Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

by Stephen Sondheim, Hugh Wheeler, Christopher Godfrey Bond

Titles include: The Ballad of Sweeney Todd * No Place Like London * Poor Thing * My Friends * Green Finch and Linnet Bird * Ah, Miss * Johanna * Kiss Me * Pretty Women * A Little Priest * God, That's Good * By the Sea * The Judge's Return * City on Fire! and more.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Horror, Drama, Fiction, Classics, Musicals

395 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Stephen Joshua Sondheim was an American musical and film composer and lyricist, winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards (seven, more than any other composer), multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. He has been described as the Titan of the American Musical.

His most famous scores include (as composer/lyricist) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Assassins, as well as the lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy. He was president of the Dramatists Guild from 1973 to 1981.

Reviews

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The more he bleeds, the more he lives. He never forgets and he never forgives. Perhaps today you gave a nod to Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street."
Sweeney Todd ~~ Stephen Sondheim



Sweeney Todd is perhaps the most atmospheric musical ever written; to this day remains the masterwork of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler. It is a brilliant show.

Based on a 1970 play by Christopher Bond, this retelling of the story of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street first appeared in 1979 and boasts a terrific book by Hugh Wheeler and glorious music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Sweeney Todd is one of those musicals that really is stunning both in its execution and in terms of the story and music, making it one of the must-see musicals of all time.



Sweeney Todd is styled after the revenge plays of the 19th century without being as melodramatic. The story starts as Todd has busted out of prison, only to find that the judge who wrongly convicted him has raped his wife and become the guardian of his daughter. Could Todd be anything less than a man with a straight razor bent on throat-slitting revenge?

What are we supposed to make of the murderous, title character? We know Judge Turpin’s cruelty ignited Todd’s rage. But how does Todd’s need for vengeance justify the slaughter of innocents?

Sondheim sees Todd as Everyman, arguing there is a little bit of Sweeney Todd in all of us. Yes, we all brood over injustices suffered, but have any of you baked up a fresh batch of human meat pies? Sweeney is remorseless and unfeeling as he kills the blameless. And yet, we have great pity for Todd as a character, laughing as he kills victim after victim.



Todd (along with Lovett) is a grotesque. In one of the most rousing finales in all theater, released inmates of Bedlam stream through the London stage singing “City on Fire.” The inmates have little to say about Todd. Next to an entire city on fire, he is just one more tortured person in a maddened crowd.

One last thing: avoid the film. It's a piece of shit.

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 2 out of 5]

“There's a hole in the world like a big black pit who are filled with people who are filled with shit.”
― Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street


Do people remember the story of Sweeney Todd?

Am I the only person who disliked it deeply? I mean..I first saw the play on Broadway when I was just a kid. I come from a real artsy family and when some kids were having keg parties I was going to the theater (But the Keg parties did come later!!!!).

OK..So this story was just to much for me. I disliked it then and have not changed my opinion. Not that this is really a BOOK Book, it's a play. And it's one of the few plays I saw and left with a deeply lousy feeling in my gut, sort of like 'what the heck was THAT"?

I like dark stories but when THEY GET TO BIZARRE..NOPE. I almost automatically shut down. And I do automatically shut down at CANNIBALISM....EECH... no matter how well written the story.

I saw all the five stars on here but two is as high as I can get. Sorry Sweeney.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never seen the movie/musical but been intrigued by the story. Whenever I hear about Sweeney Todd it's either the movie or musical that's been talked about, never the book. So I was a bit wary going into it but it's wasn't needed. Enjoyed the story quite a lot. Very creepy and a good horror classic. Definitely has that feel of "old creepy yet cozy horror" a good classic has. Intriguing of giving the movie a try

[ناني ماكفي · Rating 4 out of 5]

