Doyle Ditches the Band in Meaty Musical Revival

While the prospect of human meat pies may not sound appetizing, in the hands of Stephen Sondheim it makes for enticing and surprisingly palatable musical theater.

First produced on Broadway in 1979, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is back on Broadway in a pared-down production that stars Tony winner Michael Cerveris (Assassins) and reigning diva Patti LuPone. Sweeney Todd, notorious for its lavish sets, huge cast, and grand opera feel, seems like an odd choice in the currently chilly financial climate of Broadway. Though Sondheim's musicals have frequently been revisited in past seasons-productions of Assassins and Pacific Overtures closed just last year-any smart producer should see Sweeney's exorbitant costs as prohibitive of a successful revival. Though it has always been a critical hit, it has never been popular enough with audiences to recoup.

British director John Doyle has found a way around the monetary issue. In a daring and controversial move, he whittled the cast down from 27 to 10 and eliminated the orchestra altogether. In its place, Doyle puts the instruments into the hands of the cast. That's right, LuPone blows on a tuba.

Thankfully, and quite surprisingly, his vision goes off without a hitch. Though some of the plot exposition is lost, it is doubly made up for by the ultra-clear lyrics and precise musicianship of the actors. Whatever one loses visually is there in the lyrics.

LuPone is particularly good here, in her first Broadway role in 17 years. Though she is known for her scene-stealing turns as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes and the titular Evita in its pre-Madonna life, she proves that she can work well in an ensemble. She achieves just the right mix of scene-stealing star and back-up musician necessary for the chamber piece. Donna Lynne Champlin also shines in her various roles.

With cheap seats available for nearly every performance and a unique approach to a dying medium, Sweeney Todd is the surest bet on Broadway this season. And if it's gothic you're after, it beats Woman in White.