Sweeney Todd in Concert
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Movie Reviews of Sweeney Todd in Concert
Movie Review: Great Play, but LuPone is Lacking
Summary: 4 Stars
This was the first Sondheim play that I was familiar with, having bought it maybe three or four years ago after a reccomendation from a composer I corresponded with via the internet, and I immediately became hooked on the music and the dark story with its ever-twisting subplots and meaty characters.I consider myself knowledgable on the play, its music, and its performers--and I'm 14. The play is so much deeper than most theatre pieces written in the past hundred years, as is to be expected with a Sondheim piece.
As soon as I found out this was coming out, I wanted to buy, but decided to wait a while since I had seen this concert version when it was broadcast on Halloween night on my local PBS station.
About twenty or so years ago, "Sweeney Todd" was released on video with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn in their respective roles, and I was unable to obtain a copy, and rather saw then copy that my video store had on file. I love George Hearn in this role. I think that his performance has a very deep and brooding feeling of his own, and you can see his slow, constant change into his vengeful self as the story line progresses. He is as good in this version as he was twenty years ago.
Now, Patti LuPone is a different story. I first watched this concert thinking that she would be great in the role of Mrs. Lovett, but I was very, very wrong. I was familiar with her singing in "Evita" and I really enjoyed her on that CD, but undeoubtedly, with age, her voice has deteriorated. She seems to draw out words with a sort of ugliness when she should just pronounce the word, and her harmonies are hideous. Plus, sometimes she's just plain off-key. Rewatching this, she grew on me a little, to the point where she was tolerable, but she's not very good in the role.
Antony and Johanna are great in their roles, even if their Original Cast Album counterparts are better by some. Judge Turpin, who, oddly enough, himself played Sweeney Todd at the Philharmonic, is fair as the judge, though he's a little cheesy if you ask me. The Beadle and Pirelli, both opera singers, are also fine, but nothing special. Since their parts are small, their satisfactory performances aren't substancial anyway. The Beggar Woman, too, was only satisfactory.
Overall, I thought that if you liked "Sweeney Todd" to begin with, this is a great addition to your collection. The performances are so/so, with George Hearn being the most notable stand-out, but the others carry their weight, with the exception of Ms. LuPone, who faltered with her role, even she does grows on you after a while. Hearing the music played by a symphony and backed with a hunge chorus is enough to buy this for, and the sets and costumes, while barren, do the trick for the concert setting. If you love Sondheim or Sweeney Todd (or Patti LuPone), then buy this, you won't be dissatisfied.
Movie Review: SWEENEY TODD in Concert is a feast for the ears!
Summary: 4 Stars
Of the concert musicals I've seen, this is certainly one of the finest. The performers are not quite "in costume" but rather in (mostly) all-black Japanese formal wear-flavored variations on the original SWEENEY's costumes. Cleverly done, as is the platform stage design around the orchestra (the exquisite San Fransisco Symphony.) It is also much more intimate and better executed than the lackluster LES MISERABLES IN CONCERT. The sound and picture quality of the DVD are also crystal-clear.
George Hearn reprises the title role, which he took over for the original Len Cariou on Broadway and played on tour. To me, Hearn is the definitive Sweeney. It's been almost 20 years since he played the role opposite the original Mrs. Lovett, Angela Lansbury, on the PBS performance. At 67, his emotional ferocity combined with his rich, booming baritone are still unmatched. Todd could easily be portrayed as a monster from a horror film, and Hearn gives him humanity and depth that at times brings you to tears.
The casting of Patti LuPone as Mrs. Lovett is an inspired choice, and clearly she is having the time of her life. If LuPone doesn't actually get inside the character--her acting is very 'nudge-nudge-wink-wink' and punchlines are played directly to the audience--her belt remains one of the most exciting voices in the theatre world. She not only rises to the challenge of this tricky score, but sings the hell out of it.
The supporting cast is wonderful. Davis Gaines (Anthony) and Lisa Vroman (Johanna) have both chemistry and incomparable pipes, while Neil Patrick Harris makes a sweet Tobias. Timothy Nolen (Judge Turpin), John Aler (Beadle), and Stanford Olsen (Pirelli) are all primarily opera singers and show some fine acting chops. Victoria Clark is a STANDOUT as the Beggar Woman. Also kudos to the vocal chorus who seamlessly go in and out of the action on stage.
The 1982 DVD with Hearn and Lansbury is still a must-have, but this concert is highly recommended as a close runner-up.
Movie Review: Attend the tale...
Summary: 4 Stars
Behind the mask of vengence, savagery, and malice lies a profound and extremely radiant musical. This DVD brings the story to life with an amazing cast. It is the equivalent to the Les Mis Dream Cast recording. Sweeney Todd (George Hearn) is a Barber who resides above a Meat Pie Shop on Fleet Street in London. With the help of Mrs. Lovett (Patti Lupone) He plans of wreaking revenge on a local judge who raped his wife and plans on marrying Todd's young daughter. Along with other extremely memorable characters, including Toby, played by Neil Patrick Harris the story plays out like a greek tradgedy without a happy ending in sight. This concert version DVD gets four stars for no other reason than the fact that it isn't the full show; however for a concert version in has an extremely large ammount of staging and suprisingly its fair share of props. The extra features include a half hour "making of" program and personal credits for each of the actors. Making this performance more incredible is the chorus, and the bone chilling score brought to life by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. A must have for ANY fan of the macabre.Movie Review: An excellent rendition
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a really great concert version of Sweeny Todd. I saw the DVD with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury and I think nobody could top those two together, but Patti Lu Pone does Mrs. Lovett in her own way and it DEFINITELY works. I also think George Hearn needs to be congratulated on not loosing his touch in over 20 years.
It is kinda annoying with no fake blood or trap door, but all the acting and singing is there, so what more do you need? I think the Anthony and Joanna in this version are better than the old DVD. Patti Lu Pone's voice suits the role perfectly and I think she's good enough to be paid attention to and not have people thinking how Angela Lansbury was better every second she's on stage.
Finally, the chorus does annoy me a bit, but you get over it. The filming's pretty good and the quality is excellent. I think it's worth getting this DVD, even if you've seen another version, because it's always good to have the comparison and this is a great performance from practically everyone.
Movie Review: Not as good as original
Summary: 4 Stars
As much as I hate to say it, I think Ms. Lupone is the one thing I don't like about this production. While I recognize that her voice is powerful, I truly think that her acting range is limited. What I loved about Angela Landsbury's performance is that her ditziness made her loveable. In my opinion (my aplogies to the Lupone fans reading this) I think Lupone's choice of making the character more worldly comes across as evil instead of charming. I liked her rendition of "Priest," but overall, I didn't like the quality she brought to Lovett. I had the same problem with her as Fosca in the recent Lincoln Center production of Passion. I think she is great when she plays someone like Evita, (strong, ballsy characters) but frail, cute, or sweet are not really her strong suit.
It is still a very good production. Hearn is amazing, as are Harris, and Clark. The singing is fantastic, the concert setting really suits the show, not to mention it is one of the best musicals ever written.