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| Author | Topic: Sweeney Todd Revival |
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 GYPSY1527
Registered User
Registered:
2/20/2004
From:
New Jersey
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Dot
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim Ect.
| posted: 5/6/2005 at 10:40:24 AM ET
Hey guys, so I was searching back on the topics of this board and realized we had not discussed one of my favorite musicals (mainly because I worship Stephen Sondeheim), Sweeney Todd and its upcoming revival at teh Eugene O'Neil Theater in Fall 2005. So, lets see, we have Cerveris playing Sweeney, LuPone possibly playing Lovett and Manoel Felciano playing Tobias. At first, I was a little disappointed that LuPone would be playing Lovett as I have the DVD of the concert version but after veiwing it last night, I'm once agian delighted and reminded of how much I love this woman! (not as much as BP though). We also have the interesting aspect of only 9 cast memebers and the requirement of them playing an intrument. From what I read on allthatchat.com, it seems to have a powerful effect on the show as a whole.
All I know is first preview and Opening night, here I come!
So those are my opinions. Anyone else?
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92790.html
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 Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 5/6/2005 at 10:51:17 AM ET
I am certainly looking forward to this production. I'm a little disappointed that the actors will have to play instruments - I don't see how that will work and it sounds strange. But I love the original cast recording. I just got the DVD of the recording of the original Sweeney Todd of Angela and George Hearn although I haven't had a chance to watch it yet.
My mother will be seeing Betty Buckley as Lovett this summer in Ector Theatre's production of Sweeney Todd in Odessa, TX. I still can't believe that's happening. 
"Anyone who stays home is DEAD!"
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Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 5/6/2005 at 10:53:22 AM ET
It does sound interesting, but I'm a little confused, because the star casting sounds somewhat in conflict with the original premise of the London production. It almost sounds like a hybrid--not one thing and not the other. But it's early and it's impossible to know what exactly is envisioned.
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 Christine-NYC
Registered User
Registered:
3/23/2002
From:
New York City
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Marie (insert last name) lol There's a few
Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 5/6/2005 at 11:03:56 AM ET
It was originally supposed to be Cyndi Lauper playing Mrs. Lovett.  That would have been neat.
Karen, this new production is supposedly going to be completely different from any one that's been done before. They were going for a "Different" casting type and so on; which is kind of why I'm surprised they ended up choosing Patti LuPone over Cyndi Lauper. They weren't supposed to be doing a typical Broadway Revival thing. It should be interesting though.
<3CMH<3
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GYPSY1527
Registered User
Registered:
2/20/2004
From:
New Jersey
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Dot
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim Ect.
| posted: 5/6/2005 at 11:23:52 AM ET
right! Christine brought up a point that I forgot to mention. The role of Perelli/Beetle will be played by a woman to round out more females in the cast. That's one idea it'll take time to get used to! I just can't imagine Judge Turpin having a female sidekick. oh well!
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 Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 5/6/2005 at 11:50:39 AM ET
Like the rest of you, I've been following this story with great interest, since Sweeney is one of my top 5 favorite musicals.
Here are a few bits of reviews from the London production:
http://www.albemarle-london.com/sweeneytodd.html
I'm not sure whether I'll get to NY for this one, but I am seeing a Sweeney in June locally that fulfills a long-held desire of mine--to see an opera company do it.
Actually, this is one time when I may read the reviews and also ask you folks what you think of the NY production to help me decide whether to see it.
(Just a slight note--I think Donna Lynne Champlin will play the dual roles of Pirelli and Jonas Fogg, rather than Beadle (that would be Alexander Gemignani), at least from the broadway.com story.)
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=511727
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 Rose
Registered User
Registered:
9/28/2003
From:
NY
Fav. BP Song: No One Is Alone and Some People
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Rose/The Witch
Fav. BP CD: Gypsy
| posted: 5/6/2005 at 11:22:13 PM ET
I saw Sweeney Todd in London last year and everyone played an instrument. It worked well even though they used the same actor to play two people and never changed the costume which was kind of confusing.
"Oh no, you won't. No, not a chance. No arguements, shut up and dance." -You'll Never Get Away From Me
"And if it wasn't for me then where would you be Miss Gypsy Rose Lee?" -Rose's Turn
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demeter
Registered User
Registered:
7/16/2003
From:
PA | posted: 5/15/2005 at 12:26:02 AM ET
i have never seen a production of Sweenye Todd except on TV. WITF has a special of musical history and Anguela Landsberry is in this production.
My musical theatre teacher told mem when she saw Sweeny Todd is scared the living daylights out of her.
