SWEENEY TODD at the Arden in Philly

[Teeny Todd]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 12:30pm

Anybody here seen it? If so, what did you think?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 1:37pm

BWW review link:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=3473

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 3:55pm

My review/thoughts here.

[Barihunk]

Posted: 6/16/05 at 8:42am

As "Teeney Todds" go, this Sweeney satifies on many levels. The environmental setting is near-perfect, the performances solid across the board. There are some weaknesses (poor sound design)but overall much to enjoy. Peformances continue through June 26th, and believe me, there are worse ways to spend $26. Come to Philly, enjoy dinner in Old City and Sondheim at the Arden, a perfect summer treat!

[trpguyy]

Posted: 6/16/05 at 9:13am

There are a few other threadson here about it, but I'll recap what I said. I hadn't seen Sweeney in about 8 years, so it was pretty much all new to me. I loved it, and it was especialy neat having the on-stage seating.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 6/16/05 at 5:10pm

It seems as if Liz went looking for something she wasn't going to see. Sweeney Todd isn't an opera. It's not meant to be. In reality it's meant to be a horror movie. I think the piece is meant to be played in a musical theatre way. It's a piece of musical theatre. It opened and was created for Broadway. Now had this played at an operahouse than Liz's concerns would be valid, but the Arden does plays and musicals right? So I would have been looking for acting. And if it is indeed in a smaller arena, I don't really want someone overacting in my face. Just my two cents

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 6/16/05 at 5:46pm

Jazzysuite- you're right. I was looking for something I wasn't going to see, and I admitted as much, and said that it was excellent for a musical theater type production. Maybe I should have been clearer that I am in fact more of a classical music person than a musical theater person (I have always had a love for the theater, but now I gravitate a little more towards plays and opera than musicals, with some big exceptions) and always end up looking at things from a classical musician's perspective (as I am a classical musician). I would love to see Sweeney in an opera house sometime. I probably won't see the Broadway revival, as the reorchestrations would drive me absolutely nuts.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 6/16/05 at 11:55pm

well I find it interesting that whether someone likes a piece of theatre or not is based on expectations. I mean for some people, they are low and they can see the same show on the same day as someone else but have a different reaction. That's what theatre is all about.


Ps You really do need 28 pieces to play this show. That's what it calls for. Tunick did that arrangement because there are so many theatres across the country that don't have room or money for that many people.