Doyle's Sweeney Todd Vs. Company

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.

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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.

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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.

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