Sweeney Todd

[strandinthewind]

I just got back from seeing it. It was sublime to say the least. While the lack of true singing by Bonham and Depp aggravated me a little, they did a VERY good job. It was very dark and bloody, but it deserves the essentially unanimous praise it is getting.

[bucklind17]

I'm really excited to see this. People I know that have seen it say it feels almost intimate, since there isn't an ensemble, so to speak, but I loved the most recent scaled-down Broadway production, so I'm excited for the smaller feel.

Is it true "By the Sea" is the best scene in the film? That's what I've heard thus far! Super excited for every scene Alan Rickman is in too!

[strandinthewind]

I'm really excited to see this. People I know that have seen it say it feels almost intimate, since there isn't an ensemble, so to speak, but I loved the most recent scaled-down Broadway production, so I'm excited for the smaller feel.

Is it true "By the Sea" is the best scene in the film? That's what I've heard thus far! Super excited for every scene Alan Rickman is in too!

"By the Sea" was great because in film, you are not limited to the stage. This was where HBC SHINED her a$$ off. That, and the "No One's Going to Harm You" number, which was sublime. She really is such a talented actress. Her singing was good, but not like Lupone (then again, who is? ) My only big complaint was the make and clothes on JD and HBC were almost also rans in that they are dressed like that and in the same kind of make up in most movies, to wit: Edward S., Harry Potter, etc.

And now, for Patti (in a better and higher key than in the Broadway show --

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Here she is on Broadway ( Tony Award Nominee :woohoo: )

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Here is HBC (audio only) -- she does well, but mind you this is HEAVILY produced and not live - good though and kudos to her! IMO, she has a little Julie Andrews in her voice (just a little mind you)

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[strandinthewind]

And, the woman who owns the part and IMO always will as I see no serious competition - not even Patti :shrug:

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[RavenOfRhiannon]

I just got back from seeing it. It was sublime to say the least. While the lack of true singing by Bonham and Depp aggravated me a little, they did a VERY good job. It was very dark and bloody, but it deserves the essentially unanimous praise it is getting.

I hate you, but in a nice way. I am DYING to see this.

(I loves me some Angela Landsbury, but I think Patti totally reinvented the part. Can't wait to see her in Gypsy next year!!!)

[strandinthewind]

^^^^^^^^

I am very lucky that a friend gets the passes to the advance screenings. So, not only did I see it early, I was there with the swells and it was FREE :p:p

[GardenStateGirlie]

i'm doing an advanced screening tuesday night for work. i can't wait to see it and i'm pleased to no end that its seemingly translated so well to screen :thumbsup:

[mylittledemon]

I just got back from seeing it. It was sublime to say the least. While the lack of true singing by Bonham and Depp aggravated me a little, they did a VERY good job. It was very dark and bloody, but it deserves the essentially unanimous praise it is getting.

Awesome! I cant wait. I'm a big fan of Tim Burton's work. Not a fan of musicals so much, but Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman being in the cast make up for that!

[Sahara]

I can't wait to see this -- I saw a stage production in Dublin a few months ago and it rocked my socks off.

I'm a bit concerned that Tim Burton's doing it though -- don't get me wrong, I really love his work and Johnny Depp works brilliantly with him. But the Sweeney Todd story is _already_ so dark and quirky and Tim Burton-ish that if Tim Burton gets involved the universe might cave in on itself with all the Tim Burton-ness going on!

[xxxmx]

i am obsessed with this.

seriously.

i think the performances were excellent. i'll justify that if required. johnny and helena were well matched. i was glad to see that it wasn't just the musical on film.

i personally - bring the flames - hated the lupone/cerveris revival. i was disappointed in the "orchestration" and thought that the vocals were way too broadway. i always imagined the characters as being much darker and more subverted.

[strandinthewind]

. . . i personally - bring the flames - hated the lupone/cerveris revival. i was disappointed in the "orchestration" and thought that the vocals were way too broadway. i always imagined the characters as being much darker and more subverted.

