Thursday, November 03, 2011
Pitt Rep to take big swing with 'Sweeney Todd'
Post Gazette: It's theater tradition to "attend the tale of Sweeney Todd," but in the upcoming University of Pittsburgh production, Mrs. Lovett gets her due as well. "I'm interested in that this woman should have sold those razors 10 years ago, and were it not for these razors, the character of Sweeney Todd could not have been created so quickly," said Lisa Jackson-Schebetta, who is directing her first Pitt Repertory Theatre production, which opens Thursday.
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9 comments:
The reason why this article sparked my interest, was because like they said, it is the dueling "Sweeneys" since CMU is doing it too. It has always appeared to me that every season there are so many repeats of shows amongst theatres. Now obviously things become more or less popular, show rights come out etc. but still Ive always thought that there should still be more variety. I do think that it will be interesting how it turns out between the two shows. Since the one at PITT has professional actors and the University of Pittsburgh Symphony playing for them. I am not saying that our actors cant hold up, just that it will be an interesting fight.
It never ceases to amaze me that even though everyone is working from the same script they still manage to produce fairly different shows. It makes me happy that Lisa Jackson-Schebetta is choosing to focus a little more on Mrs. Lovett, as she rarely gets very much attention, but is a key part in Sweeney Todd becoming a murderer. It sounds like it will be a very interesting take on this play.
Why am I not surprised that this article already got two hits? Maybe its because CMU is entering a Todd showdown with U Pitt. I'm so excited for both productions, and I definitely ready to attend both performances.
I'm especially curious how the two schools will deal with the gore, blocking, creative choices for various scenes in the show. It really is one of the more popular performances that so many recognize. Almost like a musical right of passage and I guess this year the competition is on. I just know that there are choices that our theater (CMU) will make that are definitely shocking.
It is a nice chance to get everyone pumped for Sweeney. A little competition never hurt anyone but I hope that it brings out the best work in everyone. It usually does. So game on.
Why does Pitt always copy the shows that we are doing (CMU Drama) for that season. We announce the shows that we are doing before them and then you hear later that they are doing similar shows that year. I wonder if they accidentally copy us or do they just by guidance do the same shows. I hope that it’s possible in the coming years that this does not happened again. I understand that shows do go through a "fad" phase where everyone wants to do them but I think that may be the companies that you lease the rights from should look at where they are giving the rights to and the type of company that is doing it and not allow people in the same area to do it in that same year.
Is everyone doing Sweeny this season? I think it would be really interesting to see all of the Sweeny shows this season and compare what you have seen. This probably happens every season, but I am involved in Sweeny, so I recognize it more. Its kind of like when you buy a new car, and you think it is unique, but then you see five thousand cars of the exact same make, model and color.
I'm agre with caschwartz, that it is an interesting take to focus on Mrs. Lovett in a production, especially since she doesn't really have the largest of character arcs until the very end of the show. It's another bold choice to take away power from the actors and give it to the orchestra. Part of what makes Sweeney so powerful for me is the rawness of the story and the characters. Trying to stylize it too much with lighting and sound really detracts from the revenge and savagery of the story. This is certainly a "big swing" and one I'm not sure I really buy.
Ugh, "dueling Sweeneys"? Why does theater have to be competitive? I'm sure that audience members who see both productions are bound to compare the two, but does it make any sense for theater critics to frame the comparison as a direct competition? I'm sure that both productions will have their own strengths, and it may be interesting on an intellectual and artistic level to compare the differences between the productions and interpretations, but who does it help to set it up as a race?
I am actually very surprised that these were both scheduled in the same season. I would think that when planning the season, other theater's seasons would play a role. Especially since they are both educational institutions.
However, it will provide an interesting comparison. I find that with the kind of pieces that are done over and over, it is always interesting to see a new spin on it. That said... there must be a new spin in order to make it interesting.
Yes, there are two Sweeney Todds this season in Pittsburgh, that doesn't mean they are dueling each other. They are in different times of the year and each production is going to have its own flare. While some patrons who typically go to both CMU and UPitt shows might not make the crossover for this, there will be many that both or enjoy one. Hopefully I can make it to UPitt's production as I am interested in seeing the differences and one of my friends is working on this production.
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