Writers David Strauss and Nicole Carson have conflated two mega-musicals from the Broadway pantheon -- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Annie -- and have come up with a hybrid: Annie Todd: The Demon Orphan of Fleet Street. Contrasting Sweeney’s dark negativity with Annie’s sunny optimism is a clever conceit, but the show doesn’t have quite enough heft to fill a full hour of stage time.
Annie Todd is the type of Fringe production that lacks a pedigree coming in, and legs going out. It’s the kind that was made up by some theater-loving locals for a one-time-only production, and while it’s a mildly amusing piece of fluff, it pales when compared to many of the professionally staged items on the Fringe menu.
Director Sylvia Viles Vicchiullo’s cast is mixed in terms of talent and although there are some good voices -- Justin Scarlat stands out as Pepperelli -- not all of the singers make the most of their moments in the spotlight. The show also suffers from a lack of sharpness. Entrances and exits are a bit tentative, as if the performers themselves don’t always know which musical they’re in. -- Al Krulick
Annie Todd: the Demon Orphan of Fleet Street
Homicidal Orphan Productions - Orlando, FL
Friday 18 May; at 9:00pm in the Pink
Saturday 19 May; at 4:20pm in the Pink
Sunday 20 May; at 11:45pm in the Pink
Tuesday 22 May; at 9:15pm in the Pink
Wednesday 23 May; at 11:00pm in the Pink
Saturday 26 May; at 11:00pm in the Pink
Sunday 27 May; at 3:30pm in the Pink
Price: $10 + Fringe Button (good for entire Fringe)
Discount(s): Fringe Artists
Length: 60
Rating: Mature
