BWW Reviews: Slow Burn Theatre Company Attends a Chilling Tale of SWEENEY TODD

South Florida press has been particularly kind to this young, fledging theatre company and, if you had the chance to see their latest production of Sweeney Todd, you would understand why. Aside from having the gumption to produce the more offbeat and challenging musicals, what Slow Burn Theatre Company can accomplish with a minimal amount of outside resources is truly commendable. Surely I was in the audience of a much more seasoned, union regional house.

Their success is mostly contingent upon three invaluable components: director/choreographer Patrick Fitzwater, frequent male lead and co-artistic director Matthew Korinko and their loyal pack of raw South Florida talent. Lose one, and the formula just wouldn't be the same. Fitzwater certainly has a designer's eye with the ability to both recreate iconic moments as well as develop his own ideas, either by using his ensemble as a sinister greek chorus or letting his stronger actors find the truth in their characters on their own. For Sweeney, Fitzwater found more opportunities for choreography in such ensemble numbers as the Act II opener 'God, That's Good' but steered it more in the Disney direction of 'Gaston' rather than maintaining the demonic quality necessary to remind us that they are, indeed, eating ground human.

The most chilling moments were helmed by the dynamic Matthew Korinko as Sweeney Todd. Obviously, we know he is a killer, but Korinko lets us in and makes us understand why, as we see not only the numbness of a murderer, but the heart of a vengeful husband and father who has lost everything. Some strength is lost in his partnership with meatpie-maker Mrs. Lovett, played by Karen Chandler, as more of a connection between the two would have resulted in a crisper and more comedic 'A Little Priest.' Kaela Antolino tackles the 'Green Finch and Linnet Bird' beast with surprisingly unfaltering vocal chops and adds the right amount of naiveté to her Johanna. Young prodigy Bruno Vida is an adorably heartbreaking Tobias and Ann Marie Olson was clearly always supposed to play the Beggar Woman. Her clear vocal power will demand your attention, if she didn't already have it by her intriguingly crazy and, at the right moments, hilarious portrayal of the woman who went nuts.

As most of the show is sung-through, Manny Schvartzman deserves a huge congratulations for keeping Sondheim's insane score on track from behind the stage. His six piece band sounds much larger than it is, and tempo changes never seemed at odds with the actors on stage. Also, Rick Pena's steampunk costumes were the anchor for the time period of the production and really popped in Lance Blank's lighting design. Sweeney Todd was another success story for the Slow Burn clan, which has garnered quite the consistent following of patrons. And rightfully so.

Matthew Korinko as Sweeney Todd with ensemble. Photo Credit: Gemma Bramham

Bruno Vida as Tobias and Karen Chandler as Mrs. Lovett. Photo Credit: Gemma Bramham.

Bruno Vida as Tobias with ensemble. Photo Credit: Gemma Bramham.

Ann Marie Olson as the Beggar Woman. Photo Credit: Gemma Bramham

Matthew Korinko as Sweeney Todd with ensemble. Photo Credit: Gemma Bramham.

Matthew Korinko as Sweeney Todd with Ann Marie Olson as the Beggar Woman. Photo Credit: Gemma Bramham.