Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Those satisfactions begin with Rebecca Finnegan's exceptionally tasty Nellie Lovett, a bespoke creation of fortitude, humor and vulnerability (most people have at least one of those) that is displayed to excellent effect in such famed and exquisite numbers as "Not While I'm Around," wherein the infamous baker is joined by her young and ill-fated apprentice, Tobias Ragg. He's quite beautifully sung by a seemingly guileless newcomer named Miles Blim, still a high school senior in Oak Park and a fellow with a talent and charm that might yet give fellow Oak Parker Tavi Gevinson a run for her money."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Porchlight’s all-Sondheim season began Tuesday night with a fiery, often revelatory production of “Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” arguably Sondheim’s greatest work. And all I could think was: Sondheim probably cannot even imagine just how beautifully and insightfully this company deals with his work."
Gapers Block - Highly Recommended
"...Director Michael Weber and the Porchlight ensemble pull off an ambitious production. It's a small stage for such a large and legendary undertaking. The cast members give solid and stirring musical performances, with Rebecca Finnegan delivering an uproarious and voluptuous Nellie, cementing the production. She plays well with and against David Girolmo (Barker/Sweeney), whose baritone fills up the smaller space, but does not overpower it. Miles Blim, a high school senior, plays Toby with energy and charm. Doug Peck's musical direction and the five-person musical group do justice to the Sondheim music. This version of The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is an enjoyable performance, and moves along swiftly despite being a two-and-a-half-hour show."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...The chief reasons to see this Sweeney are its two leads. Rebecca Finnegan, reprising the role she played in a separate Porchlight production a decade ago, eschews the cartoonish histrionics that are often associated with it (see Carter, Helena Bonham). Hers is the most grounded and credible take on Mrs. Lovett I've seen—sympathetic, even, despite her monstrous actions."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"...Just as Porchlight's "Sweeney Todd" is a triumph of ensemble and staging, it also parades prize-worthy achievements in Jeffrey D. Kmiec's efficient multi-level set design, Bill Morey's rags-and-riches costumes and the imaginative lighting scheme devised by Greg Hofmann and Jess Goings. It's the stuff of a demonic thriller that grabs you by the throat. And it's razor sharp."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...My favorite character in Hugh Wheeler's book was Nellie Lovett (Rebecca Finnegan). She had a great big heart, taking in poor Mr. Todd and young Tobias Ragg (Miles Blim), a simple-minded orphan. I just can't believe she chopped up dead people and put them in her pies. Disgusting! But you have to admit, Father, that it's not so different from our Eucharist. We eat the body and blood of Christ at mass, don't we? There was other Christian symbolism in the show, too, Father. Mrs. Lovett rubs ash on Mr. Todd's forehead, just like you did to me on Ash Wednesday."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Doug Peck's orchestra produced the haunting music by Sondheim marvelously without overpowering the singers. The total production accomplished the proper atmosphere to fuel a scary gruesome musical. This production will satisfy lovers of Sweeney Todd as well as introduce newbies to Sondheim's work. Kudos to Porchlight for bravely mounting a fine Sweeney Todd."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"... love the work of Stephen Sondheim! That is why it is very special that Porchlight Music Theatre is doing a “Season of Sondheim” to celebrate 20 years of bringing musicals to Chicago audiences. And what a production! “Sweeney Todd” is an almost opera written by Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, telling the story of a man sent to prison for a crime that he did not commit, Benjamin Barker, who returns for his retribution as “Sweeney Todd” (brilliantly brought to life by David Girolmo). While away, he lost his family, a wife and daughter, as well as his self-respect."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Especially with Halloween lurking in the shadows, this is a perfect holiday production that begs to be seen. Unquestionably Porchlight Music Theatre’s magnum opus, Michael Weber has assembled a brilliantly talented cast, supported his production with some of Chicago’s finest musical and technical artistry and delivered an award-winning production of Sondheim’s musical classic that this city will be talking about for years to come. Audiences leaving Stage 773 will be heard exclaiming, “God, That’s Good!”"
Huffington Post - Highly Recommended
"...The ensemble cast delivers Sondheim's difficult choral moments with cutthroat precision, thanks to music director Doug Peck. Standouts include Kelli Harrington as the Beggar Woman (what a voice!) and Kevin Webb as the weasily Adolfo Pirelli. Also, kudos to Javier Ferreira, who covered for the hopeful Anthony the night I saw it and gave a completely polished performance, even nailing the tricky "Ah, Miss" interlude."
The Fourth Walsh - Recommended
"...This isn’t your mama’s musical. It’s your creepy cousin that enjoys his show tunes with a side of carnage. This musical is bloody funny! Just in time for Halloween, SWEENEY TODD is scary good!"
