Sweeney Todd in Concert
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Movie Reviews of Sweeney Todd in Concert
Movie Review: Excellent version of the tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Since buying this a few weeks ago, I've already watched it 3 times. Now, the concert setup is a little odd for those expecting to see all of the action, but with the way the stage was designed it works very well and imagination fills in the rest. I was expecting to be a bit disappointed by the concert version but I've been pleasantly surprised by how good it is.
Now that I've seen the 1982 version (Angela Lansbury, George Hearn, Cris Groenendaal, and Sara Woods), I think that the concert version has a lot to recommend it. We get to see George Hearn re-visit his character and he brings a wonderful passion and crazed believability to Sweeney Todd. Patti LuPone does an excellent Mrs. Lovett, but with more sass and sultriness (and sexiness) then the lighter absent-minded Mrs. Lovett in the original.
Pirelli (performed by Stanford Olsen) is a lot more memorable in this version then in the 1982 version. The Pirelli in the original was a good bit harsher and not as suave. I think they also redid the dialog and score slightly in the dueling barber scene for the 2001 version as it hangs together a lot better. Olsen plays a very memorable Pirelli and hits his notes perfectly.
I also have a fondness for the 2001 Joanna instead of the 1982 Joanna. The concert version features a sweeter and more innocent performance. Combine that with the fabulous performances by the rest of the cast and you have a very valuable version of Sweeney Todd.
Movie Review: Extraordinarily vibrant concert version of "Sweeney Todd"
Summary: 5 Stars
Though I haven't seen the film version, this DVD of the concert version produced with the S.F. Symphony Orchestra is extraordinary good.
The characterizations are acute, vibrant, outstanding, while the staging is miraculous. I'm not for literal interpretations, so for me, it was actually better not to have it staged.
Why?
It allows for the actor-singers, the lighting, and the wonderful music to come to the forefront, as it should.
I have seen clips of the Tim Burton film, and it seems far too literal. A piece of storytelling, with the music as a soundtrack, the voices of the actors not really singing but speak-singing, which decreases the power of the original piece.
The great choral number with its powerful lyrics has been completely limited.
This concert version is exciting and alive. The actors come in and out of the darkness, the choreographed movements and staging allow the human imagination to take wing. You don't need a literal re-creation of Ms. Lovett's bakeshop or the tonsorial parlor, just a receptive imagination!
That said, I wonder how the bass baritone Bryn Terfel would have been (he was originally to play the role of Sweeney in the Chicago Lyric Opera staging).
Here in the concert version it is THUNDERING, a blast of human and instrumental fury, the brilliant lyrics penetrating the viewer/listener's mind.
Movie Review: Superb sound and magnificent staging
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always loved Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" especially after designing the lighting for a community theatre production and running it for 15 plus performances hearing the music over and over and never getting tired of it. My other connection to "Sweeney Todd" is that the role of Joanna was played in the original production by a young lady from my college's drama department who donated a copy of the first video tape with Angela Lansbury which has now become a great DVD (also in my library). BUT this San Francisco Symphonic version is musically the greatest recordig of them all. The leads are excellent as are alll the supporting roles and noteworthy is the appearance of Neil Patrick Harris in a major supporting role, He is unexpectedly magnificent in the part with more than adequate voice but definitely the acting complementing his performance. The staging is excellent utilizing the liimited space available in and around the full (and it is a full sounding as well as physical) orchestra whose conductor brings out the best in the musicians and the singers. Patti LuPone has never been better--better I think then her earlier concert "Candide". George Hearnas the Barber is also outstanding. The lighitng (my strong suite) was possibly the best I've seen for a non-theatre presentation. All in all this is a most marvelous piece of theatre in concert form of all the DVD's in my collection which numbers over 700. Bravo!!!Movie Review: Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd
Summary: 5 Stars
Let's start with what's wrong here. Not much. Of course, Patti Lupone isn't quite right as Mrs. Lovett. She plays her hard and manipulative, with none of the misguided vulnerability that made Angela Lansbury's interpretation both more likeable and more evil. George Hearn hams it up now and then as Sweeney, but he clearly has command of the role. Both he and Lupone, whose approaches couln't be more varied, actually work quite well together and you believe in their evil alliance. The supporting performances are uniformly excellent, especially the surprising Neil Patrick Harris as Tobias. What's most remarkable about this DVD is the presentation of the show. This is no mere "in concert" performance, but a pared down version of the actual musical, uniquely staged around an orchestra and chorus. If you've never seen "Sweeney Todd", this is the SHOW folks, not a reasonable facsimile. Watching it was an absolute pleasure from start to finish, and there's not one moment that is less than riveting. Jule Styne once said that "Sweeney Todd" is the best example of writing for the musical theater, and he was not wrong. One is reminded of the marvel of this show throughout it's presentation here. There is no better example of the Broadway musical, or American music for that matter, than "Sweeney Todd". This version does Sondheim proud, but you don't have to be a fan to savor the wonder of this work.Movie Review: The Definitive Version
Summary: 5 Stars
To me, a great Sweeney fan, musically this concert version is the definitive version. I have one major criticism and that is the inability of Patti Lupone to come even close to a Cockney accent. Being English myself, this was a major irritant. She clips many of our counties to come up with the hybrid dialect she seems satisifed with. I can find no excuse for this given that there are plenty of first class musical actresses who could have produced a more authentic character. I am surprised at the Director for cutting corners in this way. It was interesting to note that many of the cast didn't even try an English accent! Sweeney Todd is essentially English. Can you imagine the criticisms if a DVD of a concert version of Oklahoma was released done in a Cockney accent? However, in all other areas this concert version achieves a quality that many stage productions have lacked. You are forced to 'attend' this tale and pay close attention to the brilliance of the harmonies, the cleverness of the lyrics and the glorious ensemble voices. George Hearn emits the kind of disturbing evil which lingers longer than most. His presence is electric. All other members of this fine cast are superb. If you love Sondheim then buy this DVD without hesitation. You will play it over and over again. Just try to ignore the mish-mash of accents!