LESTAT or Sweeney Todd

[firescape]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:20am

Okay, first of all, I want those who have seen both current shows to respond. Those who have seen Lestat the most recent will be highly favored since the show is constantly changing right now. With that said....I am going to NYC next weekend and I am either going to see Lestat or Sweeney Todd. I am an avid theater fan and enjoy Sweeney immensly. I know all the negative hype Lestat has been given. Here is my dilema:

I have two friends coming with me, one who has never been to NYC nor has seen any show on a broadway level, the other is well seasoned. Our concern is for the Broadway virgin. We know, show wise as a whole, Sweeney would be the right choice, however, I know it is minimalistic. I know there are no set changes, I know the orchestra is small and all are on stage acting as well. I do know that leads are amazing as well. Being her first "Broadway" show. I am certain she is expecting to see "ALL" that Broadway has to offer. All the majesty as well. I understand that the performances in Sweeney are stellar, but that is all there is ,which is fine for me because I appreciate it. A show like Lestat will have the sweeping set movements and lighting and "special effects" which I know is a spectacle but it does complete the "broadway experience" I just dont want her to feel let down thinking that what she saw in Sweeney, she could have seen (minus the talent) at any small community theater.
What would you do?
Your thoughts? go........

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:46am

I enjoyed both, but I'd go with "Sweeney Todd," it's a great Broadway first and a beautiful show.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:48am

Sweeney. This is a no-brainer.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 11:03am

This is a joke. SWEENEY TODD hands down.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 11:19am

If these are first timers, they would probably like "Hairspray".

[DancerGirl16]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:07pm

Ok I have not seen Lestat but I really really want to. I am not gonig to bash it or anything...
but Sweeney was quite possibly the best show I have ever seen, and although I am REALLY looking forward to Lestat I have trouble believing that it could be better.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:12pm

I don't think the performances are ALL SWEENEY has to offer. It's a fantastic show in it's own right.

And since when does spectacle complete the Broadway experience?

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 12:12 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:20pm

Apples and oranges, kid.

No, I can't really answer this question since I have seen the San Francisco version of Lestat and I have never seen a Sweeny Todd performance (although I do want to).

But listening to both (well, hearing one and listening to the other) I'd have to say Sweeny.

Usually pick the Sondheim. Unless both choices are Sondheim, then pick both.

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:24pm

I see your point with wanting to show your friend a "big" Broadway show, and Lestat may have more of that than Sweeney, but there are tons of other problems with the show. It's just not a good show and I feel like you could turn somebody off by having them see that first.

I think Sweeney could turn someone off too. Most Broadway newbies I have come across are not fond of the idea of murder and cannabalism in a musical. I can see a new person really not getting all the fuss with Sweeney. As a matter of fact, I think it is that way with many Sondheim shows.

So I am not sure which I would recommend. I guess I would say go see something else if it is an option.

[sanda]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:26pm

Why have to choose between these two? There are so many shows to choose.

For first time experience, I definitely won't recommend Sondheim. Especially this production of Sweeney Todd which requires the audience to be very familiar with the stroy.

How about Chicago, or Mama Mia!, or even Phantom?
Updated On: 4/20/06 at 12:26 PM

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:27pm

If she wants a first sniff into broadway musicals, perhaps neither is quite right. Maybe rather DRS or Chicago?

[firescape]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:38pm

Thank you all for your responses. You gave me much to think about. Here is my dilemma, I have seen many of the standards that are on the great white way right now, I am in the city for one day. I wanna see something new as well. I am shelling out mucho dinero for my ticket, I want to see something I wanna see. She wants to tag along, fine. I feel responsible for making sure she has a great first experience. Maybe another show is a great idea. What should it be? I havent seen any of this seasons newest shows. What about wedding singer or Drowsy? No Phantom, no chicago, no B and B, no Lion king......no drs, i have seen all of these and more. I want to pick from this season. So we can both be pleased. It is sad that there isnt much to choose from this season. Its like deciding the lesser of the two evils, aside from Sweeney.