I am sooooo spanking you when I see you next :mad:

:D

Also, on ION at 9:00 EST tonight is the 1998 version with Ben Kingsley, Campbell Scott, and Joanna Lumley (FABULOUS!!!!!)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147582/

From ww.nytimes.com

Review Summary

John Schlesinger directed this razor-sharp retelling of the familiar Demon Barber legend, previously a Victorian penny-dreadful by Christopher Bond (The Story of Pearls), a stage play by George Dibdin-Pitt, a Tod Slaughter film (the 1936 Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street), and the 1979 Stephen Sondheim stage musical (Sweeney Todd). Sondheim's musical has been televised in a production with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury heading the cast. This John Schlesinger drama, scripted by executive producer Peter Shaw, is set in turn-of-the-century London where bald barber Sweeney Todd (Ben Kingsley) runs a cutting-edge business with an affluent clientele. He also has several sidelines, including the sale of his murder victims' jewelry, plus a profitable agreement with Mrs. Lovett (Joanna Lumley), who uses an industrial-size meat grinder to prepare her tasty "meat pies" for her unsuspecting customers. American insurance investigator Ben Carlyle (Campbell Scott), tracking $50,000 worth of missing diamonds, encounters corruption throughout the city as he attempts to solve the case. Victorian London locales seen here were actually filmed in Dublin. Shown April 19, 1998 on Showtime. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide



I have the popcorn here ready to be popped!

[RavenOfRhiannon]

i am obsessed with this.

seriously.

i think the performances were excellent. i'll justify that if required. johnny and helena were well matched. i was glad to see that it wasn't just the musical on film.

i personally - bring the flames - hated the lupone/cerveris revival. i was disappointed in the "orchestration" and thought that the vocals were way too broadway. i always imagined the characters as being much darker and more subverted.

Oh, I'll bring the flames...

No one messes with La Lupone. Isn't it bad enough she gets snubbed for awards and fired by Andrew Lloyd Webber for a job well done?

(I think I might have to make a YouTube video: Leave Patti Alone!!!! with the requisite mascara and bleach blonde hair)

[RavenOfRhiannon]

I am sooooo spanking you when I see you next :mad:

:D

Also, on ION at 9:00 EST tonight is the 1998 version with Ben Kingsley, Campbell Scott, and Joanna Lumley (FABULOUS!!!!!)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147582/

From ww.nytimes.com

Review Summary

John Schlesinger directed this razor-sharp retelling of the familiar Demon Barber legend, previously a Victorian penny-dreadful by Christopher Bond (The Story of Pearls), a stage play by George Dibdin-Pitt, a Tod Slaughter film (the 1936 Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street), and the 1979 Stephen Sondheim stage musical (Sweeney Todd). Sondheim's musical has been televised in a production with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury heading the cast. This John Schlesinger drama, scripted by executive producer Peter Shaw, is set in turn-of-the-century London where bald barber Sweeney Todd (Ben Kingsley) runs a cutting-edge business with an affluent clientele. He also has several sidelines, including the sale of his murder victims' jewelry, plus a profitable agreement with Mrs. Lovett (Joanna Lumley), who uses an industrial-size meat grinder to prepare her tasty "meat pies" for her unsuspecting customers. American insurance investigator Ben Carlyle (Campbell Scott), tracking $50,000 worth of missing diamonds, encounters corruption throughout the city as he attempts to solve the case. Victorian London locales seen here were actually filmed in Dublin. Shown April 19, 1998 on Showtime. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide



I have the popcorn here ready to be popped!

I recorded it, but I haven't watched it yet. It should be interesting, as I am only familiar with the Sondheim musical.

[strandinthewind]

^^

It was okay. Very different from the musical. It is hard to watch flithy, obviously unbathed people with bad teeth :laugh:

[RavenOfRhiannon]

^^

It was okay. Very different from the musical. It is hard to watch flithy, obviously unbathed people with bad teeth :laugh:

That's why I never go to family reunions...

[xxxmx]

No one messes with La Lupone. Isn't it bad enough she gets snubbed for awards and fired by Andrew Lloyd Webber for a job well done?


ITA. she was really good on Life Goes On...


:laugh:


i just didn't love her as mrs. lovett. the turn she did with george hearn and the NY philharmonic didn't grab me and i utterly hated the recent revival. i guess we all look for different things in a performance.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

i guess we all look for different things in a performance.

Like talent?

:p

[strandinthewind]

Like talent?

:p

YOU ARE SO BAD!!!!

Seriously, I loved Lupone, but she was no Lansbury.

Okay, I just want to say this brings tears to my eyes every time!

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Does musical theatre get any better than that - ever?

[strandinthewind]

Also - here is her Sunset audition (different lyrics) - which to this day sends chills

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5MaRPcL5HAI

With one look I touch everyone
With one glance I eclipse the sun
Take a look and you will see
Why the world watches me

Indeed La Lupone - you are sublime!

