Cheap Sweeney Todd in Concert (DVD) (Lonny Price) Price

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Customer Reviews of Sweeney Todd in Concert

Attend the Tale of Sweeney Todd
Let's start with what's wrong here. Not much. Of course, Patti Lupone isn't quite right as Mrs. Lovett. She plays her hard and manipulative, with none of the misguided vulnerability that made Angela Lansbury's interpretation both more likeable and more evil. George Hearn hams it up now and then as Sweeney, but he clearly has command of the role. Both he and Lupone, whose approaches couln't be more varied, actually work quite well together and you believe in their evil alliance. The supporting performances are uniformly excellent, especially the surprising Neil Patrick Harris as Tobias. What's most remarkable about this DVD is the presentation of the show. This is no mere "in concert" performance, but a pared down version of the actual musical, uniquely staged around an orchestra and chorus. If you've never seen "Sweeney Todd", this is the SHOW folks, not a reasonable facsimile. Watching it was an absolute pleasure from start to finish, and there's not one moment that is less than riveting. Jule Styne once said that "Sweeney Todd" is the best example of writing for the musical theater, and he was not wrong. One is reminded of the marvel of this show throughout it's presentation here. There is no better example of the Broadway musical, or American music for that matter, than "Sweeney Todd". This version does Sondheim proud, but you don't have to be a fan to savor the wonder of this work.

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The Most Focused Sweeney Yet
As one who has been associated with the creators of "Sweeney" on other productions and as a champion of the original production, one still has to admit to the plot problems at the end of the original's second act. This new production effortlessly aviods those traps on the way to the most focused performance of "Sweeney" yet. Featuring two former Sweeneys (Geoarge Hearn as Sweeney and Timothy Nolen as a wonderfully re-conceived Judge Turpin), Patti LuPone making the role of Mrs. Lovett totally her own (no easy proposition with the spectre of Angela Lansbury always nearby) and a wonderfuly talented supporting cast, Director Lonny Price guides this production effortlessly to it's grizzly end. Featuring amazingly thoughtful camerawork which actually advances the plot as opposed to observing it, one gets to know the characters as readily as if this were a fully staged production. Then again--maybe "less" really is "more" in this case. The San Francisco Symphony under Rob Fisher is impeccable. If you value musical theater, if you value Steve Sondheim's supreme contribution to the genre, you must own this version. But go first class---own them all!

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Not as good as the '82 version
Because it's a concert, you lose some of the visual aid that helps the story come to life. The costumes definitely help- particularly for Sweeney and the Beadle.
Overall, I enjoyed watching this concert because I like the music a lot. But if you're only going to buy one version of this, get the '82 production with Angela Lansbury. Patti Lupone's interpretation of Mrs. Lovett was almost too sinister, too sensual. She was really unlikeable.
Neil Patrick Harris was surprisingly good. My only problem with him is that he looked a little too old (perhaps costume might have helped here too)and too wise. Maybe it is because he is so tall.. Overall, I just got the feeling that there was something missing. It felt too serious and I felt that when the audience laughed, it wasn't because they were laughing at Lupone's great delivery, rather it was because they knew a funny line was coming so they laughed courteously. If you're a true Sweeney Todd fan, you should have this as part of your collection. Otherwise, stick to the '82 version.