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March 13, 2008
LAist Recommends: Sweeney Todd at the Ahmanson
The company of "Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" | Photo by DavidAllenStudio.com
Written by Stephen Sondheim, the original "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" is a classic. The most recent Tim Burton screen adaptation of Edward Sissorhands the musical was "meh." And last night's Los Angeles premiere under John Doyle's direction was, simply put, purely amazing.
It begins as the lights go down in the house and up on stage. It's an uncomfortable raw silence that the audience succumbs to. There's no sound, no music, just the actors, looking out into nothingness from a set that was minimalist and visually orgasmic for the macabre-inclined. The performance begins, every actor with their instrument in hand, they speak, they sing and they accompany themselves, as the orchestra pit is empty -- it's up to the ten characters to survive the next two-hours on their own.
A talk with Lauren Molina, Johanna/cello player
This version of Sweeney Todd came out in 2005 on Broadway to raving reviews, eventually being nominated for a few Tonys and winning Best Direction and Best Orchestration. It's more avante-garde than your usual musical fare, but we like it that way. You will too.
A talk with Benjamin Eakeley, The Beadle/piano/clarinet/saxophone player
Sweeney Todd plays through April 6th at the Ahmanson Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets run $25-$90.
Hear Music Director Andy Einhorn talk about the production
Audio podcasts by Center Theatre Group
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ten gallons of red dye not included?
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Burton's movie kicked ass.
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Wife attended opening night with her sister. My wife walked out after 45 minutes, sister walked out at intermission.
She said it was one of the worst plays she has ever seen.
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I HATED IT. I LEFT AFTER ACT 1.
I would consider myself to be a fan of musical theater and in my lifetime I have seen all the major musical productions... from CATS to MISS SAIGON... PHANTOM to CHICAGO. This by far was THE WORST musical production I have ever seen. I went into it thinking it was going to be good considering they made it into a movie... but I was mistaken.
Here is what it was like watching the production... Imagine you just watched Sweeney Todd on the big screen. You loved it sooo much you decide you want to invite 7 of your closest homies to act it out in your basement with some make shift props you found in your tool shed out back. That in a nutshell was what I saw on stage at the Ahmanson Theater. Sounds pretty bad huh?!
The only thing I sorta enjoyed was the fact that the actors also played instruments. They were extremely talented but I think the fact that you had to strain you brain to figure out what the heck was going on took away from their talents.
Like I said... I hated it. It was horrible... I don't understand what the hype is about this show. Save your $$$ and a trip out to LA... wait for CHORUS LINE coming out to LA in June.
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I couldn't agree with you more!! I seriously thought about walking out after Act 1 but because I wasted $150 I figured I might as well grin an bear it.
The set was non existent and horrible. The props were silly. The basement and tool shed analogy is right on. There wasn't even a barbers chair or anything resembling a cafe! You had to basically imagine everything! If you didn't already know the story, you would be lost!
Other people were laughing and really amazed by the show, but I just kept wondering if I was watching what they were.
I would agree that the actors were extremely talented in playing their own instuments and that was the best part of the show
I love musicals as well and have seen my share of them. I usually am easy to please and am not usually very critical. I give it two thumbs down. Save your money.