(Boston, 2007) ****1/2
London, Victorian era. We are introduced to Sweeney Todd, a barber with terrible losses in his life, almost too much for him to bear. He has returned to London under an alias seeking revenge. He is taken in by Mrs. Lovett, a middle-aged woman with an agenda of her own when it comes to Mr. Todd. Mrs. Lovett happens to sell “the worst meat pies in London.” When the barber is recognized by a rival and an attempt is made to blackmail him, Todd eliminates the possible threat using his straight razor, and the pragmatic Mrs. Lovett discovers a way to improve the freshness and quality of the meat she uses to bake her pies.
Yes, it’s the Stephen Sondheim musical I saw live last night, so no it doesn’t count. But the show was tragic and bloody and funny and extremely well done. The body count is really high. We get a real sense of how the unutterable tragedies have pushed Sweeney Todd to this point. This production has each actor playing different instruments- the actors were the orchestra- which was both impressive and effective. The set was simple- chairs, a coffin, a cabinet, and a ladder on an otherwise bare stage. The music is fabulous and the actors were wonderful.
This is a musical even people who hate musicals could love.
London, Victorian era. We are introduced to Sweeney Todd, a barber with terrible losses in his life, almost too much for him to bear. He has returned to London under an alias seeking revenge. He is taken in by Mrs. Lovett, a middle-aged woman with an agenda of her own when it comes to Mr. Todd. Mrs. Lovett happens to sell “the worst meat pies in London.” When the barber is recognized by a rival and an attempt is made to blackmail him, Todd eliminates the possible threat using his straight razor, and the pragmatic Mrs. Lovett discovers a way to improve the freshness and quality of the meat she uses to bake her pies.
Yes, it’s the Stephen Sondheim musical I saw live last night, so no it doesn’t count. But the show was tragic and bloody and funny and extremely well done. The body count is really high. We get a real sense of how the unutterable tragedies have pushed Sweeney Todd to this point. This production has each actor playing different instruments- the actors were the orchestra- which was both impressive and effective. The set was simple- chairs, a coffin, a cabinet, and a ladder on an otherwise bare stage. The music is fabulous and the actors were wonderful.
This is a musical even people who hate musicals could love.
8 comments:
"This is a musical even people who hate musicals could love."
I don't know about that but I love the fact that you reviewed this. I think it's our first review of live theater, bravo!
Are you going to catch Tim Burton's version this fall?
I vote it counts. How often do you get a chance to see a live horror musical in October? Sounds like a blast.
thanks guys! and yes, i'll see the Tim Burton movie, as long as reviews are decent. the cast looks amazing. drool.
Oh, this totally counts. That's some good field work, AC!
Yeah - rock on, AC! I know I have seen the stage on TV version with Angela Lansbury on PBS. That was ages ago. As someone who loves musicals anyway, I am really looking forward to Tim Burton's take.
any production that involves multiple beheadings with a straight razor has to garner more acceptance as horror than Monster Squad.
Thanks all!
I am totally jealous AC.
Great review!
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