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pieshopbarber · 5 months

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My dumb little review of the 2023 Sweeney Todd revival!! 😀

I had been hyping myself up for seeing the 2023 revival for multiple months on end, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Obviously I had a bunch of issues with it, there are always going to be issues with anything, that’s how the world works, but overall I could not be happier with the experience.

I thought it was really well casted overall, each and every one of these performers were fantastic and 100% deserved the roles they have and the praise.

Josh Groban’s performance as Sweeney Todd was absolutely fantastic. While I wish they cast someone older, I can’t argue that Groban was absolutely fantastic as the role. I had high hopes since hearing the first few songs from the cast album, and was blown away when I saw him live. Todd is always one of those characters who is very interesting to see performed, mainly due to how erratic he can be, switching between being completely depressed and withdrawn from the world to enraged and running around screaming and slashing throats at the drop of a hat, and Josh managed to really capture this. I also really enjoyed a lot of the little things he did. He definitely brought a bunch of middle aged white dad energy to the role that I don’t see a lot, really driving home the point that he really is just a father who lost absolutely everything. I also adored the choreography (I don’t know if this is the right word, but I’m just kinda dumb) with the razor, especially during epiphany, my favorite moment being where he descends the stairs to start confronting the audience where he slams the razor into the railing and scrapes it down. Really good stuff. A personal favorite moment of mine is the end. The enraged screaming of “BENJAMIN BARKER!” To violently sawing at the judge’s throat (which I was not expecting but holy shit was that awesome), but then holding the razor out in front of him as if disgusted by it and his own actions, but snapping back into a rage when he sees Johanna, practically turning into a feral animal, growling and literally lunging at her and down the stairs. His performance was definitely the highlight of the show.

Now onto Annaleigh Ashford. Oh jeez. Her accent was not great. It was better than it was in the cast recording, so that was nice, but it still sucked. I do not like Ashford’s characterization of Lovett. She’s too touchy and grabby with Todd, which definitely isn’t how Lovett should be. She waits, and she wouldn’t be that touchy and impatient. It does help with some of Todd’s characterization, with him either completely ignoring her advances, being disgusted and pushing her away, or being too much in a daze to fight back against her, but I still did not like it. I also do not like her casting, Ashford is too young and conventionally attractive for the role, however despite this, I can not ignore how genuinely funny she is as Lovett. Her comedic timing and line delivery never failed to get a laugh out of me, and I loved how she really embraced the Lovett hyperactivity. The energy she brought during little priest was absolutely amazing, literally rolling on the ground and doing the little Lovett jig. The banter between her and Todd was absolutely fantastic, and it’s impossible to ignore how well her and Groban meshed together. I have to say that the moment she really shined was during Not while I’m around. At the beginning she’s defensive and on edge as she realizes that Toby is on to the whole thing, turning into a very motherly sternness as she tries to convince him to stop thinking about the whole thing, to the heartbreak and panic as she realizes that they need to kill Toby. Her sadness when she is telling Toby how to work the oven and meat grinder is something I don’t see a lot when people play Lovett, and it was fantastic. I also loved her approach right before she gets killed. With her practically sobbing as she sings because she is happy since this is the closest that Todd has ever been with her, but also because she knows that she’s going to die, she knows that this closeness is not because of love, it’s because Todd wants her dead because she lied.

Obviously, Gaten just left the production, so Tobias was played by Daniel Marconi. I really enjoyed him as Toby, he really portrayed the whole pathetic orphan thing really well. However I did think his voice was a little too mature sounding if that makes sense. Overall though, really good as Toby. Was absolutely amazing during not while I’m around, the panic in his voice was palpable, really talented guy.

Nicholas Christopher was probably one of the best Pirellis I’ve seen. Pirelli is my favorite character from this musical overall, and he was just so freaking good. Really played into the camp and flamboyance of the character, really being a fruity little piss seller. During the contest he dramatically sprawled across the guy in the chair, or would fling the razor out towards the ensemble making them freak out and shrink away and overall was absolutely hilarious. One of the most brilliant things about his performance was how towards the end of the contest where he realizes that he’s losing, he begins to lose the Italian accent and the Irish starts to slip through, which I’ve never seen anyone do when playing Pirelli. I also loved the contrast that Nicholas Christopher had between the high pitched Italian accent and the super low gruffness he had with his Irish accent. Was definitely my favorite character from the whole thing.

