Oak Park Newspaper

In a word "Fantastic". Riverview Theatre Company is a gem in Northern Illinois. Their production of "Sweeney Todd" was a wonderful execution of songs and drama. The small town of Richmond is graced with shows of this caliber. One of the actors even came to the stage three or more times to be killed, though each time with a different wardrobe, but I remembered the neck.

Riverview Theatre Company has in its Cast some magnificient vocal talent of all ages, and covering several cities of origin. Sweeney Todd is a strange tale at best, in terms of its bizarre plot, and the Riverview Theatre Company has done one of the most tasteful productions we have seen, while still holding on to that strange lust for a close shave.

A non-equity production (no one gets paid to speak of) yet with professional results. They have done a very nice job of bringing Stephen Sondheim's icon of the wierd to life in a small rural town. If you are driving up to or from Wisconsin on Route 12, a stop in Richmond, Illinois, should be one of your stops for a flair for the different.

Chris Warren, as Judge Turpin, had a strong dramatic demeanor and an equally powerful voice with nice vocal registers. Rob Scharlow, as Sweeney
Todd, did a great dramatic performance with grand moments of emotions and too close shaving, and without missing a note.

Kelli Clevenger, as Mrs. Lovett, was beautiful, witty, a good cook apparently, and a dramatic home run hitter with a beautiful voice. Victoria Cummings, as the Beggar Woman, did a wonderful rendition of a street urchin with a taste for some coin while traveling down the relaxed road of moral directions.

Megan Fayer, the beautiful voiced songstress in the company, and her big handsome brother, Alex Fayer, who died numerous times to the delight of the audience, were a duo of talents in all measures.

The pianist, Celia Villacres, is herself a treasure and an angel who worked the keys with top notched alacrity and muse driven skill.

The founder and executive producer of the show, Angie Kells is a beautiful singer herself, though not in the show, we heard her sing later in the evening at a cast party.

This a must see show for folks in the area, and we drove nearly one and a half hours for the delight of the day. There is still a week to go and we highly recommend the show to lovers of theater.

The latest and most daring production to come from Riverview Theatre Company is Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street which will perform May 7 to 23 at Memorial Hall Civic Theatre in Richmond, Ill. Sweeney Todd, the Tony-Award winning musical thriller with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler is in full blade-swinging production mode with a killer cast and outstanding direction by David “Doc” Lindquist, Jess Honor and musical direction by Derek Galvicius.

Sweeney Todd is a chilling, suspenseful, heart-pounding masterpiece of murderous barber-ism and culinary crime. Sophisticated, macabre, visceral and uncompromising, Sweeney Todd nevertheless has a great sense of fun, mixing intense drama with howlingly funny moments of dark humor: audiences find themselves laughing hysterically one moment and gasping in surprise the next.

Riverview Theatre Company has partnered with Olive Black Martini & Wine Lounge, located at 5607 Broadway in Richmond, for the ultimate Sweeney Todd experience. Olive Black has prepared for Sweeny Todd fans, two specialty drinks only available at Olive Black and only for a limited time: The Sweeney-tini and The Bloody Lovett. Come into Olive Black today and ask about these refreshing drinks made to order for Riverview audiences. Each drink is just $5! For the ultimate theatrical experience, meet the cast of Sweeney Todd following the Friday night productions at Olive Black (5/7, 5/14 & 5/21). Friday nights are Sweeney Todd Cast Nights at Olive Black. Come see what’s happening on the corner of Main Street and Broadway in the heart of downtown Richmond!

Performances for Sweeney Todd are May 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7:30pm and May 9, 16 and 23 at 3pm. Ticket prices are $15 general adult admission and $12 for students and seniors. Group discounts are available by calling the Riverview Theatre Company box office at 815-354-7796. Sweeney Todd is rated PG-13 for “suspense and barbarous violence” and is not intended for young children.

For tickets or to make reservations to see Sweeney Todd, please visit www.riverviewtheatre.org or call 815-354-7796. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the online box office at www.riverviewtheatre.org. Only cash or checks are accepted the night of the performance. No refunds or exchanges are allowed. Memorial Hall Civic Theatre is located at 10308 Main Street in Richmond. Come early as seating is first come-first serve. Group discounts and student plans are available. Call 815-354-7796 for more information. Riverview Theatre Company, NFP is a 501(c)3 tax exempt, non-profit corporation.