Anybody else not LOOOVE Sweeney?

[andyf]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 4:25am

I skimmed through Margo's review and maybe he feels the same way, but I walked out of the show tonight with just a feeling of "OK...so that was the crazy new Sweeney."

If you're REALLY sensitive and want to know NOTHING about the new concept, don't read this review. I don't mention anything you most likely haven't heard already, unless you literally have heard NOTHING about the new concept, but in case you think it'll ruin it for you, don't read on.


So, I didn't really get the need for the whole insane asylum concept. My friend explained to me what he thought was going on and it works, but at that point (after the show was over) I was so exhausted from trying to figure out what the hell the little white box (apparently a tiny coffin) was supposed to be a symbol for or of that I really didn't have time to react in retrospect to my friend's rationalization of the asylum thing.

As far as the actors playing their own instruments goes, they did a great job and all that ran very smoothly since I don't remember being impressed with them half the time, but only because I would keep forgetting that the actors were playing the score, not an orchestra.

I thought Anthony and Johanna playing the cello worked well - I don't know if that's the best way to describe it, it just seemed to fit, though. The whole "instruments being an extension of the character" actually seemed natural with Anthony and Johanna playing the cello, though I can't tell you why. I also thought Manoel did an amazing job incorporating the violin into Tobias; I know that sounds weird, but he really did make it seem like part of the character.

I really loved Johanna, she had an really pretty voice. Manoel, all around, was amazing. Of course, Patti was great; she had the audience in the palm of her hand in the moments before she even started "A Little Priest." And I loved Donna Lynne's Pirelli. He was such a shmuck and then so cool, I liked what she did with him.

I don't know though, judging from everyone else's very overt reactions, I guess I was just expecting more from the production. Speaking of the production itself, the only part that really impressed me was

***SPOILER***
when Sweeney Todd killed Pirelli, just because that was the first time he did it, so the whole red lighting/whistle thing was kind of shocking.
***END OF "SPOILER"***

I was definitely more confused by the beginning and the end than I was blown away by it. If it left me speechless, it was only because I didn't know what to say because I didn't know what they were trying to show.

And I don't know if Michael was having a subpar night, but I think he really still needs to grow into this character. He could play a wonderfully creepy and evil Sweeney Todd considering he looks so Average Joe, but until he really gets into the character and uses his looks to his advantage, they're just going to work against him...A LOT.

ALSO!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAT is up with the beginning of Act Two??!? Honestly... I don't know what that was supposed to be, but it was just a) random and b) WEIRD!

I'm sure I'll still be talking about this production tomorrow, but not because it blew me away like I thought it would...

Anybody else not really "getting" this concept?

Updated On: 10/6/05 at 04:25 AM

[SkierRob02]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 8:18am

I saw it last night as well. I don't agree with what you say about Michael's portrayal as Sweeney. He does have a bit of growing to do, but for the third preview, I thought he was great. He definatley pulled off the eerieness of the character, the tortured soul, the insane, etc....

However, I didn't really get the white coffin either. I felt it was a symbol of his obesession with the morbidity of his quest, it pulled the insaneness of his mind and made it tangible. I'm not sure if I'm conveying my thoughts correctly, but after a while, it made sense to me.

I LOVED THE PRODUCTION. It left more to the mind than the original stagings. It let you fill in the blanks on your own.

Definately a must see again after opening.

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 9:24am

I saw it agian last night (saw the final dress too) and boy do I LOOOVE it. I find myself thinking about it many times during the day. The concept was fascinating.
I have always enjoyed Patti....but WOW!
Also loved Donna Lynn consistently.
A friend asked me to describe the show..I couldn't get the words...it just needs to be seen.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 9:41am

I love this production now, but I will say that when I first saw this staging in the West End last year, I came away from it, not really sure that I got it, or even liked it.

But as time when on, I simply couldn't get the production out of my head. It haunted me. I returned endlessly to the imagery and to the fascinating directorial choices.

