If you’re anything like me, a mutual love for theater and Johnny Depp made you fall in love with the movie version of “Sweeney Todd” in your early teens.
Since then, I have wanted to see a live production and this semester I finally had my chance. Nestled between the Reitz and a heap of construction, you can be a part of this macabre alternate universe from Oct. 24 through Nov. 2.
A lot of things can’t live up to a semester of waiting, let alone a dream from circa middle school, but this definitely did.
WHAT
For those who don’t know, “Sweeney Todd” is about a man that returns to London after many years, seeking vengeance on the city and judge that destroyed his family. He opens a barbershop above the charismatic Mrs. Lovett’s meat-pie shop. There, they form a win-win partnership. Sweeney, a.k.a the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, slits Londoners’ throats to avenge his wife and daughter, while Mrs. Lovett, a.k.a the baker of the worst pies in London, transforms her business into a smashing success by using the meat of the corpses. A crazed beggar woman, a suspicious boy and young love involving a Rapunzel-like living situation complicate Sweeney’s plans and create weaving subplots. It’s part comedy, part tragedy, part thriller and all parts dark.
Via: Fanpop
Although I knew the plot going into the show, I still found it suspenseful. The ushers warn you at the door that there will be loud noises. Believe them. One part of the show paired this horrible, but perfect, recurring screeching sound with an unexpected visual, and my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
Extra Culture Points: For 50 culture points, host a party before the play where you watch the old “Sweeney Todd” films from 1936 and/or 1982. Get really innovative with snacks. Example: make meat pies out of your party guests. For 100 culture points, go see the play on Halloween. Lastly, for 500 culture points, visit the actual Fleet Street in London. Sail the world and behold its wonders.
WHERE
“Sweeney” is playing on campus at the Constans Theatre. It is a modest-sized theatre, but since the arrangement is so professional, you feel like you are watching an exclusive showing of a big-budget show as part of a small, invitation-only audience. Sure, you invited yourself over by purchasing a ticket, but for about $15 per student ticket, that is a small price to pay for the incredible execution (ba-dum-tss) of this show.
Via: UF News
WHO
The performers are members of the UF School of Theatre and Dance, with a special shout out to the students playing in the live orchestra. The cast involves some seriously talented people, many of them still in their undergrad. A great cast is interesting regardless of the stage, but I really fangirled over the mindblowing makeup, costumes and stage design. They were as complex as any professional travelling shows I’ve seen, complete with moving walls and windows with blood trickling down them.
Tickets can be purchased through the University Box Office. You can call them at 352-392-1653, go to the O’Connell Center or order them on ticketmaster. For those of you who are willing to wing it, you can buy tickets at Constans half an hour before the show. Go see the show before Sweeney wonders why YOU didn’t visit him before the week was out.
Feature photo courtesy of: Union Films
