Justin Neal picks a favorite — ‘Sweeney Todd’ — for directorial debut

ALBANY — Theatre Albany General Manager Justin Neal generally gives off an upbeat, high-energy, but in-control vibe when he’s conducting business for the historic theater.

But spend a little time with Neal talking about Theatre Albany’s upcoming production of “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” and you easily detect an undercurrent of energy that fairly fills the room.

“I’m at a very different place than I was when we first talked about me directing ‘Sweeney Todd,'” Neal said of the production that kicks off Friday with the first of six performances of the Broadway and Hollywood sensation. “Then, there was a lot of nervousness. Now, I’m just excited about how this production has come together. I can’t wait for people to see it.

“I’m just thrilled at this phenomenal cast and what they’ve done with this production.”

It would be hard to find anyone who would want to quell Neal’s exuberance. Especially when it comes to light that this is his directorial debut. When Theatre Albany’s board was putting together a lineup for the season and — due to circumstances beyond the board’s control — there were emergency circumstances that led them to recruit Neal to direct the season-ending show, he didn’t have to think long about saying yes.

And it took even less time to come up with a production.

“This is one of my wife, Nikki’s, and my favorite plays, and even though I knew it would be more difficult to put on, when it came to a choice of doing something much simpler or taking a risk, it was an easy choice,” Neal said. “Nikki’s been a huge help; this would have been much more difficult without her.

“With us working together, I’ve felt comfortable from the beginning. There have been times when I’ve gone home giddy. And that thing directors say about the weeks of preparation for a production occupying your mind, there have been times when I told myself I was going to forget ‘Sweeney Todd’ for a while and focus on something else. But it just creeps to the front of my mind.”

Stephen Sondheim created the music and lyrics and Christopher Bond adapted the play for the stage, turning “Sweeney Todd” into a Broadway sensation. And Tim Burton and Johnny Depp took the story of a barber — Sweeney Todd — who was wrongly sent away to prison by a judge who lusted after his wife, and brought it to massive audiences on the silver screen.

Fifteen years later, after his release from prison, Sweeney Todd comes back to London seeking revenge, with the help of Mrs. Lovett.

Randy Harrell, a veteran Theatre Albany actor starring in what Neal calls “his dream role,” portrays the demon barber, while Kelly Mullin has, according to Neal, taken the role as Sweeney’s co-conspirator and turned it into something special.

“The entire cast in this play has been phenomenal,” Neal said. “As rehearsals have continued, you can see one after another nailing down their parts, bringing their characters to life. There is an old saying that actors don’t really get excited about playing a part until the last week or so before the show. But I can tell these actors are as excited as I am.

“And I’ve watched as Kelly has really stepped into her role. She’s picking up the little nuances that show another side to this tragic, deep story, which I think audiences will appreciate. Also, young actor Luke Twigg, who plays Tobias — his first big role after being in 11 other more kid-friendly parts — is doing an incredible job.”

In addition to Harrell, Mullins and Twiggs, the “Sweeney Todd” cast includes:

· George Darrisaw (Anthony Hope)

· Zoey Clack (Johanna)

· Jason Wallace (Judge Turpin)

· Chase Graham (The Beadle)

· Jessica Albano (Beggar Woman)

· Butler Stoudenmire (Adolfo Perelli)

· Phillip Madrid (Jonas Fogg/Ensemble)

· Megan Moshell (Ensemble, Quintet, Lunatic, Bird Seller)

· Dorothy Collins (Ensemble, Quintet, Lunatic, Bird Seller)

· Karen Spicer (Ensemble, Lunatic)

· David Albano (Ensemble, Quintet)

· Kat Blaise (Ensemble, Quintet, Lunatic)

· Hannah Albano (Ensemble, Lunatic)

· Anita Lime-Sims (Ensemble)

· Brianna Rosenfeld (Ensemble, Lunatic)

· Amber Kirksey (Ensemble, Lunatic)

· Dave Ward (Ensemble, Quintet)

With Friday’s opening night approaching and a local buzz growing about the production, Neal is asked if he perhaps has found a calling as a director.

“Actually, yes, I think so,” he said. “I became a director out of necessity, but with this experience under my belt … yeah, I could do this again. I think the production would need to be the right show, one I’m passionate about, but I’ve felt comfortable with this from the beginning.

“This experience has just been so good. This cast is so in tune, and individually and collectively their characters have come to life. Every one of them has been in plays before — some not in as big a roles, but all have experience — and it’s become something so good. I can’t wait for audiences to see them and see this play. I’m very proud of them, and — no ego here — I’m proud of myself. This is a dream come true for me.”

Theatre Albany performances of “Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” will be this and next weekend, with 7:30 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday and June 7-8, and 2 p.m. matinee performances Sunday and June 9. Tickets are available at Theatre Albany during regular business hours and on the days of the shows. 

Staff Photo: Carlton FletcherStaff Photo: Carlton Fletcher

Staff Photo; Carlton Fletcher

Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher

Staff Photo: Carlton Fletcher