Another Sweeney Todd Review

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 11:00am

I usually just lurk on the boards, but I just wanted to post my Sweeney review in case anyone was interested. I realize I'm sort of preaching to the choir here, but I'm really trying to get everyone I know to see this show... I was just so taken by it. Anyway, I wrote this when I got home after seeing the show. Sorry it's so long.

There might be some spoilers/details given away in the review.

"I just got back from seeing Sweeney Todd on Broadway, and let me just say that it was the greatest night of theater in my life. Actually, it was one of the most amazing, awe-inspiring days of my life, period. It was beyond incredible. I wanted to write a quick review, while it was fresh in my memory, so here goes (although words will not be able to capture the feelings that this show induces.

This is very heavy material, but this is a reeaaally funny show. What’s so great about it is that you laugh as much as you cry and sit wide-eyed in fear. The music and lyrics, and the script itself, is beyond incredible. To me, it epitomizes what theater can be. When you’re working with such incredible material, it’s hard to screw it up, but there are better and worse ways of doing it.

So now lets get to this production. I was a little worried, I must admit. This is my favorite show. This is my favorite score. I am very attached to both my Sweeney Todd DVDs and my original broadway cast recording. So I was worried.

Sweeney is usually put on as a fully staged production. It is a period piece, late 19th century costumes, authentic British accents, and all that. When I heard that they were doing a minimalist production of Sweeney Todd… a minimalst production WITHOUT AN ORCHESTRA and only a 10 person cast, I could not understand how on earth it could be done. How would the powerful, rich music sound with only 10 people playing instruments? How would the big crowd scenes work without a crowd? How would it all be done?

Well, it was done, today at the Eugene O’Neill Theater. Not only was it done, but I actually came out preferring this version to the original… something that I would have though impossible and almost sacrilegious.

This revival is staged in a minimalist, almost Brechtian manner… the costumes are modern clothes… Sweeney in a leather jacket, Mrs. Lovett in a mini skirt, the Judge in a business suit. That’s not saying that it takes place in modern times… it’s just that the importance of the time period has been stripped away, implying that this story could happen anywhere, to any of us.


The actors also play the instruments. They ARE the orchestra. Sweeney plays the guitar, Lovett the tuba, triangle and a bunch of other percussion instruments. Joanna and Anthony both play cellos, etc. Every instrument seems perfect for the character playing in, and this lends to a better understanding of the characters. It also creates this inexplicable intensity and urgency, this power to the music that just can’t be described. During the second act song “City on Fire” for example, Joanna and Anthony simultaneously play the cellos… the atmosphere is tense and urgent… it is downright frightening. The instruments just help build the tension. One amazing moment was during the Judge’s Joanna, when he is singing about his immoral desire for his ward, Joanna.Joanna is on stage in front of him feverishly playing the cello, and she periodically runs the bow against the cello making this dissonant, terrifying sound… It makes the song truly scary, and it comments on the nature of the song itself. Also, as the “traditional” romantic leads, Joanna and Anthony were never my favorite characters… they never seemed as rich and complex as the other characters. But now, playing the instruments, they gained so many new layers. The way they played, how they played, their physical movements while they played all added depth to the characters. The ten actors never leave the stage… they are always either acting or singing or playing and you learn so much about the characters just from watching this. But more importantly, it adds to the atmosphere and literally leaves you awestruck. I am trying to describe this as best I can, but really, it is something you have to see to understand. Let’s just say it’s absolutely brilliant.

Past productions have all highlighted the social implications of this piece… if you watch the original production,the commentary on bureaucracy, capitalism, and the industrial age are obvious. I always was interested and enjoyed this aspect of the show because it gave it a certain social relevance. I never would have thought that completely removing that would be a good thing for the show, but it was. This production focused entirely on the human story behind Sweeney Todd… it was all about lonliness, yearning, loss, revenge, greed, love, hate. The amazing thing about this show is that you feel what they characters feel every step of the way. Many of the lines are delivered, in true Brechtian fashion, directly to the audience… the audience is as much a character in this show as the people on stage. The emotional journey that I personally went on was amazing. I never laughed so hard, and never cried so hard as I did tonight.

Lets talk about the lightening and other effects… also, beyond brilliant. Every death is represented by a bucket of blood being slowly poured into another bucket. During the actual act of murder, the stage lights up this amazing blood red color and it is the most frightening thing I have every experienced in the theater. The audience all went into shock at this point… just so amazing. The lighting was also like its own character, commenting on the action, foreshadowing what is to come, changing as the emotions of the characters changed.