The beggar woman was played by Ruthie Ann Miles, and I don't really have any issues with her. She was super good as Lucy, and her singing was really good. I thought it was brilliant that they had her wig obscuring her face and had her keep her shoulder or back to the audience so we couldn’t see her face until city on fire, right before Todd kills her. I also really enjoyed how she would physically interact with the other characters, as I don’t see that often with beggar woman performances.

Jamie Jackson was overall pretty good as judge Turpin, however I felt his acting was a little overdone. His voice was a little too wheezy and nasally at points, and him grabbing onto Lovett’s skirt was far too dramatic. However he did give me the ick, which is needed whenever someone plays Turpin.

Beadle Bamford was really funny. Similarly to Pirelli, Johnathan Christopher really played into the flamboyance of the character, which I always love. I really loved the bit before parlor songs where he unabashedly steals from Lovett. He was super funny and a great mesh with Turpin.

Maria Bilbao was fantastic as Joannah. Her singing was absolutely fantastic, and she was able to capture the naivety, yet strength of the character. Johanna here actually felt like a teenager who was both scared of the world because of how Turpin sheltered her, but also had eyes full of wonder and hope. Really loved her.

Daniel Yearwood as Anthony was good. I really don’t have much to say about him. He was really good. His line delivery was really good, but I thought he sounded really similar to Gaten on the cast album. That’s not a gripe with him, it’s just something I noticed.

I went in knowing that the factory whistle would be (sadly) absent from the show, yet still found myself bracing for it. I was kinda disappointed that the whistle was excluded since it’s such a massive part of the class system metaphor, but I totally wasn’t expecting the extra loud whistle when Turpin was killed. Literally made me almost shit myself in the mezzanine. Also again, Josh literally sawing at the judges throat was great at that moment too.

I also was somewhat tentative about the dancing. I don’t think of Sondheim or Sweeney Todd and think of dancing, so I went in cautious about it, and honestly I hated it a lot less than I thought I would. The dancing in the opening and closing ballads works? It’s not atrocious to be honest, it’s jarring yes, but isn’t the worst thing they could have done. The dancing is used very sparingly throughout the rest of it, and it’s not awful. It created a really surreal and dreamlike atmosphere which is quite fitting for the scenes they had it in (ladies and their sensitivities, poor thing, city on fire) or it created a hectic and almost unsettling aura (god that’s good, Pirelli’s miracle elixir). I also noticed that during these dancing moments that Todd, Lovett, Turpin, beadle, Toby, and Lucy would be the only ones still moving normally, kind of highlighting their disconnect from the rest of London. This was really highlighted during city on fire during the beggar woman’s part.

I also really like the inclusion of the scene that originally was after Mia Culpa. Normally it’s cut alongside Mia Culpa, but was kept in the revival, which is honestly awesome. It gives the context of how Johanna got the key and gave it to Anthony, and also how she found out Turpin wants to marry her, and without it it’s kinda weird and confusing. Honestly though, I wish Mia Culpa was included, just because it’s a great song and helps to characterize the judge, and the fucking social media used its lyrics to show off the judge that one time, so yeah. But it’s understandable why they didn’t. I’ve seen it performed and can only guess how hard it is for the judge performers to go from that into ladies and their sensitivities so quickly.

Overall, I could not have been more impressed and happy with the revival. I’m incredibly thankful I was able to go. The cast, crew, and orchestra have every bit of my joy and thanks for putting on such a great production of one of my favorite musicals.

#sweeney todd #stephen sondheim #sweeney todd the demon barber of fleet street #sweeney todd: the demon barber of fleet street #broadway #musical #musical theatre #mrs. lovett #sondheim #josh groban #annaleigh ashford #2023 revival #sweeney todd 2023 #musical review

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toomuchlovereviews · 4 months

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Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When life is not so good, we turn to romcoms. Make it a witty British romcom and it’s a match made in heaven. Every character being so lovable and quirky was just a thoughtful bonus.