هل حدث لك أن اصبت بارتفاع ادرينالين حتى انك تشعر بخفقان قلب وضغط على صدغيك?وتساءلت ماذا لو اني لم اكن اعرف الاحداث وشاهدتها فلم ?كيف كان ليكون احساسي مع كل هاته الأحداث الغريبة ?!!
للان اشعر اني ركضت اميالا بلا توقف . ربما هو نسق تصاعدي للاحداث في الاخير.الذي تركني مترقبة .وربما هو تاثير متعة ان تمسك كتابا ورقيا
مع هذا المسرحية قمة الروعة من حيث الحكاية والحبكة والاحداث واسلوب الكتابة واللغة وبعض مقاطع الفكاهة
مع هذا ولاني شاهدت الفلم اولا فقد طبع في ذهني ان سويني تود هو جوني ديب.ولا استطيع تخيل غيره رغم انها مسرحيا مثلها الكثير
اريد وبشدة رؤية المسرحية
لكن بقيت مسالة الكانيباليزم تلك 😫

[Lorma Doone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew this musical. My knowledge was skimming the surface. The libretto is pretty extraordinary and anyone who calls themselves a fan of the musical should own it. Great bonus: introduction written by Christopher Bond - playwright who wrote the play on which the musical is based.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd...

A must-have for any Sweeney Todd fan, this is the entire script and lyrics for the show as it premiered on Broadway in 1979 (as well as parts that were cut before it opened). Included are scenes and dialogue not in the stage versions on video, and a description of the original opening sequence that's not usually performed. I especially enjoyed the introduction by Christopher Bond, where he talks about re-writing his own version of Sweeney Todd for the stage and how Sondheim adapted it into a musical. Unfortunately, there's not much more in the way of extras except for some artwork, costume and set designs, and pictures of several of the early casts.

As a die-hard fan of the stage version of Sweeney Todd, this is a great reference. It's also a good read for anyone familiar with the show who wants to rediscover the story of the demon barber in its entirety.

[Nikolas Banos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Διεθνής Έκθεση Βιβλίου Θεσσαλονίκης, 2008. Λίγο πριν την εκπνοή του έτους, τρείς φερέλπιδες και φιλόδοξοι βιβλιοθηκονόμοι παρακολουθούσαμε μεγάλους εκδότες, βιβλιοθηκονόμους και διευθυντές βιβλιοθηκών να δίνουν διαλέξεις, μέσα στους χώρους της Δ.Ε.Θ, και χάσκαμε, μιας και κόσμος του βιβλίου μας άνοιγε τις αγκάλες του για πρώτη φορά. Που να ξέραμε τότε; (!) Τιμώμενη χώρα η Γερμανία, αλλά εγώ είχα ήδη διαβάσει το «Διαβάζοντας στην Χάνα» ή – όπως είναι ο πρωτότυπος τίτλος – «Der Vorleser» και κάπως εξατμίστηκε η όρεξή μου για την γερμανική λογοτεχνία. Αφού ακούσαμε τον κύριο Δαρδανό να μας μιλά για την παρακμή των σχολικών (και όχι μόνο) βιβλιοθηκών, φύγαμε με το «Οι παπαγάλοι δεν διαβάζουν βιβλία» του ιδίου, ανά χείρας, και οι δρόμοι μας χώρισαν.
Γοητευμένος από την μεγάλη φιέστα, όντας χωριατόπαιδό, και μη έχοντας δει ξανά τόσα βιβλία μαζεμένα, έμεινα να χαζεύω τους πάγκους με τα βιβλία. Εκεί ήρθα για πρώτη φορά σε επαφή με αυτό που αργότερα ανακάλυψα πως λέγεται «Penny Dreadful». Ιστορίες που δημοσιεύτηκαν, τμηματικά, στις εφημερίδες του βικτωριανού Λονδίνου, προς τέρψη κάθε εξαθλιωμένου πολίτη. Το ελάχιστα οικείο θέμα και μια αχνή ανάμνηση της ταινίας του φονικού κουρέα με ώθησαν να αγοράσω το «Ο Φονικός Κουρέας της Οδού Φλιτ» από τις εκδόσεις «Ηλέκτρα».
Η ιστορία διόλου ξένη σε μένα, πόσο μάλλον στο κοινό του Λονδίνου του 19ου αιώνα. O Sweeney Todd (γνωστός στη αρχή με το όνομα Benjamin Barker) είχε αυτά που ονειρευόταν ο μέσος Λονδρέζος τον 19ο αιώνα. Μια γυναίκα, ένα παιδί, μια εργασία και η ζωή κυλούσε μαγικά σε μια ομιχλώδη και ημίβιομηχανοποιημένη πόλη της βόρειας Ευρώπης. Αυτό, όμως, το παραμύθι δεν έχει ευτυχισμένο τέλος. Τουλάχιστον όχι έτσι όπως το νομίζουν οι πολλοί το ευτυχισμένο τέλος. Ο πρωταγωνιστής διώκεται ποινικά και η δικαιοσύνη ούσα τυφλή και ατελής, με εκπρόσωπο τον δικαστή Τάρπιν, καταδικάζει τον δύστυχο Benjamin σε μια εξορία δεκαπέντε χρόνων, στερώντας του όλες τις «πηγές φωτός» της ζωής του.

