Doyle's Sweeney Todd Vs. Company

[broadwayman17]

Doyle's Sweeney Todd Vs. Company#1

Posted: 11/19/07 at 1:02am

Just wanted to hear some opinions on which seemed better. I was able to see Sweeney and thought it was great, yet I'm still kicking myself for missing Company. I've heard only great things about both productions.

Yes, but sometimes people have a third deeper layer thats the same as the first. Like pie. Dr. Horrible

[RockabyeHamlet]

re: Doyle's Sweeney Todd Vs. Company#2

Posted: 11/19/07 at 1:16am

This has been discussed to death, but I much prefered Sweeney Todd.

"I wouldn't let Esparza's Bobby take my kids to the zoo...I'd be afraid he'd steal their ice cream and laugh."- YankeeFan
"People who like Sondheim enjoy cruelty."-LuvtheEmcee

[scott68]

re: Doyle's Sweeney Todd Vs. Company#2

Posted: 11/19/07 at 1:16am

I saw and loved both, but to me Sweeney was just incomparably better. I found the conceit a bit forced when it came to Company, with the score suffering (especially during the title song... no drums?!?!?). Sweeney just seemed so organic, so tight that absolutely nothing else could have been pared down... probably my single most affecting experience in a Broadway theater. Of course, both had fantastic performances and plenty to gush about.

"Why, I make more money than... than... than Calvin Coolidge! PUT TOGETHER!"
~Lina Lamont


My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.

[BDrischBDemented]

re: Doyle's Sweeney Todd Vs. Company#3

Posted: 11/19/07 at 1:26am

Contrarywise, I preferred "Company". I think the concept was better executed there. In "Sweeney", some moments I felt were outright confusing if you were unfamiliar with the show (mainly "No Place Like London" and "God That's Good", which was just... odd). While I missed the grand orchestrations of both, "Company" gets more listens on my iPod.

"Your lyrics lack subtlety! You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!"

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Doyle's Sweeney Todd Vs. Company#4

Posted: 11/19/07 at 1:30am

I know there were more, but I can't find the rest.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=921934

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=930818

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=922643

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=913874

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=912639

People were set on comparing them from the very beginning. People will never stop wanting to compare them, and I think that's a problem. It's so silly, because by bringing out the assumption of carbon-copy sameness, all that did was just make it easier to slap the one-trick-pony label on John Doyle and call it a day.

This discussion has been had -- in depth -- a million times before. Personally, I'm too tired to have it again. And really, they're both over and done with, so what's the point in having it again as opposed to just... reading thoughts that were written at the time? Doyle's Company was the love of my life. But come on. This topic is exhausted.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 11/19/07 at 01:30 AM