STAGE REVIEW : ‘Sweeney’ Cast Doesn’t Quite Cut It : The actor in the title role is too dark and angry, and Mrs. Lovett’s motivations elude us. But it’s a handsome production.

“Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street”--which mixes up music, murder, mayhem and a plot involving meat pies--is being handsomely produced and passionately performed by the Brea Theatre League. Some of the performances could use some fine tuning, though.

This tale of a vengeful barber, which won a slew of Tony awards (including Best Musical of 1979), was one of the odder theatrical entries of its decade, so different and innovative that Brea gets high marks just for giving it a shot.

Still, Steve Reynolds’ performance as Sweeney (he alternates with John F. Massey) is so dark and angry that we all but miss his human side. Sweeney, after all, didn’t always make a habit of slitting people’s throats. It was the wicked Judge Turpin (played by a wooden James Cavens) who turned him deadly, when he framed him and sent him off to prison. Now that Sweeney’s returned to search for his missing wife and daughter--who’s become a ward of the lecherous Turpin--we need to see a bit of the man under the mask.

(Speaking of which, Reynolds’ makeup might be better applied. When the lights hit his face at certain angles, we could have sworn that we’d accidentally wandered into a performance of “The Phantom of the Opera.”)

As Mrs. Lovett, the pie baker who has carried a torch for Sweeney all these years and who kept his razors for him, Adrienne Hatcher is enjoyably daffy, but the character’s motivations ultimately elude us. If it’s true love for Sweeney, we need to see--and to feel--more of it.

Not that this “Sweeney” lacks emotional wallop. As the young sailor smitten with Sweeney’s captive daughter, Michael W. Jones delivers an affecting rendition of the love song “Joanna.” And when the sound system isn’t drowning them out, the ensemble of 16 singers does a compelling “Ballad of Sweeney Todd.”

The production certainly looks spiffy, complete with a cleverly wicked barber’s chair. And, its grim subject matter aside, the show also offers smiles, notably with the song of “God, That’s Good,” all about the fantastic pies that have become the hit of London. The secret, according to Mrs. Lovett, is that “the meat” is ground three times. Thanks, but we won’t take a dozen.

‘SWEENEY TODD, THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET’

A Brea Theatre League production of the musical by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and Hugh Wheeler (book). Directed by Gary Krinke. With Steve Reynolds, John F. Massey, Adrienne Hatcher, Ann Smith, Laurie Freed, Eric Gunhus, Michael W. Jones and James Cavens. At the Curtis Theatre in the Brea Civic Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. through June 22 with a matinee at 2:30 on Saturday, June 15. Tickets: $7.50-$12.50. Information: (714) 990-7722.