Benjamin Eakeley Love Thread!- Page 2

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 2:20pm

You're looking at two separate issues. The first, and more valid in my opinion, is that his performance brings nothing new to the table. You're being critical of his acting, and therein of his portrayl of Anthony. That's valid, if you thought he looked bored, or too casual. That could be said of any actor who turns in a less-than-commendable performance, instruments aside. The second is about the instrumentation. Do you just say he "looked bored" because during the scenes with Johanna he didn't play cello, and there was less action than you're used to seeing, or did he truly look bored? Were you just disappointed in what you saw because you had seen it previously in another, more effective way? I didn't see him, so I don't know for sure, but hopefully you can understand what I'm saying -- he could have been bored and just casually glancing around the theater, or you could just think that in being overly critical. And, if that were the case, a better performance, even without the cello, might warrant less criticism. However, I do get the impression that you think he looked bored because since he didn't play the cello like you were used to, he had less to do.

For the record, Doyle did *not* do the instrumentation in his head beforehand. The instrumentation and orchestration were figured out based on what he had, and he *happened* to end up with this pair of cello players for Anthony and Johanna. It worked so well in London that it was purposefully kept in the States. Yes, it's symbolic, but he didn't predetermine it to be that way. So, to say that *not* having the cello ruins Doyle's original vision, or his entire vision or whatever, is simply incorrect. His vision did not at all consist of specifics, but rather a way to work with what he had. You have to remember that this production began as a very sparse financial "make do" situation. Because of the degree of specificity to which it's tailored to *this* cast, you've got to be willing to have some flexibility. That's just the way it is.

I love it when people criticize actors, or dislike their performances, but still post stage door photos with them and make display of the fact that they met someone. But that's a separate issue.

Updated On: 7/4/06 at 02:20 PM

[Katecab99]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 2:20pm

i thought he was fabulous as the beadle. and he's adorable.

[30/90 Playout]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 2:27pm

I'm not critical of him at all as an actor. I just think he was mis-cast in the role. What is he supposed to do when everyone else is playing? Play an invisible instrument? Watch everyone? Stare straight forward?

He could easily fit as a Swing in Rent and u/s Mark and Roger. I could see him playing Fiyero and being a kickass Rod/Princeton.
Updated On: 7/4/06 at 02:27 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 2:29pm

You don't call that being critical of him?! You are being critical of his performance. What do you think it means?! Saying he looked bored and that his inabilities destroyed Doyle's vision is not being critical?

www.dictionary.com

*headwall*

Updated On: 7/4/06 at 02:29 PM

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 7/4/06 at 4:20pm

I just think he was mis-cast in the role.

But someone can't be miscast in a role if there is no mold they're trying to place him in. This is the way they cast understudies for every. single. role. in Sweeney. It's not like Ben E. is the only person who doesn't play the instruments of the role he understudies. And for the record, Ben is a concert pianist. It's not like he is without any form of musical talent.

Updated On: 7/6/06 at 04:20 PM

[Nokros]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:42am

When my friend Emily and I saw Sweeney in February (we'd both also seen it in November), we saw Ben Eakeley's first performance as Anthony, talked with him afterwards, and he was really sweet. Our fourth time seeing it (and the time we saw it from the front row), he was on for the Beadle. Talking to him afterwards, he remembered us, and asked if we lived in the city. We said, "No, we live in VA, we've seen it four times." He said, "Wait, the odds that you've seen me TWICE and you live in VIRGINIA is really weird. You guys must be my good luck charms! Let me know when you're coming back so I'll be ready to go on!"

I went to the matinee and he was on for the Beadle. I am Ben Eakeley's good luck charm, and that fills me with joy.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:49am

Being mis-cast is different than lacking dedication.

Perhaps it was a bad choice to cast someone who couldn't play cello in a role such as this. (That's a matter of personal opinion.)

But I doubt he isn't dedicated.

[WholeLottaShakin]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:09am

Back to the love... I liked his take on the Beadle a lot.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:06am

I saw Ben as the Beadle last night. I didn't love him, didn't hate him. He was fine. I didn't notice any drastic differences from Alex, other than that he was a little bit more obviously ominous. I think he puts a little more emphasis on being creepy. He played clarinet where Alex would have played trumpet, for all of you who complain about understudy instrumentation. It works musically since the two are in the same key; it did look a little asymetrical at some points, like when the Beadle and the Judge are at the table and both typically play trumpet, but I don't think that at all would have bothered someone who had never seen the show before, so I can't say it was a big deal.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:50am

I saw him as the beast in a B&B tour years and years ago in chicago. He was amazing.