Read More Here: https://nikolasinbookland.wordpress.c...

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

From BBc Radio 4 Extra:
Denis Quilley and Julia McKenzie star in an exclusive BBC recording of the Royal National Theatre's hit 1993 revival of Stephen Sondheim 's musical thriller. Introduced by Sheridan Morley.

A half-mad barber returns home after escaping from an unjust imprisonment, to take vengeance on the judge who sentenced him, ravished his wife and now plans to marry his daughter. However, Sweeney doesn't limit himself to one victim, he takes revenge against the whole world for his and his daughter's suffering by slitting the throats of his customers, whose corpses are then made into meat pies by his enterprising accomplice, Mrs Lovett.

Music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim based on Hugh Wheeler's book, adapted by Christopher Bond.

Starring Denis Quilley as Sweeney Todd, Julia McKenzie as Mrs Lovett, Adrian Lester as Anthony Hope, Sheila Reid as Beggar Woman/Lucy, Carol Starks as Johanna, Philip Curtis as the Bird Seller, Christopher Benjamin as Judge Turpin, Barry James as Beadle Bamford, Adriana Lewis Morgan as Tobias Ragg, Nick Holder as Adolfo Pirelli and Stephen Hanley as Fogg.

The ensemble players: Di Botcher, Megan Kelly, Mandy Moore, Martin Nelson, Peter Prentice, Ernestina Quarcoo and Rhashan Stone.

Musicians: Colin Wray [trumpet], Dean Foley [horn], Emma Fowler [clarinet], Rachel Edmunds [bassoon], Julia Leighton-Jones [violin], Judith Herbert [cello], David Berry [double-bass] and Philip Hopkins [percussion].

Associate Music Director: Mark Dorrell and Production Music Direct: Paddy Cunneen.

Director: Declan Donnellan

For the BBC: Recording Engineer: Mike Robinson, Sound Balancer: Tim Durham and Producer: John Langridge.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1994.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07l...

[Rea K]

Do I remember this book? Eh, not so much. I bought it real cheap (like ten cents) one year and later gave it away. Did I like it? I don't remember. It's one thing to watch Sweeney Todd and another to read it. Could have done with some songs.

Blogpost I made concerning this:
" putting the cannibal in cannibal sandwiches
ROMANS 12:19 --- Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

i decided that since the main theme in sweeney todd seemed to be revenge, it was a good topic. i felt really horrible after reading it..... and not because the londonfolk were eating people. i felt horrible that sweeney todd was tricked by mrs. lovett, and that in trying to get what they wanted, everything tumbled down around their ears.

my friend courtney told me that the sweeney todd story is based on a true story. she didn't know details, but some guy was selling really tasty people sausages.......... ew.

revenge is a dish best served cold. i believe that in this case, it's best served piping hot and with a nice beverage....... and to unsuspecting people. :D"

Yep. That's it. that's what my teenage self thought about it.

[Elizabeth O’Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single characters actions are justified so beautifully. The plot twists are also always delicious no matter how many times you read or see this show.

[Ihssan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Victorian London during the Industrial Revolution, this is a tale of horror, tragedy, murder and cannibalism that features one of the best two villains I've encountered in literature (so far) Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd.

