Talkin' Broadway review:
"And if this production does not necessarily represent the quintessential version of the deliciously dark musical based on a 19th century "penny dreadful" serial about the vengeful barber, it contains enough real strengths to make it well worth the visit."
Mixed to positive, pointing out the inconsistencies in tone in particular:
"Ashford's performance is indicative of the production's biggest flaw, and that is its inconsistent overall tone, a problem that would seem to lie at the feet of the director, Thomas Kail, best known for helming a little something called Hamilton....
"Throughout, much of the action is overemphasized where it should be played out more subtly; the plot itself and Sondheim's songs should be allowed to do the heavy lifting. Instead, Mrs. Lovett is too silly. Johanna (Maria Bilbao) is too far locked into her panicky madness, even if it is justified by the plot turns. The chorus (great singers collectively) come off as robotic in their tight-packed coordinated movements."
Updated On: 3/26/23 at 08:24 PM