Tracking changes to SWEENEY TODD (10/10- 10/24) — Page 2

Mystery Comps is a good answer. I've just been very lucky honestly. It's my good theatre kharma comeback I think for having paid full price to so many shows like THOU SHALT NOT and DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES...

Last night on TKTS, they only had partial view for SWEENEY. The show ended up being sold out. I only know this cause a friend tried to get tickets -- I definitely don't claim to be the old wise one on all things SWEENEY

The score sounds fine, but if I didn't know the words, I would have missed a lot of them. I was in the mezz on 10/11. The orchestrations overpower the voices. It is almost like the expected audience will be familiar with the score already.

This is my sixth production of Sweeney Todd (original, City Opera 1, small Sweeney, Kennedy Center which is the gold standard, City Opera 2 and now this). I miss the gore, the blood from the slit throats, and I miss the enormous body count during the Johanna reprise in Act II. There just aren't enough people in the company to be killed and so to be appalled at what Sweeney is doing. It also cuts down the laughs.

I haven't figured out yet the 'why' of this production. What does this reduction bring to the work which is an old-fashioned melodrama with a stellar score?

I don't think Sweeney needs to be a spectacle or 'epic theatre', keeping with the Brecht motif, but I'd like some people, blood and horror please. I never once felt like I wanted to turn away. The production feels over-conceptualized.

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Well, I don't think SWEENEY is necessarily an old fashioned melodrama, though it can certainly be staged like that. I sort of envision SWEENEY TODD as a fable. Certainly, the "legend" of SWEENEY has been around England for over 200 years.

What I think is brilliant about this production and Mr. Sondheim's work, is that it shows how powerful the story ultimately is. You don't need blood splattering over the audience or bodies lined up all over the stage in order to leave an audience stunned and on the edge of their seats.

Updated On: 10/12/05 at 11:34 AM

what's the show curtain like?

Updated On: 10/12/05 at 02:37 PM

SPOILER ALERTS

Lovett has her throat slit. It happens quickly, like all the deaths in this production and is just as effective. The point is Sweeney kills her -- not so much that he pushes her in the oven. which is a logistical nightmare for any production.

I just wanted to add that last night "Sweet Polly Plunkett" was back in "Parlor Songs."
I love how the show continues to tighten and get even better. The Audience was really into last night as well, almost immediately a standing ovation, along with lots of laughter at the jokes.

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You mean they added they entire "Sweet Polly.." song back in? As it was, Lovett sang "a" line before "Bye the Sea" and the Parlor Songs included only -- "The Bells." == Whats the context for adding back "Polly?" It felt like they were streamlining, and "Polly" never added anything to any production of SWEENEY. I'm curious...

Yes, especially without the harmonium. This was one of my few staging gripes. Why the heck would the Beadle just start singing in the middle of the room if he wasn't playing with the harmonium? They shouldn't have cut those lines out earlier.

He sang an entire verse, basically exactly the same as it is on the OBCR.

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Some new staging -- The Beggar Woman no longer delivers her "Alms..alms" from the ladder but from a chair downstage.
Thank GOD! I never understood why she was on that ladder.

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I really like this thread. Seeing a recap of all the changes is just fascinating to me. I'm not at all familiar with the show, so I dont quite get what you are talking about, but the changes are still fascinating to hear about.