Rating: 
Summary: Great Play, but LuPone is Lacking
Review: This was the first Sondheim play that I was familiar with, having bought it maybe three or four years ago after a reccomendation from a composer I corresponded with via the internet, and I immediately became hooked on the music and the dark story with its ever-twisting subplots and meaty characters.I consider myself knowledgable on the play, its music, and its performers--and I'm 14. The play is so much deeper than most theatre pieces written in the past hundred years, as is to be expected with a Sondheim piece. As soon as I found out this was coming out, I wanted to buy, but decided to wait a while since I had seen this concert version when it was broadcast on Halloween night on my local PBS station. About twenty or so years ago, "Sweeney Todd" was released on video with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn in their respective roles, and I was unable to obtain a copy, and rather saw then copy that my video store had on file. I love George Hearn in this role. I think that his performance has a very deep and brooding feeling of his own, and you can see his slow, constant change into his vengeful self as the story line progresses. He is as good in this version as he was twenty years ago. Now, Patti LuPone is a different story. I first watched this concert thinking that she would be great in the role of Mrs. Lovett, but I was very, very wrong. I was familiar with her singing in "Evita" and I really enjoyed her on that CD, but undeoubtedly, with age, her voice has deteriorated. She seems to draw out words with a sort of ugliness when she should just pronounce the word, and her harmonies are hideous. Plus, sometimes she's just plain off-key. Rewatching this, she grew on me a little, to the point where she was tolerable, but she's not very good in the role. Antony and Johanna are great in their roles, even if their Original Cast Album counterparts are better by some. Judge Turpin, who, oddly enough, himself played Sweeney Todd at the Philharmonic, is fair as the judge, though he's a little cheesy if you ask me. The Beadle and Pirelli, both opera singers, are also fine, but nothing special. Since their parts are small, their satisfactory performances aren't substancial anyway. The Beggar Woman, too, was only satisfactory. Overall, I thought that if you liked "Sweeney Todd" to begin with, this is a great addition to your collection. The performances are so/so, with George Hearn being the most notable stand-out, but the others carry their weight, with the exception of Ms. LuPone, who faltered with her role, even she does grows on you after a while. Hearing the music played by a symphony and backed with a hunge chorus is enough to buy this for, and the sets and costumes, while barren, do the trick for the concert setting. If you love Sondheim or Sweeney Todd (or Patti LuPone), then buy this, you won't be dissatisfied.
Rating:
Summary: Sondheim and Hearn Rule!
Review: To: Mark Orell; That little bit that Pirelli sings before he is slain does not have a name; it's technically a reprise of "The Contest" with different words. Anyway, Sondheim is God and "Sweeney" is my favorite show of his ("Passion" running a close second.) George Hearn is the best Sweeney ever; I paid [250$] for a seat in the balcony to see this concert at Lincoln Center - worth every penny! I think George Hearn is much better than Len Cariou, who ain't bad! When Hearn yells: "At last, my right arm is complete again!" it never fails to thrill! I agree that Patti Lupone is no Angela; but still enjoyable. I saw it with Audra McDonald as the Beggarwoman; unfortunately, she is not on this DVD, more's the pity. I saw this production at the Kennedy Center; Christine Baranski was an excellent Mrs. Lovett; however, I felt Brian Stokes Mitchell was miscast (and let me hasten to add that I love him). This just isn't his part.
Rating: 
Summary: Patti LuPone is an awful Mrs. Lovett!!!
Review: TRULY! NO ONE CAN REPLACE ANGELA LANSBURY as the grotesquely avaricious Mrs. Lovett...honestly, I was so horrified at Ms. LuPone's portrayal of the character I could barely register the rest of the cast! Her delivery was breathless, and not in an effective manner...why, she sounded completely winded on several numbers, and her "take" on dialogue delivery was so completely off I felt nothing but pity for George Hearn (who was, of course, brilliant, as always). While generally I enjoy her (I loved her in "Anything Goes"), I was tremendously disgusted with Patti LuPone's inept delivery in this performance, and HIGHLY RECOMMEND anyone who's not seen this fantastic musical (and easily one of my very favorites) to partake of the Len Cariou/Angela Lansbury 1982 edition.
Rating: 
Summary: The Sweeney Todd
Review: Watching this DVD of "Sweeney Todd In Concert" is an overwhelming experience. Of all the Stephen Sondheim musicals, this is my No. 2 favorite; the No. 1 is "Passion". While the two musicals tell totally different stories, they both are enriched with the same musical elements of Stephen Sondheim's music, which is passion and authenticity. "Sweeney Todd" is a dark and haunted story, it deals with demon and evil side of human being, and at the same time it entertains, needless to say that all of these are delivered so well by the music scores, as well as the lyrics - another part of the Sondheim's talent, for which the remarkableness hasn't been reached by any other musical writers, yet. This is the only version of "Sweeney Todd" so far I've watched or listened. While I don't have any reference to compare with in terms of cast performance, I am glad that I can truly enjoy this cast and appreciate every effort of every cast member that has turned this operatic musical into a musical sensation. George Hearn, besides an excellent vocal job, fleshes out the complicities of the demon barber Sweeney Todd quite vividly by adding traces of human emotions into the character. Patti LuPone, in her unique and bit-of-rough voice, has done a very good job in depicting Mrs. Lovett. Her performance is outstanding and very entertaining. Neil Patrick Harris is simply wonderful. He is an actor whom you'd feel very comfortable to watch. Everything from him seems so natural. Of all the roles, one character gives me the real chill and that is Judge Turpine, played by Timothy Nolen. In his extraordinary low baritone, crooning or shouting, Nolen vests this twisted character with an immense commanding power, something intangible but truly scary. Lisa Vroman sings beautifully as Johanna, the power of her voice could amaze you when she bursts out in full voice. Comparing to the depth of other characters, Anthony is relatively shallow, and it's a pity that its performer David Gaines doesn't help much in strengthening the role, but he does give a great rendition of "Johanna". One last comment I'd like to say is the staging of this show. With a full orchestra on the stage and cast members around and among, it brilliantly turns the musical into a concert without losing much of the theatrics and dynamics. The set is simple, the color is mainly black, the prop is almost non-existent, and yet, what we've sensed is the luster like a black marble and the intensity that feels like one, too.
Rating:
Summary: IN DEFENCE OF DAVIS GAINES
Review: What's up with those reviewers who have given a "serve" to Davis Gaines?. I bought this version of "Sweeney Todd" expecting to see and hear a sub-standard performance by Davis Gaines. I believed every action, word and note from Mr Gaines and I'm glad that I'm now able to put a face to the name on a number of my favourite CD booklets.
I believe that every member of the cast deserves the highest praise. This is an exceptional performance of Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece. Just listening to the way the cast, chorus and orchestra handle the difficult score fills me with awe.
On my scale this rates 99/100. One point off for the shaving competion scene that has never worked in any performance I've ever seen, nor in this version.
Rating:
Summary: Ah, La LuPone! Simply DIVINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Words can not truly express how great La LuPone is in this role. It is not fare to compare her with Angela Lansbury who is the definitive "Mrs. Lovett" but LuPone brings on a much darker and sexier "Mrs. Lovett" than anyone I have seen. George Hearn is awesome as "Sweeney" and his years of playing him have really made him the definitive "Demon Barber". I was lucky enough to obtain 3rd row tickets to the Friday performance of the San Francisco Philharmonic's "Sweeney Todd" and it was a theatrical experience that I will never forget. LuPone and Hearn are a theatrical match made in heaven. I didn't care too much for Davis Gaines. The rest of the cast was awesome. GET THIS DVD! You won't regret it.
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