Sweeney Todd - Tony's in its future?? (And reviews!)- Page 4

[pab]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:05am

I'm looking forward to November 18th when I get to see this production.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:08am

Variety is Very Positive:

"Few shows have been as regularly reworked on musical, opera and concert stages as "Sweeney Todd," from elaborate Industrial Age epic to pared-down chamber piece. That makes it all the more bracing to experience a revival that's the freshest, most beguiling act to hit Broadway in quite some time. "Lift your razor high, Sweeney," the multitasking ensemble urges the murderous barber. And Stephen Sondheim's glitteringly lugubrious masterwork is lifted high in unexpected ways in an audacious reinterpretation, sure to incite passionate division as sharp and violent as the slash of Sweeney's blade.

Fans of the show fixated on a literal retelling likely will be frustrated by many of the narrative ellipses employed in this highly symbolic, surreal vision of the tale about a man possessed by grief and the thirst for vengeance. And those hungering for lush orchestrations of Sondheim's fiercely expressive score may also be disgruntled.

But the aim of British director-designer John Doyle -- who first staged the musical at the Watermill Theater outside London before moving it to the West End -- doesn't appear to be challenging Harold Prince's original 1979 production as the definitive "Sweeney." Rather, he seeks to carve out an entirely new experience that, for those who embrace the conceit instead of overanalyzing it, will be no less thrilling."


http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117928772?categoryid=1265&cs=1

Updated On: 11/4/05 at 12:08 AM

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:10am

Addy, I never felt so strongly about wanting an ensemble award before, but there just has to be one for this show. Do any of the other award ceremonies have an ensemble award... Drama Critics maybe? The Tonys should award them for being the hardest working actors out there... I still don't know how they memorize all of that stuff.

Pab, I think you're really going to enjoy it!

Thanks Margo. Does anyone else automatically think of Spelling Bee when someone used the word "lugubrious"?

Updated On: 11/4/05 at 12:10 AM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:11am

By the way, I think it's interesting that AP says that Michael Cerveris is younger than most previous Sweeneys--he's actually turning 45 this weekend! Sweeney is supposed to be in his early to mid-forties.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:14am

I know, everyone keeps saying Cerveris is miscast because he's too young, which I don't get. He may be the first major Sweeney who's the right age. Cerveris's Barker would have gone off to jail at 30, which makes sense.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:17am

CORRECTION: I just checked -- Cariou was 40 and Hearn was 45 when they first did the role. Cerveris is OLDER than the original.

Updated On: 11/4/05 at 12:17 AM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:21am

I want this show to be be a hit. I'm so glad to read these reviews. Congratulations to the cast and creative team for such hard work. It really paid off.

The only reason I would have ever said Michael was too young to play this part, would be becuase he simply doesn't look his age. Yes, it is very early to say, but I'm hoping this will make Tony number two for him. Everyone in this show deserves a Tony!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:21am

I was really surprised to find out that he's almost forty-five. He certainly doesn't look it.

Anyway, snaps for the positive reviews. I'd better hurry up and get a ticket.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:22am

Wow. Yeah--Cariou was also quite young for the middle-aged character he originated in A Little Night Music (Frederick Egerman).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:24am

I would think Revival and Orchestration Tonys are in the bag.

Very possible wins for director and LuPone as well. Particularly if THE COLOR PURPLE doesn't pull its stuff together by opening night.

Show will also get noms for lighting, Cerveris, Felciano, and Champlin.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:28am

Although I practically feel the show deserves a third of the tony awards this year, its still so early to count out the woman in white and the color purple, plus whatever gets thrown in too like maybe wedding singer, lestat, pajama game(which MUST lose to this!) like there really are a lot more coming our way. I wish I could say we are in the clear but its going to be a long 7 months till tonys

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:28am

THE COLOR PURPLE's only ground that it has on SWEENEY are in it's best supporting actress (Shug) and it's set design.