[glindaberry]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:03pm

I just saw Ben yesterday at the matinee as the Beadle and he was amazing. I've never seen Alex but I thought Ben did a fantastic job.

[mijofly19]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:05pm

Is Alex on vacation this week?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:08pm

Yeah.

[TinyDancer]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:19pm

Updated On: 9/14/06 at 12:19 PM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:22pm

I had a dream last night that he was on Mano and this just made me remember it. Thanks!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:24pm

"I was at the theatre a little while ago today and saw the sub board saying Ben was in for Alexander Gemignani."

Yes, he played the Beadle on June 28th, at least at night, I'm not sure about the matinee. I saw it the next day and they took the board down before the June 29th show started.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 1:14pm

I can't wait to see 3 clarinets in the show!

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 2:07pm

Am I the only person who doesn't go to see this show once a week? :P

-thinks people take the revival of Sweeney Todd REALLY seriously.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:55pm

I saw Ben Tuesday night as the Beadle. True enough he doesn't play up the creepy angle that Alex does, so he didn't get the laughs, I thought he was fine playing the role, did great on the piano, and he had a beautiful voice. Handsome fellow too.

Oh, and 30/90, did you really want to post your pic with the guy if you went on to question the reason for his being in the show?

[TheAudrey3]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 12:15am

I'm among the many that saw Ben as The Beadle; and I agree, I didn't really feel that his instrumental lacked as the Beadle and it might as Anthony, but I still feel that he's immensely talented, and one of the sweetest actors I've ever met at stagedoor, actually taking the time to talk to you and not just sign and move on.

That was incomprehensible. Whatever. :)

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 10:31am

That was comprehensible. I'm glad you enjoyed his performance, and got to talk to him at the stage door, he is definitely one of the sweetest people you could meet.

[TheAudrey3]

Posted: 7/24/06 at 12:06am

Since Alex will be leaving in the fall for Les Miz, do we know if Ben will be taking over the role, or if not, who it would be? (I can really only see one of the understudies/standbys doing it purely for the instrumental reasoning.)

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:14am

I saw Benjamin Eakeley as Anthony this past Thursday (7/20) and he was quite good, but nothing special. His "Johanna" didn't soar the way Benjamin Magnuson's did (which I saw on 7/1 and I prefer Magnuson's mannerisms in "Kiss Me" more.

Updated On: 7/25/06 at 02:14 AM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:21pm

Really Chinkie? I guess I can't say much about the specific mannerisms, but I was there Thursday as well, and I was so unbelievably excited to be able to see him go on with Elisa. I mean, the standbys rehearse together, but then the odds of both of them getting to go on is so rare, that it's really special when it happens. So I loved every aspect of that performance, but Kiss Me above all. I think it was the best I've ever seen it...it was soo adorable. But to be fair, I wasn't judging him individually compared to Ben M, so you could have a point.

BTW, I read your tourists story on the main board...may be jacking the thread a bit, but I'm pretty sure I was right near you when that happened. There was a little girl and boy with the family right? I don't remember specifically what they said, but I do remember thinking...they're bringing kids this young to it? Weird.

But yeah, I was glad to see Ben E's Anthony. The non-cello really didn't take much away--there were maybe 2 songs where the effect of the dueling cellos is cool, but it wasn't a huge hole without it.

Hmm, I could have sworn that someone here posted specifically that when he plays Anthony he plays nothing, just holds Patti's triangle. Can't find it though. Whatever. Either way, just wanted to share that he did play some piano as Anthony. So there :-P

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:26pm

there were maybe 2 songs where the effect of the dueling cellos is cool

The thing about the instrumentation, though, is that it's not only about the effects during the songs, but about the connections created that stay throughout. There are tons of little things that go on, and the larger metaphors that are created aren't really meant to just be noticed in a song and then forgotten. There are so many little details in the physical manifestations of the orchestral arrangements, which is, IMO, the beauty of the whole thing. I'm not saying it creates a huge hole, but overall the way things work themselves together is a much bigger deal than just what goes on when they're in the foreground.