Sweeney Todd, an ex-barber under the name of Benjamin Barker is wrongfully exiled to Australia by Judge Turpin, a vicious judge who developed an obsession with Barker's wife Lucy. Upon his return to London, Todd (Barker) sets off to his old demure which happens to be right above Mrs. Lovett's meat-pie shop in Fleet Street. Together, they plot a diabolical plan that hits two birds with one stone. Todd will gradually make his way to kill Judge Turpin by slitting the throats of London's corrupt men, dropping them down Mrs. Lovett's bakehouse who successfully turns her business around by grinding, cooking and serving the meat of his victims. A win-win situation right?

The twisted Todd and Mrs. Lovett think they are ridding the city of London of the filthy men it carries, they think that "those above are finally serving those below". However, vigilante justice turns out to be more corrupt and cruel than any injustice, and those who pursue it will pay the price.

I watched the movie at least 3 times before reading this wonderful musical. It is atmospheric, musically GLORIOUS and in my opinion, perfectly crafted. I enjoyed every second of it *_*.

[Ayne Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great musical for those who think they don't like them; with nary a lonely goat-herd or singing cowboy in sight, Sondheim has created a darkly twisted, bloodthirsty tale of rage and revenge. The antithesis of Rogers and Hammerstein (whom, let's be clear, I like tremendously as well), those who enjoy "Sweeney Todd" should also like "Cabaret" and "Chicago" although, in the case of all three, I think the original stage productions best the movies (although they have merit as well).

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love musicals, but I have trouble hearing all the words when sung quickly or when the voices overlap with different lines. So written versions like this are always illuminating and welcome. The story here is a little thin, but there is glee in the gore and wit in the words. This isn't my favorite Sondheim work, but it is certainly worth revisiting.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

demon barber chair go weeee

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite musical. Haven't seen the movie, but Sweeney Todd was a crazy complex character.

[Eva B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something between a 3.5 and a 4. Sweeney Todd has never been one of my favorite Sondheim shows—although it’s compelling, it never connected me with the characters in the way that Merrily We Roll Along, Assassins, Company, and Follies did. My favorite thing about it is the way that Sondheim used leitmotifs to pre-empt some of the twists, such as Lucy being the Beggar Woman , but that’s obviously absent from the script.

[Bobby Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly one of my favorite Sondheim shows, if not *the* favorite. So dark, so funny. I'm not sure I ever realized before that it was always Sweeney's intention to kill Toby, after he killed Pirelli.

[lizziebeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweeney Todd (the show itself), my darling, you are brilliant, and there’s nothing wrong with you 🩷

Reading/listening to this in conversation with Shakespeare’s revenge plays in class was actually such a high for me and I’d like to go back and see the revival with Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster again every night for the rest of time

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I liked reading it better than watching it.

[Louis Holstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A master work, perhaps Sondheim’s greatest. I always felt this was a cautionary tale on the dangers of revenge, and while that may be half true- I now see it see it as a tale of what one will do for love.

[The Murderist · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good: A well-constructed morality tale of karmic bleakness. With cannibalism, revenge, quasi-incest, madness, and betrayal all on display, Sweeny Todd is a brilliant example of bad taste functioning as popular entertainment. A worthy stab (so to speak) at domestic Grand Guignol.

The Bad: The songs are clever and apt enough, but I think the story would have been better served without them. To be fair, this is the problem I have with most musicals; all too often the songs fail to be compelling explanations of character intent and motivation.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWEENEY TODD is my absolute most favorite Sondheim musical. I saw it in the original previews and have made it to almost every NYC production. The scope of London, the hierarchy of society, the plight of the poor, and the most soaring songs make it a perennial. Evening reading the lyrics will give you chills!

[Lightblue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una bella storia gotica
Mi aspettavo qualcosa di molto più splatter, invece la storia è piuttosto tranquilla, tranne un paio di dettagli. Indicato per chi ama le cupe atmosfere inglesi alla Jack The Ripper. Un consiglio: NON guardate le illustrazioni delle ultime pagine se non dopo aver finito il libro. Altrimenti vi rovinerete la sorpresa!

