Sweeney Question

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:01pm

I'm seeing Sweeney Todd in a few weeks, and I'm really exicted. I was wanted to know if you all thought I should rent the television special from the '80's with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn, just so I can familiarize myself with the show and have a chance to compare the original show to the revival. I haven't heard much of the score, but I am familiar with the plot. Should I see the revival without watching the TV special?

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:06pm

I think you should actually watch the revival and then watch the original production. The original show was epic, epic costumes, orchestration, scenery, etc. The revival is minimalist, so watching the Lansbury/Hearn version might mislead you; also, the acting in the revival is completely different than in the original production, and the show has so many surprises not only in terms of plot but in the lyrics and music patterns that deserve to be enjoyed live for the first time.

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:08pm

Everyone should see the George Hearn/Angela Lansbury version because it's amazing.

Whether or not you should see it before or after you've seen the revival is another issue. I say you should; I'd been familiar with it for my entire life before I saw the revival and I loved the fresh spin on the material. Of course, other people who were just as familiar (and many who were probably more familiar) as me don't appreciate the new take on the material. In light of that, maybe you should go see the revival without any preconceived notions--but definitely see the Hearn/Lansbury performance afterward.

If you're wondering whether or not you'll have trouble following it unless you're familiar with the material beforehand, I really don't see how people are having trouble following the revival and I don't think you'll have a problem. I took my Mother Who Never Knows What's Going On In Musicals Ever and she had no problem following.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:11pm

I agree with everything keatonbynumbers said.

I had seen the DVD countless times before I saw the revival. But I don't think it's necessary to have seen it in order to appreciate this new production. Whether you decide to see the DVD before or after is entirely up to you. But DO see it eventually.

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:11pm

When I first saw this revival, right around the beginning, I wasn't at all familiar with any aspects of the show, or the original show, or the concert version, nothing. I just went in blank and was just sucked into the story. I had the most amazing time, but I don't think it matters whether or not you watch the Angela/George version before. It's great to watch, but the revival is something entirely different from it. To me, the only things that are exactly the same in both productions are the lyrics, and the character names.

Updated On: 3/9/06 at 09:11 PM

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:18pm

Thank you all so much!!!

[Isabella2]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 11:31pm

i think you should just listen to the OBC and not watch anything before the revival. I think seeing this production as your fisrt sweney todd show is a great experience.

[Over_the_Moon]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 12:47am

To reiterate what has already been said...

Part of what I loved about seeing the revival was the fact that I didn't know what was going to happen next. Very exciting.
Even though I don't follow my own rules... I think shows are best enjoyed without being familiar. If I could, I would wait to listen to OBCs until after seeing it on stage. Theater lacks so much when there isn't any element of surprise.

Hope you enjoy the show!