And I've learned that those are the productions that are great theatre. It's not so much your thoughts on something 2 hours later, but 2 months later that count.

This SWEENEY is resounding. I'll be curious to hear how you feel after you've had time to really digest it.

[Ciar?]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 10:04am

I have been going to the theater my whole life and consider myself a pretty tough critic, especially regarding performers. That being said....

I don't know what the hell people see in Patti Lupone's voice anymore!!! It is actually difficult to take at some points (especially when she tries to go up high). She can't hold the accent, and please don't give me the whole "the director wanted different accents for everyone" because she does TRY to hold the accent but for whatever reason cannot! Cervaris is far too young to be playing Sweeney, especially against Lupone's Lovett. There is NO chemistry between the two of them. It was actually pissing me off a bit. Cerveris is an AMAZING actor but I think they are spending way too much time trying to please this director and not the characters. His Sweeney is impossible to know.

Lupone is always playing Lupone. Her Norma Desmond was the same. The only time I ever got lost in one of Patti's performances was "Anything Goes" and "Les Miserables".

I have to admit I am also confused as to where all the respect for this woman comes from? Before this production she was in 6 Broadway musicals. ONLY 2 of those six managed to have healthy runs. The other 4 were closed within a month. So she has been in 2 succesful musicals on broadway. This is a woman who is in the same league as Bernadette Peters? I dont think so.

This production of Sweeney belogs to its wonderful direction and extremely professional supporting cast (especially Manoel!). Sondheims timeless score cannot be tarnished. Even by the drunked ramblings of La Lupone. =)

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 10:44am

Uh Oh...I was waiting for that review! Ciar?, I am not a Lupone fan either. Sweeney is one of my all time favorite shows and I am pretty disappointed that she is in it. I didn't like her concert performance in the piece and more recently her appearance in Candide. But after reading all of the posts I decided to give it a try. Yours is the 1st that I have read that does not praise her performance. And I am afraid I will come out of this show feeling the same way you did. But I am going to see it anyway, because it's Sondheim.

Also, Michael Bennett - Is the production the same as it was in the West End? Are there any changes?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 10:55am

Well as others have said, LuPone's performance is absolutely nothing like what she did on the dvd or the Philharmnoic recording. I didn't like her Lovett at all on those recordings and I was the first to express disappointment with her being cast in this production. That said, now having seen it, her Lovett here, in my opinion is pretty tremendous.

This production is more or less the same as London. There are of course some differences in staging and in costumes. The final Lovett/Todd/Beggar Woman scene is staged differently. And of course some of the instrumentation assignments are different in NYC.

But all in all, the NYC production is pretty superior to what I saw in the West End. And the West End production was pretty great.
Updated On: 10/6/05 at 10:55 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 11:07am

Thanks. I am going to give the show a shot. I will confess that it is going to take a lot for her to win me over!! But I will go into it thinking positively. I have been waiting for this production to cross the pond.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 11:13am

Just go see it. It's funny how people are so paranoid about this production. There was a long pointless thread on TalkinBroadway.com from a guy who gave all these detailed reasons about why he was nervous about the production and all his reservations about why he WOULDNT be going to see it.

Why? Who cares? It's just one production of SWEENEY. Worst case scenario, you go see it and have a fascinating theatrical experience you don't agree with. Nobody is taking anything away from Mr. Prince or any of the other productions we've had before!

And maybe you will see something new in the material you haven't gleamed before. If the show makes you think differently about even one aspect of the story and score you know so well, it will be well worth your money, I think.

[Avigdor]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 11:25am

i saw it and i think it is by far one of the most ingenious pieces of theatre in ages...from beginning to end..the concept, the casting, the music....truly a tour de force (sp) the entire cast is amazing.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 12:40pm

It is not the production I am having the problem with. Since the day it was announced overseas I have been dying to see it. I think it sounds very exciting and innovative. And I am sure that I will probably enjoy what is being done with the show. My ONLY problem is with Ms. Lupone. As I said, I am just not a fan. The only thing she did that I liked was Evita.

