Sweeney Todd unliked like wicked?!- Page 3

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:40pm

I am right now!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:45pm

I was just listening to Pacific Overtures...

But Sweeney is a masterpiece, hands down. And Sondheim's work certainly is melodic, it just isn't traditional Broadway.

The score is lush, romantic and rich. And contains some very "melodic" (in the sense of the word Feodor was trying to convey) songs. Think Johanna, Johanna Quartet, Wait, Green Finch and Linnet Bird, Not While I'm Around, My Friends...

[ElTico68]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:46pm

It's on my iPod... I have a Showtunes playlist... on shuffle I get to hear all my faves...

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:48pm

Funny, my iPod is pretty much all showtunes. Don't take my Tony away b/c I am not that familiar with Sweeney...

Oh Mommy Beav, I love you.
Updated On: 3/28/05 at 05:48 PM

[Pinkgurl3166]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:51pm

mine is all showtunes lol. im not really into other music like some of my friends are. Rap is annoying and I really don't like the boy group punk things or whatever its called haha.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:54pm

I just don't understand people who are ONLY obsessed with Sweeney, and haven't heard most of Sondheim's other work. That and Into the Woods, people seem to OBSESS over, and it bugs me. Listen to Merrily, people!

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:56pm

or Anyone Can Whistle....Follies....to name a couple gems!

[ElTico68]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:58pm

Anyone can Whistle is such a beautiful song... one of my favorites, that's for sure. (and prolly the only Sondheim I can actually sing...)

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:59pm

My favorite line from Sweeney is hidden. Johanna, during Kiss Me:

I'll take my reticule
I need my reticule
You musn't think me a fool
But my reticule
Never leaves my side
It's the only thing my mother gave me-
KISS me!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:04pm

Of my top ten favourite shows, only one does not involve Sondheim: Cabaret.


I adore ALL of his scores (though I haven't heard his new score to The Frogs, nor have I heard Bounce).

I love singing the rarer songs: Take Me To The World, Everybody Says Don't, Good Thing Going etc.

I have performed all of these songs.

I also sing a mean "The Boy From..."

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:05pm

Joanna Gleason's The Boy From... is one of the funniest things I've ever heard.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:08pm

I <3 Joanna Gleason.

I adored her from her film work, well before I had ever heard of Into The Woods.

Sure, she was never a superstar, but has been in so many films in little supporting roles...

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:11pm

That would be glorious!

If it stained my clothes, I would frame them!

[Justice]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:39pm

Well (as I put in my 2 cents)
I can see how someone could call the score "obnoxious". There are maybe 5 or 6 songs that I really like in this show. Those songs I think are wonderful - some of Sondheim's best. There are a few okay songs that I tolerate. But, most of this score can grate someone's nerves. I myself cannot stand the Beadle or Pirelli. Not only are their voices like nails on a chalkboard, so are their songs. I have yet to listen to the whole score in one sitting (and I have had this recording for over ten years).
My opinion - You should get your hands on the DVD and watch it first. That's how I prefer the show. But, if you decide to get the cd, without knowing any of the music, don't be disappointed if you skip a few songs here or there...
Here is why you should get it:
1: The opening number
2. The Worst Pies in London
3. Johanna/Green Finch and Linnett Bird
4. Pirelli's Miracle Elixer
5. Kiss Me
6. Johanna (Part 2)
7. The first finale (What is it? City on Fire?)
8. The finale - which is similiar to the opening number, much like O Fortuna from Carmina Burana.

Also - if you like Opera, then you'll like Sweeney, because that is how much of it is written.

[lovettespies]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 7:05pm

I understand how the whistle and perhaps some of the less "melodic" songs can grate someone's nerves but... Johanna? Green Finch? Those songs are absolutly beautiful. Their melodies are rich and intoxicating. Can you tell I'm just a BIT passionate about this show?

As to the original purpose of this thread, rent it or borrow it first. Don't let the dark material completly deter you though. It is funny and heart warming at places as well.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 9:34pm

Ugh, Sweeny Toad suX. I watched the video and it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO BOARING. I only went to see it beacuse George HEarn is in WICKED but not as good as JOEL!!!!!! OMG Idina would be awesome as MRs. LOVIT!!!!! ANYWAYZ YEA SO SWEENY ISN'T AS GOOD AS WICKED!!!!!!!! WiCkEd fOREVER!!!!!!!!

Umm, my Sweeney OBC is on the way to my house - Unfortunately it would take to long to get to school and I didn't want it to get here after the semester ended. I am dying! At least I got Civil War today. It's so depressing...

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 10:38pm

I did something on televison with Joanna Gleason, way back in the early 80's. She was a doll. We just have different taste in music, paradox. I hate CABARET, as well; and I played Cliff in a tour of that one. I've also done Bobby in COMPANY, and am not a fan of that score, either. The fact is, and I've admitted this on this board before, I not that big a fan of Broadway musicals. I dislike more than I like. ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, is horrible, IMO. I do love the title song, however, especially as sung by the beautiful Lee Remick, who I adored in WAIT UNTIL DARK (she really should have been in the film), among other things.

[feinstein9]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 11:09pm

i think this is an interesting conversation, because it relates to *how* we listen to our cast albums. there are some i listen to while multi-tasking, because they don't really ask that much of me as a listener. there are some that are kinda pop-y. but with a show like sweeny, or any opera-inspired show, it requires listening and attention. it's not just something you put on, it's an experience. it's a theatrical experience. and some people like that and some people don't. i, however, think it's the very best kind, because it transports me. the swelling orchestra, the booming baritone, the wit and illusions in the songs... sweeny means a lot to me. all of steve's shows do, or i wouldn't have spent two weeks in washington to see his festival a few years ago. all and all, i think it comes down to how we listen to our shows and what we ask of them. now i'm gonna go spin my sweeny record.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/29/05 at 12:45pm

Justice, you forget to mention A LITTLE PRIEST...

That's a pretty important thing to remember...

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 3/29/05 at 1:09pm

Gotta put in a plug and say you can never have enough recordings of Sweeney (unless Kelsey Grammar tries to record it. in that case, run!). I own the perfect Lansbury/Cariou recording and the Philharmonic. Love them both for very different reasons (Angela IS perfection, LuPone is wonderful and the Philharmonic playing Sondheim? *swoon*).
For me, Sweeney Todd perpetually rates in my top two or three musicals.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/29/05 at 2:07pm

Me too, Bwaysinger, me too...

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/29/05 at 2:15pm

I have now listened to Sweeney twice because of this thread.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/29/05 at 2:17pm

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 3/29/05 at 2:31pm

Well, SWEENEY TODD is brilliant while WICKED is a steaming pile of dog ****.
Updated On: 3/29/05 at 02:31 PM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 3/29/05 at 2:33pm

oooh Mr Russel...even though I agree with you - you're bringing the wrath of Schwartz lovers everywhere down around your ears...