Log in

I can't say I really cared for the film version of it. It was a tad too cartoon-like for my personal tastes.

But "Sweeney Todd" is one of my favorite musicals...and my second favorite Sondheim work.

I saw the John Doyle revival on Broadway and absolutely loved it...though Patti Lupone didn't impress me. I enjoyed the spartan staging and especially liked Michael Cerveris, Mark Jacoby, Lauren Molina, and Manoel Feliciano in their respective roles as Sweeney, Judge Turpin, Johanna, and Toby.

I first got interested in "Sweeney Todd" after hearing the song "Johanna." That, along with "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," remains my favorite song in the show.

I did not like the revival at all. I saw it once and went back two more times. I loved Patti, hated Michael. I like a less sinister Sweeney (though he is half...well, 3/4 mad!) with HAIR. Michael was not my cup of tea.
Patti was nice, but I think if they had done better staging (i.e., actual sets and props) it would have been better. And while clever, I hated the actor-musician idea. It ruined interaction. And I SO love the normal giant "box" for upstairs/downstairs which this lacked.
Just not a fan of the revival. The 2001 concert was awesome though!
In the revival, it may seem petty but my biggest annoyance was no dough for Worst Pies. WTF? I LOVE that scene, and without dough, it did not work!

Keeper of The Monkey Girl in 'Masquerade' [in ALW's musical], animated POTO chandelier, & JOJ's laugh
4/6/06:: The Day... The Music... Died.

I saw the movie since I disappeared from this site, and I really liked it. Well, not so much the ending, but I could see that one coming from the start. And I'm not sure I'll ever look at Alan Rickman the same again. But all that aside, I loved the music and the whole thing was really entertaining. I'd like to see it on stage if I had the chance. 

What was wrong with the ending?

Keeper of The Monkey Girl in 'Masquerade' [in ALW's musical], animated POTO chandelier, & JOJ's laugh
4/6/06:: The Day... The Music... Died.

I think she means that it was just sad. I normally too don't like it when just about every relavant character dies.

Thats how the musical was, though. On stage it was so sad. Poor Angela Lansbury.
I love her so much.
In the revival though, instead of an oven death, Patti LuPone had her throat cut which ruined the ironic death of a BAKER in an OVEN.

Keeper of The Monkey Girl in 'Masquerade' [in ALW's musical], animated POTO chandelier, & JOJ's laugh
4/6/06:: The Day... The Music... Died.

Viscountess duBois wrote:I think she means that it was just sad. I normally too don't like it when just about every relavant character dies.

RedDeath wrote:In the revival though, instead of an oven death, Patti LuPone had her throat cut which ruined the ironic death of a BAKER in an OVEN.

EarlCarpenterFan wrote:

RedDeath wrote:In the revival though, instead of an oven death, Patti LuPone had her throat cut which ruined the ironic death of a BAKER in an OVEN.

Seriously?! Why on earth did they think that would be a good idea?
I love the revival recording though, especially Patti. I wish they had tranfered to London, I'd love to have seen it live.

Keeper of The Monkey Girl in 'Masquerade' [in ALW's musical], animated POTO chandelier, & JOJ's laugh
4/6/06:: The Day... The Music... Died.

That'd be interesting indeed.

I love Patti personally, not too fond of Angela. I think she acts way too much with her voice for me to really enjoy her.

I think Angela is very unique. As Mrs Lovett shes very over the top, but I think it works. Her interpretation is weird, but in a good way I think.
Patti is so interesting to watch. I'd do anything to go to Broadway and see her live in Gypsy.
I wish they would revive it in London. We need some Sondheim in the West End...rather than all these reality TV casts and jukebox musicals.