Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

#1

Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:13pm

I know this should be on the student board, but not enough people check there. Anyway, does the character of Tobias in Sweeney Todd have any monologues? If so, approximately where in the musical are there. If anyone knows of any straight play versions, that would be helpful,too. THANKS!!

#2

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:20pm

HUH?

No offense, but I don't get why this question would be asked. It's very easy to get the script of the show or even rent/buy the production that's available on DVD and check on your own.

Yes, he has monologues. At least one I can think of. At the end.

There - I did began your homework for you, now you finish it.

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#3

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:27pm

Sweeney Todd is based on a series of short stories- it has never really been a straight play (to my knowledge). Toby does have one monolouge at the conclusion of the play, but in my opinion, it owuldn't make a lot of sense out of context.

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"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck

#4

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:33pm

"The String of Pearls" was made into a play in 1847 by George Dibdin Pitt and opened at the Hoxton Theatre, with the subtitle The Fiend of Fleet Street.

And in 1973 the British playwright Christopher Bond wrote a play titled "Sweeney Todd" (which is the one that Stephen Sondheim adapted as a musical).

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Shari Lewis: Did you ever wish upon a star? Lamb Chop: I once asked Mr. Rogers for his autograph.

#5

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:36pm

Sweet. I did not know that.

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"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck

#6

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:42pm

Thank you for the help guys!

I did not know the script was readily available. Would I find it at the Drama Book Shop on 40th? Do you think the Lincoln Center PA library would have it?

I did not want to get the DVD without posting here, because there would be no point if it did not have a monologue.

Thank you again!!!!!

#7

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:45pm

What are you planning on DOING with the monologue, is the question? Auditioning with it? Performing it? I would say don't bother if it's for auditioning...

---

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#8

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:49pm

You should get one of the DVDs regardless.

#9

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:50pm

Good point, Capn. Toby's end speech is way too short for an audition piece. (You could just recite the lyrics to "Not While I'm Around", hehehe).

I can't imagine why anyone would use the speech for any reason out of context of the show...

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

Updated On: 10/22/06 at 05:50 PM

#10

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:52pm

I know - which is why I am so puzzled why this poster:

a) doesn't know already if Toby has a monologue...
b) if they aren't familar with the play, why do they know Toby?
c) why wouldn't they research themselves for something so easy to find?

---

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#11

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:54pm

I found it a bit baffling too!

---

"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#12

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:57pm

That's why I suggested getting the DVD anyway.

#13

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:59pm

-This is for the NFAA Arts Awards Competition.
-I have seen the musical, and am therefore familiar with it.
-The direction for choosing a monologue was to choose a character that you could believably play on stage.
-The monologue should be short, because I want more time for my song.
-I vaguely remember Toby having a monologue towards the end while he is churning the "meat".
-As I said before, I didn't realize this was "easy to find", as this is a last-minute thing.
-It does not really matter that it is out of context of the show, as I have to state the character and play, and most of the auditors are likely familiar with the play.

#14

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 6:13pm

yes, Drama Books has the Libretto of Sweeney.


hope it helps

#15

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 6:19pm

No offense here, but you really didn't do your homework, did you? I mean, if you did a simple search of "Sweeney Todd" on amazon or the NYPL website, you would have found that the libretto for the show is readily available. You shouldn't rely on other people for information that is so easy to find. It'll really hurt you in the future if you don't spend the time to do that work on you're own. You'll be at a complete loss. Just some adivce...

#16

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 6:23pm

The idea came to me a few minutes before posting. I wanted to make sure that a monologue existed before I looked for it. There is nothing more frustrating to me than looking for something that doesn't exist.

Updated On: 10/22/06 at 06:23 PM

#17

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 8:25pm

Isn't it easier to look up one title than bother so many other people.

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"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird

#18

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 8:34pm

Hmm, god forbid someone should come to a Broadway message board asking questions about a Broadway show.
Didn't it take most of you longer to post a rude remark than it would have taken to post the answer?

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International Victim on Myspace

#19

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 8:37pm

Thank You joanna2! I was starting to loose my mind reading these post.

Let someone ask a question. Damn. If you don't want to help or respond, then don't. Damn.

Updated On: 10/22/06 at 08:37 PM

#20

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 9:00pm

Are you going to tell the judges you threw this together at the last minute?

Like someone else mentioned, the "monologue" you mentioned at the end of Sweeney probably isn't long enough. And it's very heavy on stage directions.

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

#21

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 9:14pm

I just looked at the libretto on simplyscripts.com. The monologue that you speak of is only a few words and involves other characters. I am glad I did not buy it.

Orangeskittles, the audition is via a tape, so I obviously will not tell the judges that I "threw this together at the last minute". I have been searching for monologues since I found out about the competition, but have not been successful.

Thank you for being nice, joanna and sally!

#22

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 9:59pm

Toby gives like a mini monologue just before he kills sweeney...

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What a night! I was in more laps than a napkin!

#23

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 10:35pm

"Let someone ask a question. Damn. If you don't want to help or respond, then don't. Damn."

Well, I was trying to help. Throwing things together at the last minute and not taking the initiative to do the work on your own when you're in any sort of training program or auditioning in the real world is like shooting yourself in the foot...

#24

re: Does Toby (in Sweeney) have a monologue?

Posted: 10/22/06 at 10:42pm

I understand what you're saying, BroadwayGirl107. In fact, I agree with you. Fortunately, this "audition" means nothing unless I do an amazing job. I don't think that will happen, but it can't hurt to try. BTW, I have been taking initiative. I can't even count the number of plays and monologues I've looked at. None of them seem to fit me.