[RavenOfRhiannon]

YOU ARE SO BAD!!!!

Seriously, I loved Lupone, but she was no Lansbury.

Okay, I just want to say this brings tears to my eyes every time!

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Does musical theatre get any better than that - ever?

:D

Not much better. I love a good reunion.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

Also - here is her Sunset audition (different lyrics) - which to this day sends chills

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5MaRPcL5HAI

With one look I touch everyone
With one glance I eclipse the sun
Take a look and you will see
Why the world watches me

Indeed La Lupone - you are sublime!

She really is. I would have loved to have seen her in Sunset. I did get to see Buckley, and she was incredible. Her performance was better than Close's by far. It would have been great to see Patti do the show after it was retooled...

[strandinthewind]

I saw Close and she was good. But, she does this funny thing with her voice in that she sings in a lower range in a strong voice and then when she goes up an octave, it is this little head voice. Close has only one and one-half lungs or something like that due to a childhood illness. So, that may have something to do with it.

But, BB was positively a show stopping belter from the old days. It was almost too much voice, if that is possile :laugh: And, as you know, her vibrato is Nicksian :laugh:

As an aside, I saw Petula Clark in the road show and let me just saw I wish she had put on a bedazzled gown and lipsynched "Downtown" because she was horrible. Joe, however, on the road was great and very nice looking. He opened the second act by singing "Sunset Blvd." in a square cut swimsuit :eek:

[David]

Who is the greatest Broadway star of all time?

[David]

Not much better. I love a good reunion.That song "Bring Him Home" is a total ripoff of the Puccini Humming Chorus. But it's still the best number in the show. I think the rest of the music is indistinguished, a lot of caterwauling & shrieking, with tunes that go nowhere & a tawdry adaptation.

But I think it could be a masterpiece. What do you think?

[RavenOfRhiannon]

I saw Close and she was good. But, she does this funny thing with her voice in that she sings in a lower range in a strong voice and then when she goes up an octave, it is this little head voice. Close has only one and one-half lungs or something like that due to a childhood illness. So, that may have something to do with it.


Have you heard the Forbidden Broadway number 'Patti Class'? They rip on Close's upper and lower registers. It is hilarious.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

Who is the greatest Broadway star of all time?

Of all time? Ethel Merman, but Lupone and Buckley are tied for second. The new crop of stars (Chenoweth, Menzel, Block) are showing a lot of promise as well.

That's mu very humble opinion...

[RavenOfRhiannon]

That song "Bring Him Home" is a total ripoff of the Puccini Humming Chorus. But it's still the best number in the show. I think the rest of the music is indistinguished, a lot of caterwauling & shrieking, with tunes that go nowhere & a tawdry adaptation.

But I think it could be a masterpiece. What do you think?

By and large, I am not a fan of Les Miz as a whole. I think it has some standout numbers, and some of the performances from both sides of the pond have been great. I was actually appalled at the fact that they recently revived it. I mean, it just closed less than 5 years ago, if I am correct.

I did like Patti's number, even when I saw Randy Graff perform it.

[strandinthewind]

Who is the greatest Broadway star of all time?

IMO, the greatest actress is Uta Hagen, though Zoe Caldwell is a close second. But, there are some greats out there.

If actors' opinions count for anything, it was Laurette Taylor.

[strandinthewind]

That song "Bring Him Home" is a total ripoff of the Puccini Humming Chorus. But it's still the best number in the show. I think the rest of the music is indistinguished, a lot of caterwauling & shrieking, with tunes that go nowhere & a tawdry adaptation.

But I think it could be a masterpiece. What do you think?


I love one Day More, On My Own, Stars, and I Dreamed a Dream. I like the whole show and think it is genius. I get that there are few original things these days and that they all sample. But, I think it worked in the case of Les Mis.

[strandinthewind]

Have you heard the Forbidden Broadway number 'Patti Class'? They rip on Close's upper and lower registers. It is hilarious.

CLOSE - but no cigaaaaaarrrrrrrr

HYSTERICAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love all the FB's.

[strandinthewind]

Of all time? Ethel Merman, but Lupone and Buckley are tied for second. The new crop of stars (Chenoweth, Menzel, Block) are showing a lot of promise as well.

That's mu very humble opinion...

For nonstraight plays - those rank up there in my book as well. I might put Julie Andrews up there as well.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

CLOSE - but no cigaaaaaarrrrrrrr

HYSTERICAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love all the FB's.

