Nothing like a few meat pies to add flavor to the holiday season. Found the 1982 PBS version of Sweeney Todd and was pleased to get reacquainted with the the production that changed my perception forever of what musicals can be. I first saw this as a teenager in drama club and was blown away. The movie with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter isnt bad, but this one is where its at for me. George Hearn is a marvel as Sweeney Todd, the barber whose descent into madness inspires sympathy, disgust, horror and an underlying dark humor that makes you chuckle on spite of it all. Hearns voice is a character unto itself: operatic, punk, lilting and powerful. Lansbury is an absolute hoot as Mrs. Lovett, the sassy, hopeful, and slightly vulgar pie shop proprietress with more than a crush on our protaganist. Stephen Sondheims music is penetrating and memorable; not a bad song in the bunch. The only aspect I didnt care for was the actress who played Todds daughter Joanna. I understand that on stage you have to make everything bigger and more pronounced for the people sitting in the back, but I here I found her googly-eyed expression, bad blonde wig, and piercing singing voice grating and out of place in an otherwise perfectly cast play. If you like your musicals light, chipper, and complete with a happy ending, this probably isnt the tale for you. But if you love an all-around good tale with great music and acting, pick this version up. You wont be disappointed!
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 18:43:59 +0000
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