[firescape]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:39pm

Thank you all for your responses. You gave me much to think about. Here is my dilemma, I have seen many of the standards that are on the great white way right now, I am in the city for one day. I wanna see something new as well. I am shelling out mucho dinero for my ticket, I want to see something I wanna see. She wants to tag along, fine. I feel responsible for making sure she has a great first experience. Maybe another show is a great idea. What should it be? I havent seen any of this seasons newest shows. What about wedding singer or Drowsy? No Phantom, no chicago, no B and B, no Lion king......no drs, i have seen all of these and more. I want to pick from this season. So we can both be pleased. It is sad that there isnt much to choose from this season. Its like deciding the lesser of the two evils, aside from Sweeney.

[Mamie]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:50pm

I'd take her to DRS too. I've taken 3 'first timers' there so far and they adored it! They can't wait to go back and see it again (and other shows too!)

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:53pm

Again, SWEENEY TODD.

[Christoph]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:59pm

I have not seen Lestat as yet, but I would rabidly suggest that the current version of Sweeney Todd is not the wisest first experience for a Broadway novice. I was so looking forward to it after reading reviews and feedback on the board, and I was a huge fan of the original production with Angela Lansbury. However, the staging for this new version is definitely an acquired taste to put it mildly. I just saw it last weekend and was mighty disappointed.

I still love the music and the story. Michael Cerveris is a beautifully creepy Todd and Manoel Felciano is astounding as Tobey, but Patti LuPone (who, as always, was in good voice)acted like she did not give a damn. There was no energy to her performance, which surprised me.

The staging in my opinion was an interesting experiment, but by the end I would have to say I felt it was wrong-headed. There are really no sets or costume changes. There is no orchestra. The actors play the musical instruments, which is distracting. While some characters start into a song, others are careening around the stage grabbing up their previously discarded instruments in order to accompany the performer and manage to divert from them instead. The cast also functions as prop movers banging around a wooden coffin and assorted ladders, buckets and chairs repeatedly. They were also having some issues with the sound system when I saw it. It initially started very soft and remained that way for a while, then it was corrected. In Act II, static began interfering during one of Felciano's numbers (unforgiveable since he was a true highlight) and then the sound reduced again as in the beginning.

The end result is some great music and performances (Ms. LuPone's notwithstanding), but I felt like I was watching a workshop or a cut-down concert rather than a Broadway production. A cynical part of me keeps wondering if this avant-garde staging idea was more due to cheapness by producers than an artistic decision.

Even more surprising, although I did not hate the show (even with my issues with the staging), I felt I would be in the minority but there were a number of people sitting around me in the mezzanine who were also griping about the staging style. Complaints ranged from people who liked aspects of the show (as did I) but were distracted by the cast clanking around the stage after the instruments and sets, to people who were openly hostile about it. A nightmarish dowager further down in my row had seen the original production as well and was attending this one with her drama student neice. She was really loud and annoying with her overall disdain of this production repeatedly whispering in a loud stage whisper "This is pretentious crap!" Her antics hardly elevated my personal experience of the play.

Thankfully I did see The Drowsy Chaperone and The Pajama Game over the weekend as well and really enjoyed both of those. I would love to see a full-fledged revival of Sweeney Todd again, but this was not the production for me. In short, if this is someone's first Broadway experience, it might prove to deter them from seeing further shows. Unless, your viewers are into experimental theater, workshops or avant-garde productions.

[firescape]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:59pm

ok munk, I understand what you are saying. I really do. I am definitely leaning that way. You really do think this is the ideal choice for her, being a newb and not knowing a single thing about the story except someone told her it was about a barber who slits people's throats? If you really, really do, I will follow your advice.