Then there is the concept… the way it is presented is as if this is all in the mind (as a memory or a delusion) of one of the characters, Toby. The show beings with him in what is clearly a mental institution. He is in a straight jacket, and we see the story through him. This again allows the show step away from the literal, realistic way it had been presented before, and instead makes everything on the stage symbolic of what is happening. This staging forces you to think, to question why certain items are there, etc. Let me add here that the concept is the minimalist staging and the perspective that it takes place in a mental institution. The use of instruments played by actors is not the concept, it is the simply the presentation format used to present this material... the same way that a play orally presents a text and a musical presents a play with music and songs. This show gives the actors yet another tool to work with, and in my opinion it works brilliantly.

The was the audience is drawn in is also remarkable. When, Sweeney screams at the audience, climbing the stairs mounted on the stage so that even the mezzanine could see him at eye level, “you there! Come visit your good friend Sweeney!” and it terrifies you… he is not beyond reaching out and killing you… he is that intent on revenge. At another point, a flashlight is shone into the audience, saying we are in a way, all guilty of what Sweeney does… we are forced to look at ourselves, realizing that we emphasize with a murderer, that perhaps we would even do the same in the given situation. It also draws us into the show… we are a part of it, and it becomes a part of us as the night progresses.

The relationships between the characters have never been more interesting. For the first time, the attraction between Joanna and Anthony is truly believable, and for the first time it became clear to me why they were together. The tension between Mrs.Lovett and the Beggar Woman also has never been stronger. They are so contentious here, that it makes the end that much stronger. And the relationship between Lovett and Sweeney… wow… talk about intense. I just can’t describe it, but it is so rich and fascinating to watch.

Before I say anything about the actors let me say that during the actual show, I was so engrossed in the story (and this having seen Sweeney Todd countless times before) that the talents and amazingness of the actors was only something I thought about when I got home. The actors so perfectly inhabit their characters that you just get sucked in. It is such a perfect ensemble and they work together brilliantly.

Ok now lets talk about the actors. Patti Lupone. Enough said. I just saw a theater legend, on stage, right in front of me. She was absolutely incredible. If she doesn’t win the Tony for this, I will write the Tony people a very strongly worded letter. But she we will win. I have very very little doubt. She is that amazing. She has made this character completely her own. I never for a moment thought about the other Nellie Lovetts, about other interpretations of the role. She had me from hello… from the moment she walked onto the stage. She was so funny, so heartbreaking. Her voice was amazing, of course, and she looked great. Michael Cerveris (who has been my hero since I saw him perform song after song for 12 hours straight at Wall to Wall Sondheim last march) as Sweeney is amazing. I was a little worried going in to this, because

(a) he seems a little young to play Sweeney

(b) he is a tenor singing a role written for a baritone…

Well, those worries disappeared with his first word. Again, I won’t say anything about his entrance because it is awesome, but his first glare at the audience, the power and intensity, is amazing. He is soooo intense, and he has this quiet, inner desperation and anger that the other Sweeney’s didn’t. George Hearn, often thought to be the “definitve” Sweeney is amazing in his own way, but his Sweeney was outwardly crazed, angry, loud (which is a great interpretation, just not the only interpretation). Cerveris’ Sweeney just exudes inner pain and suffering. The fact that so much of that pain is keep inside makes his violent outbursts, most directed at Mrs.Lovett, that much more powerful. Again, I will be VERY angry if he doesn’t get a Tony. He is too amazing in this. He is one of the best actors on Broadway right now, and he MUST be seen in this role. And the fact that he is so good looking helps.

The rest of the cast is also incredible, and so talented. All of them play multiple instruments, and they all act, sing, and play switching back and forth so smoothly that it just all seems so natural and perfect. Donna Lynn Champlin as Pirelli is incredible… she is so funny, that I wanted her scene to just go on forever… I never wanted her main song to end (and let me add that this is one of the songs that I usually skip on the CD… I just never loved the interpretation as much as I did her)… Casting a woman in this male role was brilliant. I’m sure the only reason they did this was because they needed another woman in the cast, to balance all the male voices, but regardless the reason, it was awesome. Lauren Molina was my favorite Joanna yet. The actors who played Toby, Anthony, the Begger Woman, the Judge, and the Beadle were also incredible.

