SWEENEY TODD First Preview- Page 3

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 9:29am

Patti LuPone has a nine month contract...so I imagine the show will still be up in May


Costumes are more or less the same as in London. "Don't I know you, she said" has never been more powerful then it was last night. People around me gasped. The staging of this moment, is different then in London. Perhaps more stylized even, but its very clear in the way its staged what it is that Sweeney "discovers."

One of the things that actually is a benefit of the smaller orchestration used in this production and the choice to not do strict dialect work is that -- perhaps more then any other production -- you can really hear all the words. Sondheim's genius has never been clearer.
Updated On: 10/4/05 at 09:29 AM

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 9:37am

I could not agree more. Afterwards, I was talking to some friends and they said "You really have to listen to the words, don't you?". I was like "Its all about the lyrics in Sweeney Todd". I felt like it was a privelge to witness the first preview last night. Awesome experience.

[Kicks8567]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 9:42am

I was there last night as well and absolutely LOVED it. The cast is superb and although minimal, the set was still amazing and definitely worked for this production. The only problem people might have is that if you have never seen the show before, then you may not understand everything. I have seen versions of the show before though, so I think the critics who have seen it before will give it raves because its such an amazing production.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 9:44am

Oh my god, I HAVE TO SEE THIS! It's killing me that I can't see it right now!!!!!

[MTQ]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 9:45am

"One of the things that actually is a benefit of the smaller orchestration . . . you can really hear all the words."

Agreed 100%. I was also stuck by (and amazed by) the ryhthmic and harmonic clarity as well.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 9:51am

Can any of you explain the small white coffin?

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 10:16am

But was it all oppressively dark and depressing? Are there any light moments at all? (There would have to be, right?)

[Patronus]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 10:17am

I know very little about Sweeney Todd. I've never listened to the cast recording and I only vaguely know the story.

I have tickets for the show in November and have been going under the game plan that I wouldn't listen to it or familiarize myself with the show at all and essentially go in "blind", although after reading all of the positive reviews it seems like a general understanding of the show might be needed to truly appreciate this vision of it.

Any thoughts?

[Kicks8567]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 11:08am

I believe the small white coffin is symbolic of his barber chair because anyone who sits in it dies. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 11:17am

I was worried about this production, but now I am SO EXCITED. I'm so glad to hear such glowing comments. I have to get my ass to New York soon!

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 11:18am

Patronus, I'm going tonight so I will be able to tell you more about this version tomorrow, but I'm not sure about going in "blind."

The lyrics are myriad and very, very fast and almost every word is sung through. It took me a few listens to the Cast Recording and then a veiwing of the DVD to really appreciate it, now I love it so much I can't imagine thinking otherwise. It is amoung my absolute favorites, but some moments are acquired tastes.

Although, that said, being able to see this version without trying to compare to Angela Lansbury may be a great benefit. Also the orchestrations are so elaborate. I would be very torn.

SG, You should just jump on a plane and see it. I mean it is Sweeny! I just bought tickets for tonight already having tickets for next Thursday, I am that crazy for Sweeny.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 11:32am

I know, penguin, I know, but there are a lot of expenses lately, like books and CDs that I need to own now. And, you know, rent (not the musical.) I'm thinking that if I could find a way to fly in for a day and fly out on the red eye or something, I may be able to afford it. I will torture myself for Sondheim if need be.

[BobbyRobbyBobbyBaby]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 11:46am

I went to last night's preview and I thought it was brilliant! I loved how the curtain was a piece of torn fabric with light shining thru the tears. Very eerie. The set was minimal yet it works. The "Silence of the Lamb-esque" curio shelf was interesting. They highlighted certain objects on that shelf for certain characters (like when Joanna sang, a caged bird was lit) Kind of reminded me of "I Am My Own Wife" set.

Patti was fantastic and sounded great. I disagree with the comments about Michael's voice not being strong enough. Michael's voice was top notch! His version of "My Friends" was chilling. The entire cast was fantastic. Can't wait for this recording!

