Brian Re-Visits Sweeney Todd (4/25)

[30/90 Playout]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:27pm

Sorry, I've been so busy lately, I'm just getting a chance to post this now.

Having seen the show opening weekend, I am confident in saying that the show has only gotten STRONGER since then. The full cast was in as usual. I sat in sixth to last row of the orchestra to the left side, which I have to say was a BETTER seat than the one I had when I saw it from the third row Center of Front Mezz. This show is best experienced from the Orchestra, no matter where in my opinion. We went with the cast of my high school musical, so we had a block of three rows. The performances were DEAD ON, and blocking was improved and it seemed more cohesive. On to performances:

Patti LuPone - She was amazing as usual. She added in alot more "crowd pleasers" with her humor. Simply amazing.

Michael Cerveris - Brilliant! Much improved "My Friends" and "No Place Like London"

Manoel Felciano - Great as ever.

Donna Lynne Champlin - AMAZING. I feel as she is one of the stronger actors in the show.

Mark Jacoby - No real improvement, but then again he was amazing to start with and a joy to watch.

Diana DiMarzio - Great!

Alexander Gemignani - He really stood out last week.

Benjamin and Lauren - Perfection in their scenes together.

Can't wait to go back. Just to agree with what every says, Sweeney has the nicest cast and especially at the stagedoor. Also don't be afraid to call actors out when you are their. Mark and John just kind of walked out because they assumed that nobody wanted their autograph or recognized them. The look on their faces when someone recognizes them is amazing. Everyone came out within 20 minutes except Manoel and Patti. Patti's car was waiting and she was going to be out "any minute" but we had to board the bus and go back to NJ.

I'll have stagedoor pics up later.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:33pm

"Also don't be afraid to call actors out when you are their".
you mean "there"?

[BNN]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:37pm

I read your thing about John and Mark walking away and the same thing happened to me except John stayed and Mark just kept walking even after me and my friend asked for his autograph but I guess he was in a hurry. Anyway, I have to agree with everything you said and add that this is without a doubt the greatest show on Broadway right now, and maybe in the last couple of years in my opinion.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 9:20pm

Yeah, Michael took a while when I went. Didn't get to see him. I thought Donna was really good too. She seemed to always be "on." But then again, they all did. What did you think of Johanna's performance? Her name escapes me, but she was so great.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 9:24pm

Lauren Molina plays Johanna.

Benjamin and Lauren - Perfection in their scenes together.

I love this show more each time I see it; after being kind of lukewarm the first time, I've really fallen in love with it.

[30/90 Playout]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 1:00am

Stagedoor Pictures!