Barber from hell

"Sweeney Todd," the ultra-dark Stephen Sondheim musical about a murderous barber in London, is a step closer to a big-screen adaptation with DreamWorks and Warner Bros.' announcement today that Johnny Depp will play the baddie and Tim Burton will direct. Brilliant choices, if a bit obvious given the duo's collaboration on such eerie productions as "Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood" and "Corpse Bride." No word yet on who will play Mrs. Lovett, Todd's accomplice who turns his throat-slit victims into meat pies. No doubt Burton is having Helena Bonham Carter check her calendar. Now the ego-wounding speculation about Depp's ability to deliver Sondheim's challenging baritone-bass songs can begin.