Sweeney Todd Review (Sunday Matinee - 13Nov05)

[30/90 Playout]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 5:20pm

One word: FANTASTIC

Obviously being only about a week into the run, all the cast was as billed. They worked beautifully together. The set was AMAZING, and all the imagery. It was interesting seeing nothing change and having the coffin being used as everything.

Patti LuPone - The greatest woman in the world. One question for those who have seen. Did she have padding in her rear, or is that actually hers? She pulled off Lovett amazingly. A Little Priest was spectacular. Quite possibly the loudest and longest standing ovation for anywhere anywhere.

Michael Cerveris - Very spooky, but that was the point. In the scenes where he was acting "Barker-y" he pulled them off, and then when he acted as Sweeney. The Ballad of Sweeney Todd in the beginning and finale was also amazing. Can't wait for cast album.

Everyone else was great including Lauren Molina as Johanna and Manoel as Tobias. Only person who I wasn't too keen on was the Anthony (I think Magnuson), he just seemed kind of annoying.

I plan to book tickets to see it again in the near future.

For anyone who has seen the show, please PM me about Sweeney's opening. What was so big about it?

[neocomposer]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 5:27pm

I don't believe I have heard anything about LuPone having any sort of padding on, though I do know what you mean!

Glad you liked it so much, I hope to see it again as well.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 5:28pm

Nope. That's aaaaaaaalllllllllll Patti.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 5:29pm

One or two reviews mentioned in passing that they thought LuPone was padded, but I haven't heard her say anything about it.

[30/90 Playout]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 6:06pm

If only we had a picture.

[Malice]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 6:08pm

She's all woman

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 6:56pm

Onstage it looks ginormous, but outside she seemed so tiny and little that I thought it just wasnt real onstage

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 7:18pm

good review!
i hope to see this show!!!! when is patti leaving? im going to nyc in july!
and maybe its just the dress...i hope she uses padding! :)

[30/90 Playout]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 7:41pm

I think she's signed into June, as well as most of the cast.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 8:00pm

darn! ***** ***** ****** ****** **********!

well, maybe we can go a little bit earlier, because if patti isnt in it, i dont know what i will do... not see it? maybe if she wins a tony she will extend!

[Isabella2]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 9:58pm

we must all pray for patti to win the tony, she deserves it.

And c'mon folks, the woman is italian. She gotta have some back! lol

P.S. I know this from personal experience.

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 10:08pm

Isn't Patti doing Gypsy at Ravinia in June? Even if she does extend her contract (which I hope she does) she will definitely need to miss performances.

[Alix7272]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 11:23pm

I didn't think a new thread was necessary so a little ot but...

Do I have to worry about being able to get student rush tickets only half an hour before curtain for a Sunday matinee?

Updated On: 11/15/05 at 11:23 PM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 11:33pm

There isn't student rush. Just standing room, and rear mezz seats that go for $36.25.

[kgee30]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 12:01am

Ahhhhh....Miss Angela Lansbury was in attendance tonight. I think there's nothing more to say than that...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 12:09am

Ravinia is in August, not June.

Updated On: 11/16/05 at 12:09 AM

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 12:17am

OMG if I saw Angie in the audience, my life would be complete right there! Sweeney revival with angela lansbury there!? wow

[kgee30]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 12:33am

Sorry...of course there's more. We didn't see her in the audience, although Patti waved excitedly at somebody down front during the curtain call. Angela came out the stage door afterward, and it was just...poetic somehow. A torch being passed? Loaned? Lovely.

Another note: Lauren Graham, of Lorelai Gilmore fame, was there also, as was Katherine Helmond. Big Tuesday night at Sweeney!

And, you know, marvelous show.

[NickHyper]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 1:12am

I saw it on Nov 9. Thought it was great. However... one thing got to me about the casting of Lupone. Everyone in the show was a great musician, instrumentally wise I mean. Lupone acted and sang her part wonderfully, but she lacked compared to everyone else instrumentally wise. I kind of felt like she was picked just because she was Patti Lupone. But then again, maybe that part never really called for much instrumental talent.. or was it written around her talent? I guess we'll never know. But either way, I loved the show.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 9:08am

My day has finally come!!! I see it this afternoon!!!! And then see Color Purple this evening! The day I have been waiting for!

[BP Broadway Diva]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 1:58pm

I was at Sweeney last night! The show was amazing! The one person I did not see in the audience was Sondheim My friends and I were waiting outside the theatre and just about ready to walk in when a car pulled up and out popped Angela Lansbury! I was definitely in shock! Then about a minute later Lauren Graham aka Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls walked passed us too and I was freaking out even more. Then at intermission I saw David Evangelista and Lauren Graham again. When the show was over Patti definitely was kissing to Angela. As we were leaving I also saw director Kevin Smith. It was definitely a jam packed night at Sweeney. I wish I could have stayed at the stagedoor but I was on a bus trip and they all wanted to leave. As soon as the bus drove away Angela, I would have loved to meet her as well as Patti. What an amazing night.