One has often wondered what it is about Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd that has always been the ultimate enigma for the theatre artist who is passionate about his craft.
To
begin with, the story about a "demon barber" is not exactly what one would want
to tell little children for their bedtime story. After all, if you think
about it, the theme is rather grizzly. But one had to admit that there is
this nagging fascination for all that is horrible and frightening—provided
you are not part of it. So when you sit in a darkened theatre and watch
the events as they unravel, you take pleasure in some delicious, tingly
sensation.
Sondheim's
music in Sweeney Todd, is not your usual predictable sequencing of
melody. On the contrary, to someone not familiar with his work, it may
seem jarring at first. It takes genius to create a harmonious fluidity in
the dissonance, which Sondheim seems to enjoy doing. So when his music
combines with a story that is darkly irresistible, you're bound to have
exceptional entertainment.
For
its new production of Sweeney Todd, Repertory Philippines has brought
together the talents of two of the most respected actors in Philippine theatre
today: Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo
playing Mrs. Lovett, and Audie Gemora
essaying the title role.
Menchu
has had 25 years of theatre behind her, and has starred in West Side Story, Camelot, The King and I, Evita—to name a few. And as for Audie, he has had
so many theatre-related functions that one is simply in awe of his
accomplishments. But it is in his dedication as a prime actor
that marks his career.
So
when one asks these two accomplished artists why they have agreed to come
out in Sweeney Todd, the responses are quite remarkable. For all the
varied productions and roles they have been through, they both agree on one
thing as far as Sweeney Todd is concerned: It is a dream come true.
For
Audie, Sweeney Todd has always been THE classic masterpiece of
Sondheim. He jokingly remarks that if Repertory Philippines did not
choose to produce it, he would. With a wry smile, he says—for athletes,
it's the Olympics; for actors, it's "Sweeney Todd." He adds that the
musical is an art piece that has to be performed with precision, because the
ear has to be trained for this particular type of music. The challenge is
to bring the listener to that space where the dissonance is actually harmony—as so it is!
Menchu
was in the 1982 Repertory Philippines' production of Sweeney Todd as the young girl, Johanna. Today, she
takes on the rather weird Mrs. Lovett. As an actor, Menchu finds Sweeney
Todd a major challenge for the serious actor. She observes that it can
be frustrating when you "come in from the cold" and get exposed to Sondheim's
music. It is his dissonance that makes it all unfamiliar territory.
She laughingly adds, when you think you're singing it right, that's when you're
off. And when you think you're off, that's when it's right!
It is an understatement
to say that both Menchu and Audie are enjoying their respective roles; it
has been a long time coming.
Repertory Philippines' Sweeney Todd also features Liesl
Batucan (beggar woman), Robbie
Guevara (Beadle), Robbie Zialcita
(Pirelli), Franco Laurel (Anthony), Lena Mckenzie (Johanna), Marvin Ong (Tobias), Roger Chua (Judge Turpin), Juno Henares (Mrs. Lovett understudy),
and chorus members: James Stacey, Meynard Penalosa, Jejie Esguerra, Red
Concepcion, Raul Montesa, Rem Zamora, Oliver Usison, Collins
Gutierrez, Jay Pangilinan, David Cruz, Gary Junsay, Cara Barredo,
Jay Glorioso, Naths Everett, Joy Virata,
Marisse Santos, Ring Antonio, Gloria Sicam,
Teenee Chan and Ronna Guba.
Baby Barredo co-directs with Michael Williams. Other members of the
artistic and production staff include Gino
Gonzales for costume design, John
Batalla for lighting design, and Mio
Infante for set design. Gerard Salonga conducts the FILharmoniKAorchestra.
Sweeney Todd play dates are from November 13to December 13,2009 with
additional matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at Onstage, 2nd Floor, Greenbelt 1, Ayala
Center Makati City.
For ticket
inquiries and other information, call Repertory Philippines at 887-0710, 888-0887
or Ticketworld at 891-9999.
