Sweeney Todd, Around the Block - Nice article from FoxNews.com

[richs52]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:48am

Take a look:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183416,00.html#2

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 8:56am

Great article. Thanks or posting!

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:32am

"Last night, Tony winner Brian Dennehy sat in the aisle, fifth row, and almost got a close shave himself from Michael Cerveris as Sweeney Todd."

I guess that means that the guy I thought looked like Brian Dennehy was in fact Brian Dennehy.

[Follies]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:52am

"Patti Lupone, I predict, will win the Tony Award in June for playing Mrs. Lovett as kind of a '60s biker chick. She's just stunning."

That is pretty sad. I am just hoping this show stays open long enough for a decent replacement for Lupone. Her performance is painful to watch.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 11:27am

Can you explain why it was painful? (An opinion can never be "wrong" but I am curious why you didn't like her performance?)

[Jenny1284]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:43pm

"I did ask her and Sondheim if they knew anything — after 25 years of this — about Mr. Lovett.
'He's deceased,' Patti said, almost in character.
'That's for Sweeney 2,' Sondheim laughed."

I've been wondering about Mr. Lovett, too. I know it probably isn't significant, but it's fun to think about.

[littleredridinghood]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:48pm

"I did ask her and Sondheim if they knew anything — after 25 years of this — about Mr. Lovett.
'He's deceased,' Patti said, almost in character.


Yeah, not to nitpick about that, but don't they say so in the show that Mr. Lovett died?

[Jenny1284]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:49pm

Yes, they do. I thought the person was asking about how he died, not about whether he is alive or not. That's what I meant, anyway.
Updated On: 2/1/06 at 12:49 PM

[Follies]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:52pm

Having seen Judy Kaye, Baranski, Beth Fowler, and the great Julia McKenzie play the role I feel comfortable calling myself somewhat of a Lovett expert. If Patti could learn to hold an accent and a high note I would certainly add her to that list of incredible actors. Until then, I will wait for the replacements.

[TinyDancer]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:14pm

Updated On: 2/23/06 at 01:14 PM

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:24pm

Follies, it is fine that you dislike Lovett. Her Lovett may be painful for you, but many others love it.

You have a fairly unique perspective, and I am sure some wonderful insight because of it, but that does not make your opinion more "expert" than anyone else.

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 1:57pm

"Having seen Judy Kaye, Baranski, Beth Fowler, and the great Julia McKenzie play the role I feel comfortable calling myself somewhat of a Lovett expert."

OK so everyone else is not entitled to an opinion because you are an expert? Your opinion is not right simply because you have seen more than most in the role.

[Follies]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:04pm

"You have a fairly unique perspective, and I am sure some wonderful insight because of it, but that does not make your opinion more "expert" than anyone else." - smartpenguin78

As far as comparing the performances of Lovetts it certainly would make me an expert. I don't know many people who have seen as many production of "Sweeney" as I have. I do consider myself a bit of an expert on the show. Are you saying that isn't possible (none of this is being typed with attitude btw lol)

"OK so everyone else is not entitled to an opinion because you are an expert? Your opinion is not right simply because you have seen more than most in the role." - Some guy overreacting =)

Can you please show me where I said nobody esle was entitled to an opinion? I will await your response. Thanks! =)

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:26pm

I am sure you have a unique perspective, the idea of saying you are an "expert" is one that indicates a since of superiority over the rest of us. I guess it comes accross as a little "attitude" if you didn't mean it that way, I'm sorry I took it wrong.

Of course you don't mention Lansbury in that to be a true "expert" in the since you describe would not seeing her "original" be a component?

There is no animosity or attitude to what I am saying here either. I just find it interesting. Especially since I have seen several negative posts from you about the Revival today. I'm sorry it is not for you.


I think a factor for me, is that you are new, so I don't know your style yet.

Updated On: 2/1/06 at 02:26 PM

[Follies]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 3:07pm

"Of course you don't mention Lansbury in that to be a true "expert" in the since you describe would not seeing her "original" be a component?"

I am not old enough to have witnessed the genius of Lansbury so I did not mention her. Strangly enough, she is still my favorite Lovett. I don't think any of the women I have mentioned can come close to her brilliant turn as Lovett.

As far as the revival is concerned, I do think Cervaris is over his head vocally and that Lupone is doing to Lovett what she does to every woman she plays........she plays them like Patti Lupone. She never seems to lose herself in her characters. I think the concept of the show is brilliant. I also think Manoel is the greatest supporting player to hit Broadway since Audra McDonald. He gives the finest performance in the show.

Look, I know I am the odd man out when it comes to this opinion. Patti is adored by the critics for this role. I just don't see it. I am praying Victoria Clark replaces her for a couple of months =)

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 3:48pm

I can certainly join you in praying THAT would happen.

I understand about not being old enough to see Lansbury, I wish I was as well, but I was born mere months before the original production started.

[Follies]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 3:54pm

"I can certainly join you in praying THAT would happen."

