine Arts Center, where Osburn is the producing artistic director. In the past few years, he's directed more than acted, but when the opportunity arose for the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company to present "Sweeney Todd," Osburn couldn't pass it up, and as a result he produces, directs and stars in the famous musical. Despite widespread enthusiasm for the project, it required huge efforts to make Osburn's dream a reality.

"The music is the most demanding of anything I've worked on [in my career]," said Osburn. "So many things happen at the same time; it's so intricate, so complex … It's arguably the best musical ever written."

A high demand was placed on the actors and actresses to learn the difficult parts. "We have a couple guys hitting high C's," commented Osburn, "and there's some stuff down in the cellar."

Like Angela Lansbury before her, Eryn Carman played Mrs. Potts in "Beauty and the Beast" before taking on the role of Mrs. Lovett at the FAC. "Helena Bonham Carter is an unbelievable actress," said Osburn, laughing, "but she can't sing. We've got some unbelievable music in this play."

Backed by expert scenic and technical presentation, "Sweeney" at the FAC is a hit this season. With only the closing weekend remaining in its run, tickets may go fast: they are available online at csfineartscenter.org/SweeneyTodd.asp. 

Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday ad Saturday, Feb. 12 and 13, at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2:00 p.m.