SWEENEY TODD. Oh, Sweeney. I wasn't at all sure what to expect out of this production. The cast plays their own instruments and Patti LuPone is Mrs. Lovett. That just made me squirm just a little, so I had to see it to satisfy my curiosity, and I am SO glad I did. What an incredibly different, simple and effective production! The orchestration for 10 pieces works beautifully. The voices are wonderful. The scenic design and use of props is great. Even Patti was wonderful. I'll admit to not being a big fan of her Mrs. Lovett in concert, but she has really grown in the role (and had better direction [Sorry, Lonny!]). She plays Lovett as a cold, mean, coniving bitch who uses Toby from the get-go to get what she wants. Mr. Cerveris is very good, too, but the standouts to me were the guy playing Toby (Manuel Felicano) and Ms. Donna Lynn Champlin, who plays Signor Pirelli as well as the accordian, piano and flute. The rest of the cast was great, too. I really can't say enough good things about their performances. I had issues with a few of the directorial choices - someone who's never seen or heard SWEENEY might have been confused by this production - but overall I thought it was a brilliant reconception of Mr. Sondheim's masterpiece.
In the audience tonight: Mr. Hal Prince, the director of the original Broadway production as well as Ms. LuPone's director in EVITA, which she does not list in her bio. In fact, she doesn't mention SUNSET BLVD. or LES MISERABLES in it, either. Curious...
SWEENEY purists will not like this production. But honestly - who wants to pay $100 to see a reproduction of the original show when you can get it on DVD for $25 with the original cast!?! This is one of the most original pieces of theatre I've seen since I moved here and I applaud it. So did the rest of the crowd. The second the lights went out a roar went through the theatre - the excitement was palpable. And the lights had barely gone out after the finale before the entire audience (and I mean THE ENTIRE AUDIENCE) were on their feet. The cast - especially Patti and Donna Lynn - were very moved by the audience reaction. I've rarely heard/seen an ovation like the one I was part of tonight. And it was well-deserved.
I just wonder how the critics will enjoy it...