Sweeney Todd knowledge needed?

[idunno]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 2:48pm

Got tickets to Sweeney Todd in a couple of months. I've heard this one is a little different than the other stage versions that have been done, none of which I've seen. All I know about it is that its a revival and about a two sentence subnopsis. For those of you followers of the show and to the first timers out there, is that enough to enjoy and understand it? Or do I need to know more, or rent the old version of it out on dvd?

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 2:58pm

Truthfully, if you really pay attention to everything, you should be able to understand the show. However, if you're not used to conceptual theater, you might want to skimp a synopsis, or see the DVD beforehand.

I still contend that the revival is clear to understand if you're a smart, and attentive theatergoer. If you tend to doze off during songs, or not pay attention to lyrics, you'll be lost. Or if you're the kind of person who prefers flashy scenery, or can't understand how a coffin could serve to illustrate a door, or a boat, then yeah, you may not be able to follow some key plot elements. It's VITAL to pay attention, and listen to the lyrics (which are not only amazing, but very crystal clear in this production)

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 3:11pm

I had never seen the show before going to the revival, and I understood everything. You just need to listen to the lyrics closely. Especially in the song "Poor Thing". That pretty much gives all the info you need to know.

[guitargeek0624]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 3:41pm

I was so wrapped up in the stage and just seeing the show that I got lost a couple of times, since I wasn't paying close attention to the lyrics. But I quickly caught up, so it wasn't a huge deal.

If you're really unsure if you'll be able to follow the story, reading a small synopsis should help, without giving too much of the story away beforehand.

[neomystyk29]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 3:47pm

Honestly, I think you'd benefit from a viewing of the original DVD. You're likely to understand the plot, who is who, relationships, and other basics without any prior knowledge. However, looking back on my viewing of this production, I realized that I had trouble deciphering where the characters were at any given time because that it never made clear in this production. You really need to understand the setting during some parts of the show. That's where seeing the DVD before hand helped me, otherwise I would have been very confused at scattered important moments in the show.

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 3:59pm

If you don't mind very detailed info, go to www.mtishows.com and find their Sweeney Todd page. Click Plot & Synopsis to read the best possible synopsis.

[kasim]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 5:12pm

the only thing that threw me off was the other barber :)

its a male role played by a girl :)

But other than that i think its not hard to follow

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 5:17pm

I knew the VERY basics of the story when I saw it, and even though I picked up the essence of it, a lot of fairly important little details just flew over my head. I would at the very least have made yourself familiar with the music and the storyline.

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:30pm

I highly suggest watching a DVD first. So you know where each scene is set, and who each person is without guessing.

[ihearttheatre]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:34pm

I went into it with only a very general idea of the story (i.e. barber kills people, people get put into pies)

I loved the show and paid enough attention to follow the story without difficulty. However, I feel that I would have appreciated the artistry more if I had been less worried about understanding the characters and plot.

[shameless]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 6:52pm

I knew very little about the show going into it and I was able to follow everything, but I don't think it would ruin the experience for you, if you did a little research, especially if you're concerned about it.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 7:06pm

Actually, There is a wonderful synopsis in the new 2 Disc version of the show just out. Once you know the basic story you should be able to follow. If unsure, watch the DVD with Angela Lansbury & George Hearn. Sweeney is a timeless story so it couldn't really hurt much. If you think you will get it though, try to leave some things to shock & "GOBSMACK!" You as well!

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 7:12pm

I absolutely recommend checking out the DVD before going to the show. I knew the show well, and I was still lost several times during this awesome but confusing conceptual revival. They make no attempt to really explain things to you.

[Zenachick]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 7:20pm

I saw it without any prior knowledge and it was good though it was hard to notice some of the sybolism when all your attention is focused on the actors. i am planning on seeing it again so I can understand it more. I think it is neat to see it without knowing anything about the story. It is funnier and more shocking to not know what will happen.

[Alix7272]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 7:36pm

If you want yet another opinion: I saw it with probably the same amount of knowledge that you now have and was fine. Yes, there are little things I picked up on in hindsight after thinking about it more, and with this new knowledge and with a knowledge of the HUGE differences between this production and previous ones, I would love to go back and see it again. But I was able to understand what was happening and completely follow the story, and there was something thrilling about having the story unfold for the first time this way. In order to understand everything, you do have to be attentive and really listen since the production doesn't help you out. My dad and sister, who were listening, both missed a point that does make enough of a difference to want to know. I'd say it depends on what you want your experience to be like - how much you want to work or if you'd rather be sure that you will know what's happening all the time.

[AnotherDay46]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:01pm

I saw it knowing nothing and got lost a few times. I am going to see it again, because I think I will like it better after knowing the music and story. So I think knowledge of the show will be good going into it.

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:07pm

I'd never seen it before but had been familiar with the story and the recordings for years, so I wasn't at all lost. The cranky couple sitting next to me seemed pretty confused, though ("Now, I don't know what we just watched, do you?"). But they also struck me as being the sort of casual theatregoers who weren't willing to expend the energy to pay attention very hard, so there you are.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:29pm

This board is also a good resource for learning about little details. We like little details. If you are concerned about missing these details, it would serve you well to spend a little while going over some old threads, but avoid the ones that say "Spoiler" if you want to be very suprised. If you're not, read everything.

[Alix7272]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 11:12pm

Or if you want to wait, for reading about it afterwards. I learned a lot.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 11:18pm

I went into the show knowing very little about it. I understood everything, so I don't think you have to familiarize yourself beforehand. I made sure to stay away from spoilers before I saw it because I like being surprised in the theater and watching the story unfold without knowing what's going to happen next. I think watching the DVD afterwards is a fun experience.

[DirtyRottenGirl]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 3:19pm

I knew a little about it before I saw the revival and I still got confused. It took me a while to get who all the characters were. I also recommend seeing the dvd and listen to the revival cd and figure out who sings what song.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 3:34pm

Rent the DVD to familiarize yourself with the show and music.