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Sweeney Todd Reviews
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| 16 |
This show is terrible Review by: none, Jun 20, 2006 |
This show was terrible. The songs were either monotonous or those with any merit were sung with a quick British accent which left everyone unable to understand the lyrics. Pattie Lupone is the only saving grace, and all the actors playing their instruments gave something to divert attention from the dreadful monotony of the storyline. I heard the ovations at plays end and the actors did deserve the hand for their efforts. Cheered myself ... read more that it was over. Am I wrong? Not according to overheard conversations on the way out of the theater, or by the fact that a little less than 1/2 the people in front of me (I sat in the fifth row) had not returned after intermission. Never saw that before even for the biggest of bombs.
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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| 17 |
Moving performance, would absolutely see again Review by: Piglet, Jun 19, 2006 |
| Dark and humorous and passionate all at once! I was taken immediately by the orchestrations and talent of the actors/musicians. What an incredible feat to sing, dance, act, and play a musical instrument, in tune, on time, and well! The cello-playing, star-crossed young lovers were so moving. And Patti Lupone on the tuba is a must see! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Kids
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Adults
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| 18 |
London was better Review by: MJ, Jun 11, 2006 |
| I found this production somewhat disappointing. I had seen the production in London and thought it was one of the best productions I'd ever seen. Having seen the original and several concerts versions, the London version was just inspired. There was a feeling in the London production that the playing of instruments came out of the dramatic action. In the New York re-mount I kept feeling that they were playing the instruments because it was ... read more part of the blocking. I still cannot understand why it is so difficult to make sound in a Broadway house seem as if you're listening to a CD instead of a performance. Because of that one missed the big orchestra - something that I did not feel when I saw it in London. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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| 19 |
Talent like this does not come along often Review by: C.F., May 21, 2006 |
This is a beautiful, mesmerizing, totally original production of a masterpiece musical. To see performers with this level of talent is just dazzling. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
You don't need to be have seen Sweeney Todd before to enjoy this show. However, I think it would enhance your experience if you've seen a conventional production of the show before you go -- it will really give you an appreciation of how original ... read more this version is. To those unfamiliar with the typical staging of the show, I would recommend the DVD of the original Broadway production, starring Angela Lansbury and George Hearn.
I would also recommend not sitting in the way back. This is a very intimate production, and I think it is best appreciated from the first 10 rows.
I agree with the reviewer above who speculated that this show could sweep the Tonys. In particular, if Manoel Felciano does not win a Tony for his portrayal of Toby, there is no justice! He is truly a breakout star. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 20 |
Attend the tale...You must go to see this Review by: , Apr 26, 2006 |
Top to bottom the cast is very strong and the direction startling. We were particularly impressed with Cerveris, who I had never heard before, and the actors portraying Tobias, Pirelli, Johanna, Antony and the Beadle. That's a long list I know but they were all wonderful performances. In fact, we all agreed that it was the first time we had ever not been totally annoyed with the character of Johanna. And that fellow who played Tobias, what a ... read more great job and what a beautiful voice. I've never heard "Not while I'm around" sung better. The direction also seemed to highlight Tobias' character more which I thought was a great decision.
Patti was fantastic and so very funny but I think she may have been battling a cold that night. She seemed to be slightly struggling through By the Sea in the upper register where she became difficult to hear. She was clearing her throat often in the second act and it seemed that she just wasn't feeling 100%
My only real criticism of the show was that both Michael and Patti seemed to be saving themselves vocally. Perhaps it is just the norm for the leads to not sing full out when performing 8 shows a week but I felt some moments were lost during "Worst Pies in London" "Pretty Women" and "Epiphany" most especially. I don't expect a singer at the theatre to go full out for 2 and a half hours but there are moments when I wanted to feel the tingles and hair vibrating of full out singing. That didn't happen.
But a great show and a wonderful interpretation that we wont forget. Everyone in the cast was very generous in signing playbills for those of us who waited in the rain. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 21 |
Stupendous and bone chilling Review by: carolsun, Apr 19, 2006 |
| I knew I would love this production, but when I saw it in December I was co-chaperoning teens whose idea of a great musical is "Rent." They, too, were astonished by the musicianship, the writing, the performances. We were up at the top of the theater, in the back row; when we weren't leaning forward, we were pinned against that wall, riveted by the terror Cervoni finally makes us see in Sweeney. The material is dark and deserves this ... read more chilling adaptation; all are magnificent--I can't imagine understudies filling in for any of the 8 cast members. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Large Group
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Adults
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| 22 |
In a word, WOW! Review by: mygeneration13, Apr 14, 2006 |
| This was amazing, simply put. It will be the first time a revival sweepes the Tonys. In a word, wow. Acting surpassed much of what I've seen, and John Doyl is a genius. Not to mention the brilliant music- it's all just too good. A must see. Only a true moron would not like the directing. |
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must see!
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| 23 |
In a word, WOW! Review by: , Apr 14, 2006 |
| This was amazing, simply put. It will be the first time a revival sweepes the Tonys. In a word, wow. Acting surpassed much of what I've seen, and John Doyl is a genius. Not to mention the brilliant music- it's all just too good. A must see. Only a true moron would not like the directing. |
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must see!
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| 24 |
Review by: Jon, Apr 10, 2006 |
| It's hard for me to understand anyone not loving this production of Sweeney Todd. I've seen it twice and found John Doyle's production so thrilling that I travelled over 500 miles to see his production of Company that will transfer to Broadway in the Fall (also not to be missed). I've seen ten different productions of Sweeney--most of whom owe a great debt to Hal Prince's original. This production gave me goose bumps on more occassions ... read more than all the others put together. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Anyone
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| 25 |
Review by: Bill, Mar 24, 2006 |
| I found this show to be absolutely awful. I had seen Sweeney Todd several times before, but never done this way. I hated it. The actors were great, the music is exceptional, but the production is terrible. DON'T GO TO SEE THIS SHOW. I don't know what they were trying to prove by having the actors play instruments. I thought it completely interfered with the story. what a shame. I was so looking forward to seeing it. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 26 |
Review by: charic, Feb 23, 2006 |
| A tour de force! Refreshing reinterpretation of a Sondheim classic. It was an excellent ensemble and in addition to great voices and acting, each added their own instrumental gifts to a challenging musical score. Symbology reigned and the audience was drawn into the details. Although I had concerns about my 11 and 13 year old attending, prepping them before the show, they enjoyed it immensely. I highly recommend this Sweeney as a powerful night ... read more of Broadway. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 27 |
Review by: Suzi B, Feb 13, 2006 |
| If this show doesn't win the Tony for Best Revival, and best actor and actress in a musical for Michael Cerveris and Patti Lupone, there's no justice in the world! I've seen a lot of Broadway productions over the course of 40 years, and this is one of the best things I've ever seen! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Kids
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 28 |
Review by: , Feb 12, 2006 |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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