Inspired by a London revival of a 19th-century melodrama, Stephen Sondheim developed this darkly humorous romantic revenge musical set in Victorian England into a multiple Tony Award-winning production in 1979. In this 2001 revival featuring the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Lonny Price's brilliant staging surrounds the orchestra with a series of ramps for the cast and props to flow in and out smoothly, allowing Sondheim's brilliant words and music to take center stage. George Hearn as the serial shaver demon barber of Fleet Street and Patti LuPone as the cannibalistic pastry chef are a perfect match and are supported by a superb cast, mainly drawn from the operatic world, in this wonderful transformation of a penny dreadful into a riveting, suspenseful thriller. Offering both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS options on the soundtrack, the DVD also features a very rewarding 25-minute "making of" featurette, as well as an insightful set of director's notes. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)
Sweeney Todd in Concert
(2001) 132 min. DVD: $24.99. Image Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 17, Issue 5
Sweeney Todd in Concert
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