Letto edizione italiana

[Gary Arms · Rating 5 out of 5]

The funniest, darkest, most blood curdling musical ever written.

[themistyugly · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book just doesn’t hit as good as the show - live laugh love helena bonham carter BUT IF YOU CHOP UP MY CAT AND PUT HER IN A PIE ITS ON SIGHT a little priest remains a bop!!!

[Cody Copeland-Damrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweeney Todd was a fantastic play written to an audience that enjoys horror-thriller type stories. Every paragraph in the script felt like a new important addition to the crucial story that is to be told: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. A man, accused of a crime he didn’t commit, spent 15 years of his life in prison from the hands of a Judge that went after his daughter and wife. He escaped prison, and after he learned about the tragic suicide of his wife, sought out to murder the Judge.
The play overall was a beautifully crafted script that captured the genuine feeling of revenge and added a little bit of psychopathy into it. A little bit, of course, meaning a lot, as Todd killed almost every person that walked into his shop. His first kill being a man who recognized him before he went to prison, when he went under his real name, Benjamin Barker. The part of the book that hands down has me convinced that this is truly a piece of art is when he sings his song about his passion to get revenge on the Judge. So many pieces of work are devoid of meaning or passion within, and there is no character development quite like Sweeney Todd.
He says, in the book, “They all deserve to die! Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why: Because in all of the whole human race, Mrs. Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two. There's the one staying put In his proper place and the one with his foot In the other one's face — Look at me, Mrs. Lovett, Look at you! No, we all deserve to die!”
His intentions are insane; he wants to kill everyone until he reaches the Judge, but his reasoning; his sheer intention to murder the man that kidnapped his daughter and killed his wife, is what makes him such an interesting character, and the reason why I would recommend this book to anyone that has ANY interest in the horror thriller genre. Every twist and turn, and every new character that is added is the perfect recipe for an adventure that you won’t forget, whether it be pie cannibalism, to several plot twists near the end of the book, to a romance that is meant to be; Sweeney Todd will forever have you hooked, and I would gladly show this to a friend.
The absolute shock that plastered my face when Todd threw Mrs. Lovett into the furnace will be unforgettable, or the time when Tobias realized that Todd and Mrs. Lovett weren’t who they seemed, and the deep sadness and empathy I felt for him is also one I won’t forget. I felt like, throughout all of their insanity, I connected with each and every one of them, and that is what makes this book unforgettable.
The fact that this was written for a play worked very well for a text. Yes, while this would be a good book, it wouldn’t quite capture the creativity and the visual imagery that some adaptations have, and it wouldn’t quite show the true horror and the emotion invoked in the characters. It has such a style and such a story it seems like it was made for a play. While it did turn into a movie, that won’t ever be the same as watching it live, seeing the quick slices of the throats and how you felt when that happened, and the beautiful character development and how the audience connects.
However, with every story, there are flaws. And the flaws are minor in this story, yes. The play would’ve been better if it showed more of the backstory with Todd and Lucy, and showed how they fell in love so the audience can really connect. Stories work better with emotion, and what better emotion than to watch a couple fall in love, only to have that ripped to shreds a couple of minutes later? That worked well in the movie Up, where the first five minutes are arguably the best intro for any movie.
Overall, Sweeney Todd is a must read, and that is why I rate it 5 stars.

[Zev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. Jesus -christ-, this was terrifying. I'm singing along to BTVS "Once More With Feeling" soundtrack at nearly midnight, to try and calm down. My hands shook so much, that I dropped my pill keeper when I was trying to reload it ten minutes ago. When I first found out what "Sweeney Todd" even was, I thought the person was -joking-. How the fuck could a high school perform that, I thought self-righteously. I pause to stare at Past Me, incredulous. And how the fuck could they do all that on a tiny high school stage? The following year, the Helena Bonham Carter movie hit theaters. I hated it. I'm squeamish, and--it is a long, long musical in which many assumptions I'd had about the actors in it were instantly shattered. Some were good: I got to hear some actors sing for the first time, and look what great villains they played. I already knew Helena Bonham Carter was a great morally gray character, so it was awesome to see again. She was one of the only times I peeked out from my sweatshirt sleeves. The acting was terrific. I didn't sleep for two days, I was so terrified.

