REVIEW: Lea Salonga shines in the musical ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street ’

Rhea Manila Santos

After announcing last December that Lea Salonga and Jett Pangan were starring in the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, it’s been almost a whole year of anticipation for theater and non-theater fans alike. And all we can say is, it was definitely worth the wait. Even after almost three decades, Lea Salonga is still schooling us on what it takes to be a Tony award winner as she plays the role of the raunchy, funny, and devious Mrs. Lovett in the show.Singer Jett Pangan plays the title role of the barber who plans for murder and revenge with a voice that commands your attention, even when when he is singing a sad and lonely song. Fresh from his stint in Miss Saigon in the UK, Gerald Santos plays the role of the innocent and naive Anthony and plays the role of a love struck teenager with natural ease. Nyoy Volante shines in his scenes as Sweeney Todd’s rival barber Adolfo Firelli, a persona he obviously thoroughly enjoyed whenever he came onstage. Ima Castro also shows off her vocal prowess as the mysterious Beggar Woman.The cast of Sweeney Todd is an impressive ensemble, with Lea Salonga leading the pack with her undeniable stage presence and hilariously entertaining Cockney accent. Considering it’s been two decades since she last agreed to do a stage production in the country, Sweeney Todd is the perfect opportunity to see a performer of her caliber giving an international level performance locally. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will run from October 11 to 27 at the Theater at Solaire. The musical also stars Jett Pangan, Ima Castro, Gerald Santos, and Nyoy Volante. Tickets are available online at Ticketworld.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street will run from October 11 to 27 at the Theater at Solaire. The musical also stars Jett Pangan, Ima Castro, Gerald Santos, and Nyoy Volante. Tickets are available online at Ticketworld.

After announcing last December that Lea Salonga and Jett Pangan were starring in the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, it’s been almost a whole year of anticipation for theater and non-theater fans alike. And all we can say is, it was definitely worth the wait. Even after almost three decades, Lea Salonga is still schooling us on what it takes to be a Tony award winner as she plays the role of the raunchy, funny, and devious Mrs. Lovett in the show.Singer Jett Pangan plays the title role of the barber who plans for murder and revenge with a voice that commands your attention, even when when he is singing a sad and lonely song. Fresh from his stint in Miss Saigon in the UK, Gerald Santos plays the role of the innocent and naive Anthony and plays the role of a love struck teenager with natural ease. Nyoy Volante shines in his scenes as Sweeney Todd’s rival barber Adolfo Firelli, a persona he obviously thoroughly enjoyed whenever he came onstage. Ima Castro also shows off her vocal prowess as the mysterious Beggar Woman.The cast of Sweeney Todd is an impressive ensemble, with Lea Salonga leading the pack with her undeniable stage presence and hilariously entertaining Cockney accent. Considering it’s been two decades since she last agreed to do a stage production in the country, Sweeney Todd is the perfect opportunity to see a performer of her caliber giving an international level performance locally.

‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street ’opens in Manila with a two-week run this month.

REVIEW: Lea Salonga shines in the musical ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street ’ | PUSH.COM.PH