Posted: 3/29/17 at 10:16am
After seeing a friends production last night. I think that a full scale sweeney revival with big sets and orchestra would really well instead of the minimalist tone we usually see. Get a big star like Bernadette as Lovett and I think it would do even better, Thoughts?
Posted: 3/29/17 at 10:23am
The subject matter of this work has never supported a large scale production, even with a major star. The original 1979 large scale production (which was spectacular on every level, including orchestra, star power and set size) only recouped 50%, and the 2005 revival probably recouped in record time only because of the small scale production and the actors as orchestra. It is impossible to sell murder, cannibalism and lust to school groups, tourists, and ladies group sales. So, my vote would be don't bother.
Posted: 3/29/17 at 10:49am
I dunno, I'm just thinking that with the resurgence large shows like Phantom and Les Miz have made. A show like Sweeney could do real well. I also think though that the show could survive on star power.
Posted: 3/29/17 at 10:52am
Finally seeing a real, full, fairly traditional production a few years ago (with Imelda Staunton on the West End) was such a thrill for me. It's like we'll do it every other way...
Posted: 3/29/17 at 11:29am
Bryan Cranston as Sweeney, Andrea Martin as Lovett.
Posted: 3/29/17 at 12:37pm
Does Bryan Cranston sing? That is a helluva part.
Posted: 3/29/17 at 2:33pm
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a huge, beautifully sung, elaborate production at the 2000 seat Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois. This included a full orchestra and the original orchestrations. It worked like gangbusters, and the almost sold out audience was crazy about it. I saw the brilliant original production (still the best production) several times, and many people were confused and put off by it in 1979. The show now has a fantastic established reputation and a real following. The public has had almost forty years to accept edgier subject matter in musicals. I think a big revival with two well known actors could succeed. The smaller productions are often entertaining, but the music and thematic scope of the show are better served in a big production.
Posted: 3/29/17 at 3:13pm
The original 1979 large scale production (which was spectacular on every level, including orchestra, star power and set size) only recouped 50%, and the 2005 revival probably recouped in record time only because of the small scale production and the actors as orchestra.
Both of which were produced prior to the film release, which brought the material out into the attention of a larger general public.
It is impossible to sell murder, cannibalism and lust to school groups, tourists, and ladies group sales.
Nah. Cast Hugh Jackman as Sweeney and start counting the dough.
Posted: 3/29/17 at 4:06pm
Mister Matt said: "Both of which were produced prior to the film release, which brought the material out into the attention of a larger general public."
Exactly what I came here to say! While I am not hungry for a large-scale Sweeney revival, I do think that with the film's popularity and sense of nostalgia for those who saw it almost 10 years ago (where does time go) and big stars it can be done. Andrea Martin is an inspired choice for Mrs. Lovett but I think they'd have to pull out the big guns to cast the leads in this show which would be even riskier in terms of making back initial investments. I actually also tend to enjoy the show in small scale. It really does match the tone of the show beautifully, especially when paired with truly talented performers.
Posted: 3/29/17 at 4:15pm
I personally would love to see Kristin Chenoweth as Mrs Lovett but somehow doubt investors would get behind that.
Posted: 3/29/17 at 5:04pm
You want all the money in the world? Hugh Jackman as Sweeney and Patrick Stewart as Judge Turpin. (Although if he played the part, I'd love to see them tweak the book to include the "gandering" scene from the film, just to watch Stewart chew scenery for a few extra minutes.)
Posted: 3/30/17 at 12:31am
As my avatar suggests, I love this show, and I also prefer my Sweeney Todds operatic in size (I hated the John Doyle version, although have recently begun to appreciate it more via YouTube).
That said, a large scale Broadway revival would cost $10 or $12 million and it would never make it all back. It's been getting done regionally a lot more since the movie and the Hearn/Lansbury DVD is perfect and a classic.
Posted: 3/30/17 at 12:51am
yea but what Im thinking of is not only large scale but with a big star. With that, i think it could recoup.
Posted: 3/30/17 at 12:55am
C.Jack said: "yea but what Im thinking of is not only large scale but with a big star. With that, i think it could recoup.
"
Who would you suggest to star?
Jake Gyllenhaal could be brilliant.
Posted: 3/30/17 at 1:28am
Get someone like Hugh Jackman or Mandy Patinkin with someone like Emma Thompson or Bernadette Peters and you could have quite a hit. I've always wanted to see a Sher production of Sweeney at the Beaumont. The show has quite a huge following with many considering it to be among the greatest musicals of all time. There's definitely an audience for it.
Sweeney, however, is absolutely lovely as a chamber show, so I'm not really excited to see a major revival right now. Give me a couple of years and I'll be really pumped for it. What I need right now is a large-scale revival of Into the Woods with some great performers. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Into the Woods with Audra Mcdonald as the Witch, Jake Gyllenhaal as the Baker, Amy Adams (returning to the role) as the Baker's Wife, and Phillipa Soo as Cinderella. It would be the hottest ticket in town. The last few revivals have been incredibly underwhelming for me and I would love to see a production with the spirit of the original.
Posted: 3/30/17 at 9:49am
That is how I believe that the show could do well. With a star. Especially with how highly regarded is now. Suggestions for casting are Hugh Jackman and Bernadette.
Posted: 3/30/17 at 10:28am
darquegk said: "You want all the money in the world? Hugh Jackman as Sweeney and Patrick Stewart as Judge Turpin. (Although if he played the part, I'd love to see them tweak the book to include the "gandering" scene from the film, just to watch Stewart chew scenery for a few extra minutes.)
"
Did you see the Graham Norton Show which featured Jackman and Stewart while they were doing the media tour for LOGAN? Patrick was saying that he has been convincing Hugh to do Sweeney Todd and that he would definitely play the role of Judge Turpin. Hugh was non-committal, though. Earlier this year, he went to Vienna to see the new Stephen Schwartz/Trevor Nunn musical SCHIKANEDER, presumably after Trevor has been trying to convince him to consider the show. He is about to wrap filming for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN and has not announced any new film project ( except for a report that he is in talks for the ENZO FERRARI biopic).
Posted: 3/30/17 at 10:35am
The Tim burton film came out well after the John Doyle's revival closed. The film has a much bigger following now that a Broadway production, no matter the size, would sell out for months. Throw any A lister in the mix and you've set up a guarantee to recoupment. The current celeb-free off-broadway revival sold out its original run with no advertising.
Posted: 3/30/17 at 1:34pm
Another idea is for them to make it more operetic than the original and stage it as a modern opera.
Posted: 3/30/17 at 9:20pm
C.Jack said: "Another idea is for them to make it more operetic than the original and stage it as a modern opera.
"
Stephen Sondheim has been adamant that SWEENEY is not an opera. (He has some very rigid ideas on the subject of opera, if you ask me.) But City Opera did a credible production in 1985, just 5 years after the original production closed on Broadway. It worked quite well, except that the contralto playing Mrs. Lovett did that opera thing where they play "Here I am being funny" instead of just playing the character. The rest of the cast was excellent.
I agree that if you want a "big" SWEENEY (and who doesn't?), an opera house is probably the place to look. In the meantime, I loved the "Teeny TODD" with Bob Gunton, Beth Fowler and Jim Walton.
Updated On: 3/30/17 at 09:20 PM