I don't know why you're frighTENEEEEENNNNDDD!!!

[RavenOfRhiannon]

For nonstraight plays - those rank up there in my book as well. I might put Julie Andrews up there as well.

Yes, Julie too.

And I almost forgot Christine Ebersole. I adore Grey Gardens. She was superb.

[strandinthewind]

I don't know why you're frighTENEEEEENNNNDDD!!!

YOU'RE JUST BITTER AND MEAN BECAUSE YOU USED YOUR VOICE TO SING!

:eek:

(or something like that :cool: )

[strandinthewind]

Yes, Julie too.

And I almost forgot Christine Ebersole. I adore Grey Gardens. She was superb.

I saw Grey Gardens almost on my 40th birthdy with my 80 year old mother, who I took to NYC -- she was in a wheelchair and we had a driver. I was like THIS IS MY LIFE :laugh:

Superb performance to say the least! Actually, the whole cast was fantastic.

The book was okay (it mirrored the documentary) - but the execution was flawless and sublime! What did Elaine Stritch say "Have talent orget off the stage -- then she saw CE in GG and was like WOW POW that's what I am talking about :laugh:

[RavenOfRhiannon]

I saw Grey Gardens almost on my 40th birthdy with my 80 year old mother, who I took to NYC -- she was in a wheelchair and we had a driver. I was like THIS IS MY LIFE :laugh:

Superb performance to say the least! Actually, the whole cast was fantastic.

The book was okay (it mirrored the documentary) - but the execution was flawless and sublime! What did Elaine Stritch say "Have talent orget off the stage -- then she saw CE in GG and was like WOW POW that's what I am talking about :laugh:

I saw it the week before the Tony awards, so I was incredibly excited when both the ladies won. I think it should have won best musical too. Spring Awakening was ok, but I liked it better the first time I saw it...when it was called Rent.

[strandinthewind]

. . . Spring Awakening was ok, but I liked it better the first time I saw it...when it was called Rent.

I liked neither :laugh:

[David]

I love one Day More, On My Own, Stars, and I Dreamed a Dream. I like the whole show and think it is genius. I get that there are few original things these days and that they all sample. But, I think it worked in the case of Les Mis.
Did you ever read any of John Simon's books of criticism on theater -- "Singularities," "Uneasy Stages," & the latest "John Simon On Theatre: Criticism 1974-2000"?

If you didn't, want me to buy you them for your birthday or Chanukah or something?

Also, do you think that Simon looks like William Kristol?

[strandinthewind]

Did you ever read any of John Simon's books of criticism on theater -- "Singularities," "Uneasy Stages," & the latest "John Simon On Theatre: Criticism 1974-2000"?

No, I do not think I have. I will check them out.

Also, do you think that Simon looks like William Kristol?

I would not wish Kristol's lips and inate smirk on anyone :laugh:

[bucklind17]

Spring Awakening was ok, but I liked it better the first time I saw it...when it was called Rent.

I never understand this statement. Aside from being about young people, including pop/rock music and speaking to young people, I don't really get why people think the shows are essentially the same. They both handle some heavy issues, but they aren't even the same issues.

I really wouldn't agree with Ebersole being on the list of current bests. She did an amazing job and deserves all of the awards and recognition she received, but her presence besides her work in Grey Gardens in recent years hasn't been huge.

[RavenOfRhiannon]

I never understand this statement. Aside from being about young people, including pop/rock music and speaking to young people, I don't really get why people think the shows are essentially the same. They both handle some heavy issues, but they aren't even the same issues.

I really wouldn't agree with Ebersole being on the list of current bests. She did an amazing job and deserves all of the awards and recognition she received, but her presence besides her work in Grey Gardens in recent years hasn't been huge.

1. For me, it really was those three things that made Spring Awakening similar to Rent. It made me feel like the producers went: 'Rent worked, so let's do another show that's kind of edgy, geared to youth, and uses rock music.'

2. Ebersole was also great in Camelot way back in the day. And I think that Grey Gardens is her coming out party for a long and successful career on the stage.

[bucklind17]

1. For me, it really was those three things that made Spring Awakening similar to Rent. It made me feel like the producers went: 'Rent worked, so let's do another show that's kind of edgy, geared to youth, and uses rock music.'

