Attending the Tale (11/6)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 7:10pm

Sweeney Todd has officially wiped out the memory of all the bad shows I saw this year (Fiddler, Charity, Constant Wife, Lennon, Spamalot, In My Life, and the way overhyped Odd Couple, to name a few). This is what theater should be. There's not much I can say that hasn't been said already. The cast, led by Patti and birthday-boy Michael (who got a chorus of Happy Birthday at the stage door) is in tip-top shape. The chemistry between them is amazing. Donna Lynne was great as Pirelli, Lauren as Johanna was a perfect fit. The whole 'mental institution' thing works very well. I'm still debating whether Toby (an astounding Manoel Felciano) was a witness to Sweeney's work, or if it was made up. Another notable mention was Alex Gemignani, who looked as if he was having a ball playing the piano. Maybe he should take a cue from daddy if the acting thing doesn't work out, even though I know it will.

The audience was great, giving applause well into the intermission, and about five curtain calls. This is the first show I've seen where you could hear a pin drop at the end of the final sequence.

Tony Predictions:
Nominations for Mr. Doyle for the direction and brilliant lighting design, as well as for Sarah Travis, Michael, Patti, and Manoel.
Updated On: 11/6/05 at 07:10 PM

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 8:12pm

I was in attendance for my second time and the show only got more intense. The staging was cleaned up so much since the first preview and only allowed the cahracters personalities to shine through more. I can honestly say I have never seen a cast so slick as this one. They all go together so well

[bluesoprano]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 8:22pm

Speaking of the Tonys, do you think Patti and Michael will be nominated in the new category: Best Actor/Actress in a Revival Role or will they be nominated for just Best Actor/Actress in a Musical. I was just wondering that since it would be great to see them be the first ones to win in the new category.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 8:30pm

the new category is best actor/actress replacement.

[Staci1818]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 8:39pm

i don't have much to add. The cast was amazing overall, and the entire show was thrilling. I loved the way the show was directed, the different perspecive really added a new level of intensity. The audience loved the show, and applauded a for a few solid minutes for the curtain calls. Easily one of the best shows I've seen this year, if not the best.
On an unrelated note, I had front row seats, and not only did several actors make eye contact with me at varous points, but Manoel, Benjamin, Michael, and Patti all recognized me.
Updated On: 11/6/05 at 08:39 PM

[InTheRed]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 8:42pm

recognized?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 8:45pm

Recognised is the British spelling.

[Staci1818]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 8:50pm

Or maybe I just can't spell. Sorry for that.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 9:25pm

Dear god in heaven, I LOVED being on the front row. The experience really is indescribable.

[ihearttheatre]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 9:46pm

..but didn't you get WET?
I was in the second row and if I had been any closer, I would've gotten a nice shower of spittle from Mr. Cerveris!

Manoel stared at me a lot, though. Updated On: 11/6/05 at 09:46 PM

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 10:03pm

I noticed the spit thing too sitting closer this time. When seeing how good everyone is, I always thought patti and michael would be great and they are. But last time I was very surprised at how good manoel was and this last time yesterday, realized how good benjamin magnuson was. Does anybody else find this Anthony and Johanna pairing the best of all, including sarah rice and victor garber/betsy joslyn and cris groen.....yeah that one i cant remember the spelling/ '90 revival? I just cant get enough of the both of them, they have such talent together

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/6/05 at 11:38pm

I was there too!!

Amazing, and Michael was SO nice at the stage door.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/7/05 at 12:13am

"..but didn't you get WET?"

That's what Michael asked me! It really wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Really!

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 11/7/05 at 1:06am

c is for company,

Definitely agree with you about anthony and joanna. This production was truthfully the 1st time i really cared about what happened to them. They were both so human, honest, and endearing in this production, rather than icons that simply represent the idea of innocence and love.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/7/05 at 1:10am

Precisely! I really was impressed with magnuson and felciano cause they really took two parts I had never cared about in the past and really made me see them in a new light. And Johanna is always up for new interpretations and Molina really nailed what I find to be a really spectacular one. I absolutely cant get enough of this cast, they are all so impressive to watch

[neocomposer]

Posted: 11/7/05 at 1:20am

I am so glad to hear that this production is only getting better, though, I suppose it would be quite tragic for a show to get worse from previews to opening night. I was so impressed by it, and cannot wait to see what sort of recognition it will draw from the public, and Broadway itself!!

Is that whistle still deafening?

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/7/05 at 1:47am

Yes but I like it that way Has anybody else noticed that some cast members play instruments that at another point somebody else played? Are they the same ones and they just share or do they each have one? Cause if one cast member is sick and another person needs to blow through that same instrument thats one easy way to see two understudies

[InTheRed]

Posted: 11/7/05 at 1:59am

Hey Staci1818 -
I wasn't correcting you're spelling - (that would be obnoxious!) - I was only wondering what the details/story was of being "recognized" - what happened? Sounds like fun!

[Staci1818]

Posted: 11/7/05 at 9:24am

Chrysanthemum62001 - He asked me that too! It was really nice of him to ask though.

InTheRed - Well, when Benjamin came out he said to me "You're the one who had the good seat." or something like that, and Manoel said something similar. Michael asked if he hadn't spit on me to much, and Patti recognized my dad and myself as the people in the front row. She even started talking about how everyone who was on the left side of the stage door (when you exit) lways get shafted because everyone always goes to the right first, etc. It was very sweet. Everyone who stopped was so nice, and talked to anyone who had something to say, even though there were about 30 people waiting, and the crowd wasn't completly insane.