Sweeney Todd 2.0 - Carmello and Lewis — Page 4

MarkBearSF said: "Saw it last night. Norm was out - his u/s David MIchael Garry was excellent. As for scariness - he had it and then some. We were seated in C1 & C2, in front of the pie counter. He bellowed "MOVE" to me to slide down as he was killing Pirelli next to me. I was startled as hell! (By the way, these are perfect seats. The guys sitting across from us, had their backs much of the action and were not nearly as good.)

This is my sixth Sweeney (previously: SF Symphony w Patti & NPH, Doyle Bway with Patti, Doyle tour with Judy Kaye, a small local production at ROLT, the SF Opera) So I've seen it very big very small and all sorts of variations and it was my favorite. It worked on all levels, was truly scary, sounded wonderful, and was very inventive. ...and, sorry Patti, Carolee is my fave Lovett now.

And the pie and mash was delicious!

 

"

Regarding your seats - I will be in C9/C10 which is across the table from your seats toward the center of the bench. How did they have their backs to the action if they were facing in your direction?  I'm imagining a regular long table where you face the people across from you, no?  (Not asking to be difficult - I haven't been the setup so I honestly don't know and I'm wondering if I will be twisting). Thanks!

Updated On: 5/15/17 at 10:26 AM

Does anyone know how long Carmello and Lewis will be with the show?   Planning trip for early fall and hoping to be able to catch both of them.

I echo StageStruckLad and MarkBearSF.  Seeing Sweeney Todd in an environment like this, up close, with this cast and no mics was one of the most memorable experiences of my loooooong theatre going life.  I booked C-12 when tickets went on sale for the then unannounced second cast for my trip in early May.  C-12 ended up being one of the perfect front and center seats.   The Judge was literally right in front of me during the Judge/Sweeney numbers, Brad Oscar and Stacie Bono sat next to me at the table and Norm Lewis offered me a shave.  It was like seeing a Broadway show from onstage.   I've been to immersive productions before but because of where I was sitting and because this is Sweeney - this was special.

Updated On: 5/25/17 at 10:58 AM

We watched Sweeney tonight, having planned the trip from our home in Tennessee as soon as the production was announced. It's our favorite musical by far, but we'd only gotten to see it at the Univ of Tenn and the Barter Theatre in Virginia. And we have the DVD of the original production and the movie, having watched them over and over. I'd also seen footage on youtube of the revival show years back.

This was the best of them all, IMO. The entire cast was perfect. Just perfect. The immersive experience made it all the better. Now if one wasn't familiar with the show, it might not be the best introduction, if only because the balance of sound was thwarted by some sounds being closer to one's ear than others.BTW, our seats were at the end of the table next to the orchestra. Norm Lewis stuck his knife to my throat!

I'm gonna give a shout out to Norm Lewis, who has not received a lot of love on this board - I absolutely loved his performance in this. He really takes the line "he seldom laughed but he often smiled" to heart - this was no grim, emotionless walking corpse, which is the way I have usually seen Sweeney played, but a man with wit, passion and even sparks of humanity. He was the first Sweeney I've seen in a long time that wasn't just steamrolled by the presense of his (fantastic) Mrs. Lovett. The show felt like his story, which it often doesn't. And also, the friendliest man I have ever met at a stage door. 

qolbinau stated What I do find to be a 'revelation' is how truly immersive this production is such that - at least sitting basically at the first position of the table opposite the pie shop bench - it made me feel so engaged with the text and music in a way I have never felt before seeing Sweeney, and probably never felt at the theatre generally in my life. I've seen and listened to this show a million times but basically being on stage with the actors while they are performing (what sounds like) 'raw'/with no microphones, was just quite frankly for me an amazing experience. The show flew by - it was GENUINELY, chillingly scary at points for me. It was like watching the show again for the first time. God, just thinking about the very warranted long silence and catharsis after the Judge's death makes me miss the show so much!

This is exactly how I felt yesterday!  Such a thrilling day at the theater.  Carmelo is superb.  I loved Norm and Jamie Jackson as Turpin is achingly good.

 

To those who have seen it, how obstructed is the view in the balcony, what do you miss?

Phillytheatreguy10 said: "To those who have seen it, how obstructed is the view in the balcony, what do you miss?"

It really depends on if you're in the first or second row (there are only 2 rows). I sat in the second/last row and honestly couldn't see much. I probably saw about half the show. Granted, this was 1.0, but I doubt the new cast makes a difference in the balcony view. If I go back to see 2.0 (which I'd like to), I'm going to splurge and see it from the floor.

ChairinMain said: "I'm gonna give a shout out to Norm Lewis, who has not received a lot of love on this board - I absolutely loved his performance in this. He really takes the line "he seldom laughed but he often smiled" to heart - this was no grim, emotionless walking corpse, which is the way I have usually seen Sweeney played, but a man with wit, passion and even sparks of humanity. He was the first Sweeney I've seen in a long time that wasn't just steamrolled by the presense of his (fantastic) Mrs. Lovett. The show felt like his story, which it often doesn't. And also, the friendliest man I have ever met at a stage door. 

 

"I second all of this!  Saw it Sunday night and loved every minute.  Yes, Carolee is the standout - born for the role - but I also thought Norm was plenty menacing.  And as for friendly, I cannot agree more.  He was first to come out, took so much time with everyone, offered to take pictures if you were too shy to ask, and was the last to leave the lobby long after the other actors had left.  Nicest man in theater at least that I've encountered.  

 

Where is the stage door here?

If you're willing to splurge on a ticket, I completely recommend row G, which is the first row of counter seats directly behind the tables. The view was AMAZING, and seemed to provide a better view than many of the table seats. Also, you still get some audience interaction, but not nearly as much as those at the tables. I will definitely choose Row G again if I make a return trip to the show. 

Updated On: 6/21/17 at 11:46 AM

A note re: seating - if you want a lot of audience interaction, choose a seat at the end of tables B, C or D. Table C, especially, is right in the center of things and you will absolutely be screamed at, sung at, or assaulted by Norm Lewis. Which, as far as I'm concern, is worth the price of the ticket alone.