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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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

but DAMN Michael Murray. He hates EVERYTHING.

Exactly, MB!

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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

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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.

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