Sweeney Todd 2.0 - Carmello and Lewis - Page 2

[jonlow09]

Posted: 4/16/17 at 11:03pm

canadian fan said: "just bumping this as there really hasn't been any reviews with the new cast. This post started with Norm was sick, and then devolved into a seating thread. Anyone have any feedback with the new cast?

 

"

I saw it Wednesday. To my surprise, Norm was in and stayed in through the curtain call. He sounded wonderful, but was a bit timid in his acting choices. It seemed to me that his timidness was due to his sickness. 

Carmello was FANTASTIC. Not sure what else to say. She was meant to play this part.

It was my first time seeing the show, but the new Turpin, Beggar Woman, and Tobias all seemed very confident and polished in their roles.

I enjoyed the performances. I don't know that the space was utilized to its fullest potential, but there were some wonderful moments.

 

Updated On: 4/16/17 at 11:03 PM

[gleek4114]

Posted: 4/16/17 at 11:21pm

tipstosaveonbroadway said: "gleek4114 said: "For anyone who is interested, the production announced a student rush policy today. One hour prior to the performance for $39. Seeing at most performances as of now mostly show the partial view seats available, I assume those are now being used for rush/lottery?

 

Hello. What is the source on this information?? Just bought premium tickets for August and am kicking myself for doing so before this policy was announced. Also have been entering the lottery everyday and haven't heard of anyone winning it yet.

 

"

The show's official Twitter account: https://twitter.com/sweeneytoddnyc/status/852314230674141184

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 4/16/17 at 11:42pm

I was there tonight. Norm was out. David Michael Garry played Sweeney Todd and was fantastic!  Not enough can be said for Carolee Carmello though.  She's just marvellous in everything she does - and her Mrs Lovett is incredible!  Matt Doyle was great as well. 

They alll look like they're just having a blast with this. I hope it has a long run. I'd love to see it again. 

I was in G13 which is the front counter downstairs. Perfect viewing without really being a part of the action. 

Loved loved loved this production. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 11:58pm

I saw this tonight, and I was in one of the long tables on the floor. At first, because the cast kind of mingles about before the show, I thought I was seeing the u/s for Sweeney, but then Norm made his entrance and I was thrilled. It's a really fun, interesting production. You def. feel like you're in some other space / other world after you enter. I was surprised by how much is done on the actual "pie shop set" and, to me, it felt less immersive, then I thought it would be. 

But everyone was incredible, with, I think, the ladies taking the cake. Carolee just nails the role. She's in perfect voice and has the perfect quirky character down. She's insanely entertaining to watch. The woman playing the Beggar woman also had an insanely gorgeous voice and her accents/character moments were spot on. The new Johanna was also quite nice. 

Norm Lewis - while in gorgeous voice - didn't quite feel...right...to me. To me he's always been an incredible singer, but maybe not the best actor. And maybe not the best actor for an immersive staging as you're basically right up in their personal space. And sadly Sweeney doesn't really get a big, splashy solo. But, he was still pretty excellent. And having him unexpectedly smash his hands on my table and look me in the eyes while singing was pretty much worth the price of the ticket. 

I wlil say, having only seen the John Doyle production beforehand, I got so much out of the story here. There were so many things I didn't understand/get from the Doyle production. So I could actually appreciate the music/lyrics. There are parts that are drowned out - I don't think Doyle nor the new Johanna were quite projecting as loudly as they needed - but I still appreciated the show more seeing it this way. 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 12:07am

"And sadly Sweeney doesn't really get a big, splashy solo."

I haven't seen this production with either cast, but that seems troubling to me. If Epiphany isn't coming off as a big, splashy solo, well then I'm not sure what would. Sweeney should be absolutely terrifying in this number, and it the actor can't make it land then the character really doesn't come together. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 12:11am

I was thinking the same exact thing, wonderfulwizard. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 12:46am

I mean, I don't want to throw Lewis under the bus as I love his voice, but I never felt that was a "moment." At least for me. Granted it is immersive so maybe I focused on the wrong bits? But Carolee really soared. 

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 7:28am

 

I haven’t seen the new cast yet, Ripped, but if you felt that way, I’d hazard it was probably Norm and not you. While a wonderful singer, I’ve always found him a less than thrilling actor, and he wasn’t the American Sweeney I’d hoped for, for this production. Jeremy Secomb’s “Epiphany” was just great, definitely a “moment” – more than a moment – a happening. I can’t imagine Norm bringing it home like that.

[JBC3]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 7:41am

When I saw it, the reason was definitely Norm which is why I was a bit surprised at all the enthusiasm for him taking the role.

[godlessondheimite]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 7:49am

I haven't seen Norm yet but Jeffrey Secomb's Epiphany gave me chills, even from my obstructed view balcony seat.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 8:52am

Finally seeing this tonight! Doyle tweeted he'd be out tonight, so I'm bummed about that...keeping my fingers crossed for everyone else being in.

