THEATRE REVIEW: "Sweeney Todd" at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (New York, NY)

      On the afternoon of July 15th, 2023, I saw a performance of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street" at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City.  "Sweeney Todd"  features a book by Hugh Wheeler, as well as music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  This production is a Broadway Revival of the musical.  While there have been revivals of "Sweeney Todd" in the past, this is the first one that is accompanied by a 26-piece orchestra, much like the 1979 Broadway Production.  But unlike the Original Broadway Production, which starred Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou, this production stars Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban.  








     While I never saw the Original Broadway Production of "Sweeney Todd," I saw the professionally filmed performance of the First National Tour, where Angela Lansbury reprised her role as Mrs. Lovett and George Hearn replaced Len Cariou in the title role.  Besides that, both of those productions featured Harold Prince as director and Eugene Lee as scenic designer.  The production I just saw was directed by Thomas Kail, and featured Mimi Lien as scenic designer.  I thought both members of the production crew did a great job, and contributed to a stunning Broadway Production.





A scene from the beginning of Act Two (photo by Matthew Murphy).




     While seeing "Sweeney Todd," I wasn't so much struck by the unsettling subject matter as by how beautiful the singing and orchestrations were.  Don't get me wrong... the acting was pretty good too.  Besides Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford, the cast of "Sweeney Todd" (the day I saw the show) included Gaten Matarazzo, Daniel Yearwood, Ruthie Ann Miles, Maria Bilbao, Jamie Jackson, John Rapson, Nicholas Christopher, Jonathan Christopher, Patricia Phillips, and Danny Rothman.  The entire cast was amazing, even while trying to navigate Steven Hoggett's awkward choreography.  However, the audience didn't seem to mind it.  The choreography received a Tony Award nomination after all.













     While it was awesome to see a musical with notable and famous people among the cast, it was slightly distracting when the audience applauded so loudly just because the actor or actress appeared on stage.  Sometimes, because of the applause, the first few lyrics of the song would be inaudible.  I was looking forward to Josh Groban's first appearance at the beginning of the show, because there was an audio mishap when that number was performed at the Tony Awards.  But because of the applause, he still couldn't be heard at first.  No matter.  I'm so excited for the new cast recording to be released.  I'm grateful I got to see this production of "Sweeney Todd."  This was one amazing birthday present, and I have my parents to thank for that.






The marquee of the Lunt-Funtanne Theatre (I took this photo).




     While I was sitting far back in the mezzanine section of the theatre, I still had a great view of the stage.  Also, my seat wasn't as cramped as I thought it was going to be. After the show ended, I ducked out of the theatre before the cast members took their bows.  I am sure I wasn't too much of a distraction.  During one of the more vulgar scenes of the show, someone in the audience yelled "stop!"  So I figure I could make my exit, following suit with the other couple of people who were doing the same.  Though it is theatre, not opera, and audience response is encouraged, I'm sure.  Broadway shows don't just draw theatre fanatics as it's audience.  The audience is ever so diverse.  That's what makes it great.  I loved hearing the various reactions to parts of the show.  Not in a creepy way though.  









       
     


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