Sweeney Todd Off Broadway Performances

[TheaterGal3]

I sat in the second row upstairs and didn't remember it being labeled partial view when purchased, but at times it is in fact a partial view. Almost everyone stood a few times to get a better view of downstairs during a handful of scenes. It wasn't often but it happened and even at that we couldn't always see the person performing. It didn't really bother me though. It's a good view for most of the show. I didn't have to look between any heads. I'm not tall, but I should note the people in the row in front of me were also on the average size in terms of height. Still, no problems. We ate our pies at a table downstairs and move upstairs about 15 minutes before the show started.

I've never seen a production of Sweeney Todd before and truly loved this one. The actors seemed to be having a great time, too. 

[Marianne2]

I also have tickets for the 2nd row upstairs. Definitely were not listed as partial view. Kind of irritating because it would have been nice to know that at the time of purchase. Then again, they also were allowing the food purchase for that section at the time. 

[macnyc]

Thanks for the info, TheaterGal! I don't mind standing getting out of my seat and standing on occasion. I just feel a little bad because I sold my extra ticket to a friend, and now I have to tell her it's partial view. For myself, I'm just a little disappointed. After all, the price was $69, about half of the regular seats.

[boonanas]

Saw this last night.  Enjoyed the production very much.  I personally thought the film was perfect and if there were any reason for new stage productions it would be this.  Some of the audience members get involved in the musical and its crazy what they did with such little space.  Pretty unforgettable night at the theater.  Pie and mash were also very tasty.

[ethan33]

Hey gang,

I'm unable to go to tomorrow night's show - Feb 18. I've got 2 tix at one of the tables, plus the pie and mash. Anyone want to buy them? Or know someone that's looking for tix? Just looking to recoup the base ticket cost.

[CaseyBrent41]

Seating Chart
Can someone who has seen it tell me where the exits on the floor are located? 

[TheaterGal3]

Do you mean the exit for ticket holders? That exit is near the service counter and the only one used to come and go. If you are facing the service counter the exit is to the left.

[Leah Robertson]

I received an email today explaining the partial view situation and offering a refund. I'm disappointed because I bought these last fall when I could've selected table seating, and of course now those are sold out. We have been looking forward to it though, so we will most likely go anyway. 

[James2]

The primary thing keeping me away from this production is the notion of a three-person orchestra playing my favorite musical.  To those who have seen it, how does the music sound with these orchestrations?

[ljay889]

James2 said: "The primary thing keeping me away from this production is the notion of a three-person orchestra playing my favorite musical.  To those who have seen it, how does the music sound with these orchestrations?"

This is how I feel as well. If it see it, it'll be for Norm and Carolee only. I am tired of reduced Sondheim. Thankfully the current Sunday revival has a full orchestra, two pieces larger than the original. 

[icecreambenjamin]

I would mind the small band if it was a full scale broadway revival, but because it is an intimate production, it doesn't really bother me.  Also, I hope the performers are not miked. It will be a real treat to hear Norm and Carolee's natural voices.

[HSky]

I saw it last night from the rear row on the first level and thought it was very effective immersive staging. If you're at the tables, particularly at the front end by the counter (and especially the center table), you'll definitely get up close and personal with the performers.

It's a small, intimate space and the three piece orchestra sounded fine, although it was my first time seeing a production, so I have no comparison. The performers are miked but not over amplified. 

I'd still like to see the second half of the run, but glad I got a ticket to see the UK cast when it popped up a few days ago. Jeremy Secomb kept a good poker face, which made the depth of emotion pop when a smile crept in or his eyes twinkled - or he bellowed out in rage. Siobhan McCarthy was the perfect match as Mrs. Lovett, and "A Little Priest" got a rousing response. I also thought Joseph Taylor was endearing as Tobias.

Re: earlier questions, they have a windowcard ($20) plus t-shirts, a mug, and magnets. They seat you through the door that is by the pie counter, but for intermission (without spoiling it, I loved how they started up again) and after the show, the other door behind the rear seats also opens.

[QueenAlice]

I was at last nights performance as well and thought it was overall quite wonderful.  The immersive staging is very clever and the intimacy in some (very positive) ways brings the style of the piece back to its Victorian melodrama roots.  Siobhan McCarthy is the best Mrs. Lovett I've seen since Julia McKenzie in the thrilling RNT production in the 1980s and I thought Jeremy Secomb was effectively real (and frightening) as Sweeney.  The entire production is extremely well sung.

Like the John Doyle production, this small cast, single setting, story theatre approach becomes a little muddied in the second act (with its quick changing locales and rising body count) and I rather wished there were more of a 'coup de theatre' somewhere towards the end, as by the finale, the show's bag of tricks had rather been emptied -- but there are plenty of imaginative (and some brilliant) touches throughout, and the first act is a total joy.

Are we sure the show was miked? It didn't sound that way to me.

I look forward to revisiting the production with its second cast. I assume Betsy Morgan (excellent) will be departing soon as she is obviously quite pregnant.

[dramamama611]

Has anyone here sat in terms FRONT row upstairs?  Are there any actors that go up thete?

[QueenAlice]

I was on the floor (and I would strongly encrourage being on the floor if possible) but there were some moments when the actors did indeed go up on the second level.

[boonanas]

There is a moment when a character does go up to the balcony.

[QueenAlice]

The orchestration by the way was perfect for this concept of the show. SWEENEY to me is the only Sondheim piece that can work with a cast of ten or a cast of fifty (and orchestration reduced or enlarged accordingly).

[sondmon]

I remember reading an article saying that it is not miked. not sure where it is now.

[QueenAlice]

There are a couple of moments that have some 'enhanced' special effect sound - like when Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett are searching for Toby in the second Act, but most of these happened when the actors were off stage.  I think its possible there could be a couple of area mikes on the set (for this purpose) - they could also have been pre-recorded,  but it did not sound (or look) to me like anyone was wearing a mic at any other time, and hearing the clear clean unamplified vocals was definitely a highlight of this staging

[sondmon]

can anyone comment on what parts were cut? Is the Ballad still there?

[broadwayboy222]

@macnyc so the partial view seats are 69.00? 

[QueenAlice]

Nothing is cut. The show uses the revised lyrics Sondheim crafted for Doyle's production (during "God That's Good" since there is no grand reveal of a new barber chair, but that is the only change I noticed. The Judge's "Johanna" is here as is the "Beggar Woman's Lullabye."  The tooth pulling section of "Pirrelli's Miracle Elixir" was cut long ago and naturally doesn't appear here.

[Anshel2]

Does the window card reference the cast or is it generic 

[HSky]

QueenAlice said: "I think its possible there could be a couple of area mikes on the set (for this purpose) - they could also have been pre-recorded,  but it did not sound (or look) to me like anyone was wearing a mic at any other time, and hearing the clear clean unamplified vocals was definitely a highlight of this staging."

You're probably right, area mics would make sense, and most of the moments that would require them were offstage. I didn't clearly notice body mics, either, but there was a house right moment with Brad Oscar and Duncan Smith that made me wonder if there was a minimal level. I wish I could recall exactly what it was that made me think that.

Regardless, everything was crisp and clear.

 

[boonanas]

Anshel2 said: "Does the window card reference the cast or is it generic 

 

"

It mentions the cast... I have a picture of it but I'm not sure how to post it to the board

[spidernight]

definitely don't buy 2nd row upstairs tickets. Best case scenario it's partial view but if the person in front of you leans forward, and many if not most do, partial view doesn't begin to describe it. It's really bad. They should either not sell them at all or specifically ask the front row to not lean forward. That being said, Jeremy Secomb is fantastic as Sweeney Todd.