Let me also add that the audience only made the experience better. It’s funny how audiences change from show to show, and this was probably the most intelligent, well versed in theater audience ever. They were all so responsive and respectful… and everyone seemed to love it. Look, when people start laughing BEFORE a joke is said, you know you have a good audience =) Anyway, the curtain call lasted foreeeeeeever… people would not stop clapping. The cast stood on stage and bowed four or five times, and soon started applauding the audience! They looked so appreciative, and so happy that this vision spoke to people. And what a vision it was. The director of this piece should be honored with every possible award… I just have no words. He totally re-imagined the entire show. Also want to give props to whoever did the orchestrations… the music never sounded so beautiful. I am getting the cast recording the second it comes out.

I am begging everyone, run (don’t walk) to see this show… See THIS cast, NOW!!! Sondheim shows normally don’t last that long because they are so unusual. I HOPE that this one lasts forever and ever, but realistically, it probably won’t (though the theater was packed today so there’s hope). Anyway, pleeeease, see this. It isn’t even about liking or not liking. It is about seeing a brilliant, beautiful, complex show at a time when Broadway is becoming more and more commercial and unoriginal. I promise that you will get SOMETHING out of this. See this whether you like Sweeney Todd or not, whether you like musicals or not, whether you even like theater or not. This is just something you have to see while it is on. I just say GOOOO and see it. You will be amazed, I promise. "

Sorry for making this is long but as I am sure you can tell, I am extremely overwhelmed.

Thanks for reading.

Updated On: 11/1/05 at 11:00 AM

[fiatlux]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 11:09am

You shouldn't lurk so much - it's wonderful to read such enthusiasm!

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 11:10am

I am thrilled beyond belief to hear about the curtain call. I had a very similar experience when I saw it last Thursday and its good to know that my audience's reaction wasn't a fluke! Yeay for Sweeney!

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 12:51pm

fiatlux - I guess I needed a good reason to join in on the fun

Gypsy - I saw the show on Friday night, and the audience was fantastic... I particularly enjoyed the moments of utter silence when everyone just watched the show in shock. You could hear a pin drop. But yeah, the curtain call was great. I think somebody mentioned this on another thread, but Ron Rifkin from Alias was in the audience and he seemed to be enjoying it =)

Updated On: 11/1/05 at 12:51 PM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 1:13pm

Yay! I love this production. It's so special.

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 1:31pm

Your "Sweeney" review was really great- and I feel very accurate and astute. I saw the show this past friday, and I, with the audience, was totally enthralled- I was so excited to even be there, and the curtain call was great. I was so glad to see those actors get the applause the so very much deserve. The show was very Brechtian in so many ways, and it really kept it very real, very engaging. We were truly seeing the event of Sweeney Todd being told- directly to us- so thrilling. To me this story makes it very raw and ugly- it never hides behind theatrical prettiness (although I must say that every stage picture the director created was stunning).
I've NEVER seen and NEVER thought I'd see true ensemble work like this on Broadway in my life.
I can't stress how AMAZING and EXCITING this is to see. It's truly an event.

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 1:49pm

thanks rflpfl2!

This show is one of those times when you wish the Tony's awarded shows for great ensembles. I too, have never seen an ensemble work to seamlessly together. I was suprised by that, considering the star-power in the cast. There's no competition, no upstaging. The blocking is terrific, the way they all help each other is just wonderful.

That's one reason why I actually feel that the instruments are perfect for this production (and I know there are those who disagree)... but when Judge Turpin is singing "Joanna" and you see Joanna is playing the cello in front of him, it just adds this extra dimension, this sense of unity to the work.

By the way, don't know if this has been posted but there's a great Q&A with Patti Lupone on Broaway.com right now and other Sweeney stuff on their homepage.

Here is the direct link to the interview:

http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=520302

Chrys - I love it too... I really feel I'm seeing something special and life-changing when I see this production.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 2:36pm

"Past productions have all highlighted the social implications of this piece… if you watch the original production,the commentary on bureaucracy, capitalism, and the industrial age are obvious."

I feel I've grasped this commentary to extent, but I feel like I'm missing some of it and still don't understand the full commentary and implications. Could you(or anyone) expand on this for me?

Posted: 11/1/05 at 2:40pm

"You shouldn't lurk so much - it's wonderful to read such enthusiasm!"

I'll second that! Not only for the enthusiasm, but also for the well-articulated thoughtfulness.

Bravo/a - and let's hear more from you sooner rather than later!

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 3:15pm

Thanks everyone for such a warm welcome!

