Review (sort of) of Piazza and Sweeney Todd 3/16-17

[Theaterlover2]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 6:03pm

On the 16th and 17th I was in NYC and I saw The light in the Piazza and Sweeney Todd. So I thought Id share a little about my experiences. Here goes.

The Light in the Piazza: I had seen the original cast earlier in the year and was blown away. It was one of the best cast performances I'd ever seen. Kelli has one of my favorite voices ever and so I was a bit worried about seeing someone new in the role. The same for matthew. But I desperately wanted to see Piazza before it closed, so i risked minor disappointment. Well. The show was brilliant as always. The music is too beautiful for it not to be. Katie Clarke (Clara)played the part much differently than Kelli. She played Clara younger and giggly, and the audience loved her. Her voice however could not compare to Kelli's, which I expected, but I was still a little upset. Katie isn't bad by any means, she just doesn't have the power and depth Kelli has. She was good through most of the songs, but when she had extended high notes, she couldn't carry it and had to pause for breath or lower her voice. I found myself at times hoping she would hold the notes instead of just sitting and listening to the song. But, overall she was a very sweet Clara.
Aaron Lazar. Oh My Word! that boy can SING! Now, I love Matthew Morrison, but even I have to admit that vocally Aaron trumps Matthew. (On Matthew's behalf, Aaron has a more Operatic voice and Matthew did brilliantly not having been trained classically)But. Aaron. His voice is soaring, powerful, and full of emotion. He was incredible, and after his first song, the audience clapped for a several minutes. I even saw a few people standing up. My only complaint was that in Aiutimi he was so emotional that he could barely sing, he was convincing and heartbreaking, but I wanted to hear more of his gorgeous voice. I loved him though.
Victoria was wonderful, as always. She was sweet and funny, and her voice was in fantastic shape. She seemed more emotional this time around, but it wasn't overdone.
So, all in all, it was spectacular. I wish Piazza could stay longer.

Sweeney Todd:
Okay, I'm ashamed to admit I had only heard a few songs from Sweeney before seeing it, but I think it may have been better going in that way because everything was fresh and surprising. I am absolutely obsessed with Sweeney now, as I could have predicted for myself because I love everything Sondheim does. I was a little worried about the new staging, with cast members playing instruments, but it was fantastic. It was such a new experience; it added to the mood of the show and worked so well. Sondheim's lyrics and music are so witty and intelligent and swift, as always, and it truly is perfect theater. I loved how they killed the characters, with red flashing through the cracks in the wall and blood being poured into buckets. It was so bare but effective. I loved that the coffin was the only prop. This show was just so dark and funny and gah! I just can't say enough good things about this show to capture its brilliance. The cast was perfect. Patti Lupone and Michael Cerveris were Insanely (heh) Amazing. They played fantastically off each other, they had great chemistry and comedic timing. "A little Priest was a highlight." Patti and Michael were especailly hilarious and i loved watching them play their little word game, which was made even better with their perfect pauses and looks at the audience. Simple moments were just priceless. The sound of OHH from Michael when he realizes the "pie plan" was one of my favorite parts, and it was just a noise! Michael really blew me away. His facial expressions were so wonderful and added so much to the role.One look at the audience and he had me in chills. He could look utterly insane and then so sad that I wanted to hug him.He created such sympathy for his character. I was in tears hearing his Johanna reprise. I could hear the pain in his voice and see it in his dark, hollow eyes (good make up and lighting). His voice was so dark and sensual. And..of course his spitting skills are unmatched haha.
The rest of the cast was wonderful as well. Especially Manoel Felciano. I hadn't heard of him before, but wow! he was so wonderful. "Not while I'm around" is one of my favorite songs and Manoel did it sweetly and beautifully. He was great on the violin as well. Lauren Molina and Benjamin Magnuson were great and hilarious together. Benjamin had a wonderful voice and his high note in Johanna reprise is spine-tingling. Alexander Gemignani, Mark Jacoby, Donna Lynne Champlin, and Diana Dimarzio were fantastic as well. It is such a talented cast.
I was also lucky enough to be a part of a great audience. They were very into the show and clapped and laughed at all the right places, you could see the actors loving it, which is great to see.
It was one of the best theatre experiences in my life.

Ok, I'm sorry I rambled so much,and if anyone actually reads all of this..geez! Thanks. I'd love to hear about other people's experiences! Welp, that's it for now
TL2

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 6:14pm

Thanks for the review!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/23/06 at 6:24pm

yeah, nice job!
i liked your reviews-not too short, and not too long!

glad you enjoyed both shows! i would really love to see sweeney, and i saw piazza with the obc, and it was one of the best things ive ever seen!

yeah, glad you got to see them!
:)