Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)
Free Music Review: bold new "Sweeney"
Hit: 4 Stars
Once you get accustomed to the pared-down orchestrations on this cast album for the 2005 Broadway revival of SWEENEY TODD, what emerges is how versatile this material can become. Sondheim's sweeping "grand guignol opera" (based on Christopher Bond's treatment of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street") has rarely sounded better than right here, re-conceived as a smaller chamber piece.
The director, John Doyle, hired actors who could also skillfully play musical instruments (the same idea is adopted for Doyle's revival of "Company" which opens on Broadway at the end of the year). Having Sweeney, Mrs Lovett, Tobias and Co. playing away while Anthony and Johanna serenade each other is a genius idea (though I wonder how long this gimmick will last in Doyle's future directing jobs).
Playing Mrs Lovett, the somewhat-guileless accomplice to Sweeney's bloodbath, is Patti LuPone. She is no stranger to the role, having previously done a concert version opposite George Hearn's still-definitive Sweeney in 2001 (that performance is captured on DVD, and on compact disc with another supporting cast). Her performance here is quite different, she is jaded and almost lathargic in the opening scenes; only towards the end does she fully come alive with the vibrant, take-no-prisoners belty voice which LuPone is famous for. Michael Cerveris plays Sweeney with an almost relentless brooding edge, a man driven to the absolute brink in the name of revenge, a truly masterful performance in a demanding role.
Playing the attractive young lovers Johanna and Anthony (with equally attractive young voices) are Lauren Molina and Benjamin Magnuson; two fresh talents with big things ahead of them. In the plum role of Tobias is the appealing Manoel Felciano, and his plaintive cry of warning to Mrs Lovett in "Not While I'm Around" is gut-wrenching.
In the roles of Judge Turpin and his pimping Beadle Bamford; Mark Jacoby (the Hal Prince revival of "Show Boat") and Alexander Gemignani (currently appearing as Valjean in the Broadway revival of "Les Miserables") get to eat up the scenes with their slimy, loathsome characters. The most outlandish casting, of Donna Lynne Champlin (in the male role of Pirelli), isn't as peculiar as it seems, and Champlin negotiates the part well. Diana DiMarzio is a solid presence as the Beggar Woman who figures prominently in Sweeney's past.
The two-disc set allows for the bulk of the extensive score to be preserved (though the 1978 OBC double disc set, currently out-of-print, is fairly complete too). Still, fans of SWEENEY TODD can always do with another version, and it's a plus when that new version is fantastic like this one. Arguably Stephen Sondheim's masterwork.
[Nonesuch/Warner Music 79946-2]
Free Music Review: LIKE YOU WERE THERE.......I WAS!
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw the original Sweeney Todd in Chicago 20 some odd years ago in Chicago with Angela Landsbury and George Hearn. It was a great production, although I have to admit, I didn't fully appreciate the music and genius of Stephen Sondheim at the time.
I was fortunate enough to catch the revival production the week before it closed in New York. I knew it would be something special with Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris in the lead roles. It (and they) turned out to be VERY special, and the whole cast was absolutely outstanding.
This CD has the whole cast intact and is brilliant. I may live on the West Coast, but this recording takes me back to that very special night in the Eugene O'Neill Theater in New York City every time I listen!
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: A Bloody Good Time
Hit: 5 Stars
With Patti LuPone's emotive vocals and Michael Cerveris's ground-shaking bass, it's no wonder that the soundtrack alone could give you chills. This adaptation of Sondheim's thriller Sweeney is both raw and refined...the raw emotions, snarky undertones, and intricate music will leave you in awe and wary of barbers and meat pies. All in all, I highly recommend this CD. Free Music Review: Best Recording I Have Ever Heard
Hit: 5 Stars
The orchestrations are breathtaking. The cast members act, sing, and play instruments! What talent! Michael Cerveris is phenomenal! Patti LuPone is amusing and wonderful as always as Sweeney's pie shop sweetie. Manoel Felciano is heartbreaking as Tobey, performing the best rendition of "Not While I'm Around" that i have ever heard. Lauren Molina is equally talented as she brings a delicate, yet exotic soprano to the beautiful character of Joanna. I am so happy that i had the pleasure of seeing this in New York and meeting this ever-so-talented cast. How come they left out some of the dialogue/music towards the end? They did not include the Parlor Songs or Tobey in the bakehouse on this recording. Oh well, the music they do give us is positively spectaculer. I love Sweeney Todd!!!!!