Side Note: Yes I do think that a lot of the "spectacle" out there such as set desgign staging, special effects, lighting does round out the Broadway experience. I can go almost anywhere in the country to see a musical with a production that has no choice but to rely on the talent of the actors. You just have to pray to God that it is there. Broadway, however, is one of the handful of places in this world where 10 to 15 million dollar productions can be mounted. Therefore as it goes with "spectacle" things on the level that Bway provides I think it is very fair to say that it is very much a part of the experience.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:44pm

Well, if you're so concerned about her, take her to see The Wedding Singer. She'll have a blast. I think the new production of Sweeney Todd might be a little overwhelming, and Lestat is completely dreadful. If she's a smart cookie and you think she can handle it, take her to Sweeney Todd.

[noahrp3]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:46pm

I saw Drowsy in L.A. and if I were new to theatre, I would love to have that be my first production. I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard. Go see Drowsy!

[joshy]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:51pm

'She was really loud and annoying with her overall disdain of this production repeatedly whispering in a loud stage whisper "This is pretentious crap!"'

This lady needs a slap in the face.

"A cynical part of me keeps wondering if this avant-garde staging idea was more due to cheapness by producers than an artistic decision."

This suggests you have attempted to find out little-to-nothing about the production. Sigh.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:52pm

Drowsy Chaperone really would be a wonderful first show, very classic Broadway. Although if she doesn't like dance oriented shows it might not be the right choice. Wedding Singer is a lot of fun, more main stream, but nothing truly spectacular.

Lestat has the special effects, well...It has fire at least, but, with the exception of a few entertaining moments, it is largely just a bore.

Sweeney, however is one of those theater experiences that you end up feeling priviledged to have attended.

[incupsofcoffee]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:53pm

I haven't seen Lestat...I have seen Sweeney Todd, and it is one of the most magnificent, most brilliant, and most thought-provoking musicals that I could possibly imagine. If she is someone who will adapt quickly to having to actually think during a production, Sweeney could be a good idea...however, if she wants a sort of "happy, wahoo we're at a musical!" type of feeling, i would go with something like Hairspray, or even Wicked...these are not necessarily the best musicals, but they provide what she might be looking for in her first experience. If you want to give her the benefit of the doubt though, Sweeney is unbelievable. Also, Rent?

[EugLoven]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:15pm

SWEENEY TODD!!!

I mean, I'm not judging you or anything, but seriously... come on! I thought you were joking at first.

I've seen both shows...
SWEENEY! For goodness freakin' sake SWEENEY!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:17pm

is this even a question?


SWEENEY, most definitely!

[Christoph]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 4:10pm

'This lady needs a slap in the face.'

Trust me. I was tempted, but I did not relish being arrested with friends and relatives present.

'This suggests you have attempted to find out little-to-nothing about the production. Sigh.'

You are correct that I did not extensively research the show prior to attending, but then I don't necessarily believe that one should need to do extensive research on the background of a production in order to fully appreciate it. I did enjoy the original production when I saw it many years ago. Also, I did know about the unconventional staging and that added to my intrigue to see this version. It may be true that there is some deep hidden artistic vision going on with this bare bones staging, but it definitely did not work for me or the people with who I attended the show. Of the eight of us that went, I was the kindest to it. Perhaps it is an age thing, I was the youngest of my group (at 35) and more tolerant of it in an experimental sense. A number of the older people, both in my group and sitting around us in the mezzanine, were very vocal over intermission and exiting the theater about not liking the staging, even though they liked other elements of the show (i.e., music, story and acting). Thankfully, none were as obnoxious as the above lady in question to have to loudly voice their derogatory opinions while the actors were on stage performing. Sadly, I overheard her tell her young co-hort that she had a full roster of shows lined up to see within the next month, so some other poor souls may be stuck listening to her. I don't care that she hated the show, but I do care that her antics were bad form and disrespectful to the performers. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but not when it becomes a distraction to others enjoyment during the course of the show. Sorry to rant, but I am still a bit ticked off about her behavior.