Off-Bway Sweeney for 1st time seeing it?

Alright, I'm gonna be the one asking for recommendations for once. I'll be visiting NY in June for two weeks to see show. I've already put together a list that's getting quite full and one show I'm not sure about putting on is the Off-Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd.

Here is why: I have never seen the show. I definitely want to, BUT I'm not sure this production will be the best way to see it for the first time. I know the plot and I have listened to the music, I've just never seen it on stage.

My first time seeing Into The Woods was the Off-Broadway revival that Roundabout did, that everyone raved about, and it fell a bit flat for me. Thinking about it later and wondering why, I think it might have had to do with the fact that I didn't know it and in order to fully appreciate the minimalist approach of the production, you kinda already have to know and love the show going in, which probably most of the audience did. I think it might have been better to see a bigger production of it the first time around.

Now my worry with Sweeny is that I end up having a similar experience and wishing that I'd waited to see a bigger productions of it...

I'm unsure though, how minimalist or whatever it's going to be. All I really know about it is the great cast, that they are transforming the theater into an actual working pie shop and that it's supposed to be rather immersive and intimate...



Do I make sense? Do you have any thoughts? I wanna see it, but I don't *have* to see this particular production. I don't worry about my show slots getting filled up one way or another But I also don't wanna miss out because I'm being silly^^

Iristinkerbell, far be it for me to advise you as I have never seen the show but I do have tickets for this show in May, and I am really looking forward to it. For all the reasons you mention.... Intimacy, great cast....I actually don't know a single song.....basically just know the bare bones story. With the stage essentially being the pie shop I think it will be a very unique experience....

I have tickets to see this in July...and wish it were sooner! Although I'm excited to be seeing it with Norm Lewis! It will be my first "live" viewing of Sweeney, and I'm fine with that. I think it's going to be a thrilling evening! I wouldn't want to miss it. I'm sure they'll extend beyond August, but if you're thinking of seeing it, don't wait too long to get your tickets. Only 120 audience members per performance and tickets are already scarce.

This is my most anticipated show of the season! Here's why...

1. I love Sweeney. I saw it twice with Michael Cerveris and Patti Lupone.

2. I'm kind of a sucker for Barrow Street. I just love that little theatre. I've seen several shows there, I get attached to places.

3. From my understanding, there is no stage. The theatre is set up like a restaurant with tables and the actors perform around them. Immersive!

4. Pie! Prepared by a White House chef. Not a people pie though. Veggie or meat pie.

5. Norm Lewis. We went to his Xmas show and he sang a song from the show and it got me extra excited. I love love love him. I was on board before I knew Norm Lewis was joining the company, but for some reason, I waited to buy tix. It's good I waited because I am thrilled he's going to be in it. He would be reason enough for me. I'm kind of a fan.

Updated On: 1/25/17 at 08:48 PM

Thanks for the advise! Interesting several of you suggested to watch it on DVD. I always avoid that while I haven't seen a show live yet, as seeing it on stage will always be a better experience than at home on your TV screen with all sorts of distractions around you. After seeing it live I'll happily go back to filmed versions.

I'll have a look at tickets and prices I guess. $125 will be a bit out of my budget, I'm counting on buying rush or discount tickets to everything else on my list.

I bought tickets for this production in early April right before the London cast leaves and I, too, am thinking of getting another set of tickets for the summer to see Norm Lewis and Carolee Carmello.

It was hard to find anything about this production on YouTube but below is a reviewer who talked about the Tooting Arts production and highly recommended it. Part of the difference apparently is it's a little bit more immersive than the other Sweeney Todd productions.

There are only 2 prices: $69 for the second row of the mini mezzanine and $125 for the remainder of the seats. Add $20 for the pie if you choose to order one and note that as of now, you can't buy pies onsite; you have to preorder them when you buy the ticket. That's what I was told when I bought my tickets at the box office. I hope there will be a rush option or even SRO but something tells me there won't be room for SRO given the intimacy of the space.

This is also a production where stubhub/resale may almost be impossible given how you have to collect the tickets will-call on day of performance.

Good luck!I hope you get to see this production. Below is a link to a podcast talking about the Tooting Arts production in London to give you more of an idea.

Jump to 10:35- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXG2cUCEisc

"Is their any chance there will be rush for this?"

I don't see how. At the rate tickets are selling, it'll be completely sold out by the time it opens. Of course, I fully expect it to extend.

From what I understand, no SRO, no rush, no discounts. Only cancellations.

For what it's worth, my first experience with Sweeney was the minimalist Doyle revival and I absolutely fell in love. I will also 100% recommend the filmed version with Angela Lansbury. Both she and Hearn are brilliant and the production, even though it's the tour, is beautiful.