So Tardy, SWEENEY TODD

Sweeney Todd, I am so tardy, please forgive me for taking so long to get to your show.

You are beathtakingly accurate in your timing, sophisticated in the full embodiment of all your roles, your singing is a godsend, your musicianship stunning.

I confess I wasn't going to go because I had seen a gruesome production not so long ago at NY City Opera that made me dislike the show, even though Elaine Paige sang beautifully. It trudged, slow-paced, and seemed revolting in its handling of the violence.

But YOU, Broadway's Sweeney Todd, are elegant, stylish, a masterpiece. And the quiet during the show and rave at its finish from your audience last night were the least we could give you in gratitiude. How I loved this show I thought I was not fond of! You are master artists at your craft and I am so glad I saw you!

And now, having seen both Jersey Boys and your fine show, I must admit that though I much enjoyed their performances, you Michael Cerveris and you Manoel Felciano, deserved the Tonys instead, not to take from them, but instead to laud and credit you. Patti Lupone, I love your clear and perfect voice and your overall masterly edginess. (I haven't seen Color Purple yet, so I can't judge as to the Tony.)

This show is such a credit to the talents of Broadway. Please excuse that I don't mention every actor in the show, they were all of the highest caliber and excellent. I loved the simplicity of the executions in lighting and the blood beribboned lab coats, and the overall less-is-more simplicity of the set.

It is a performance that shall live on in my memory as the best of theatre does!

Thank you, thank you, Sweeney Todd!

Updated On: 8/25/06 at 02:06 PM

Bravo! What a lovely read -- thank you.

nomdeplume, now that you've seen it, come join a bunch of us at closing night!

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Wonderful!

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One suggestion, if you attend get an orchestra seat.

I sat mid-mezz to one side for the first act and was hearing more of the instruments which masked the voices and lyrics for me. At intermission I found a vacant center orchestra seat on the aisle toward the back and then could hear the voices clearly and every lyric and consonant, which were elocuted finely with style and great timing.

Haha, Stagedoor2. That wasn't the spot.

(Unless, of course, the person before you had a very prominant, magnificent beak. Then it may have been me.)

I would like to see Manoel take a role with some chance to move and run about the stage to see how dashing he may be. His singing is exquisite, his acting, artistry.

Updated On: 8/25/06 at 03:09 PM

"I had said, for those that didn't see it, that I could not have chosen between Beth and Patti as I loved both their voices and performances, both were excellent."

You wouldn't have needed to choose, since they weren't nominated in the same category.

If Frasier Crane were a reviewer

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I humbly take that back, as Frasier Crane had a sense of humor.

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I think writing two lines is trying hard enough. Nobody likes a verbose twit.

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Nah, there was at least 5 at Sweeney on Tuesday.

Not to mention...at least 10 at Greg Jbara's last performance of DRS.

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Should I be worried about the sound quality from my closing night seats way back in the rear mezzanine? I mean, I'm not expecting the seats to be great but...

I would also recommend, if you do not have seats within the first few rows of the stage, bringing your opera glasses so you can study the items on the bookcase at the back of the set.

Some of them, like the cross, are lit up at certain scenes during the show and it would be interesting to study them a little.