Playbill: Audiences at the September 15 performance of Sweeney Todd attended a different kind of tale. Last night at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, technical difficulties threatened to cancel the evening's performance of Sweeney Todd. According to social media posts, the company quickly adjusted to present a 40-minute concert version of the show.
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I read some other articles about set malfunctions, or other similar problems over the past week, but this performance was so well taken care of. Although the audience wasn’t able to view the full, blocked out show, they still got to see the concert version, and still got a full refund, which in my opinion, was a really good way to resolve the problem. I still think and agree that the safety of the performers and audience should be put first, and that changing the format of the show instead of delaying the show was a much better solution. I also think that they were really clear with everyone in this situation, and everyone knew what was going on, which is why I think everyone was so understanding of the situation. I did some more research and found out a lot of people left after the show was delayed, and only about 60 people ended up staying. Personally, if I was in that situation, I would’ve also stayed, because it would been a fun an unique experience.
This definitely speaks to the resilience of theater! I hope they were able to fix the hydraulics, though it must’ve been super cool to see the stripped down performances of the actors. I feel you’d definitely learn so much from watching their impromptu changes, though I definitely understand the disappointment the audience must feel for not being able to see the fully produced show. I wonder what about the mechanism was wrong, they don’t go into detail in the article about the actual issue itself, only that it related to the hydraulics of one of the set pieces (I’m guessing maybe the barber chair?). I saw Sweeney Todd on Broadway a few months ago, and it was great, all of the performers were so talented and I loved what they did with the scenic design. It would be really interesting to see how they make the show work each night, and to learn more about this particular technical difficulty, so as to better know how one might prevent that from happening in the future. (Though it was probably quite fun for the refunded audience to see this special adjusted version of the performance).
I love live theatre due to its unique one-of-a-kind show, every night. Even in a very rehearsed show that is supposed to function the same, nearly seamless way every night, you will still have variations in performance due to actors, audience, and other technical elements. If we did not have slight variations, there would be no need for follow spot operators and stage managers. However, it is very rare that an element goes awry to the point where the show, in a sense, cannot go on. I appreciated the company of Sweeny Todd’s dedication to giving the audience a show regardless of whether or not it was the show they planned. They were still able to tell the tale but without the added spectacle. It was especially neat to hear that there was a standby on for the titular character. I can imagine it was a great way for them and the rest of the cast to go back and focus on the music and take a step out of what can become a too-comfortable routine.
I think moments like this are truly the magic of theatre. I know some people would probably be upset if they were attending the show on this night because they would want to see the full production, which is fair, however I think moments like this really showcase what makes theatre so special. Things do not always go as planned, sometimes things break but we have the ability to adjust and keep going. I think seeing a big complex show striped down to a concert reading would be such a beautiful authentic experience. At the same time I appreciate that they did refund the tickets so those that were there to see the full show were given the chance to come back. I also think it is really cool that they did not just refund and cancel. I have been in that situation. I was in New York and we went to a show and it was cancelled. They refunded our money but at that time we had to fly home the next day and we were not able to see the show. I would have loved for something like this to happen instead.
I think this is so cool! Sweeny Todd seems like an amazing musical that I really want to get into and this just encourages that even more. Theatre is a flexible art and it is all about rolling with the flow of the show. The dedication to art here is incredible and the actors, tech, directors, and everyone involved are very clever and resilient for being able to deal with everything on the fly. Also I wonder what hydraulics were malfunctioning. I’m genuinely so curious as to what hydraulics are even used in this show, so basically what I am getting from this article is I need to listen to Sweeny Todd and go see the production. Another part I think is really cool about this is the immediate reblocking with chairs and minimal props. I wonder how receptive the audience was to the change of plans? I think it is also incredibly important they still got a refund and part of a show. While it is slightly disappointing for anyone really looking forward to the show it is better than nothing!
The impromptu concert reading of Broadway's Sweeney Todd due to the set malfunction proved to be a serendipitous event that showcased the incredible talent and adaptability of the cast and crew. It served as a testament to the resilience of the theater community and the power of live performances. Despite the unexpected setback, the cast and crew quickly transformed the theatrical production into an intimate concert reading. Without the elaborate set design, the focus shifted towards the incredible talent of the performers and the timeless music of Stephen Sondheim. This adjustment allowed the audience to fully appreciate the raw emotions and powerful storytelling of the musical. The impromptu nature of the concert reading created an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. It became a one-of-a-kind performance that will be remembered for years to come. The resilience and professionalism of the Broadway community were on full display as they seamlessly adjusted to the unforeseen circumstances. The passion and dedication of the artists turned a potential setback into a remarkable and unforgettable experience.
It's reassuring to know that in the world of live theater, safety remains a top priority, and the decision not to proceed with the show due to a set malfunction reflects a commitment to the well-being of both the cast and the audience. As the saying goes, "The show must go on," but it should never come at the expense of safety. The impromptu concert reading that emerged from the setback is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the theater community. It's during these unexpected moments that the true magic of live theater comes to life. The cast and crew, faced with a challenging situation, came together to deliver a unique and memorable experience for the audience. This incident is a reminder that live theater is a dynamic and ever-changing art form. It thrives on the spontaneity of the moment and the ability to overcome unforeseen obstacles. The audience gets to witness not only the final polished production but also the behind-the-scenes teamwork and creativity that go into making a performance successful. In the end, it's not just about the show itself but also about the journey, the camaraderie, and the shared experience of overcoming challenges to create something beautiful. This impromptu concert reading showcased the resilience and collaborative spirit that make the theater community so special.
I think this is one of the best ways to deal with a technical problem. The fact that they still gave a performance on top of a full refund was a perfect thing to do. It gives those that wanted a performance a little of something and no one can complain about not getting their money's worth since they got their money back. I don’t really know what else they could have done to satisfy more people. The attention to safety is paramount in shows like this, and the decision to not do a show is not a light one, I’m glad they chose a route that would, I guess the word i’d use is offend, the least amount of people. If I had been at that show, I might have been annoyed, but at least I got to hear part of the show.
Although the problem behind the technical difficulty wasn’t disclosed further than “hydraulics failed”, I kind of want to know more about it despite fully knowing that I’ll probably never find out because they need to protect the magic of theatre. But as Alexander said, it’s nice to know that they are still looking out for the safety of the cast. I wonder though, how long before the show opened that they found out the set wasn’t working. I think it must have been stressful for everyone involved because a decision needs to be made soon, but no one wants to be the one calling to cancel (even if their job requires them to), and there is always this small hope that it will work out. Sometimes we encounter technical difficulties in our performances here at CMU too. While everyone wishes the run to be as smooth as possible, I think moments like this are actually really good learning experiences. They train you to prepare for the most unpredictable.
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