All-male cast adds new wrinkle to 'Sweeney Todd'

[morosco]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 11:43am

Welcome to Theatre Out’s version of the Stephen Sondheim musical. Not just gimmickry, David C. Carnevale’s re-imagining of the hit play unfolds in an insane asylum – London’s infamous Bedlam, to be exact.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sweeney-700421-sondheim-musical.html

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 11:56am

Setting it in an insane asylum? What a novel idea! Oh, wait...

 

And what's the point of an all-male cast? To give a guy who's always wanted to play Mrs. Lovett the chance to finally do it?

[EthelMae]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 12:09pm

This was approved by Music Theatre International?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 12:15pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Setting it in an insane asylum? What a novel idea! Oh, wait..."

 

Eh, I've always said it was a great idea (and a terrific opening tableau) tied to a mediocre production with an awful conceit stapled onto it. Take away the actor/musician thing, and it might be a better take on the same idea.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 1:22pm

Still waiting patiently for the inherent awesomeness that an all-female Sweeney would be (or at least Sweeney as played by a woman - can Kate Mulgrew sing?).

[Ranger Tom]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 2:44pm

Whatever.  Cute gimmick.  I'm sure it would be interesting - as would an all female version.  Wonder if they will revise the show title to try and outdo Marat Sade.  

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 3:16pm

I know Lovett is the coveted gay male dream, and rightfully so, but I've always wanted a shot at Johanna. That's just me, though. I think this is an interesting idea. This would be a good shtick to build a whole company on. One gendered musicals. 

Updated On: 1/19/16 at 03:16 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 3:33pm

 

In 1967, the Royal Shakespeare Company performed Peter Brooks's "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum at Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade"

 

 

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:15pm

are the lyrics to Johanna going to be changed to Giu-sep-pe?

[gypsy101]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:26pm

Is it men playing the characters as if they believe they are women? And what are they doing with the keys for the men singing Lovett and Johanna?

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:43pm

gypsy101 said: "And what are they doing with the keys for the men singing Lovett and Johanna?"

 

This is just a shot in the dark, but maybe transposing them. 

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:45pm

Updated On: 1/19/16 at 05:45 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:48pm

PalJoey said: " 

 

In 1967, the Royal Shakespeare Company performed Peter Brooks's "The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum at Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade"

 

 

 

 

 

 

"

I was only 13 at the time, but I've seen the video and I taught the play script for years. Both are really quite brilliant. Thanks, as usual, pj.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:49pm

CindersGolightly said: "I know Lovett is the coveted gay male dream, and rightfully so, but I've always wanted a shot at Johanna. That's just me, though. I think this is an interesting idea. This would be a good shtick to build a whole company on. One gendered musicals. 

 

"

They don't specialize in musicals, but:

The Women's Shakespeare Company has been going strong in LA for 22 years...

 

http://www.lawsc.net/about_us.php

 

 

[Fan123]

Posted: 1/20/16 at 3:11am

If you're interested CindersGoLightly, I believe the Takarazuka Revue (http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/) in Japan is a relatively prominent all-female musicals troupe. It gets occasional mentions and publicity on BWW. I've never seen one of their shows, but it looks like they've adapted and performed some Western musicals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takarazuka_Revue#Adaptations_of_Western_works .

 

Although I can't read the Japanese at these sites, I think you can buy DVDs and CDs of their productions at http://shop.tca-pictures.net/tcaonlineshop/index.html and/or http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/. Eg here's their DVD (and a trailer) for Top Hat: http://shop.tca-pictures.net/tcaonlineshop/goods/index.html?ggcd=TCAD-466. (They also have a musical called '1789' which I thought might be another American Revolution show - but nope, it's about France.)

Updated On: 1/20/16 at 03:11 AM

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 1/20/16 at 5:07am

How does this production illuminate the material?  Anne Bogart staged a production of South Pacific set in a mental hospital back in the 80s, and there have been female Hamlets and all male Steel Magnolias so there's nothing really new here.  A gay-centric theater company should be doing work that ellucidates the gay experience rather than campy productions of serious musicals.  IMHO.

[Patash]

Posted: 1/20/16 at 8:01am

These things confuse me.  Like that recent all male production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.   When Philia is already being played by a man pretending to be a woman -- where is the humor when Hysterium pretends to be Philia? 

 

I agree that it just sounds like some guy really wanted to play Lovett, so he's getting his wish.  That's the only logical (?) reason I can think of for doing this. 

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:14pm

 "These things confuse me.  Like that recent all male production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. When Philia is already being played by a man pretending to be a woman -- where is the humor when Hysterium pretends to be Philia?"

The humor is in the confusion, in the detachment from the detachment.  See Victor/Victoria where you have a woman playing a woman pretending to be a man impersonating a woman, or Twelfth Night where the heroine impersonating a man is traditionally and often even now (as in the last successful Broadway production) played by a man.

I get your point with Forum, though.  In all cases to work the specific comedic choices are tricky.

 

Updated On: 1/20/16 at 12:14 PM

[Dmatthewcastro]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 12:15pm

Hi guys Beadle Bamford here from The male Sweeney Cast. The entire show consist of 9 men and its in its original key.  The only song that was transposed was The Contest.  Original key was to low for our Pereili and had to be brought up.  

 

The concept is Toby and 8 other patients of Bedlam telling the story of how Toby was admitted into the Asylum. The entire cast hardly leaves the stage and transforms back and forth between Character and asylum patient throughout the performance.  

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 1:25pm

This is a stupid gimmick-and by looking at the photos, its poorly done. It's funny that they bill themselves as an LGBTQ theatre company. Were there no lesbians or trans woman available for that part? Women are afforded so few great characters that to do this seems pointless and attention grabbing.

Also to the person who said there has been an all-male Steel Magnolias, actually there hasn't. Robert Harling will not allow that as he views it as a disrespect to the memory of his sister, who the play is based on. I believe there have been a few "one night" drag type readings but nothing ever approved or sanctioned.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 1:45pm

I think it's a cool concept. I always love twists on material that I know well. 

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 1:52pm

I, too, wonder about this being approved (after the infamous 1990s Seattle all male Company, etc). 

That said--why not?  This isn't a major revival that anyone will see as official, and I think the text is cannonical (is that a word?)  enough that it can be played with without harming anyone's impression of the work.  Dmatthewcastro what has been the reaction?

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 5:20pm

"The concept is Toby and 8 other patients of Bedlam telling the story of how Toby was admitted into the Asylum. The entire cast hardly leaves the stage and transforms back and forth between Character and asylum patient throughout the performance."

So...the Doyle revival minus the instruments and the women?

[Ranger Tom]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 6:10pm

Let's talk gimmick - all male cast with a female Sweeney.  Something like staged by a boys' Academy and their adult female teacher.  Unique chance for a couple powerhouses.  Find one of the best Melchior/Moritz for Lovett.  matthewcastro - I'd like to hear about the reaction too.  

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 8:38pm

Bettyboy, I've seen an all male production of Steel Magnolias although it wasn't sanctioned.  And there have been others that Harling simply didn't get wind of.