Another Sweeney Todd Review — Page 2

But why shouldn't Patti take full advantage of her tuba ?
I actually felt that the humor emanating from the characters was more pronounced in this production. "Kiss Me" is an especcially good example...

In general, there were, I think, I lot more humourous moments which adds to the emotional rollercoaster ride this show is.

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To me everything about the show was just great I loved it. I saw it on Saturday night and all of the actors were just phenomenal.

Agreed, Tiny.

I hope so, too!

I am still blown away by the talent on that stage.

They deserve a special Tony for being an incredible ensemble of actors, singers, musicians, stagehands... They played the entire Sondheim score without music! Incredible! And, all while seamlessly moving props around the stage, staying in character, revising costumes and performing flawlessly.

Kudos to the lighting as well. Very effective.

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Exactly!

I was stunned as I watched it. Simply stunned at the talent.

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It ain't about the tuba.

It's all about the triangle.

Thank you!!!

Robbie - The humor has ALWAYS been a part of Sweeney, you're totally right about that. I'm just saying that in this production they've found humor in places they haven't really looked before.

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and the staging for "Not While I'm Around"

and I haven't minded my manners...

Welcome, MoonOnAstring!

I may have to return and see this again. And again. To have sat there stunned, STUNNED, at the complexity fo what was going on, on stage.

I really hope that the reviews are good for this show- I would hate for people not to experience it- whether they hate it or not- everyone should see this show.

What I really love about this production (and in reality I love almost everything) is that it completely strips away everything and really gets down to the core of the show in some of the most basic ways. I think it's the juxtaposition between the stripped down rawness and it's utter complexity that makes it astounding. It's as if they found the core elements of the show and rebuilt it from there up.

I think I can understand people being bored- and that's only because I feel they may shut off when something isn't entirely clear right away, and because we aren't being spoon fed everything. I'll admit- sometimes I was like "what?"- but then when I stuck with it- two minutes later I was like "oh... THAT WAS AWESOME". You really have to listen to the words. A traditional staging may be easier to watch because we don't have soo many things to think about and focus on. I think that his interpretive staging allows for a lot of imagination and freedom in how we feel the piece. To me the director created a true visual poem of Sweeney Todd- he uses the language and imagery to create the story. And for those who say the musical instruments on stage is a concept that is nothing more than a concept- I feel that in a way that's false- they actually become characters. A musical instrument or a prop becomes a character capable of illiciting humor and emotion. It's not everyday that an inanimate object becomes so crucially tied to a piece in the same manner that an actor is

What is also great about this is it's not just about a story- it's about a theatrical event- lights, costume, props, and music- coming together in equal fashion to bring a story to life. The attention to all aspects of the theater is really amazing. I find that if a Tuba can be equally as important as Pattie LuPone than something truly different and interesting is going on.

Also, again- the fact that this is on Broadway- and not a 75 seat black box downtown is great- it really exposes people to something different.