I would love to see it happen!! I would see the show every day!! I would also love to see Victor Garber take over for Cervaris. A lot of people don't agree with that bit of casting, but I admit to it being a mostly selfish wish.

I would also love to see Judy Kaye do Lovett on Broadway. I think everyone should see what a brilliant job she does.

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 3:55pm

"Can you please show me where I said nobody esle was entitled to an opinion? I will await your response. Thanks! =)"

OK you didn't use those words directly but saying that 1) It is sad that the author of the article says Patti LuPone will win the Tony and that she is stunning, 2) That you are an expert on Mrs Lovett and that Patti gives a "painful" performance, pretty much equates to that anyone who also believes that she should win the Tony is wrong.

That is how it comes across, and it looks like I am not the only person who got it this way. Perhaps it is just the word expert in there that seems to suggest that you know better than everyone else.

Updated On: 2/1/06 at 03:55 PM

[Follies]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 4:09pm

"1) It is sad that the author of the article says Patti LuPone will win the Tony and that she is stunning, 2) That you are an expert on Mrs Lovett and that Patti gives a "painful" performance, pretty much equates to that anyone who also believes that she should win the Tony is wrong."

I still don't see how my opinion about the author of that article and Patti's performance mean your opinion are wrong. I don't see it.

"Perhaps it is just the word expert in there that seems to suggest that you know better than everyone else."

You should not be so intimidated by the word expert. That is not its meaning. I am a bit of an expert on the show. Doesn't mean that your OPINION is wrong. The reason for the mentioning of my history with the show was to validate my unpopular opinion of Patti. Nothing more.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 4:17pm

You do realize, however, this Lovett is not like Lansbury's Lovett. As in, Angela would porbably be DREADFUL in this production.

(And my favorite Lovett happens to be Baranski )

[Follies]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 4:20pm

"You do realize, however, this Lovett is not like Lansbury's Lovett. As in, Angela would porbably be DREADFUL in this production.

(And my favorite Lovett happens to be Baranski )"

A. Lansbury is a trained actress and she most certainly could have made the performance work. What an insult to the actress and her craft.

B. You do realize that going in and out of an accent can be slightly annoying. I wish she would just dropt he accent all together. I think I would like her more if she did. True, I wouldn't be able to understand a word she is saying but I know the show back to front.

C. Baranski was WONDERFUL!!! Totally wicked!!

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 4:32pm

Victor Garber would be an interesting choice to replace Cerveris given his history with the show but I'm not sure his style would be adequate for this production of Sweeney.
I think that to compare LuPone's Mrs.Lovett to ANY Mrs.Lovett is ultimately pointless, the way LuPone strips the character from any "Lansbury-ism" is something I think no other actress had been able to do before (including LuPone herself in the more traditional concert staging a few years ago). She plays with the role, she tries new things, she's a sexual beast, a divine evil woman. Her Lovett is nothing short of brilliant.
Also, unfortunately Victoria Clark is not likely to replace LuPone because she will probably want to take a break after her marvelous work in Piazza. To perform in a show like this for like a year and a half 8 or 6 nights a week must be quite tough. I am hoping Ms.Bernadette Peters will be replacing LuPone. Updated On: 2/1/06 at 04:32 PM

[kgee30]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 4:40pm

I've seen three Mrs. Lovetts live and two on tape -- I think that makes me a fan, not three-quarters of an expert.

I like Angela's Mrs. Lovett because I like Angela. I like Patti's Mrs. Lovett because I like Patti. If you don't care for an actress, you're naturally inclined to dislike them in any role -- you don't like Patti, you don't like Patti. But I would call that your personal preference, not an expert opinion based on how many times you've seen the show.

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 4:47pm

"You should not be so intimidated by the word expert. That is not its meaning. I am a bit of an expert on the show."

No, Sondheim is an expert on Mrs. Lovett. And it seems as though he really likes Patti's take on the role, maybe even more so than he likes Angela's.

[Follies]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 4:49pm

"the way LuPone strips the character from any "Lansbury-ism" is something I think no other actress had been able to do before (including LuPone herself in the more traditional concert staging a few years ago). She plays with the role, she tries new things, she's a sexual beast, a divine evil woman. Her Lovett is nothing short of brilliant. "

Just because she played the role differently form the original does not make her "brilliant". Lupone does make the role more sexual. I don't think that is enough to warrant a positive review let alone a Tony (Which we all know she will win).

She cannot even hold onto an accent for 2 + hours. She mumbles through most of the show (Thank God there is no orchestra otherwise people new to the piece would not know what was going on) and the role requires someone who can hit some high notes. Patti's high notes sound like a crow. I'm sorry, that is just the way I feel. Again, I know this opinion is unpopular but it is what it is.

"I like Angela's Mrs. Lovett because I like Angela. I like Patti's Mrs. Lovett because I like Patti."

I like Angela's Lovett because she acts the hell out of it! I don't like Patti's because she doesn't.