Groban & Ashford in SWEENEY TODD On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread — Page 20

I would call Hamilton minimal in a technical sense. Unit set. Turntable. Not a ton of extra stuff. 
 

This is Kail’s first big show after Hamilton and me think he’s not the director for this. You can approach this the same way. It’s a super complex story and a bunch of superfluous dancing doesn’t seem to make sense. I love Hoggat’s work but not sure that style works with Sondheim. 
 

And also underwhelmed by the design. Seems like a regional set. Don’t make people pay hundreds of dollars to watch actors move the set around on wheels. 

Merch page is live: https://www.broadwaymerchandiseshop.com/collections/sweeney-todd

While I didn't see the show last night, a detail I found super interesting is that the railing/wall in front of the orchestra pit is a designed piece of scenery, with a grating instead of a solid wall so that you can better see the orchestra in the pit. I also wonder if that effects acoustics? Either way I feel like it's a really clever way to feature the large orchestra.

Updated On: 2/27/23 at 06:58 PM

It’s not just the set and Jordan.  It’s the overall direction people are eh about.  Guess the ball is in Camelot’s court.  

I have not seen this production (yet) but it seems concerning that people think actors moving scenery on wheels is amateurish and not a design choice. Bigger and glitzier is not always better. I felt like the last revival of Les Miz was hindered by automation-it felt too smooth. If it was moved by actors on wheels it probably would’ve felt more like miserable people. 

I saw the original production on Broadway. From what I remember and going back and looking at some footage, the staging is minimal and set pieces were moved around by cast members. The floor and walls were "decorated". The main set piece was the pie shop, parlor and barber chair on top of a unit that they spun around. It had a door on the side where the bodies came out.

I was hoping for minimal staging with this current production. For me, it was perfect as a huge set was not needed. You have a very strong piece to begin with. I thought that minimal staging made certain things stand out. You didn't have a lot to look at except to focus on what was going on. 

Seeing it tomorrow. Going to go in with an open mind even after reading about some of the things that are missing. This is my all time favorite show. It holds a very special place in my heart for a few reasons. I was skeptical about the last Broadway revival with Patti going in but I thought it was brilliant. I am so hoping to enjoy this production. I am a big Annaleigh fan and can't wait to see what she does with the role Not a real Groban "fan" but the man can sing and I expect him to sing this role well. We'll see. I'm excited and scared! lol

Updated On: 2/27/23 at 09:16 PM

Look at all of you. One little comment that’s not even negative, and you guys get all worked up. Y’all have no problem hating on bad cinderella, but god forbid someone dislikes the beloved sondheim masterpiece. 

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Merch page is live:https://www.broadwaymerchandiseshop.com/collections/sweeney-todd"

Thanks for sharing! I'm annoyed that the tote bag is $10 more expensive on the website than in person, especially given I spent the entirety of intermission yesterday bouncing from merch booth to merch booth trying to purchase one. The whole merch/bar/bathroom situation was simply a chaotic mess.