Updated On: 4/20/17 at 08:52 AM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 8:55am

 

imo, DM, you won't be missing much with Doyle out. At least among the original cast, he was far and away the weakest link to me. Not bad, but merely serviceable, whereas everyone else soared.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 8:57am

I saw this on Tuesday night and just wanted to chime in that Carolee's performance is not to be missed. I was thrilled when her casting was announced and she didn't disappoint--she's everything a Mrs. Lovett should be. I'll be thinking about her performance for a while.

[flyguy5888]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 10:34am

I was also there Tuesday night, and while I totally ageee that Carmelo's Mrs Lovett is phenomenal, I found the rest of the production REALLY flat. Norm Lewis is not a good fit for Sweeney.  You can't convey all of Sweeney's passionate outbreaks (Epiphany) by just getting louder. I REALLLLLY wish I'd seen the previous cast. 

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 11:19am

I've got tickets to see the show on Sunday night, April 30th.  Can't wait!!!

[Addison D.]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 9:36am

Saw the Americans last night.  Carolee Carmello is just extraordinary.  Her voice, her presence, her humor--it's a plum role and she is making the most of it.  Did I mention her voice?    

I enjoyed Norm Lewis very much as well.  To my ear, his voice has richness and color that Jeremy Seacomb's did not, but Seacomb was a towering,  terrifying Sweeney Todd--a man driven mad with grief and anger.  I was sitting in 'A' for Seacomb and 'B' last night so I had the opportunity to look into the eyes of both men.  Seacomb's glare was frightening, Lewis's--not so much.  By the time I saw Seacomb, of course, he had been playing the role for--what?  More than a year?  I certainly enjoyed Lewis, and I plan to go back before his run is over, maybe he will have gotten in touch with his inner Todd. 

I"m not sure that comparing the rest of the cast is a particularly fruitful endeavor--Joseph Taylor's Tobias, for example, was a wonderful, manic monkey, while John-MIchael Lyles is--to me--more endearing and more broken.  Both great.  

It was a treat last night to see Colin Anderson as Anthony--apparently for the first time.  He did a knockout job--sweet and funny and a fine voice, and if he doesn't make my  heart go pitter-pat the way Matt Doyle does--well, that's my issue, not his. 

I'm grateful to have seen both casts, but anyone seeing only the Americans should, IMO, be giddy with excitement and anticipation.  It's a spectacular night of theater.

[canadian fan]

Posted: 4/21/17 at 10:19am

Addison D, thanks for that great review! Looking forward to seeing this in 4 weeks :)

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/24/17 at 9:29am

I caught this very fine production of Sweeney Todd a few days ago. I have nothing more to contribute than to say that Carolee Carmello was born to play Mrs. Lovett. She is absolutely extraordinary in this role.  

[Addison D.]

Posted: 4/24/17 at 12:35pm

For anyone interested, they just released this week's last-minute seats.  (Yes--I am going again...)

 

Updated On: 4/24/17 at 12:35 PM

[Glittergrrl]

Posted: 4/24/17 at 6:06pm

Hey, 

The new episode of "The Sporkful" is up-It's not for foodies; It's for eaters.  Dan Pashman did a piece on Sweeney Todd. It's a great episode and got me even more excited for the show. I don't go til the end of May.  Ugh... waiting is so hard.

http://www.sporkful.com/meat-pies-on-broadway/

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/24/17 at 10:29pm

Addison, I was there on Thursday as well!

I loved the show as a whole, as did my son. During dinner upstairs, I couldn't help imagine how staging would work.  Wonderfully is the surprising answer, esp in so little space!

I found the women to be far more interesting then the men.  I didn't dislike anyone,  really, just felt there were more surprises and nuances from the ladies. I found the men....predictable.  

Carolee is worth the price if admission,  twice over. My son would like to return, but we'll see!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/24/17 at 10:52pm

Agreed. Carolee and the Beggar woman are nailing it. And Joahanna was pretty great. But the men were "eh." In good voice, but not great actors. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/24/17 at 10:58pm

Not sure if anybody's mentioned this yet, but the show's website says Carmello and Lewis are scheduled to be part of the show through August 13.

Already planning a return visit, specifically for Carmello. She is a revelation. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/25/17 at 12:00am

BroadwayConcierge said: "Not sure if anybody's mentioned this yet, but the show's website says Carmello and Lewis are scheduled to be part of the show through August 13.

Already planning a return visit, specifically for Carmello. She is a revelation. 

 

"

I wonder who our next Sweeney and Lovett will be!

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 4/25/17 at 12:15am

Phillip Boykin would make a sensational Sweeney.  I'd love to see Alice Ripley's Lovett.