Then who are we to deny it in here?

[offbalance]

I saw Sweeny Todd last night and absolutely loved it. Granted, I've never seen the show, so I went in with no preconceived notions. I thought Depp was amazing, Bonham Carter did a credible job, Alan Rickman was amazing as always, and the supporting cast was strong. Mostly, I completely loved the music. So, naturally, I've added the Angela Landsbury version that's available on dvd to my Netflix queue. After that I'll decide which soundtrack I want - I kind of liked the Depp/Carter version of "A Little Priest," probably because Depp really sold it (that, and the song was amazing). He may not have the greatest voice (a decently good one, certainly), but he was so invested in the part that he was able to really sell the songs. I would have to say that it's one of the very best of Sondheim's musicals that I've encountered. The music is just phenomenal, and the lyrics are really sharp, dark, and funny. Great book, too.

Otherwise, today is kind of eh. Not really one for the history books. Last night I bought a new bottle of this contact solution I really like (it's the best one I've ever encountered), because I thought I'd lost the one I bought previously. Turns out, it was in a purse I'd looked in, but had tucked itself into a corner I missed. Blah! At least I'm set for when I run out.

Comments

[alcestis.livejournal.com]

I saw Sweeney Todd the day after Christmas. Since then I've bought the soundtrack and seen it again. It's crack, I tell you. So good!

[firynze.livejournal.com]

I really need to see that. I'm sad that they took out Ballad of Sweeney Todd, though - I understand the reasoning, but I still love that damn song!

[ladynaberrie.livejournal.com]

I thought it was great, too.

It's coming to Chicago soon, in on stage theater. I plan to see that. We've decided in my family that we need to see at least one theatrical production a year.

I'm really not trying to spam your journal with comments, Shaz, promise

[theatre-pixie.livejournal.com]

I just like for responses to things to line up properly, that's all.

My father LOVES this show. He was first introduced to it by watching the Tony awards one year. Christine Baranski played Mrs. Lovett and she and the gentleman playing Sweeney were performing Have a Little Priest.
When we joined Netflix Dad added both the Angela Lansbury production AND--this is important for you, Shaz, trust me--the Patti LuPone and Neil Patrick Harris in-concert version to our que. NOBODY plays Mrs. Lovett better than Patti LuPone, nobody. She just gets her. She owns that role. And NPH as Toby? *swoon* I saw the DVD of Sweeney in concert (not as boring as it might sound, I assure you) just before How I Met Your Mother premiered on CBS and seeing NPH in Sweeney is what made me want to catch him in HIMYM. I have not regretted it. I love him as Barney.

So, for Christmas we gave Dad the 2005 revival cast recording of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and took him out for dinner and to see the film the day after Christmas. I enjoyed Johnny as Sweeney. Not the best I'd ever seen, but he did much better than I'd expected. Helena was... okay. I think I'm just of the mind that Mrs. Lovett should always be a bit of a belter and Helena doesn't have that in her. At all. She's also too young and pretty. But then, the cast was all on the young side.

If you're looking for a good soundtrack/cast recording, I'd suggest going with either the original Brodway cast (though I'm not a big fan of Lansbury as Lovett, the original Sweeney was AWESOME), the 2005 revival cast (LuPone rocks, not sure I love Michael Cerveris as Sweeney), or the Sweeney Todd in Concert (Patti LuPone, Neil Patrick Harris, and... well, if he's not the original Sweeney, he comes damn close. That guy's awesome).
I know I'm suggesting the full show to you instead of just the film music, but the full show is entirely worth it.

[wendywoowho.livejournal.com]

As much as I liked the (gory! gory!) movie, I have to say that, damn, nearly every other recording of A Little Priest sells it SO MUCH MORE.

[squiddeh.livejournal.com]

re: Depp and Carter's singing...

even though they aren't trained vocalists i really felt their voices matched their characters so well. Todd and Lovett were not beautiful characters. great stuff!

yeah...i could go see it again.