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Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

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#1

Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:35pm

Okay, so I am considering seeing Sweeney Todd when it opens on Broadway this fall. I have never seen the musical before and want an honest opinion on what to expect and is it any good. My parents saw it years and years ago and did not like it. My mom and I usually have the same taste in musicals. She loved DRS, Wicked, Rent, Chicago, and several other recent musicals. My main concern is that my boyfriend will not enjoy it since I plan on taking him.
"I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tightrope dancer, so that no incompetent would dare step upon it." Goethe
#4

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:41pm

Threadjack: so freaking excited. I don't know all that much about Sweeney, but I had a dream about it like two nights ago; I woke up scared out of my mind. I can't wait!!
A work of art is an invitation to love.
#5

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:43pm

I think it's a wonderful show, and probably one of Sondheim's most accessable (in an odd way) though I'm not sure this particular production is going to be as accessable as past ones have been.

Though it isn't fluffy or on the light side which the other musicals you mentioned seemed to be. It is however, both hilarious and depressing.

But Oh Yes, I did want to add that it probably is my favorite musical of all time.
"This ocean runs more dark and deep than you may think you know...I'll be the fear of the fire at sea." -Marie Christine

Updated On: 7/29/05 at 01:43 PM

#6

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:46pm

It's incredible, and I agree it's one of the best musicals ever written. The music is insanely brilliant and has so many levels. The story is darkly funny...c'mon, killing people and putting them in pies :) My only complaint are the songs between Anthony and Johanna. They're the more serious operatic (if that's the right word) than the rest. They tend to get on my nerves. Go rent the DVD with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury (my goddess) to get an idea before spending money on broadway. I plan on seeing it, although I wish Patti Lupone wasn't Mrs. Lovett...don't like her at all.
#7

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:49pm

All those who are saying it's among the best musicals ever written? I agree completely, and it's a pretty widely shared opinion among critics. And I also enjoyed all the shows you've listed.

I'd recommend checking out the cast album (the original is better, IMHO, but the more recent one features Patti LuPone, who will be in the production). See what you think. If you're not familiar with Sondheim, listen to it several times. Make your decision from there.

Sorry to threadjack -- but has anyone heard about the song list for this production? Is Judge Turpin's "Johanna" back in? I always thought it took away from the judge's character when it was eliminated, but nobody can do it like Edmund Lyndeck.
#8

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:50pm

My suggestion is, following your instinct. If you don't want to go, just don't go. No one can assure you whether you will enjoy it or not, only yourself.

However, if you want to try something new, do some advanture with an open mind, maybe you will find a surprise.
#9

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 1:58pm

Sweeney Todd is one of my favorites too! It is described as a "horror musical" or something like that, sorry I can't remember the exact words, but it's totally funny too.

Here's a hilarious link to an article that's grand finale is about a kid's reaction to Sweeney on TV http://www.retrojunk.com/details_articles/198/ If you grew up in the 80's or early 90's you'll totally relate!
#10

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:01pm

*gasp* I love the Anthony/Johanna songs! They're unbelievably gorgeous, though I have to say the voices on the OBC (Victor Garber and Sarah Rice) definitely help. :)

And poppy, that link is hilarious.
#11

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:09pm

Two words: Michael. Cerveris.

I am willing to see anything he is in. An incredible performer!
"My friends have made the story of my life." -Helen Keller
#12

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:37pm

poppy: The exact words are "Musical Thriller," but that's close enough.

And yes, Sweeney is one of the greatest shows ever written. It just might be THE best musical ever written (either that or Gypsy, take your pick).
"Who is Stephen Sondheim?" -roninjoey
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay

GO CARDINALS!!!
#13

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:38pm

I love Victor Garber too...I'd love to meet him one day, but I think all I think of is Green Finch and Nightengale song. Her voice is worse than fingernails on a chalk board. The song just seems not to fit.
#14

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:38pm

Thanks everyone. I think I will try and watch the DVD first. I did enjoy George Hearn as the Wizard in Wicked and I am sure I will never see him again in the same light.
"I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tightrope dancer, so that no incompetent would dare step upon it." Goethe
#15

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:40pm

Thanks, jam_man. I knew I was getting it wrong! A Musical Thriller. What a great description. I love how Sweeney Todd breaks the preconceptions many people have of musicals being just all light and happy and perky!
#16

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:43pm

It is one of the most perfect works in Musical Theatre, in my opinion.

It is very grim, the music is complicated, it is violent...

Not really a family/mass audiences kind of show. Some people can't get past the SPOILER eating people END SPOILER part of the show.
#18

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:52pm

But this is not a big budget Broadway huge set piece production production. It has a very simple, stripped down staging that is not going to appeal to your regular Broadway tourist - so bear that in mind.
#19

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:54pm

Poppy- that link is very funny. But my favorite is the comment below the article by "Baka." And very true. No one has yet sung "Greenfinch and Linnet Bird" like Sarah Rice. Not even Judy Collins (she sings that and "Pretty Women" on one of her albums that I loved as a kid. Imagine my surprise when I saw Sweeney for the first time).

Thenadrdier- do you mean "locksmith?"
#20

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 2:54pm

It's a masterpiece, and IMO Sondheim's best.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
#22

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 3:01pm

Have you thought about renting the DVD of the concert version? It even has Patti Lupone.

I rented it through Blockbuster. I enjoyed it more than the staged version.
#23

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 3:03pm

I'd love to hear Kelli O'Hara or Audra wrap their vocals around "Green Finch..."

Updated On: 7/29/05 at 03:03 PM

#25

re: Honest opinion about Sweeney Todd

Posted: 7/29/05 at 3:05pm

Go See It! You won't be disappointed. There is no other musical quite like it. A bit gruesome at times, but nothing worse than what you see in a PG-13 horror movie.

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