Although it's early (and this might be deemed insensitive,) I would almost bet that Maria Friedman wins the Tony this year over LuPone - if not for what is supposed to be amazing performance, definitely for her courage.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:29am

Champlin? Really? Pirelli isn't the kind of role that usually gets actors nominations for awards.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:32am

LuPone will definitely have the "emotional" vote going for her--a reward for finally returning to the Great White Way, and as a "lifetime achievement" type of thing.

Also, despite the fact that Maria Friedman won the Oliver in London (and is therefore, I'm assuming, very good in her role), Tony voters are more likely to vote for an American.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:33am

Moon, I kept saying that... they played that score without music. While singing. And acting. And moving around the stage. THEY PLAYED THAT SCORE WITHOUT MUSIC.

I was stunned. Talent, talent, talent!

I am glad they are being rewarded with such glowing reviews.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:36am

It does seem that with each Broadway production the reviews get stronger for the piece itself. The 1979 original got pretty good reviews though the NY Times reviewer delighted in making minor complaints into major flaws and Variety was especially negative. The 1989 revival got even better reviews though again Variety hated it. (The critic at Variety through the 70s and 80s really hated all Sondheim shows, especially the original off-Broadway ASSASSINS. He was replaced in time for PASSION, which was the first Sondheim show to get a good notice in the trade paper.) This time the reviews all tend towards raves (except for Talkin B'way - what is it with this jerk? A critic CAN do more than just criticize.)

Maybe the critics are finally catching up to the show.

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:36am

What's so great about this production is that it gives actors a chance to shine even when they're not "on." Not only did Champlin play a ton of instruments, she also conducted at some points. And when she was on, she was spectacular. She made so much out of a relatively small role. So it's very possible.

Does Lauren Molina have a chance? I liked her Joanna so much.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:36am

Wow. Great to see such positive reviews (it's a nice change!)

but DAMN Michael Murray. He hates EVERYTHING.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:37am

If Michael Cerveris is the wounded heart of this production, Champlin is it's haunted soul. It's not only that she makes Pirelli incredibly funny and memorable she is a constant prescence throughout the show and she also is the unofficial "conductor" for the shows amazing ensemble. I really think she'll get a nod.

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:38am

Exactly, MB!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:42am

I would definitely bet on her getting one, as well as Manoel.

As far as Maria Friedman, I'd still bet that she wins this year.

[MoonOnAstring]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:47am

Not having seen WIW I can't comment, but I HOPE Patti wins. I can't believe that she only has one Tony. Its time for another one. And this performance certainly merits it.

Here's another good one:

http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxODYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY4MDcxNTYmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3

[theatreguy]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:48am

I agree about Donna Champlin getting a Tony nod. Her role isn't very large in terms of lines, but she definitely dominates the show and I was always aware of her presence (whereas others faded into the background when they were not part of the action). I also wouldn't mind seeing Lauren Molina getting a nod for her Johanna. I thought she was really fantastic.

As far as Best Actress, I think it could go either way between LuPone and Friedman. Both have sentiment on their side (LuPone's triumphant return to Broadway musicals, Friedman fighting cancer just weeks before making her Broadway debut) and both also give masterful performances. Could go either way.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:49am

I would also saw that Friedman's Broadway debut is, in many eyes, LONG overdue.

What it will probably come down to is the face that they'll rather reward a Sondheim show than a Webber show.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:52am

USA Today gives it 3 Stars:

"This Sweeney Todd, which opened Thursday at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, is as thrilling as it is bold. Travis' spare, spooky arrangements may not have the majestic sweep of Tunick's, but they're perfectly suited to Doyle's staging.

Rather than ape initial director Harold Prince's epic approach, Doyle uses a minimalist set and few props, forcing his actors to rely almost entirely on emotional expression and interpersonal contact, even as they juggle their roles with orchestral duties requiring them to play up to three instruments each.

Luckily, Doyle, who introduced this production in the U.K. with different performers, has acquired a company whose virtuosity is matched by a breathtaking chemistry. This is especially true of Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone, who play the avenging Todd and Mrs. Lovett, the piemaker who devises a scheme to make his bloodlust profitable."


http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/reviews/2005-11-03-sweeney-todd_x.htm