Each wedding had something so sweet about it, and (as the title suggests) the funeral is quite touching as well. I absolutely adored the speeches at all these events, they made my heart swell.

Watch this:

for a young Hugh Grant 😮‍💨

if you sternly believe in fate

Similar titles:

Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001) (frazzled British woman chic, also with a young Hugh Grant)

#movie #movie review #four weddings and a funeral #mike newell #hugh grant #andie macdowell #james fleet #simon callow #john hannah #charlotte coleman #rowan atkinson

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thereadingchallengechallenge · 10 months

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Quick Review: These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall Rating: 5/5

If you've been looking for a readalike for The Haunting of Hill House or Crimson Peak, this should be right up your alley!

I loved following Helen into the depths of Harrow Hall, getting to know her complicated family and Bryony, the witch who lives next door. I loved the lore and the romance and the story behind the story that Marshall reveals in the author's note.

I hadn't enjoyed one of Marshall's books since Rules for Vanishing in 2019 but These Fleeting Shadows has restored my love for her writing and I can't wait to try her next novel!

#kate alice marshall #these fleeting shadows #booklr #bookblr #book review #trcc original #reviews #5 star reads #lgbt books #wlw reads

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popentertainmentconcertreviews · 1 year

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Greta Van Fleet – PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC – March 13, 2023

Better late than never. This Greta Van Fleet concert was a rescheduled date for the Dreams In Gold Tour that was originally supposed to be played last year, but one of the members had gotten sick so they had to postpone. GVF is a modern rock band from Frankenmuth, Michigan consisting of brothers Josh, Jake, and Sam Kiszka, and longtime friend Danny Wagner.

The beginning of this show started out right with openers Robert Finley and Houndmouth. You may know Finley from America’s Got Talent. He warmed the crowd right up with his powerful, blues-filled voice. Next was Houndmouth, a band from New Albany, Indiana. They seemed to be a real crowd favorite as many fans were singing along to their songs. Once Houndmouth’s set was over you could feel the electrifying energy in the air as the audience waited for Greta Van Fleet to finally hit the stage.

A curtain was put up to hide GVF away from the fans before they debuted on stage. As the preshow playlist went on, one song in particular struck a nerve with the audience as they all started to scream when they heard the opening notes of “Reasons for Waiting” by Jethro Tull being played. This is the last song that plays before the band comes on. As the song came to an end the audience started a chant, saying “Greta” over and over again, just wanting them to walk out on stage already. As everyone waited a monologue began to play. It was Josh Kiszka the singer. I could hear most people reciting the words of this monologue as if they've heard it plenty of times before, which I’m sure many of them have.

The monologue came to an end and the opening notes of the first song of the night began to play, which was “Built By Nations,” a song from their latest album The Battle at Garden’s Gate from 2021. The curtain that was up previously to hide the band away finally toppled down and unveiled Greta Van Fleet in all their glory. Fans could not contain their excitement as the song kept playing and they finally got to see what they had been waiting for all night.

After the first few songs it was time for a drum solo, which Danny Wagner happily provided. While he was playing and getting the crowd hyped, the singer went backstage and came back with white roses in hand. He then got on a security guard’s shoulders and handed out a few roses to fans on the barricade and a few rows back. I have never seen any band do something like this before and you could tell how much it meant to each person that got a rose or just shook Josh’s hand after he handed the roses out and went back down the line. This band was very interactive with its audience, and it was so nice and heartwarming to see.

As the night went on the energy in the room never faltered. The setlist consisted of thirteen songs which everyone seemed to know all the words to as you could hear the whole arena singing along. Two of my favorites of the night were “Broken Bells” and “The Weight of Dreams.” They both featured guitar solos by the talented Jake Kiszka, which I just could not get enough of, and neither could the fans. They went crazy for him every time a solo came about.

