Sweeney Todd DVD- Page 2

[jim coleman]

Posted: 5/19/05 at 5:52pm

Angela did throw a meat pie to me in the orchestra pit on Easter Sunday in San Francisco, and she did indeed give everyone little porcelain easter bunnies and eggs. She was the best!!! I also did the MAME revival with her in 1983. SWEENEY was a strange show to be doing on Easter Sunday, so she felt that she would make it fun for us. Mind you, she never did anything to disrupt the show. At the end of BY THE SEA when she says to Todd: "How about a nice bon bon?" On that Easter Sunday the bon bon was a purple easter egg!!! I have and always will love her.. Besides being brilliant at what she does, she is a warm, loving, and ever so kind person. I have lots of stories, so if you are interested send me a message and I will do my best to answer your questions. Ciao!!

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 5/19/05 at 6:54pm

anyone know what was actually in the prop meat pies? I assume it was something palatable at room temperature since hearn is seen eating 2 (albiet only small bites) in the course of the show

[grizzabella]

Posted: 5/19/05 at 7:19pm

Thank you, thank you, Jim Coleman! Getting treats like this on the board is such a treat! I'm curious about what Hearn was actually eating, too....

[bially082]

Posted: 5/19/05 at 8:19pm

In a production I recently did, we had real meat pies. He may have been eating an actual meat pie.

[Mythus]

Posted: 5/19/05 at 8:53pm

Whatever it is, I feel kind of bad for Hearn, since he has to keep it in his mouth for half the song. Ew.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 5/20/05 at 5:06am

Mr. Coleman, it's such a pleasure to read your responses here. I too recently purchased the DVD and am dismayed in the barely audible audience reactions. However, as far as the music goes, you and your orchestra sounded spectacular. Since you offered, I do have a few questions. I hope I'm not imposing and I understand if you don't have time to answer them all.

1. How many musicians were in the pit for the tour? I imagine that it was a reduced number from the Broadway production, yet much to your credit (and Jonathan Tunick's, no doubt), you managed to retain a full, rich sound.

2. Any reactions to the upcoming Broadway revival of Sweeney which will reportedly only use a handful of instruments? It's a concept I shouldn't judge before I've seen it, but I do find it disappointing that those gorgeous orchestrations will not be heard. So many subtleties, counter melodies, etc. are bound to be lost.

3. No doubt that Ms. Lansbury will always be the definitive Mrs. Lovett. Have you seen/heard LuPone play the role? What's your impression?

4. How was working with George Hearn as Sweeney? This seems to have become his signature role.

5. If you don't mind, would you tell us a little about yourself...some of the other productions you've worked on and who your favorite composers and orchestrators are to conduct? Have you ever worked in Opera or classical music?

Thanks for sharing your memories. I'm seeing Ms. Lansbury at the Hollywood Bowl in July. I'm so thrilled. Quite honestly, I never thought I'd get to see her perform Sondheim's material live.
Updated On: 5/20/05 at 05:06 AM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:50am

"I also wish that they would have kept more of the audience laughs and such in the DVD, like it was in the VHS format."

It's all there in the surround sound channels...try adjusting your stereo/mix and you should be able to hear it all.

Also the overall sound on the DVD is much crisper and clearer than on the original video release.

SWEENEY was one of the very first times a Broadway show was taped for Pay-Tv and eventual home video release. A bit primitive by todays standards but still it's a thrilling DVD to own.

[Necromancer07707]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 12:22am

"Worst Pies in London" goes by VERY slowly when you're salivating like no other as a result of the mean pie. They used fruit pies in my production. the sugar didn't help at all when it came to singing "My Friends" a moment later.