Theater review: Showboat’s ‘Sweeney Todd' is a cut above

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By David Burke | Wednesday, July 16, 2008 6:47 PM CDT | () comments

Dallas Milholland, left, and Blake Adams star in “Sweeney Todd”at Clinton Area Showboat Theatre.(Contributed photo)

If we’re going to have a glut of “Sweeney Todd” — between last year’s Broadway revival, last Christmas’ Tim Burton movie with Johnny Depp, a tour stop at the Adler Theatre in Davenport this fall and countless other, inevitable versions — let’s hope they’re all as good as the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre production, which runs through July 27.

Director Craig A. Miller and the cast make the most of the minimal Showboat stage and present a compelling, frightening and occasionally humorous take on Stephen Sondheim’s “demon barber of Fleet Street.”

With a gaunt face, pale yellow makeup and an angular body, Blake Adams excels as the title character, a barber out to get revenge after 15 years in prison and the loss of his wife and daughter. The Chicago actor, in his only Showboat role this summer, captures the anguish of Sweeney, the bloodthirst for vengeance and one quick, wide smile at the irony of it all.

Playing nicely opposite him is Dallas Milholland, the proprietor of the meat pie shop who is the beneficiary of Sweeney’s violent streak in the barbershop above. Milholland, previously seen at Showboat as Mrs. Meers in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” brings an energy to Mrs. Lovett with a frenetic pace and sweet singing voice.

Among the many excelling in the cast are Alison Luff as Sweeney’s long-lost daughter, Joanna; Karl Wolf as the judge who sentenced Sweeney and the self-proclaimed fiance/foster father of Joanna; Joshua Estrada as Joanna’s actual flame; Ryan Nelson as the judge’s No. 2 man; Zachary Borja as a competing barber; and Mitchell Greco as the competing barber’s assistant, who turns into an accomplice to Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett.

Music director Adam Wiggins leads a five-piece pit and a cast that nicely caresses Sondheim’s memorable melodies and, at times, mouthfuls of lyrics.

It’s not exactly carefree and breezy summer entertainment, but “Sweeney Todd” is compelling, full of drama and highly entertaining.

IF YOU GO

What: “Sweeney Todd”

When: Through July 27; performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays

Where: Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Clinton, Iowa

How much: $18 for adults, $12 for 13-18 years and $9 for 12 years and younger

Information: (563) 242-6760 or ClintonShowboat.org on the Web