I can see that. I guess I just don't see it as anyone thinking "let's make a new Rent!" I mean, the play itself is over a hundred years old. It's an edgy work without the rock music, and edgier with. And young people flock to it and relate to it because of both of those things. Personally, I'm happy that shows like this are existing to get teenagers more into theatre. I saw Rent for the first time seven years ago and it opened my eyes to an entire world of theatre that I didn't even notice prior, and if Spring Awakening is doing that for a whole flock of kids, more power to it. Plus, the score (and emphasize on score) is amazing.

[David]

I can see that. I guess I just don't see it as anyone thinking "let's make a new Rent!" I mean, the play itself is over a hundred years old. It's an edgy work without the rock music, and edgier with.The synopsis of "Rent" sounds like "La Boheme."

[RavenOfRhiannon]

The synopsis of "Rent" sounds like "La Boheme."

It is a retelling of La Boheme.

(And yeah, if either one of those is getting young people to the theatre, I am all for it.)

[strandinthewind]

^^^

I liked some of Rent.

In fact, onThanksgiving, we were all at a friend's house in Brooklyn and a friend who was in the cast of Rent was there -- we were all singing (they are all actors) way into the early hours of the morning. We sang some of the songs from Rent and he was incredible. Afterward, he was explaining to me how the structure of the music was similar to that of "La Boheme."

I am just torn on whether I like Rent. I certainly liked it when he was harmoinzing with me that that night. talk about having to pay attention despite the wine :laugh: I also like the fact that it literally breathed new life into musical theatre and helped show there was a different way than the jukebox musical. I mean I LOVED Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys, but they are not really fresh music. So, I like Rent for that. And, the music is good.

[bucklind17]

I also like the fact that it literally breathed new life into musical theatre and helped show there was a different way than the jukebox musical. I mean I LOVED Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys, but they are not really fresh music.

Jukebox musicals really weren't too common until after Rent. It certainly did breathe new life into musical theatre, but the jukebox trend (All Shook Up, Lennon, Good Vibrations, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, etc.) started a good five years or more after Rent opened on Broadway.

I saw Baz Luhrman's La Boheme not long after seeing Rent for the first time and it was pretty awesome to spot the similarities (and differences) to the story.

[strandinthewind]

^^

Touche' :cool:

But, Rent was in 1996 and they had been done by then, though to a lesser degree than since then, to wit:

List of jukebox musicals

Leader of the Pack (1984), music of Ellie Greenwich
Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (1989), music covered by Buddy Holly (including many early rock "standards")
Return to the Forbidden Planet (1989)
Forever Plaid (1990)
Crazy for You (1992), music of George and Ira Gershwin
Saturday Night Fever (1999), music of The Bee Gees
Disco Inferno (1999), music of the 70s era.
Mamma Mia! (2001), music of ABBA
We Will Rock You (2002), music of Queen
Movin' Out (2002), music of Billy Joel
The Boy from Oz (2003), music of Peter Allen
Tonight's The Night (2003), music of Rod Stewart
On the Record (2004), music of the Walt Disney Company
Lennon (2005), music of John Lennon
Our House, music of Madness
Good Vibrations (2005), music of The Beach Boys
All Shook Up (2005), music of Elvis Presley
Jersey Boys (2005), music of Frankie Valli and Four Seasons
Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar (2005), music of the Spanish group Mecano
Ring of Fire (2006), music of Johnny Cash
Hot Feet (2006), music of Earth, Wind & Fire
Dusty: The Original Pop Diva (2006), music of Dusty Springfield
Daddy Cool (2006), music of Boney M
The Times They Are A-Changin' (2006), music of Bob Dylan
The Onion Cellar (2006), music of The Dresden Dolls
Xanadu (2007), music of Electric Light Orchestra
LoveMusik (2007), music of Kurt Weil
Never Forget (2007), music of Take That
Desperately Seeking Susan (2007), music of Blondie

List of jukebox musical films

Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Yellow Submarine (1968)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Happy Feet (2006)
Romance & Cigarettes (2006)
Across the Universe (2007)

[Betsy]

I admit that I have not read this thread but saw its title.

Upon seeing it ~ and having some time last night, I took the 20-year-old-daughter (before she goes back to college) to the movies and saw Sweeny Todd.

I had no idea what it was about. We watched Edward Scissorhands last weekend on some cable channel and knew it was a Tim Burton film ...

WHOA ~ !

Sweeny Todd is no Edward Scissorhands.

I think we were the only ones in the theater who covered our eyes... That movie is gonna take some "thinking" on...