Sweeney - The First Coming

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:15pm

Can I see an actual count of how many people liked this show BEFORE the current revival? I've loved the show for years and I'm actually starting to get that Wicked feeling - a show I really liked that's being destroyed in my mind by the "sweeneyboppers" (dear God) and the just general fan worship. I'm just curious how many people out there feel something of the same thing...

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:19pm

I get sick of it when people can't just accept that other people like things.
Why does it need to be a "you don't like the real thing" arguement?

In answer to your question, an whole lot of people loved Sweeney Todd before this revival and many of them despise this revival and its fans.

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:19pm

I hate what BWW does to some shows. Same thing happened with The Light in the Piazza.

For the record...I've loved Sweeney since I saw a production in the 80's.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:20pm

You know, I just want to say, as someone who did use this revival as a gateway drug of sorts into other Sondheim shows, enough is enough. I know you feel protective of it having seen the original, but to slap the label on everyone who discovered the show because of this revival is lame; and it is even moreso that that you apparently can't handle other people loving "your" show, and additionally that it bothers you that this was the production that has made people love it. It was not my first Sondheim show, but the first I loved, and I give much responsibility for that fact to Doyle's direction, because I think what he's done is pure genius.

I've wondered about it, too, but... it's a show that's worlds away from Wicked. I think that even though it does have young fans and fans who are new to Sweeney and Sondheim, they're intelligent, and leagues ahead of teenybopper Wicked fans. It seems unfair to doubt that people really could love this just because they're young, and to assume that it's just "general fan worship." I don't say this in personal defense alone, but I don't think what's happened here is at all like Wicked -- it's not a show that you can pretend to like or pretend to understand. It's too heavy for that. This revival is exposing people TO the original; kids are going out and buying the DVD of the original production and embracing it. If you love it so much, you shouldn't be so averse to that.

The fact is that some people, the people you're condemning here, were too young to see the original production -- a very unfortunate fact of life. But please, off your high horse already. You've been parading this Sweenybopper crusade around, and your high horse has been beaten dead. The age-ist sentiment on this board, no matter how hard fought, will never go away.

Updated On: 8/1/06 at 11:20 PM

[HeyJayNYC]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:21pm

I actually like this version best! I can understand the lyrics, the music is sweet, simple and touching, and the singers are good and solid.
I saw the original on Broadway and liked it, but it was too huge and bombastic and over the top. Loved Angela and Toby in that one.
Saw a smaller scale version at Signature in VA which Sondheim approved and liked it, but still too cartoon characterish.
Saw a bit of the Christine Baranski version..didn't care for it.

Something for everyone. If you like something then it should be hard to sway you. People on here love or hate..seems there is no in between.

I saw a table reading of WICKED 3 years before it opened and loved it...it was just them sitting at a table singing and acting.
Saw it on Broadway and liked much of it. The simple version still stands out in my mind.

Plus if new versions bring new people into the theatre, it creates a whole new audience. Right?

If no new people came to revivals then Broadway really would die. If someone borrows a book from the library and never gives it back, how can anyone else check it out and learn to love it as well?

Updated On: 8/1/06 at 11:21 PM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:22pm

What does it matter? That's incredibly shallow.

[MOXIEINTHECITY]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:22pm

Loved it since I first saw a televised production of the Lansbury/Cariou version.

[wexy]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:25pm

I saw the Circle in the Square show in the late 80s
Seeing the current one tomorrow finally.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:26pm

I say we ban all revivals!! Newer generations have no right to see productions of older shows!!!

Jason, I thought you were a teacher. Nice attitude.

[mrs felciano]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:26pm

In the newcomers defense..

A lot of the newer Sweeney fans weren't born or old enough to see the original production. I just like the revival better. I've seen the pro shot and listened to the original recording. I can appreciate the original production, I just love the new one more.

I respect your opinion. I feel the same way sometimes about shows. But if you think it's bad now..just wait until the movie comes out and all the teenage girls are wearing Sweeney Todd shirts from Hot Topic because Johnny Depp is the star.

[evilNpunk]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:26pm

Updated On: 12/2/14 at 11:26 PM

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:27pm

A friend of mine introduced me to the video with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn a few years ago. I fell in love with it then. I think this revival was a good thing to get more people interested.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:27pm

Well done, Rath. Heh. This is the same person who gets to excited that his students embrace the theater, but God forbid young people embrace HIS show.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:29pm

Jason, were you actually old enough to see the original? Aren't you around my age?

I don't think he meant it as much of an attack on anyone who actually liked the revival as it sounds.

But I stand by the idea that this type of posturing really does nothing to farther knowledge, debate, or love of theatre.

[caitiesus1522]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:32pm

More like he is sick of people being all OmGiNg about Sweeney and the people in it.

