SWEENEY TODD

Last night Susan and I joined our friends Jay, Erin, and Mishka to attend the Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks. It was presented by Crimson Creek Collegiate Players, an organization that still purports to exist as an opportunity for college students to perform musical theatre in the summer, although over the years more and more roles have gone to post-collegiate performers (sometimes very "post"). Nevertheless, they offered an excellent show that we enjoyed thoroughly.

Our friend Darin performed the title role and exuded evil in his frightening makeup as his character murdered and exacted revenge throughout the show. This is a role he has wanted to play for years, so it's fitting that it's his farewell performance before moving to New York City to pursue an acting career. He sang well (and with excellent diction, which this show demands), reacted with good timing, displayed a range of emotions, and seemed comfortable in his surroundings--typical of his polished performances. I hope NYC brings him new challenges and pushes him to achieve greater success as an actor and director and writer before a new and wider audience. I hope he ultimately becomes very, very rich and then remembers me fondly enough to share his wealth with me (are you reading this, Darin?!).

Two other standouts were Joshua Law as love-struck Anthony and Anne Christopherson as the hilarious Mrs. Lovett. Josh's voice was beautiful, as was Anne's. Her reactions and comic timing were highlights of the show, especially in the number "A Little Priest," in which Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd hatch a shocking plan to dispose of his victims. The song itself is clever, but Anne's pauses, gestures, and facial expressions really emphasized the humor and worked well with Darin. She was a stitch.

After the show, the five of us went to The Toasted Frog, a new restaurant/bar in downtown Grand Forks. Susan and I shared a seafood lavosh. The ambience is good for a late-night drink and conversation, and I look forward to going again to try more of the menu.