Sweeney's run

[bta212]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 9:35am

So, great reviews, lots of enthusiasm. I saw it again on Tues. night and the crowd was really electrified, and the response at the end was euphoric.

Still, it's Sweeney Todd--do you oddsmakers think it will make it to June?

I am loving Cerveris, and would like to buy tix for the Tues. after the Tonys to give him a hand...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 9:36am

It will definitely run through June, when LuPone's contract is up.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 9:42am

I agree. It'll run until atleast June. Do you all think its a good idea to replace LuPone if she chooses not to renew her contract? Maybe Ziemba?

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 9:42am

Yay! This is such good news! I can't afford to fly out there now, but sometime early next year. This is exciting!

[bta212]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 9:46am

I'm finding the show really exhilarating,and the cast has evolved so far into the characters since early previews--it's fascinating.

Still, my last trip was with a Sweeney virgin, and she was completely lost--which is in line with some people's strong reservations about the show.

I think Patti has grown in the past few weeks, but Michael is really finding so much color and shade; I think he's amazing in the role.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 9:50am

I think its very possible that LuPone will extend (especially if she wins a Tony, which is very possible). But, I don't think the show will have replacements. I mean it could, but my gut feeling is that even with the stellar reviews, 9-12 months will be long enough to make a profit and satisfy audience interest. It is highbrow Sondheim, after all.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 9:53am

I thoroughly agree with you but I also believe strongly that its important for others than Sondheim fanactis see this production. Its considered Sondheim's greatest show and it deserves to be seen by many different groups of audiences. I hope it extends even thought it has broken even at $3.5 million.

[bta212]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 9:58am

Well, I should be getting paid by the producers for all the shilling I'm doing with everyone I know, so I def. agree everyone should see it, but I do think that the idea of a re-interpretation should not be predicated on the audience having knowledge of the story.

In Shakespeare, the text usually has enough exposition to keep the newbies up to speed, if they are paying attention, but Sweeney communicates a fair amount through very dense lyrics and (in the original) staging, which is--obviously--missing here.

To clarify, my virgin companion LOVED the show and has bought the sountrack and will soon know all. I believe this production is good enough to inspire that in a lot of people, too.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:03am

I might be a broadway b*tch saying this but you DO mean cast recording right?

[fiatlux]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:06am

Just as an aside....the Doyle production is about to start out on a national tour of the UK, which is rather surprising. More surprising are the whispers that it will feature Jason Donovan.....

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:07am

I'm a Sondheim fan, enjoyed things about the production, but I think it will be gone by March.

[bta212]

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

Oh my God Gypsy--you're not a b*tch, we must maintain standards. If not here, then where?!? I'm just completely chagrinned. No excuse, but I grew up in the suburbs; we didn't know any better, and I learned it incorrectly. It's still not automatic to get it right.

**slinks away**

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:18am

When I saw the production in London, Sweeney was the only character who didn't play an instrument, so casting a name of sorts for the UK tour wouldn't be a surprise.

It will definitely run past March, Smaxie, ticket sales have been brisk and they are about to open up a new block.

[fiatlux]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:25am

"When I saw the production in London, Sweeney was the only character who didn't play an instrument, so casting a name of sorts for the UK tour wouldn't be a surprise"

True as the run progressed Paul seemed to play less...Maybe Jason will follow take a leaf from the Broadway production and play his guitar, if indeed he plays Sweeney.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:25am

I think it could definitely have a life after Patti, she has to leave to do Gypsy (yea!) and even as a short term sub, I'd love to see Cyndi Lauper take it on. She is a musician, great singer, pretty good actress, and I was excited at the prospect of her when she was being considered before they cast Patti...
I am not fond of stunt casting, but she was supposedly really strongly considered for this run.

I agree that anyone could glean something wonderful from this exciting production and believe it could run through the summer.

[kasim]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:38am

I have front row tickets next saturday :)

i am sooo excited :)

[buskeat]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:43am

Here's a question: When is the new block of tickets going on sale and where can one generally find that info about shows currently running? I'll be in New York in April and am starting to gobble up tickets.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 10:45am

I think the new block is going on sale in the next couple of weeks. If you check regularly on message boards like this and Playbill.com, you'll usually see a blurb about it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:09pm

Does anyone know if it has been up on the board at TKTS Times Square since it officially opened?

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:11pm

I went on Sunday and it was NOT on TKTS.

Anyway I would never listen to anyone's predictions here about how long a show will run. I remember when people were saying SWEET CHARITY wouldn't make it through the summer, well....

[CaroleeFan]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:13pm

Sweeney can't be that expensive to run. It has to be making its running cost back, at this point.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:22pm

It's never lasted that long, in New York or in London. And I say that as a fan of the show itself. It's the musical that most turned me on to the theatre, before anyone starts beating me up.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:24pm

It'll last around a year to two years. Unless they get someone big to take over the two leads.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:30pm

I just hope to get a ticket next week at TKTS or full price. Can't buy in advance because I am not sure which night I will be free to go!

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/05 at 12:31pm

Well when I went and TKT had no tickets, we went to the box office. And the guy was very nice- the 36 dollar rear mezz seats were sold out. but he said they had partial view in the orch for the same price - but he said for an even better view he would give us box seats for 36 dollars, and it was great.