It is a fabulous show and is very artistic and when people act like that it is annoying. Maybe he is wondering how many people just like it because it is popular in the theater community to like and how many have loved it for years because it is a quality show.

And Emcee-stop taking everything personally. Everyone on here knows that you are a real theater fan and appreciate it for the art that it is. Updated On: 8/1/06 at 11:32 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:34pm

how many people just like it because it is popular in the theater community to like and how many have loved it for years because it is a quality show.

But Caitie, you're failing to recognize that there's middle ground -- there are people who have not loved it for years, but nor do they only love it because they've hopped on a bandwagon. You don't have to have loved it for years to realize the beauty of this production.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:34pm

But they like it and that's what matters - it IS a quality piece of theater.

I don't get the elitism that is so often evidenced here. The same people who lament that the general public doesn't "get" Broadway are all snobbish about those that "get" it but not exactly they way THEY "get" it.

[matt schneider]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:35pm

I'm too young to have seen the original, but I like the music, and I love to concept. I dont get how you can like the revival and not the original.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:36pm

I fell in love with the show two years ago and watched the DVD with the touring cast every single night for months.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:36pm

I saw the Original 3 times because it was a major theatrical event of it's time and a brilliant staging with a super talented cast.
I saw the revival and was once again blown away by the imagination of it's Direvtor and another stellar cast.
The fact that it was as succeful again is a testament to Sondheim's score and Wheeler's book.
Two very different takes on a classic work.
No comparison is needed.

[jasonf]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:37pm

To all who responded here - pretty much except Jackie and Moxie:

A)Way to be defensive
B)I didn't "condemn" anyone. I'm all for peole being introduced to theater through any means necessary. But people are glomming onto this show LIKE it's Wicked. Like Jackie said - the fan squealing and, yes, it IS like Wicked Part 2 on here - can really destroy the enjoyment of a show that is SO much more sophisticated than the "worship" is giving it credit for being. Don't give me the garbage about "oh, I'm smart, I get it." Anyone who gives a damn who Manoel is dating or what Lauren had for lunch probably doesn't really get the show. Back before this revival, there was a really interesting debate about the morality in the show and the nature of good v. evil. Has that happened since? No, we get threads like OMG, I <3 MaNoEl.

Everyone is free to enjoy whatever shows they want. I'm GLAD people love Sweeney. My initial post wasn't an attack (OK, THIS post kind of is as a reaction to the incredible defensiveness shown). I was just curious how many people have been fans from before the revival. How many of you "revivalists" have expanded to explore OTHER shows by Sondheim - or other non-current shows? Is it a glomming on JUST to this show, or is it a REAL love of theater where you've expanded beyond Sweeney? If you have, FANTASTIC - I'm all for it. If you haven't -- you're kind of a "catch of the moment" type person, then, aren't you?

[Caseywouldwaltz]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:38pm

I've wondered about it, too, but... it's a show that's worlds away from Wicked. I think that even though it does have young fans and fans who are new to Sweeney and Sondheim, they're intelligent, and leagues ahead of teenybopper Wicked fans.

It's wrong to condemn the backlash against some of the younger Sweeney fans, but it's perfectly okay to condemn the "teeney boppper" Wicked fans?

Sweeney Todd is not that that high brow. Murderous barber teams up with a pie shop owner to get revenge on a crooked judge. It's not Rambeau or Nitzche. Understanding Sweeney Todd does not somehow make ST fans smarter or more intelligent.

Doyle may have revitalized and reinvented the telling of the tale, but he didn't re-write the original story. Wicked was equally original and creative and clever. There just isn't any cute boys in it.

[mrs felciano]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:40pm

"I dont get how you can like the revival and not the original."

It's simple. They're done in two COMPLETLY different ways. The orchestrations are different. Angela and Patti play Mrs. Lovett in two completly different ways. I find this production more darker. I don't know how to explain it. I just do not like the original recording. I find it boring in my opinion. I respect it and can appreciate it.. I just prefer the revival.

There's plenty of shows out there that I'm sure people can say they only liked one or the other.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:43pm

So they're not allowed to appreciate the show because they are interested in the actors? That pretty much lets out every show on Broadway.

I don't understand what you want. So they don't appreciate it the way you do. They appreciate it differently right now. And as time goes on, who knows what other Sondheim shows and shows that LuPone and Cerveris starred in before they were old enough to notice they will now be interested in?

And when they take their kids to see the next revival - because they learned to appreciate the show due to this revival - will that be negated by the fact that on this day, they were interested in Mano because he's cute?

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/1/06 at 11:43pm

No Jason, it is all about you and the fact that you seem to have some problem with the people who enjoy this revival.

There have been MANY discussions about the nature of morality and obsession in this show right here on these boards since this revival opened.
"
And I will give you garbage everyday, because I do "get it" what I don't get is the necessity of degrading other people.