I hate Sweeney Todd...- Page 2
I hate Sweeney Todd...
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#25
Posted: 2/9/05 at 2:46pm
BSoBW2, thank you for your integrity and honesty!!!! Many folks fall in love with a show via video as you did, which of course is wonderful. However, some folks often then "romanticize" that they saw it in the theater.
Subsequently they perhaps recommend this show to friends based on their love of the video. TRUST ME I HAVE BEEN THERE/DONE THAT--------this is an Excellent way to Lose or Tarnish a friendship.
Those of us who are "more into theater" need to be very sensitive when recommending shows to "civilians."
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#26
Posted: 2/9/05 at 2:49pm
I agree, I meanI'm 18 so the show was never really around so the video was all I could see. Basically, everyone here was talking about it, to the point where I knew it had to be something special...and what's not to like? Angela? Good. George? Good. And after I got the video, I found out Betsy Joselyn was in it - who grew up to be one of my favorite Mme. Thenardiers....
But my first watch of the movie, I enjoyed it but didn't see what was so great about it. My second time, though, I realized why it is so talked about.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#27
Posted: 2/9/05 at 6:43pmummmmm...ok I don't know what you have against Sondheim in the theatres. The truth is I've see productions of sondheim all over the place and have fallen in love with them in the theatre. Sweeney's no exception. Sondheim does work in the theatre, you just have to pay attention and listen. A little night music and Company's original production was VERY well received. The reason they don't run is becuase audiences don't like to think or listen anymore. I will always recommend Sondheim to people and as a matter of fact, I know people who have gone to see a production of anyone can whistle and loved it. THAT was a problematic show. And i'm talking about people who hardly EVER go to the theatre. I've never lost a friendship over it. I honestly mean no offense but that's kind of a silly notion. wouldn't want friends who would stop talking to me because of it. If Sondheim didn't work in the theatres, there would be no productions. Only a series of concerts. If you look around, there's plenty of it being done.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#28
Posted: 2/9/05 at 6:59pmWho has anything against Sondheim in the theatre?
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#29
Posted: 2/9/05 at 7:04pmYou had me scared for a second, BSoBW2! Anyway, my favorite number in the show is "Not While I'm Around."
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#30
Posted: 2/9/05 at 7:05pmAs I said before, I was in a Sweeney kind of mood....
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#31
Posted: 2/9/05 at 7:27pm
I was seriously about to kill you when I read the title of this thread.
As for the show, I own the Hearn/LuPone concert DVD and have seen parts of the Hearn/Lansbury.
I love "Green Finch and Linnet Bird," but I can't stand Betsy Joslyn. Thank God she's not on the cast recording. Her voice pales severely when compared to the crystalline pipes of Sarah Rice, Lisa Vroman, and Heidi Grant Murphy.
Stand-by Joined: 8/29/04
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#32
Posted: 2/9/05 at 11:40pmI've seen clips from it on PBS... and have heard the music... I don't like it cause it sounds scary... but it is a classic.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#33
Posted: 2/9/05 at 11:56pmThe reason StickToPriest hasn't posted yet is because he is on page seven of his post.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#34
Posted: 2/10/05 at 12:05am
WISHIHADATONY,
You shouldn't over-generalize. I saw the original production in the theatre with Hearn and Lansbury, without having heard so much as one note of the score (and this was before the video was even released), and completely fell in love it instantly. And I was a kid at the time (it was truly one of my treasured theatre memories growing up). It's a VERY tuneful score and while perhaps I didn't understand all of its complexities at the time, I found it incredibly appealing to the ear with one gorgeous melody after another. Even the dissonant moments in the score I liked because it always underscored something scary happening on stage. And that's another thing -- the Prince production had me mesmerized from the moment the curtain went up (I was genuinely scared as I have rarely ever been in the theatre). Add to that the extraordinary performances and it was one of the most perfect nights I ever spent in the theatre.
So NO, you don't HAVE to know the album and video before going in, in order to enjoy it -- I thoroughly loved every second of it with no preparation.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#35
Posted: 2/10/05 at 9:32amoh Thank You, Margo...thank GOD we have a voice of reason on this board!
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#36
Posted: 2/10/05 at 5:21pm
Margo, or course you are right. But then again, you clearly have an intellect and a love of theater that is not common among unsuspecting or "average" theatergoers.
I don't doubt for a second you could love Pacific Overtures on first viewing...........But we folks "more into" theater just simply need to be wary or careful when recommending certain shows to "civilians." :)
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#37
Posted: 2/10/05 at 6:33pmIf you're arrogant and you know it post the above...
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#38
Posted: 2/10/05 at 6:36pmIn layman's terms, IWISH: If you don't enjoy the commercialized theatre (aka Broadway), you are an uncivilized brute....