I thought a few days ago as I decided to read more stage show scripts, "Maybe if I read the original, the whole way through, it's less scary." No. The Helena Bonham Carter movie sticks closely to the original musical dialogue-wise. Several songs were cut. I have no idea what many sound like, and have forgotten all but two. The late Angela Lansbury originated the role of Mrs Lovett and sorry, too freaked out to go look up her performance. And I'm thinking that about -the- Angela Lansbury! Several minor characters were condensed into one character, and even though I haven't seen the movie since it came out, I remembered who everybody was clearly and was able to spot the differences. The stage show is far, far darker than the movie in some ways. The Judge was awful and fuckin' creepy in the movie, but multiply that by a thousand and have him look in Johanna's direction and it's the stage show.

I don't want to act in this. I don't want to be an ensemble voice. I don't want to be an ensemble -role-. I don't want to work backstage or as an ASM or anything. Anything. -Get this show away from me. I am too squeamish and too sensitive.- If anyone I know acts in it, I will offer to take them out after the show but not see it. I want to know about how much fun people had working on it, but that's it. I'm going to check out other Sondheim works to learn if he's just fuckin' creepy and extremely talented, or if this was just--something.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd…”

And attend, I did—not from the audience, but from within. In 2010, I stepped into the grimy, gaslit streets of Fleet Street, into a world where razors sing lullabies and love comes with a meat pie crust. Sweeney Todd isn’t just a musical—it’s a gothic opera of vengeance, madness, and the darkest corners of the human heart. And Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics and score? Devilishly precise. Devastatingly beautiful.

This show demands everything—voice, breath, rhythm, rage. Every line is a blade, every song a descent. To perform it is to be part of a haunted symphony, where every character is perched on the edge of obsession. I still remember the sharp thrill of “Epiphany,” the grotesque humor of “A Little Priest,” the aching beauty of “Johanna.” And that finale—oh, that ghostly, blood-soaked finale. It leaves you gasping, shaken, and changed.

Reading the script later, long after the lights dimmed, felt like flipping through an old spellbook. You hear the music in your head, feel the ghost of greasepaint on your skin. And remember that in 2010, for a flickering hour, you were part of the legend.

[M . R · Rating 4 out of 5]

In all honesty, this book is phenomenal and is as genius as the mind who created the actual musical. I might be exaggerating whenever I say that but the book is just so amazing and I don't know how else to put it. This book showcases all the thought put into the musical such as the designs for costumes, set designs, and even gives facts about previous productions of the show. All of this coming from the mind of musical composer, Stephen Sondheim.

As a fan of musical theatre, I have seen many musicals in every type of genre and heard almost every song in all different kinds of style and length. However,whenever I saw Sweeney Todd I was just blown away by the drama and gore of it all. This show definitely had a lot of gall and nerve to show as many dark themes as it did. This show deals with prostitution, murder, rape, pedophilia, and cannibalism, definitely not something for a small child to watch. However, for the appropriate audience, this show is a spectacle and is one of the jewels of the musical theatre community.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Gulp*.
Um... well. Yeah. That's... a thing.
@$#%. I'm not sure what it is about scary things that makes me want to swear, but there it is. it was really interesting to read the script for this one, see all the stage directions, and all the lyrics plotted out... but that didn't make it any less disturbing or terrifying.
Yeah, I'm gonna straight up say, no kids allowed on this one. I watched the movie a while back and that scared me... but the movie was the toned down version! EEEEEEsh!
All that said, the stage directions and lyrics are wonderfully clever, the character development top-notch, and every aspect of this show is brilliantly crafted to horrify you. If that sounds interesting, then yes I highly recommend.
Happy reading!
Now if you will excuse me... I... I need to go watch videos of adorable puppies... for a week straight.