Sweeney Todd in Concert (2001). Starring: George Hearn, Patti LuPone and Neil Patrick Harris. Accompanied by: The San Francisco Symphony and Chorus. Composed by: Stephen Sondeim. Written by: Hugh Wheeler (Book). Directed by: Lonny Price.
Sweeney Todd is the tale of a barber named Benjamin Barker who was eradicated from London, when the high powered Judge Turpin covets the barber’s wife and child. The judge has the barber locked away for a false crime in order to have Barker’s family for his own. The story begins with Barker returning from his escape from a prison in Australia with the help of a young sailor.
Barker has taken the name Sweeney Todd (Hearn) in order to be able to come back to London unrecognized. He is however recognized by one Mrs. Lovett (LuPone), who aids Sweeney in his quest to rescue his daughter and avenge the death of his wife on Beadle Bamford and Judge Turpin. He invites his customers to his barbershop for the closest shave they’ve ever had, murdering them with his razors. Mrs. Lovett has an idea on how to get rid of the evidence.
The concert version of the musical is absolutely fantastic. It features some dialogue, but mainly tells the story through the musical numbers. As stated there is some dialogue, but only the vital dialogue with propels the story to the songs. The concert version gives us some songs and verbiage not featured in the most recent memory we have of this story; Tim Burton’s 2007 version of Sweeney Todd starring the likes of Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham-Carter and Johnny Depp.
The DVD of Sweeney Todd in Concert was filmed and performed at Davies Symphony Hall here in San Francisco.
Composed by one of the greatest composers of all time, Stephen Sondheim, performed by some of the most brilliant names in singing such as George Hearn and Patti Lupone, and accompanied by the world renowned San Francisco Symphony and Chorus, this concert on DVD is a must see.
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