Sweeney Todd in Concert

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?

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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.

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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:)

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

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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!

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

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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.

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

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