If Colleen Winton offers you a pie, you might want to think twice before eating it.
The New Westminster performer is stepping into the spotlight as the pie-maker Mrs. Lovett in the upcoming Snapshots Collective production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
The macabre musical is taking to the stage in a special site-specific performance at Mrs. Lovett’s Pie Shop in Gastown (348 Water St.), running Oct. 10 to 31.
The musical, created by the Tony Award-winning team of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, tells the tale of Sweeney Todd, a barber who was unjustly imprisoned by the corrupt Judge Turpin. Todd returns to 19th-century London after 15 years in Australian confinement to take his revenge on the man who took him from his wife and young daughter.
The vengeful Todd partners with the cunning Mrs. Lovett and opens his new barbershop above her bankrupt meat pie shop. When his straight razors and her new “secret” ingredient join forces, their fame grows – and audiences are taken on a ride through horror and humour with such classic songs as Not While I’m Around, A Little Priest and Pretty Women.
“Our production of Sweeney Todd will give audiences a truly unique Halloween experience,” director Chris Adams said in a press release. “This production has some shocking surprises that will terrify to your core; however, audiences will be captivated by the incredible singing and acting from start to finish.”
The production stars a who’s who of Vancouver’s musical theatre talents, featuring Warren Kimmel as Todd alongside Winton’s Lovett. Kimmel has been a favourite on New West stages for his leading roles in Royal City Musical Theatre productions (My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof) and Patrick Street Production’s A Little Night Music.
Winton is well-known for her countless credits on the Vancouver theatre scene, including a recent appearance as Shelly Levene in Classic Chick’s all-female revival of Glengarry Glen Ross. She has also starred on the Royal City Musical Theatre stage, including a star turn as Dolly in the 2012 production of Hello, Dolly!
Other featured performers in the Sweeney Todd cast include Alex Nicoll, Rachel Park, Jonathan Winsby, Stephen Aberle, Damon Calderwood, Oliver Castillo, Caitlin Clugston and Brandyn Eddy.
Adams notes that the production’s look has been inspired, in part, by Tim Burton’s film version of the musical.
“We’ve definitely been inspired by his visual aesthetic in our production,” he said. “I believe that by staging this production within a pie shop, there is no doubt audiences will be drawn into the dark and frightening story of love, loss and bloody revenge in an undeniably visceral fashion.”
A key part of the design team is another New Westminster talent: Andie Lloyd, who’s the lighting designer.
Due to popular demand, an extra show has already been added to the run on Monday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.
See www.sweeneytoddthemusical.ca for details.
ONSTAGE
What: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, presented by The Snapshots Collective
Where: Mrs. Lovett’s Pie Shop, 348 Water St.
When: Oct. 10 to 31, showtime at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $29 to $49, see www.sweeneytoddthemusical.ca.
