Have you seen the shows, or will the DVD's be your exposure to them?
If I have seen the show, I don't really find the DVD's very satisfying; the action is too static, and I don't like being told when to look at a certain character or bit of staging.
If you have never seen the shows, then I think they are all worthwhile in order to fully comprehend the action and staging, which so informs the lyrics.
The only sondheim DVD I watch regularly (I own them all) is the "Follies in Concert" DVD from 1986. Everyone acknowledges the great flaw in this disc--the concert itself is, ironically, incomplete--but what's there is thrilling and the behind-the-scenes footage is priceless. If you were unsure whether you wanted to work with Stritch, this will convince you that you don't!
Also, if you have only one Sweeney Todd disc, I would go for Angela over Patti--it's the definitive performance and far more satisfying, IMHO.
"They have never understood, and no reason that they should.
But if anybody could . . . " --SS
Updated On: 1/23/05 at 09:47 AM