WickedRentQ - The way I always have interpeted that aspect of the show, and the way I believe Hal Prince intended the show to be seen, was that the entire story is a metaphor for the industrial age ... its dehumanization, its cruelty, its value of money (Lovett) and ownership/possession (Judje Turpin) over the human life. The whole character of Mrs.Lovett can be seen as a commentary on capitalism... taking advantage of others in order to make money. Even the lyrics seem to suggest this sort of dog-eat-dog reality:

- "we'll serve anyone, meaning anyone, and to anyone, at all!"
- "the history of the world my sweet... is who gets eaten and who gets to eat."

The Hal Prince version of this show seemed to suggest, with the factory background, that this society produces men like Sweeney Todd... good, honest people who are driven mad because of their society.

I think this is a very interesting way of seeing the show, though I realized, with this production, that it is not necessary. The human tragedy is almost stronger without the social commentary. Nonetheless, I think Hal Prince was brilliant for drawing this kind of meaning out of the story. I think it is one of the main reasons why the show was so influencial.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 3:25pm

Wow, I did miss a lot...thank you! (I did see the Lansbury DVD before this). The best I was able to put together was everyone was either evil or scared b/c of the industrial rev, but now I see it more specifically. But I agree this production definitely works w/o it, however it certainly adds a new dimension to the story.

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 3:29pm

No problem --- that's why this is my favorite show. It's just so rich and complex, and open to interpretation. I walk away with something different each time I see it.

[RockabyeHamlet]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 4:03pm

Awesome review.... and nice username, very appropriate This makes me even more excited to see the show!

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 6:04pm

Let us know how you like it, Hamlet! When are you going?

[Prisoner 24601]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 6:39pm

Awesome review, Moon!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 7:02pm

great review! now i wanna see this whenever i go back to nyc... :)

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 8:03pm

Definitely see this, you won't be disappointed!

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 8:19pm

Patti Lupone in costume and Kelly Osbourne look similiar.


(I can't wait to see this show. December 3!)

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 8:21pm

Wow! Someone who's even more enthusiastic about the production then I am! Thanks for your well written review and I certainly look forward to reading more of your posts.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 8:57pm

I couldn't agree more with everything you said moon. I'm delighted to hear how well the audience has recieved the show.

I've said before that after seeing this show, my physicals states was trembling and weak. JUst goes to show how much a show can affect me. Truly a wonderful production, i plan on seing it twice more before the end of this school year if I can scroung up the money.

I just realized how wonderful Patti's performance is in comparison to the concert dvd. Msde me think how much better she could have been in the role of Fosca if she had only played it as calmly as she did Lovett. (I just saw her in Passion and wasn't the biggest fan of her performance. She was much to needy and loud.Then again the performance looked as if it were one of the first ones shown so she may not have been able to build on her character.)

Thank you for the encouragement.

[Prisoner 24601]

Posted: 11/1/05 at 11:34pm

quibbler-I chose my avatar for a reason.

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 9:24am

ddtruitt - Thanks for your comments. I totally understand what you are saying, and I think there will be many people who won't "feel" this production as much as I did.

I also wished that they did a little more with those shelves... that was probably the one distracting thing in the show... I kept looking up at them to see what was there, and it might have been better if they highlighted its contents more regularly throughout the show.

I really really think that the show is much more than the concept though. I think the story needed to be told this way, it wasn't the reason for the show. I could be wrong, but I really feel that we needed a production that allowed the story to be less literal. Setting it in Toby's mind created a potentially flawed narrative... do we really know if this ever really happened? Is this what Toby remembers? Is this just a mental patients imaginings? It makes the setting of the story so much less relevant, and the themes that much more important.

Some of the instruments WERE too funny, but again, to me that was part of what made the show so great... if you think about a show like Passion, where its all build-up leading up to a final release at the end, Sweeney is this pattern of build-up and release, build-up and release. They really played up the comedic elements in order to create intensity.

I guess part of what's so great about this production is that people WILL disagree on its merits and effectiveness. Thanks

[kgee30]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 9:40am

I think the funny bits actually function to make the story more menacing -- if everything was bleak, if there was no release throughout, you wouldn't connect with these characters in any way. The humor is enough to distract you for a few moments, to pull you in and to make you empathize, even just the tiniest bit, with characters who are by and large quite monstrous (I am thinking mostly of Mrs. Lovett here -- poor Sweeney doesn't get, or give, much comic relief). But the humor catches you off guard, lets you take a breath, and then you're smacked in the face again when they do something cold-blooded and terrifying. It enhances that uneasy feeling.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 9:54am

But SWEENEY has always had humor. The problem I had with the humor in this revival is that it came more from props and instruments than from character.

[kgee30]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 10:12am

I guess I considered the props and instruments as extensions of the characters in this production, so it didn't seem out of line to me. But perhaps that's just me.