By Mindy Pedlar
Daniel Goldsmith, musical and vocal director of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, is a man who clearly loves his work.
It was a pleasure to talk with him about conducting and his role in bringing to life what many consider Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece, which runs July 17 through Aug. 10 at the Crocker Theater in Aptos.
Angela Jeffries (center) as Mrs. Lovett with ensemble cast. • Photo Credit: Bari Lee
I was surprised and fascinated to learn that Sondheim was heavily influenced by film music from classic cinema thrillers, particularly the scores of Alfred Hitchcock’s films — Psycho and Vertigo come to mind.
“Dissonance is everywhere in this show,” Goldsmith said. “Both literally with the musical notes, but also in how the macabre and tragic material interplays with songs that are classically beautiful and sometimes ridiculously funny. There’s really nothing like the score of Sweeney Todd.”
The music is thrilling, but also, as Goldsmith describes, “terrifyingly challenging, with unusual melodies that may at first sound slightly off but then turn out to be utterly mesmerizing. There are devilishly quick patter songs that can test the limits of how many words a singer can fit in their mouths in a second.
“Part of Sondheim’s genius is that many of the ‘quirks’ people think of as his signature are a product of him writing music to match the natural inflections and rhythms of his characters’ speech. Our job is to make it all sound effortless—without a hint of how difficult it may have been to get it there.”
Brass and Wind instruments are featured in this photo of the Cabrillo Orchestra during rehearsal for Sweeny Todd.
Goldsmith said he has dreamt of conducting Sweeney Todd for years, but “one’s imagination can never prepare for what the performers bring to the stage. It’s been so rewarding to go through this process with such talented and genuine artists and collaborators. Everyone involved here at Cabrillo Stage has set the bar so high—it’s truly extraordinary.”
He shares one of his favorite moments in the show: “When the ensemble summons Sweeney by screaming his name at the beginning and end of the show — it gives me goosebumps.” Another favorite is “God, That’s Good,” which opens Act II. “There is so much going on, but the audience never gets lost,” he said. The jubilant music, juxtaposed with the horror of what’s happening underneath, is “deviously hilarious. There is a very human tragedy at the core of Sweeneythat is heartbreaking.”
Adam J. Saucedo as Sweeney Todd • Photo Credit: Bari Lee
Haley Clarke as Johanna • Photo Credit: Bari Lee
A live orchestra has always been a key ingredient to the success of Cabrillo Stage. Clarinetist and bass clarinetist Scott Nordgren, who performed in the pit for the company’s inaugural show in 1989 with Lile Cruse, has since played in more than 20 Cabrillo Stage productions.
To Nordgren, the intense score of Sweeney Todd is similar to opera. “The orchestrations are lush and Bergmanesque in the harmonies they present,” he said. “It’s very challenging and it takes solid technique to pull it off, but the result is awe-inspiring and the pinnacle of drama.”
Fellow orchestra member Nicki Kerns plays keyboard, covering organ, harp and the heavenly sounds of the celesta. She plays two stacked keyboards to bring out the many colors and layers that Sondheim wrote instrumentally.
“There are copious amounts of key and meter changes, so we musicians have to be constantly on our toes. Or should I say fingertips?” she said.
Brittney Mignano as the Beggar Woman and Conor Warshawsky as Anthony Hope • Photo Credit: Bari Lee
Jorge Torrez as The Beadle and David Murphy as Judge Turpin • Photo Credit: Bari Lee
Come be swept away by the gorgeous, thrilling music as it leads you through this cautionary tale.
Sweeney Todd runs July 17–Aug. 10, with performances Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus. Tickets range from $25 to $60 and are available at www.cabrillostage.com/tickets. The box office is open for phone (831-479-6154) and walk-up sales Thursday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., and one hour before each performance.
A post-show discussion and Q&A with the creative team will follow the Sunday matinee on July 27.
Please note: This musical includes adult themes that may not be suitable for all audiences.
TOP PHOTO: Daniel Goldsmith conducts the orchestra during rehearsal for Sweeny Todd.