Sweeney Todd in Concert

[sondheimfreak]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 12:37am

Has anyone else seen this remarkable program? I know a lot of people hate it, but I LOVE it. George Hearn is the definitive Sweeney and I like his performance more than Len Cariou's. I don't particularly like Patti in this role, especially during "The Worst Pies In London." Neil Patrick Harris is also the definitive Tobias (Sondheim said so himself. Even though it isn't done with lavish sets and props and costumes, I think the simplicity of it is amazing because it relies on the actors and the INCREDIBLE piece of work that Steve created. Any thoughts? Comments?

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 9:10am

I enjoy this production, but I'm really looking forward to the actual production of Sweeney coming out on DVD this winter!

[magruder]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 9:28am

SondheimFreak -

Did you see Len Cariou on stage? Saw the original Sweeney about two months after opening, May, '79, and Cariou was just extraordinary. By contrast, while Hearn definitely has the vocal chops, I always thought he screams his way through that show. Cariou seemed quieter, more methodical ... like someone who has been plotting his revenge for 15 years. When he loses his first opportunity to kill the Judge, that was the first time you saw Cariou go crazy into "Epiphany," and the effect was staggering. I wanted to hide under my seat when he came to the edge of the stage. When you haven't heard Sweeney ranting and screaming through the first act, "Epiphany" is that much more powerful...
For me, it made Cariou's Sweeney more empathetic.

[sondheimfreak]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 11:41am

magruder:
No, as I was not born in 1979, I did not see Len Cariou, but I have listened to the cast recording probably more than any other in my collection. I agree about Hearn screaming. It's amazing how a man that old still do that.
BrdwyThtr:
Is the production with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn coming out on DVD this winter? I really hope it does.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 12:48pm

I saw Len Cariou on stage in Sweeney twice. For me, George Hearn has achieved crowning achievements in this role. I think Cariou's singing and acting performance do not even come to a level close to that achieveable by George Hearn. Cariou was rather dull in the part...Hearn is riveting.

I adore Patti Lupone but was disappointed with her Mrs. Lovett on the cd and seeing the concert on tv. I suspect her performance might grow on me.

Rewatching the closing scene from act one of Evita on Broadway's Lost Treasures, Madam Lupone almost literally knocked my socks off and certainly gave me goosebumps and tears. She was amazing.

I thougth that Neil Patrick Harris was absolutely fetching as Tobias, but the original Tobias was mighty fine too:)

[Mattio98]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 4:22pm

I thought that this production of Sweeney was wonderful. George Hearn nailed the part by being devilish and vengeful. I think everyone has different visions of the perfect Mrs. Lovett. For me, Patti Lupone was absolutely perfect. She nailed the vocals and the comic timing as well as showing Mrs. Lovett's own devilish side. Neil Patrick Harris was also wonderful. I agree that he's a bit old for the part (Toby is supposed to be about 16 and I believe NPH was about 29) but for a concert version it didnt really affect me. I was thrilled to see the Judge's Song put back in. It really brings out the twisted Sondheim that we know and love. I also think that this may be the best camerawork done on a taped musical.

[sondheimfreak]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 7:13pm

The camera work on the Jekyll and Hyde DVD is amazing too.

[alterego]

Posted: 8/24/03 at 9:37am

What I think is bad about the Hearn /Lupone concert version is the Judge. Just awful. Where did the chorus come from for that presentation? They move around the stage in a really self conscious way as though in a community theatre production.

Posted: 8/24/03 at 9:57am

Magruder, I share your opinion of Len Cariou as Sweeney. His original portrayal is one of anguish, revenge, a broken heart, a maniacal center, and a centered drive that propels the action. I saw SWEENEY in previews and once more after the opening. I will add that I disliked it immensely when I first saw it. Over the years of listening to the original cast I've changed my personal opinion and hold SWEENEY high in the cannon of musical theatre. I have to add that I found Brian Stokes Mitchell's performance as Sweeney in the Kennedy Center to be second to Len's. Also, Baranski did a superb job as Mrs. Lovett. Comedic and sexy. I've seen snippits of the Concert on DVD and have been impressed with what I've seen, especially Lupone. Hearn is a boring performer, in my opinion. He comes no where near Len or Brian with his Sweeney.

Yours for a slashing Broadway!

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/24/03 at 1:56pm

wow....just goes to show ya how folks can be "turned on" or whatever to different performances. I saw Cariou twice as Sweeney and for me, well I just think George Hearn is the greatest Mr. Todd for me:)

I also loved George Hearn in Sunset Boulevard. I have seen Len Cariou in Applause, Sweeney and the play Cold Storage. He just doesn't do much for me, and I always thought his performances on the OCRs of APPLAUSE and SWEENEY were, well, not my favorites.

George Hearn's singing is thrilling to me. I find it fascinating that he beat Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett to win the Emmy award as Sweeney in Terry Hughes' tv production of Sweeney Todd.

[sondheimfreak]

Posted: 8/24/03 at 2:00pm

You know, I hear Angela never liked him. Maybe this was why.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/24/03 at 2:02pm

really Sondheimfreak??? interesting....I have heard really great things about working with Angela Lansbury...does she have a thing with Mr. Hearn?:)

[sondheimfreak]

Posted: 8/24/03 at 2:20pm

No No No. Angela HATED Hearn. She wanted Cariou to do the filmed version with her, but they wanted Hearn. Don't ask me who "they" is. But eventually she got over it and guested on three episodes of Murder She Wrote.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 8/24/03 at 2:26pm

Yes, the DVD coming out is the one with Angela. It's the original production performed in LA. I saw it on video MANY years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[sondheimfreak]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 12:23pm

DATES! I NEED DATES! I'm just a little excited.