Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)
Free Music Review: Fantastic, but to clear up some things...
Hit: 5 Stars
If you haven't seen the revival, it is unfair to judge this production on the cast recording. This recording is great but does not capture the magic in the theatre.
People should not compare this to the original production, that is silly. The revival is very different, and is very good.
To clear up a major concern people who haven't seen the show have is about the female Pirelli. Pirelli is still played as a male. They casted a female in the role because they needed the 4th female voice for the ensemble parts. The majority of the cast is male, and if Pirelli was cast as a male, there would only be 3 females. They needed another female voice, so they casted Pirelli as a female playing a male. It works live, really does.
If you haven't seen the revival yet, you may think Patti sounds dull on the recording, because you may be expecting her over the top performance she gives on the concert DVD. That is not the case here. Patti TOTALLY reinvented the character. Mrs. Lovett is the real vilian of the show now. Patti plays the character very desperate, sexual, and conniving. It works. She does not try to copy Lansbury's joyful and comical performance. This is a Mrs. Lovett you have never seen before.
For those doubting this revival works with the actors doubling as musicians, you must see it for yourself, it is amazing.
And another thing those who have not seen the revival may not know that - this Sweeney takes place in an asylum, and is told through Tobias.
Expect this Sweeney to sweep at the Tonys this year.
Free Music Review: Absolutely wonderful.
Hit: 5 Stars
After seeing the wonderful revival on Broadway, I immediately went out and purchased the cast recording. The pared-down, minimalist orchestrations showcase the beauty of Sondheim's amazing score extremely well. Michael Cerveris is haunting as Sweeney, with his eyes completely in shadow...his version of "Epiphany" is spine-tingling and beautiful at the same time, and his chemistry with Patti LuPone is wonderful. LuPone's take on Mrs. Lovett is very different from Angela Lansbury's original interpretation...much less outright frightening and far more creepy. Her "By The Sea" and "A Little Priest" are wonderful, and I prefer her version of "By The Sea" to Angela Lansbury's. Manoel Felciano is wonderful as Tobias...his rendition of "Not While I'm Around" in particular stands out. Lauren Molina's beautiful, light voice works well as Johanna, and her chemistry with Benjamin Magnuson (Anthony) is spectacular. Mark Jacoby's Judge Turpin is much more pitiable than the original cast interpretation of the role...the way he plays him is much more of a common man and far more likable. The other members of the cast (Donna Lynne Champlin as Pirelli, Alexander Gemignani as the Beadle, Diana DiMarzio as the Beggar Woman, and John Arbo as Jonas Fogg) are outstanding as well. The entire cast are wonderful musicians...it is well-known by now that the cast doubles as the orchestra. Overall, I definitely recommend this recording as well as the revival itself.Free Music Review: Addictive
Hit: 5 Stars
I'll be straight with you - I didn't know what the heck Sweeney Todd was about until I went to New York earlier this year. I saw the theatre that housed this show and the dash of blood strewn across the title caught my attention. I didn't go and see the show, I saw 'Wicked' instead, which is brilliant, but that's another story.
My partner read an extremely positive review of Sweeney Todd in the playbill from 'Wicked', I think (??) so he purchased the soundtrack a couple of months later and loved it straight away. I wasn't convinced immediately, as it seemed too old-fashioned and 'operatic' for me. But I gave it a chance, and now I listen to it every day!
Sweeney Todd has opened my eyes and ears to a new genre of music and story-telling! It's intriguing and sad and dark, even romantic. I love Patti Lupone's psychotic voice and evil laugh, the 'crazy old hag, pickin' bones out of alley ashcans' is a lot of fun... and I like to scare my friends and associates by emulating Tobias with 'Razorr, razorr, cutta cutta cut'.
Pure Brilliance! Saving up to go and see the show at the Sydney Opera House. A beautiful example of sublime music and singing. Lovably twisted!
Free Music Review: AMAZING!
Hit: 5 Stars
Even if you don't get see this wonderful revival on Broadway, I highly reccommend buying this cast recording.
Even if you have the original Sweeney Todd recording, buy this one. The original has a 27 piece orchestra but this one is composed of only a ten piece orchestra, also serving as the actors on stage.
The voices are modern and the music seems more pure and modern for some reason. Patti Lupone, although not A. Lansbury, is incredible as Miss. Lovett. Her voice and her laugh is smooth and dark and creepy.
Lauren Molina (Johanna) has a much more beautiful voice than the original Sara Rice, I think at least.
Some pieces that stand out include:
DISC 1:
1. The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd
3. The Worst Pies In London
4. Poor Thing
7. Greenfinch And Linnet Bird
9. Johanna
10. Pirelli's Miracle Elixir
14. Wait
17. Kiss Me
DISC 2:
2. Epiphany
3. A Little Priest
4. God, That's Good!
6. By The Sea
7. Not While I'm Around
8. The Judge's Return
9. The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd
Free Music Review: Amazing revival production captured on CD
Hit: 5 Stars
The latest revival of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd seems to inspire extreme reactions. Online reviewers of the 2005 Broadway production either love it or hate it with very few falling in the middle range of reviews. I'm one of those who loved the latest production when I saw it in December 2005, and I'm thrilled that they recorded a soundtrack.
The 2005 revival is a stripped down version of the original 1979 production, employing just ten actors/musicians to act, sing, and play the instruments. Most of the actors play multiple instruments during the show, and the soundtrack recording was done in the same fashion. No additional musicians were used, so you have an accurate representation of how the show actually sounds on stage. This is a sparse recording compared to prior productions, most of which used orchestra and backing chorus, and the effect is amazing. Stripping the instrumentation down allows you to hear individual instruments clearly as well as the nuanced vocal performances. Even those who complained about the minimalist staging will likely be pleased with this recording.