Broadway's 2006 wish list

[littlewow]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 11:45am

"Let's fix a couple of mistakes. And how about a real revival of "Sweeney Todd," with some (admittedly expensive) production values match the talents of Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris. The sub-reading now at the Eugene O'Neill isn't it."

Is this guy kidding? For years, critics have griped that Broadway's problem was too much focus on big spectacle productions that put the performnaces and show quality in the backseat. Well now we have a classic piece presented with new clarity and zero clutter. The focus is back on Sondheim's amazing lyrics and to fresh and inspired performances by-- not just LuPone and Cerveris, but almost everyone in the cast, including Mano Felciano as Toby, Lauren Molina as Johanna, and ALex Gemignani who turned a previously throw away role like the Beadle into someone we wanted to watch.
This is a dream performance. For me and everyone I've talked to.

For neatness, this production deserves a nod.
Updated On: 1/2/06 at 11:45 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 11:53am

Jaques Le Sourd always marches to the beat of a different drummer. But hey, it's his opinion. Plenty of critics loved the production.

My own feelings about the current revival aside, I do hate the casual dismissal that many people are making about Hal Prince's original production. Yeah, it was a terrible thing to produce Sweeney Todd with a full ensemble, a stunning physical production and a 27 piece orchestra.

[riv]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 12:53pm

We live in a day and age in which Broadway scales down productions and we must endure minimalist versions of great musicals. Sometimes this is acceptable, depending upon what work we're talking about, and sometimes it is economically necessary.

A single instance upon occasion is fine, but it has become a trend and it disturbs me. Especially when we are constantly now being told these little productions are "better" or truer-in-spirit than the original grand productions of a show were.

Bull.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 3:45pm

I think some shows can be seen in both lights and work equally as well. Sweeney Todd sure does. Maybe even better in the intimate setting.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:35pm

I'm not debating whether the current Sweeney is effective, or whether the show can be reduced to a small scale, intimate setting (though Susan Schulman's '89 revival already showed that Sweeney works in tight quarters).

What does disturb me are the posts by people dismissing the director who staged the show's inaugural production, as well as the virtues of that production. It's one thing to come up with a bold new concept for an existing show. It's quite another to stage a new musical from scratch, and to do it with supreme confidence and a sure, strong hand.