I am truly amazed how great the music sounded with the minimal pieces on that stage. Did they have an orchestra below?

Caught glimpses of Sondheim several times as he dashed from place to place. He ended up sitting in the back row center. That in itself was a highlight!

Updated On: 10/4/05 at 11:46 AM

[Tir Na Nog]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 12:37pm

"Regarding the accents -- its was pretty clear to me that they weren't going for strict British dialect. Pirelli, when stepping out of disguise, for example, makes absolutely no attempt at a British dialect at all. This is clearly a directorial choice.

This production isn't about creating a natural experience. The show is no more literally set in London then it is literally set in an asylum.

You either get it, or you don't."

Nah. that's a cop out. Why did they all have the same accent in the London production? Why wasn't the director "choose" to mix up the accents there?

The point is Lupone was GOING IN AND OUT of the accent the way she always has with this role lol. I didnt realize the director of this production is the same director for all the other productions of Sweeney she has done.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 12:42pm

They were all British actors in the UK, so it wasn't a question of doing a British dialect, though looking back on it, they didn't attempt much in the way of cockney, or any extreme accent there either.

[Tir Na Nog]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 12:45pm

"you can really hear all the words. Sondheim's genius has never been clearer." - MB

You mean when Patti isn't slurring them like a drunk. Sorry had to =)

[Barihunk]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:07pm

Why all the quibbling over accents? George Hearn never performed the role with any discernable British accent, but nobody ever jumps on him. If Sweeney has been 15 years in a penal colony in Australia, wouldn't he have some sort of Aussie accent? Yet, no one ever plays it that way. Mrs Lovett has been associated with this Cockney accent since Lansbury played it that way. Personally, accent, no accent, in and out of an accent, in Sanskrit, in Swahili, in Mandarin, in Ebonics - Sweeney is brilliant theatre no matter how it is ennunciated.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:19pm

It was seriously some of the best performances Ive ever seen. Any questions about the show or what you liked and discuss the show, feel free to PM me

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:31pm

What are the chances it will still be open in March? Thats when Im going to New York and I want to see it.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:38pm

I thought it was wonderful. I was in the second row on the left side, and the only complaint about the staging I have is that the chairs where the actors are sitting are to close to center. They should be moved to the sides by maybe an extra five feet to give a better sightline. Sitting so close, you can see LuPone is really submersed in the music when she is not acting. It was really wonderful to see an actor so involved with the other aspect of music: instrumentation. The only thing I didn't care for in this production was the lighting. I loved when the entire stage was bathed in red light, but I felt that the lighting in everything else was too "white". Being used to all the big budget musicals, it was weird to see so much quiet time, i.e., putting on blood-stained coats, tying up Tobias in a straight jacket, etc. It definitely felt more like an elaborate regional production as opposed to Broadway, and that is because of all the big budget sets you see nowadays on Broadway. This was simple and to the point, and it worked. The orchestrations worried me the most going into this, but it sounds very good. LuPone on the tuba seemed more like a comic choice as opposed to a necessity, and she has quite a few good comic moments. The crowd was enthusiastic when allowed to applaud, and it seemed like the show was orchestrated to allow applause in only a few instances. It was a fantastic show and I would encourage anyone to go see it.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:40pm

Pending on its success, is there a chance this production could tour?

[bwayrocks_ca]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:45pm

I think we should let it open on Broadway before we think a tour. :)

Can anyone explain the "buckets of blood" a little bit more? Feel free to pm if you don't want to post to everyone.

As a side note, when do the newspapers start to publish reviews? After the show opens or now? Sorry for this question, as I am not as well versed in theater protocol as many of you are.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:55pm

So I'm guessing this will Best Revival (well, in all fairness, nothing else has opened yet *revival-wise*)

Will they have a performance this Sunday?

[teth]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:56pm

Reviews are out when it's officially opened (so after previews).

[theatreguy]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:56pm

Whenever someone is killed a member of the cast takes a bucket of blood and pours it into another bucket.

And reviews come out the day after the show opens.