April 14, 2008
Kate West Los Angeles, CA
The cast is strong, but there are some odd casting choices, such as Pirelli being played by a woman, and while it is interesting that every cast member plays a musical instrument, it is also a gimmick that steals some richness from the original piece and plays more like a stylistic concert version of a multi-layered musical. The actors literally play out to the audience and don’t make eye contact with each other or connect, leaving us disconnected. The essential horrific barber chair is missing and the blood and gore is representational. The violence is so stylized that it distills the intensity we should feel. The music is still Sondheim great, but the stories don't always come across. Every relationship, from the dueling barbers to Anthony pursuing Johanna and Todd grimacing with the Judge would be better served with more interaction between the players.www.katewestreviews.com
April 6, 2008
Dary West Hollywood, CA
This is one of the best musicals of the past thirty years. Musically and lyrically it is a stunning example of American musical theater. And despite some shaky vocals at times (surprisingly by Sweeney at times) this production is so unique and engaging that it really shouldn't be missed. I'm not sure where the idea that this is a "big" production comes from. Sure that's what it was during it's first few runs, but why denigrate this astounding re-imagining by Doyle? It's quite brilliant in my opinion. And Judy Kaye is pretty fantastic. Go see it already.
April 5, 2008
Kermit Long Beach, CA
I scarcely got a chill from the back row of the Ahmanson. A real snore and I left at intermission to as to not scar the memories of three superior productions I have experienced. I now know to not attend Doyle's staging of "Company" if it ever comes to town. Oh, the horror!
April 3, 2008
jenna LA, CA
apart from Kaye, a terrible cast with much off-pitch singing. The acoustics are terrible - and the words are often lost in the mush - especially in the ensembles.
March 18, 2008
Nathan Los Angeles, Ca
I suppose this experiment is charming enough if you are a reviewer watching the show for free -- if you've seen other productions and are ready to enjoy "something a little different." However, this show absolutely demands a certain style and I found myself feeling deep pity for anyone paying Broadway prices to see this lackluster effort of Sweeney Todd for the first time. Hess is emblematic of a cast too full of musicians-who-can-act-and-sing-a-little rather than actors-who-can-sing-and-play-an-instrument. There are nice moments, but the play is doomed to fail from the start. The heavy-handed concept fundamentally misunderstands the point of the play. It's BIG! It's a huge world and we little people simply get lost in the machine of society. This concert-style production is small in all the worst senses of the word.
March 15, 2008
David Los Angeles, CA
This is a superb porduction if you like the John Doyle SWEENEY. Both David Hess and Judy Kaye are wonderful - and young TOby is very special.
Why would that movie version even be mentioned in a theatre review?
