I hate Sweeney Todd... — Page 2

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."

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ummmmm...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.

You had me scared for a second, BSoBW2! Anyway, my favorite number in the show is "Not While I'm Around."

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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.

The reason StickToPriest hasn't posted yet is because he is on page seven of his post.

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oh Thank You, Margo...thank GOD we have a voice of reason on this board!

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If you're arrogant and you know it post the above...

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Why do you hate Sweeney Todd? He's a miserable, wronged, misguided man. You should feel sorry for him.

Who 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....

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.

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"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.

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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).

Although 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!