Sweeney Todd @ The Tilles Center- 2.22.09

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/22/09 at 10:39pm

As soon as I saw my seat a string a negativity hit me. Being that I was the second row I was put in a regular chair taken from the lobby and placed where the pit would usually be, it absolutely killed my back but I decided I would tough it out.

Throughout the first act either Sweeney Todd or the bass player completely obstructed my view of the center of the stage, the one place that I feel should always be visible, as it was I was in center orchestra. I therefore missed about every seen with Johanna in act 1. I also missed Beadle for the whole show unless he was downstage which he very rarely was.

The show itself was very odd, not bad at all but certainly not a masterpiece. It was quite strange watching Sweeney's victims walk around right after they were killed. I love the score, which was the reason I went. The set... I didn't like it. As I was walking out of the Center a couple behind me was talking about the original production and I think this production would have benefited a lot from a two story set, because for the whole show you had to use your imagination which drew away from what was going on, onstage.

Would I recommend this tour to people? Absolutely but I would warn them not to go in with high expectation as it is a good show but portrayed in a very strange and different manner.

The performances were great...
Merrit David Janes played a very quiet and creepy Sweeney that was great.
Carrie Cimma as Mrs.Lovitt was the highlight of the show for me and was just amazing. I really hope to see her on Broadway someday.
Ruthie Ann Miles played Pirelli, yes Ruthie. He was played by a she which really irked me but she did an excellent job and got a lot of laughs.
David Alan Marshall played the judge and was great but there was one problem. He looked like he could be Wendy Muir's (Johanna) twin brother, I was think incest each time I saw one of them on stage.

The rest of the cast did a phenomenal and I wish them all the best and hope they all one day get there equity card.

Overall it was a enjoyable night.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/22/09 at 10:56pm

I was there also, but I was in an actual seat in Row R. Thanks TDF!!

This is, I think, the 6th time I've seen the Doyle production and in the 4th different theater (Broadway 3x, Boston, and Colorado). Overall the production was in very good shape. The actors playing Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett were especially strong. My only problems were that the Judge and Beadle were played a bit too fey and the girl playing Johanna had such a fluttery voice that it marred a lot of the lyrics. I'm of course happy that I went though.

And FYI- In John Doyle's production of Sweeney, Pirelli is played by a woman for vocal purposes.

EDIT- I forgot to mention that Johanna was a brunette... which makes an entire scene of the show inexplicable.
Updated On: 2/22/09 at 10:56 PM

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 2/22/09 at 11:09pm

The original "Doyle" Johanna wasn't blonde either.

[faithzilla]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:15am

I wish the original Sweeney concept/set/costumes/etc would merge with the revival music...that would be my dream show.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:22am

The original set wouldn't mesh well at all with the concept of the revival. There's a reason the set is the way it is. The revival makes it a chamber musical, meaning a small set is required. Doyle's concept was of a mental asylum, if that helps you understand the staging and set and such. The story is going on in Toby's head kind of. He's acting it out with his fellow inmates and guardians (hence why he sings the beginning of the bookend "Ballads").

Wish I could've gone. I loved it on Broadway and on tour in Boston.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:26am

I didn't get the fellow inmates part, I thought it was just a flashback.

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:28am

for the whole show you had to use your imagination

Yeah, reminds me of when I saw "The Phantom of the Opera," and there would be, like, a desk on the stage, and nothing else. I had to pretend there were walls & stuff, I mean, it wasn't really clear to me that we were in an office, you know? And dammitall, that just sucked me right out of the moment. And then I saw this show called "Wicked," and the leading lady was GREEN, but I know that's impossible, and it just bugged me the FOR THE WHOLE SHOW that there was this GREEN LADY on the stage...

Updated On: 2/23/09 at 12:28 AM

[faithzilla]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 7:34am

I understand the concept of the revival, I just like the music better. I just think they do it prettier than the original. That's all I meant.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 5:10pm

My coxic is still absolutely killing me from last night. Beware for anyone who gets tickets at the Tilles Center: avoid AAA- all other 3 letter rows.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 6:09pm

...and be warned: you may have to use your imagination! Que lastima!

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 6:10pm

This production would be much better if it starred future Tony winner ALICE RIPLEY.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 6:22pm

Or Loretta Swit.