Buying Broadway on Amazon.com- Page 3

[Plum]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 9:30pm

If you actually listened to multiple versions, you can't possibly be that bad of a Broadway fan, spider. :)

The OBC is a quasi-holy object to me. If I ever stop being agnostic and turn into a full-on atheist, the "quasi" will disappear.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 9:37pm

There are different reasons to buy both. Of course, Angela Lansbury owns and will forever own the role of Mrs. Lovett. No one can touch her. That is not to say that Lupone did not do an excellent job, as I beleive she did. However, Lansbury brings more pathos and humanity to the character while making her darker and more mysterious at the same time. One of the most fascinating things about the character is the mystery. Where did she come from? You don't know. Lansbury has this role and plays it to perfection.

Len Cariou is a magnificent Sweeney in the OBC. However, I believe that it is George Hearn's Sweeney that is the definitive interpretation. And his rich baritone is perfect for the vocal demands of the role. His singing is far better than Cariou's, though Cariou is arguably the better actor. However, both act the role beautifully. But Hearn wins.

But that still doesn't settle which to get. I believe the supporting roles are far better sung in the Concert Version. And you cannot beat a full Symphonic Orchestra playing Jonathan Tunick's best orchestrations of Sondheim's best score.

It is for this reason that I have to say that, slightly, I prefer the Concert Version. It is hard for me to say that as a Sondheim purist. But the version is impeccable. A the Lupone/Hearn version of A LITTLE PRIEST is gold.

But Lansbury's Lovett is as good a performance as one will ever find.

As for the DVD's, the Tour Version beats the Concert Version, for you get Lansbury and Hearn together. Too bad they didn't record THEM together. That recording would have become legendary. But I'm biased.

Updated On: 8/17/04 at 09:37 PM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 9:40pm

Thanks Plum........I was feeling a little Down-hearted there.

and I agree, both are AMAZING

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 9:41pm

Jonathan Tunick...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 9:48pm

Don't throw crap at me, lol, but I can't stand Joel Grey on the OBC Cabaret. I know he won a Tony and everything but, ugh... the accent was fine, and his voice is already high pitched, why go higher? yuck...