[andyf]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 1:37pm

Wow, so it pretty much is just me.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 1:40pm

Well in the end Margo didn't loove it either.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 2:18pm

I personally didnt LOOOVE it, but i did enjoy it and thought it was a wonderful production with a wonderful cast (and even though i didn't liker her Beggar Woman, the woman playing her was good). The lighting, the set, the musicianship were all great.

I definately missed some things (there was a verse, or a few lines from one of the songs that wasn't there that i particular missed at the time, but currently can't remember what song, all i remember is it was the first act).

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 3:20pm

I'm going tonight (was supposed to go Tuesday, but things got in the way of that happening), so I'll know whether I LOOOVE it or not after that.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 3:47pm

As I've said before, I thought the entire thing was amazing.

Regarding Patti's voice, I was actually alarmed at some points by how similar she sounded to Lansbury - especially on certain vowells.

Mef- I'm surprised at you - why is Arden your avatar? RANDOM!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 3:54pm

I love The Arden!

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 3:57pm

how is patti's diction? can you understand her in "the worst pies in london" ?

[Tir Na Nog]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 4:20pm

"Regarding Patti's voice, I was actually alarmed at some points by how similar she sounded to Lansbury - especially on certain vowells. "

HERESY!!! She sounded NOTHING like Lansbury!! Her "By the Sea" made me want to weep for humanity. "What's that Patti? Can you stop mumbling?" She should not be there, but she is. What can I do? Nothing. I hope it lasts long enough for a good recast. Maybe Baranski will come do it now that you can win a Tony for replacing lol.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 4:22pm

She enunciated "Worst Pies" and "A Little Priest" quite well at the performance I saw, but got a little sloppy here and there in "By The Sea" and a couple of other moments.

[fiatlux]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 4:26pm

"Regarding Patti's voice, I was actually alarmed at some points by how similar she sounded to Lansbury - especially on certain vowells."

Unfortunately, propinquity to Ms Lansbury’s accent has never been a guarantee of an East-End accent.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 5:27pm

I was referring to her SINGING voice when she would hold out certain notes - that has nothing to do with accents.

I could understand every word she said.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 6:30pm

I'm sorry you didn't like the show. Me, being the emotional little girl that I am, started and ended the show, sobbing. Patti LuPone is my hero. I'm young and haven't seen her in much. Only the new production of Candide, once in Passion last may and now this. Being in the very front row might have a different affect or something, because to be that close to my hero, left my physical state weak and trembling. If she had actually come outside after the show, I might have fainted. I was a little too shy to talk to anybody, but when Donna Lynne Champlin came up to me, I didn't know what hit me. I started crying again and told her how much I loved the show. She was like "are you alright?" She seemed to be flattered and encouraged me to tell everyone in the show how much I was truely touched by it. I've never actually met a broadway actor before so it was wonderful. She patted my back and told me everything was fine even thought everything was wonderful in the first place. I told her I was waiting for Patti to come out and she, knowing that Patti wouldn',t brought my playbill inside for her to sign it. That really touched me. I've really never seen a broadway show live before this one... well I saw rent, but that doesn't really count..

I'm sorry i don't have the articulation right now to review the show, all in all I thought it was the best.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 10:34pm

"ALSO!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAT is up with the beginning of Act Two??!? Honestly... I don't know what that was supposed to be, but it was just a) random and b) WEIRD! "


Im sorry but can anyone refresh me on what was so different at the beginning of act 2?

[andyf]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 10:46pm

**SPOILER?**

The Beadle comes on with a flashlight and starts shining it into the audience. Pirelli and someone else (I can't remember) come out, a struggle ensues, then they force him back to the keyboard and make him start playing.