Sweeney Todd PBS

#1

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 4:40pm

On friday the Licoln Center production will air on PBS! I've heard wonderful things about this production. I can't wait to see it!

Updated On: 9/9/14 at 04:40 PM

#2

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 5:02pm

I was wondering when this would happen!! I thought it was to be in October, but the sooner the better.

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Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated

#3

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 5:08pm

I thought it wasn't until the 26th?

#4

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 5:13pm

^^^^^^
Come to think of it I do recall that being the announced date (not October after all).

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Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated

#5

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 5:20pm

May I ask what state you live in? I don't see it listed on PBS on Time Warner for Manhattan

#6

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 5:20pm

Ughh...I mustve had a brain fart...sorry. I couldve sworn it was the 12th, but youal are right it is the 26th. Ill just Bump this thread then

#7

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 5:22pm

Yay, my calendar in fact didn't lie to me this time!

#8

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 5:24pm

I actually am glad it's not until the 26th. I'll be home to watch it then (unlike this Friday).

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Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated

#9

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 5:24pm

Phew! Thanks!

#10

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 6:43pm

I'm so excited for this. The score played by the Philharmonic! A dream for the ears. And I'm very much looking forward to Emma Thompson's portrayal of Lovett.
And of course, anything will be better than that Godawful movie. For one, at least Sondheim's score will be done justice.

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"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir

#11

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 6:54pm

^Steve may beg to differ!

#12

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 6:57pm

But to be fair, Mr. Sondheim never criticizing a new and different professional production of his work.

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"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir

#13

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 7:26pm

^^^ Sally is right (as usual). I just can't believe Sondheim wants Sweeney and Lovett portrayed as two emo children.

#14

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 7:33pm

Apparently, Johnny Depp was Oscar nominated for no reason...

#15

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 7:51pm

No, I thought Johnny Depp was quite good. Sweeney has a reason to brood. It was playing Mrs. Lovett exactly the same that ruined the property. What fuels the show is Todd's irrational (though understandable) thirst for vengeance v. Mrs. Lovett's irrepressible optimism.

It wouldn't surprise me if the original approach to Lovett was a collaboration between Prince and Lansbury. Perhaps Sondheim really thought a different approach might be interesting. If so, he was wrong.

My original point is that when you have two dominating characters, playing them as psychic twins isn't a great approach.

Updated On: 9/9/14 at 07:51 PM

#16

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 7:59pm

Exactly. And even though Lovett is an optimistic character, she is a HUGE acting challenge. I remember a friend who had seen both Gypsy and Mame with Lansbury, and when they saw her in Sweeney they were astounded. The nuance she was able to bring to the role at the same time as being outrageous was phenomenal. Lovett has to be a huge, boistrous character and not a brooding, mumbling, lump.

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"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir

#17

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 8:05pm

I worked GYPSY and MAME with Lansbury in stock and was so impressed that nothing she did afterward surprised me.

But I agree that Lovett is the pinnacle of her work. Neither of the preceding works require her to be both warm and horrifying in such close juxtaposition.

And I think Lovett's relentless enthusiasm is a perfect metaphor for capitalism. I know Sondheim wants to avoid didacticism, but his work means SOMETHING. Why shouldn't it comment on the world around us?

#18

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 8:22pm

That is one of the reasons why I love Sondheim's work, his musicals ALWAYS have something to say about the world around us.

#19

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 8:26pm

WAIT, maybe I wasn't wrong. Look at the description on the official promo:



I'm so confused
Promo

#20

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 10:57pm

I'd pay attention to what your local listing says. Different areas may have differing dates and times.

#21

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/9/14 at 11:11pm

I can't wait to watch this. I was lucky enough to get to see it live and it was stunning and reminded me why I fell in love with the piece as hard as I did when I first saw it at 15. It's an excellent production, incredibly well-sung and Emma Thompson's performance is brilliant.

#22

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/10/14 at 12:24am

Seattle's PBS is showing it on the 26th (at 10:30--don't they know some of us plan to leave the house on Fridays at 10:30?) Live From... programming doesn't usually air more than 10 days from place to place, so I think the promo may be wrong.

#23

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/21/14 at 3:22pm

BUMP (because it is THIS Friday)

Here's some clips of Emma and Bryn (Worst Pies and Little Priest)

Emma may end up being my favorite Mrs Lovett


Clips (Snippets)

Updated On: 9/21/14 at 03:22 PM

#24

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/21/14 at 3:29pm

Snippet of "God, That's Good"

#25

Sweeney Todd PBS

Posted: 9/21/14 at 3:40pm

^She's even wonderful in that 1 minute clip...I can't wait!

Updated On: 9/21/14 at 03:40 PM