uncageg said: "I was not blown away by this production but I didn't hate it.
As far as sound/mic issues, I suspect that once the sound designer has the chance during early previews to sit in different parts of the theater, those issues will be resolved. It seems that the problem with Ashford's mic is that it is turned down low. Her voice got louder whenever she was singing very close to someone else. As far as lighting, there could be a few adjustments. The two that come to mind are the shadowed scene on the bridge (It could be back lit just a tad bit brighter) and the final scene with Toby. You hear him but don't see him until he moves toward Sweeney.
Not sure if it was a technical problem but when the Beadle's body was to come out of the chute door, his head emerged and it seemed someone was kind of yanking him back and forth then his head just went back inside and the chute door shut.
I really tried to get into the choreography. In some places it was ok but overall it was just distracting. Especially during "God That's Good". This show, in my opinion, works well with movement, not choreography. And the hip thrusting moves I really didn't care for.
The orchestra...It was wonderful to hear the full orchestra. I think they too will tighten up as time goes on. I was in the mezz. I don't know how it sounded downstairs but upstairs the orchestra sounded a bit contained and distant. It didn't fill the space. It sounded like it was just coming up over the front of the mezz.
Performances were all good. I couldn't put my finger on it with Fisher until I heard someone say, as we were leaving, that his voice sounds too contemporary. And I thought, that's it. Vocally he sounded great but he just didn't have that airiness to his voice that made you feel he was really smitten with Johanna. Hopefully he will settle into it as his acting was fine.
Groban just sounded wonderful. There were some notes I hoped he would hold and didn't but that was fine. He is more than up to the task of singing this role. And I did like the journey he took Sweeney on from the beginning to the end. He could have been a bit more manic and they could have ruffled his hair a bit more but he did a fine job.
Annaleigh has brought us a new Lovett. If you know her work and style, it's all here. It really works most of the time. There is a sliding down the stairs bit that really wasn't needed though. "A Little Priest" is her "Popular" in this show. She broke Groban twice during the song. There is a bit with her on the table that really broke him. I don't know if this is scripted or just happened. The crowd totally ate it up. But by the end of the song, for me, it was pretty much about her antics and the end didn't have the punch it brings to close the act. Her antics were more fun, and appropriate during "By the Sea". That was perfection.
The most pleasant surprise for me was Nick Christopher as Pirelli. He was wonderful. Just wonderful. If I ever go back to see this again it will be when he is on as Sweeney. After seeing his Pirelli I am convinced this man can do anything. Have been a fan of his for years and know him so it just brought a huge smile to my face during the shaving scene.
Ruthie's Beggar Woman was totally on point. And then there is Gaetan. He deserves a nomination for his performance. He was outstanding as Toby. I also really enjoyed Bilbao's Johanna. Such a gorgeous voice that floats on air. Also, Rapson's "Parlor Songs" scene was a standout.
I think that's it! All in all I think it is a "smoothed out" production of this piece. It just lacks that underlying tension. Not having the factory whistle, I think, is a big mistake and people were talking about it after the show. The opening without it just felt off. It did, however, appear in the background near the end of Act II. As mentioned, I thought the set was fine. I like the new version of "the chair". But there was some laughter where there should not have been and the audience cheered and applauded when Johanna shoots the gun. I just think some tightening and the picking up of the pace in a lot of places would make this a really good production. But it was only the second preview. The crowd went nuts at the end and I got my magnet.
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Thank you for your thoughts. I was in the second row of the rear mezz, and I thought the orchestra sounded too distant as well. I would’ve liked it a bit louder, but I usually find that to be the case with most Sondheim productions.
Totally agree about Nicholas Christopher. What a surprise. I wasn’t familiar with him before this production, but I will definitely follow his career now, and would love to see him as Sweeney if and when he gets to go on for Groban.
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