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No, I swear, I'm straight! I know I'm not supposed to like this stuff, but... but...

2007-05-23

Good afternoon Boys and Girls.

Off to a musical tonight. "Sweet Charity," with eighties kid-star Molly Ringwald in the lead. Only report I've heard on the production wasn't great, but the tickets were purchased months ago and who knows, maybe it'll have been worth the time.

I like musicals, though my tastes run to offbeat stuff. I loved "Jesus Christ Superstar," but other than "Evita," I've not been impressed by anything else Andrew Lloyd Webber's been involved in musically.

Loved Les Miz. Liked "A Chorus Line." I'm a Sondheim freak and Steven Schwartz is brilliant. "Wicked" has some incredible music in it.

My favorite to date is still "Sweeny Todd," with its diminished harmonies and counter rhythms and melodies running throughout, that when added to the darkly funny and tragic story makes the production a winner in the hands of any competent director and cast. I mean, who'd not think a story about unintentional cannibalism isn't tasty fare. And that line, sung by her desperate lover... "I feel you Joanna, I feel you."

Or the prelude, sung by various characters we meet during the show. Witty...Dark... Here, I hope I don't get sued by Mr. Sondheim... Remember, there's a dramatic pause between "Fleet" and "Street."

Sweeney Todd Prelude Lyrics

"Attend the tale of Sweeny Todd.
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
He shaved the faces of gentlemen
Who never thereafter were heard of again.
He trod a path that few have trod,
Did Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet... Street

He kept a shop in London Town
with fancy clients of good renown.
And what if none of their souls were saved?
They went to their maker impeccably shaved by Sweeny,
By Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet... Street

Swing your razor wide, Sweeny,
Hold it to the skies!
Freely flows the blood of those who moralize.

His needs were few, his room was bare:
a lather bowl and a fancy chair,
A mug of suds and a leather strop,
An apron, a towel, a pail and a mop.
For neatness, he deserves a nod.
Does Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet... Street.

Inconspicuous Sweeny was,
Quick and quiet and clean 'e was.
Back of his smile, 'n under his word,
Sweeny heard music that nobody heard.
Sweeny pondered and Sweeny planned,
Like a perfect machine 'e planned
Sweeny was smooth, Sweeny was subtle,
Sweeny would blink and rats would scuttle.
Sweeny! Sweeny! Sweeny! Sweeny!
Sweeny!

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
He served a dark and a vengeful god.
What happened then, well that's the play,
And he wouldn't want us to give it away. Not Sweeney,
Not Sweeney Todd, The demon barber of Fleet... Street."



Impeccable.


Be good to everyone.

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Witqueen (2007-05-23)
I'm a theater junkie, spend all my money on tickets on bway every chance I get. Going to The Pirate Queen in July, but you can't put the Phantom down, its a classic, though I will admit they did a fab job with the movie. Aida is another favorite of mine..Wicked..great..Little known fact about me as I tool around in my convertible, every slot is filled with a broadway soundtrack, until the summer, then I have to give up the shows, and go back to my alternative music. But got to admire a man who isn't afraid to admit he likes the theater. That's why you are Plan B. :-)

Barnabus (2007-05-23)
Sounds like a cool song!!!

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