Stand-by Joined: 8/30/03
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#39
Posted: 2/10/05 at 7:20pmWhy do you hate Sweeney Todd? He's a miserable, wronged, misguided man. You should feel sorry for him.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#40
Posted: 2/10/05 at 7:52pmHe killed Angela...I mean.... Updated On: 2/10/05 at 07:52 PM
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#41
Posted: 2/11/05 at 12:17pmWho do you guys thinks is the better Sweeney Todd...or even, Who do You think IS Sweeney Todd...Len Cariou or George Hearn??? Len was the Original and he won the Tony....but George Hearn took over the role and has kept doing it, is on 2 DVD's of Sweeney Todd....I'd give it to Hearn.....Still I think they sound an awful lot alike....
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#43
Posted: 2/11/05 at 1:39pm
BSoB2W,
"In layman's terms, IWISH: If you don't enjoy the commercialized theatre (aka Broadway), you are an uncivilized brute.... "
Of course I didn't mean that, not even remotely. Just very simply, MOST people attending the theater cannot and do not enjoy a Sondheim show live in the theater upon first viewing without prior knowledge of the show.
INVESTMENT is a word that perhaps applies. You need to invest some time to enjoy the magical world of riches that Sondheim supplies for us. MOST theatergoers do not....That is why Sondheim show after Sondheim show, Sondheim revival after Sondheim revival, DO NOT run long on Broadway and almost always lose money. Most of his shows receive mixed reviews at best.
But then again, most critics do not INVEST the time to fall in love with Sondheim's works.
What I am saying is often written about Sondheim. It is not a secret that his shows are not successful with the masses attending live theater.
I wish they were. Wish more folks would invest the time or whatever it takes to fully enjoy the many levels of brilliance and sheer enjoyment of his incredible works.
Sondheim may be the greatest theater composer ever to grace the earth with his gifts. NONE of his shows has ever been a "blockbuster." That does not take away from his genius.......it is simply fact.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#44
Posted: 2/11/05 at 1:48pm
I was talking about the "civilian" comment...as if non-theatre lovers couldn't like Sondheim...
Although, overall, I understand what you mean...uncultured brutes, the whole lot of them, no?
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#45
Posted: 2/11/05 at 1:59pm
"Although, overall, I understand what you mean...uncultured brutes, the whole lot of them, no?"
NO, that is not what I mean at all. Not enjoying a show upon first viewing in no way makes anyone "uncultured."
I can list literally over a dozen shows I did not like when I saw them, but later fell in love with them after falling in love with the cd.
By "civillian" I meant folks not as INTO theater as most of us here and therefore not as likely to have had the opportunity to have had prior exposure to the amazing wonders of the stupendous Sondheim.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#46
Posted: 2/11/05 at 1:59pm
I was joking when I said uncultured brutes...
Broadway Star Joined: 1/29/05
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#47
Posted: 2/11/05 at 3:08pm
I've never SEEN Len Cariou perform the part, so I don't think I can really make a fair judgement between him and George Hearn. I do adore Hearn, though. Definetely one of my favorite actors (how could he NOT be?) Amazing performer and, from what I can tell, very modest.
I know Angela Lansbury is considered the definitive Lovett by most, if not all, but what did everyone think of Patti LuPone in the concert? I wound up liking her performance a lot more than I thought I was going to. She had a very different take on the part that I found I enjoyed just as much as Angela Lansbury's. But don't get me wrong, I still have enormous respect for Angela Lansbury (she created the role, and she will always be who I- and probably most others- associate with Mrs. Lovett).
Leading Actor Joined: 1/8/05
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#48
Posted: 2/11/05 at 5:28pm
Sweeney Todd is definitely one of my favorite shows of all time. Even though the idea of putting people into pies is exaggerated, the whole show seems very real to me. You can connect with the characters even if you've never been in their position, and I think that's one of the many marks of a good musical. The entire score is amazing but my favorites would probably be:
"Johanna" (I love the line "I was half convinced I'd waken. Satisfied enough to dream you.")
"A Little Priest" (soooo clever)
"The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" (One of those openings you will never forget)
"Epiphany" (so powerful)
"Not While I'm Around" (One of the most sincere songs of all time)
"Final Sequence" (just incredible)
As for my favorite Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett, George Hearn was amazing, and Mark Delavan who I saw a few years ago was very good too. In my opinion Angela is the epitamy (sp?) of Mrs. Lovett, although Elaine Paige is a close second.
re: I hate Sweeney Todd...#49
Posted: 2/11/05 at 9:54pmAlthough I have several favorite moments, my favorite part of the show is "Epiphany" through the end of the first act with "A Little Priest." Also the opening and closing of the show with "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd"--BRILLIANT!
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