For all you Sweeny Todd experts- Page 2

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 2:25am

Ahhhh....I came too late, but did not read any of the previous posts minus the first one to give my personal opinion.

There are definately reasons to buy both.

First, there is the Mrs. Lovett factor. I, surprising my self, loved Patti Lupone's Lovett and found it to be a breath of fresh air for her and the role. That said, she does not hold a candle to Angela Lansbury, That role is hers and hers alone. End of story. No one has, can or will play it better. Angela's Lovett is timeless and perfection.

Cariou and Hearn are difficult to asses. Cariou is, I find, slightly the better actor. But that its saying little because Hearn is perhaps one of the greatest musical theatre actors of the 70's and 80's, and still today. So, I would give them both equal scores in the acting department. But Cariou can barely complete with Hearn's powerful baritone. Though Cariou originated the role, I find Hearn's Sweeney to be the definitive one. His singing is impeccable and his 'Ephiany' terribly frightening and powerful.

As for the supporting roles. I can get way into this, but (to save you all from reading 8 paragraphs of my opinion on it) I will say that, for various reasons, I find the actors in the Concert version sing the supporting roles better. (PM me if you really wanna go into it )

As a Sondheim purist, I find it hard to say (I find it almost impossible to say), but I find that the Concert version has a slight edge over the OBCR. I mean, you can't beat a FULL SYMPHONMIC ORCHESTRA playing Sondheim's best score with Jonathan Tunick's best orchestrations. But it is a shame to miss out on Angela's Lovett. But I still must say I vote for the Concert version. But if you can, get both. Both are among the best recordings for any musical ever.

It would have been fantastic if the touring production (which is the one that was filmed for video) had gotten a recording. Hearn and Lansbury together....bliss. But, alas, it didn't happen.

So Sweeney OBCR: A+++
Sweeney Concert Version: A++++

Updated On: 8/22/04 at 02:25 AM

[MusicMan]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 3:23am

But the tempos for the tour (the filmed version) are much too fast.
The difference between Cariou and Hearn was that you believed Hearn was REALLY crazy.

[NBRISBY]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 3:38am

Havin done this show three times...my fourth time will be later this year, I must say...

Both versions are good, but I think the average theatre-goer will enjoy the Lupone version more. I'd reccomend watching the DVDs of both the touring and the NY Phil version.

Lovett is better with OBC.
Hearn is the best Sweeney.
Audra is the best beggar woman (need I even write that?)
Original Tobias is best.
NY Anthony is slightly better.
NY Johanna is better.
NY Judge (on the video, not the recording)is better.
Touring Beatle is best.
NY Perelli is amazing.

I think that covers em all. This show is amazing, regardless of which cast you decide on. But, for sure watch one of them, too.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 3:41am

Just for clarification, the DVD and CD of the Concert Version are slightly different. The DVD is from the San Francisco performance. The CD is from the New York performance. They are slightly different with slightly different casts.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 3:43am

I forgot to answer the favorite song portion:

All are masterful and genius.

But A LITTLE PRIEST is perhaps the greatest theatrical song ever written. And has lyrics that put all other lyricists to shame.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 4:02am

I say the OBC. But whatever recording you choose, if this is your first listen, make sure you have nothing to disturb you, there is only enough light to follow the libretto and you turn the volume up really loud, headphones preferred.

Is the entire Perrelli segment in the concert version?

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 4:06am

I suggest renting/buying/borrowing one of the DVD's (preferably the tour with Hearn and Lansbury) if it is your first experience with Sweeney. Then, after you are familiar with the story, delve into Sondheim's magnificent score with one of the CD's.

[Mattio98]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 4:08am

Good idea Priest. If you are in the NYC area, the Lincoln Center Library has all you need to attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.

(Okay, bad joke. But I can't believe nobody else did that yet.)

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 12:57pm

too bad I'm not the other side of the coast, I'll get my hands on them somehow

[lovettespies]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 1:02pm

I agree with what's already been written. Both versions are amazing! I do prefer the OBC over the concert version, because Lansbury is just too incredible to compare. You should definitely watch the DVD. It is beyond wonderful. I laughed during Priest, got chills during Epiffany, and cried at the end. You just can't beat Sweeney Todd.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 1:12pm

Buy the original cast recording with Cariou, Lansbury and Garber...you won't be sorry

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 1:17pm

i would buy the OBC recording..i think it's the best

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 2:21pm

Oh my,..........I just fouind that Sam Mendes is making it into a movie musical thats out in 2005. WOah!

Sorry if everyone else knew that already.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 4:15pm

We'll see if he ever does it. He's doing Jarheads right now, and all movie development news can't be trusted. But I'm crossing my fingers for it anyway....

[Mattio98]

Posted: 8/22/04 at 4:27pm

Bernadette for Mrs. Lovett!

[MyNameHere2]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 9:50am

Sweeney Todd?! I love sweeney todd! I would go for the in concert version. I like it alot. It's kind of hard to compare Patti LuPone to Angela lansbury(sp?). I personally like Patti better. She seems more real while Angela seems more like a cartoon characte.
I aslo like George Hearns Sweeney the best. Patti and George all the way!

~Reese Updated On: 8/24/04 at 09:50 AM

[SamIAm]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 11:01am

The judge's version of Johanna is tortuous and heart rending. Garber's version, sung as a love song, is sweet and touching. No one sings like he did in the original.

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 11:02am

YESS! I have always thought that Bernadette would do well as Mrs. Lovett. That said, I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE Patti LuPone. She sucked as Mrs. Lovett, I could almost not watch the program.
I hate her.
-d.b.j-

[Plum]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 12:08pm

It would absolutely break my heart if LuPone got the part of Mrs. Lovett in the movie. Well, as much as any casting decision can. :P I'm sure she'd be different than Lansbury, but not necessarily in a good way. I think Peters has the comic and vocal chops to make a spectacular Lovett. Has she ever sung one of Lovett's songs in concert or on a solo CD? (They're kind of weird choices, but still...)

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 12:43pm

I think they'll get someone with a bigger name. SOmehow I think he'll slip Kate WInslet into the cast, afterall she married to him

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 1:27pm

No, Bernie hasn't.
I wish she would, to prove that she CAN do it.
I hate LuPone.
-d.b.j-