I love the music. It is dark, mysterious, and horrifing. It is like Jekel and Mr. Hyde. another great musical needing to be preformed again.
*Future Broadway Actress*
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ShubertGoddess
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 5/15/2005 at 3:07:25 AM ET
VERY excited to finally see Donna Lynne back on Broadway... jumped up and down screaming when I heard. SO proud of my girl! 
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GYPSY1527
Registered User
Registered:
2/20/2004
From:
New Jersey
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Dot
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim Ect.
| posted: 8/26/2005 at 12:48:55 PM ET
Its offical!!!!
http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=4558
I bought a front row ticket for October 3rd(1st preview) on Monday and have been on cloud nine ever since!!!!
"I chose and my world was shaken. So what? The choice may have been mistaken; the choosing was not. You have to move on."
"Sometimes people leave you, halfway through the wood. Others may deceive you You decide what's good. You decide alone, But no one is alone."
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ScottWNJ
Registered User
Registered:
10/13/2005 | posted: 10/13/2005 at 11:33:37 AM ET
My wife and I attended the tale of Sweeney Todd on October 6, and I must say that I was hugely dissapointed with this production. Sweeney Todd is my favorite musical and I saw productions several times with Angela Lansbury and both Len Cariou and George Hearn. When I saw Michael Ceveris emerge from the coffin as Sweeney, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He looks like Uncle Fester from the Addams Family! With his bald head and long black leather coat, all that was missing was the light bulb in his mouth. Patti Lupone as Mrs. Lovett is a far cry from the character played by Lansbury. Lansbury's Mrs. Lovett was loveably wicked, but Ms. Lupone plays her as evil and rude. It doesn't work. Another casting miscue is having Senor Pirelli played by a woman. I couldn't get past that phony Italian accent. The other characters seemed well suited for their roles. I especially liked The Beadle and Judge Turpin, (although I'll always remember Ken Jennings as Tobias in the original). As far as the production itself, it is nothing like the original. The actors do play instruments which is rather odd to watch. Props are almost no-existent. No fancy barber chair, moving bridges or any of the stage effects that made the original so great. To indicate that someone is on a higher floor, they climb up an aluminum ladder! At least they could have painted it black to match the wooden crates and coffin that are used onstage for various props. I asked the man sitting next to me what he thought and he summed it up in three words, "It's A Mess."
I totally agree. I think that anyone who hasn't seen Sweeney Todd before, will be lost in this production. They should use the coffin on stage to bury this show before it opens.
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Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 10/13/2005 at 12:20:26 PM ET
While I never saw a live production of ST before, I have seen the dvds of the original staged production with Angela and George Hearn and the concert version with Patti and George Hearn many times. I have listened to the original cast recording as well as subsequent concert recordings many times. I even have the score. I absolutely love everything about this Sondheim masterpiece. I think the new production is an intensely theatrical ensemble piece - almost a play with music - it is at once astonishing, mesmerizing and damn funny. I saw it twice during the first week of previews and will be going again next week, then again in November and December . I love that it is small in sound so that the lyrics really take center stage. Cerveris is beautiful and creepy and gives a new look at Sweeney's madness. Patti shines wonderfully as a member of the ensemble. She completely checks her diva-ness at the door. I LOVE Angie L. - and she was brilliant as Mrs. Lovett, but more as an eccentric comic character. Patti brings out the selfishness of Mrs. Lovett - the Nellie Lovett who is willing to sacrifice anything for Sweeney, no matter how gruesome. If you love theatre - and not just brassy musicals that are just for mindless fun - I encourage you take this production of Sweeney in. It is unforgettable.
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KLP
Registered User
Registered:
3/8/2004 | posted: 10/13/2005 at 1:29:04 PM ET
Sister Rose -- I'm glad to read your positive thoughts on this show. I'm seeing it next month and was getting worried over the negative reviews I have read. I'm really looking forward to it.
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Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 10/13/2005 at 1:43:03 PM ET
Hooray KLP! I think Gypsy1527 agrees w/ me too - see her review in the other post. Everybody I know personally who has seen it has loved it and is going back for more.
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Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 10/13/2005 at 2:19:04 PM ET
Yeah, SR, I was also very happy to read what you thought--not only for my sake but for yours as well!
I'll be up on Nov.2 to see it. So far I've seen 4 different live productions of Sweeney. It's really like opera, or Shakespeare, I can see different productions of say, Hamlet or La Boheme and enjoy each.
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Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 10/13/2005 at 2:54:13 PM ET
When I grow up, I want to be like Jean. 
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