Extreme Disappointment: Sweeney DVD- Page 2

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 4:55am

my disappointment was the production on Broadway nowadays.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 2:03pm

i agree pab, completely. I very badly want to see the original.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 3:47pm

It's a pretty good DVD. It has some originals(Angela Lansbury, Ken Jennings, Edmund Lyndeck and I think Pirelli) and some replacements, but Besty and Chris were actually in the OBC, they were just in the ensemble.

I'm glad that Angela Lansbury's Performance is perserved so very well.
And George Hearn was AMAZING as Sweeney Todd.

And Speaking of Betsy Joslyn, look for her to sing "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" and cross her eyes and she sings the highest note(and kinda out-of-tune too).

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 4:07pm

Okay - I agree that Betsy Joslyn and Cris Groenendaal suck in those roles. But to even have this on DVD - This is incredible! It gives one the feeling of what the original was like. With the exception of a few things, this WAS "Sweeney Todd" and I'm just happy this DVD exists! Wouldn't it be nice to have other things on DVD - How about the Original Cast of "Chicago" - but you know, If it were out you'ed be ripping it a new one too.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:20pm

I like most of the dvd but i rarely watch it because Betsy Joslyn hurts my ears, i know she went on to play the with in into the woods, and sang master of the house in les miz, but this role was not good for her.Most of the people I know who are familiar with this dvd agree.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 6:42pm

Betsy Joeselyn is not some people's cup of tea.

But she was handpicked by Sondheim for the role (replacement on Broadway and to play the role on tour.) It was between her and Sarah Rice to originate the role on Broadway, but Sondheim went with Sarah because she had such a "young girl" quality. He loved them both. Just look at pictures of Sarah Rice as Johanna, she looks like a baby compared to Betsy.

I personally enjoy her. I don't know why some people have to be so cruel about her performance over 20 years ago. Get over it.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:47pm

Well interesting that they were both hand picked because they looked a lot alike. They were both very short petite girls. I don't think that Besty is Terrible, but she did sing her part kind of Neurotically!

As for Cris Groenendaal, I loved him as Anthony. Beautiful voice and he brought out some comedy, like when Sweeney Todd asks what Johanna's hair is and he says "yellow!"

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 8:55pm

The only good thing Cris had going for him was his voice. His acting was rather dead.

They said Victor Garber (also a far more attractive Anthony) acted the hell out of the role.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:23pm

"But she was handpicked by Sondheim for the role"
Sondheim must have been drunk that night!

Updated On: 2/2/06 at 09:23 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:34pm

I will NEVER begin to understand why so many people trash her Johanna. I know there is a few of us here who didn't really have a problem with her performance.

So, she played it campy, big deal?

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:39pm

Betsy is definitely bizarre, but there's something endearing about her. I kinda like her.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:51pm

sorry ljay, i don't want to get over it. I wanted a good performance and i didn't get it. I respect your opinion in liking her, but she pretty much ruined most of the show for me. Like i said before, i can't enjoy sweeney that much if the johanna isn't good, and i have no idea what compelled Sondheim to place that woman onstage. I hope it has something to do with George Hearn being her husband at the time. That would make sense to me.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 9:56pm

I'm sorry - but the original production of Sweeney Todd is considered one of the best productions of all time. One performer can't ruin the whole show. The production was an absolute masterpiece.

Though I enjoy the revival, nothing can take away from the fact that the original Sondheim/Prince production was incredible.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 10:16pm

I agree with that. I also agree that if you want a flawless Johanna interpretation might I suggest the obc?
Betsy might not be Sarah Rice, but her performance certainly is not detrimental to this stellar gem of a show that marked a theatrical turning point for most. One performer does not destroy the rest of the show, especially one like this, it only brings a new spin to the role. She was just as memorable as the rest on that stage. Her Johanna certainly was different and quirky.
Plus, maybe it just wasn't a great day for her. Have you checked Idina and Tonyas 2004 Tony award performances lately? Thats an example of 2 legendary actresses/shows/songs that are certainly theatrical standouts. However, they both didn't sound great that day, but does that mean they suck? No, things happen.
I'm sure if Betsy was horrible, she would not be on that stage. There was a reason for her being there and no matter how many people want to complain, people ALWAYS seem to find something intriguing about her. Maybe because you specifically did not find something good about her doesn't mean that her performance was a complete failure and ruined the show.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:00pm

I'd probably agree witht the both of you if they had been singing half as good as they did on the original recording. I'm sorry if i'm offending anyone with this. My opinion may change after a few more viewings, but as of right now, i'm still disappointed.

I agree that the original production of Sweeney Todd is considered one of the best productions of all time, but the DVD doesn't include all of the original cast,which is the main reason why i'm disappointed, even if it does preserve Angela's performace. The original characters that i liked the most weren't there, and the original characters that were there didn't sound as good as the OBC, which I also love.

I didn't just find something bad about Betsy, company, the real problem was, I couldn't find anything right with her. Since this is my OPINION, and because i found nothing right with her, her perfromance was a complete failure and ruined the show. but hey, i'm no critic, and i don't plan on being one. This is just how it is for me.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:41pm

Fair enough. Another interesting thing that I have noticed is the exposure to certain things first kind of alters the way people sometimes view things
I know the first way I ever got into sweeney was the dvd, then I bought the OBC 3 months later, then saw the concert, then the revival. By now I have seen 3 different versions and heard 3 recordings. I sort of give a lot of leeway to the tour because it was my first exposure and pretty much everything about it is memorable for me because thats where the memories started.
It is understandable too then that you are underwhelmed by what you have seen because you were already aware of how great the original cast was. I guess its just how things go, doesn't make anyone wrong with what anyone may think

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/2/06 at 11:47pm

I should again remind the Betsy Joslyn bashers that Johanna was raised by Judge Turpin. I doubt she had a very nice, normal childhood and it would make sense if she had some issues when she was older.

Frankly, I think the neuroticism is in her character. Like when she keeps freaking out and thinking she hears the gate. It's just up to the actress on whether or not to emphasize it.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 12:09am

yeah i see your point, company, maybe with a few more viewings i'll learn to like it.

sporkgoddess, i think if someone had been brought up by Judge Turpin, they'd be more solemn and frightened, and less giddy and annoying. Besides, Johanna is supposed to be a figure of beauty, and innocence. i also think she's supposed to be mysterious... she's also supposed to sound like she's not having a seizure when she's singing.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 12:12am

Well, everyone turns out a different way even under the same situation. It is very possible that Johanna would end up a flighty, nervous wreck when being raised by Judge Turpin.

I saw the DVD a month ago so I can't comment on the singing because I can't really remember it... I'm only responding to those who say that they hate Betsy's portrayal of the character, not her singing.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 1:11am

There isn't much difference between Johanna's Character and her singing. At least to the extent of dialogue and stage time when she's not singing. I mean basically all she does sing, right?