Frelling amazing.
Even though I knew it going in, I can't overstate how impressed I was with the versatility on display by having the cast be the orchestra and the orchestra be the cast. Joanna (Lauren Molina in the best playing of that role I've ever seen) playing the cello even while she was playing her part. Toby doing likewise with the violin, all the while being so damn cute he kept my pulse racing (Christ, I just wanted to bag Edmund Bagnell. arrhhhggh drool, gagged and straitjacketed,arrggghgh). Actors/Players on the piano constantly switching off during numbers so one could act while another took over at the ivories.
Judy Kay was hysterical as Mrs. Lovett. David Hess nothing short of excellent as Sweeney Todd.
I've seen the full-on production with Angela Lansbury as Lovett (alas with George Kearn as Todd) and THIS current production of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is the best and most entertaining I've ever seen. Certainly makes mincemeat pie of the movie coming out on DVD next week.
|