After the show had come to a close you could see how much this band affected these people. So many were leaving smiling or even crying just simply overwhelmed by the whole experience. All in all I highly recommend seeing Greta Van Fleet live if you ever have the pleasure of doing so. They put on such a fantastic high energy production and it's truly something you have to see at least once in your lifetime.

Courtney Karikka

#Greta Van Fleet #2023 #Concert Reviews #PNC Arena #Raleigh #Courtney Karikka

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lonestarbattleship · 7 months

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USS Delaware (BB-28) during the Fleet Review on the Hudson River, New York.

Photographed on October 3, 1911.

NARA: 55167376

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libertyreads · 3 months

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Book Review #8 of 2024--

The Exiled Fleet by J.S. Dewes. Rating: 3.25 stars.

Read from February 4th to 6th.

Man, can books stop getting printed with such absolutely TINY font? I ended up checking the ebook out from my local library to read this one because I was getting a headache from reading the small print. I know publishers want to save money by using fewer pages per book or whatever, but I'm getting older and my eyes cannot take the abuse. It doesn't help that I read two different books back to back that had such small font. Complaint over.

As some might know, I've been missing The Expanse a lot over the past several months. So, when a booktuber recommended this series I jumped on it so fast. I've been craving some Sci-Fi in my life. And I did enjoy book number one in this series. I read it last month and rated it 3.75 stars. This one doesn't live up to that first one for a couple of reasons. 1) It uses a lot of the same tricks or conveniences from the first book to make everything work out for our main characters. 2) When we weren't running into the same tricks over and over, we were running up against problem after problem for what felt like no reason. There's a specific moment in the book that I'm thinking of where they have to travel pretty far in order to get something to help with their task...but then they don't get it...and technically don't need it? Which felt weird. I know this was probably only there to move a certain aspect of the plot forward but it felt so clunky.

And maybe I need to put some of the blame on myself for not giving this book a fair enough shot. It isn't fair for me to want the first series from an author to live up to my love for The Expanse series. I heard someone say a while back that we need to meet books where they are in order to give them a fair chance and I think that's what I really should have done with this series as a whole.

Don't get me wrong though, there are aspects of this world that I love. Adequin Rake and Cavalon Mercer are such a wonderful set of characters. These are the two point of view characters we get throughout the novel and they're so absolutely different but there's something about their personalities that really make them play off each other really well. The side characters are also really great and deserving of so much love. There's also such a great moment in this one where Adequin, who has been away from any real society outside of the crews of the ships out at The Divide for over 5 years at this point, ends up on a station with a lot of civilians wondering around and we see her having to reign in her feelings about being around other humans she's not in charge of. And we get a moment like this again when she ends up planetside for the first time in that long and she has a weird sort of culture shock. Those moments really made me feel something about her and her life since arriving at The Divide. It was so good.

I do plan on reading the next book when it comes out at the end of the year. Maybe a little time away from these characters, this plot, these settings will make the heart grow fonder. And hopefully I can meet that book where it is when it does come out.

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overlycritical · 1 year

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Sweeney Todd: It's called DEMON barber for a reason Josh Groban!

An overly critical review of the 2023 Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd.

Once that renowned factory whistle blows, audience members will notice this production deviates from the established common performance practice. Oftentimes, Sweeney Todd is performed in more of a “park and bark” style, in which the ensemble simply comes on stage, sings their number, and walks off. In this production, however, the ensemble members have more purpose. They exhibit the effect the events of the show have on the people of London. As they warn the audience of the tale to come, they cower and jerk to the rhythm of the songs, occasionally scattering and reforming into a group like a hive mind. They seem deathly afraid that Todd could target them next. This places the audience there with them, living in perpetual fear of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street who could come for anyone, at any time.

The aforementioned Todd, played by Josh Groban, is a broken man driven to violence by the injustice he has suffered. Accomplished singer Groban certainly possesses the vocal prowess necessary for his character. He is commanding. His voice is smooth and flawless, fitting so seamlessly into the orchestration you would think he is a part of the pit. Vocally, he is the perfect Sweeney Todd. His acting, however, differs from the Todd Broadway audiences have come to know. Groban’s Todd is oddly timid, seeming more a man defeated than one driven to bloody revenge. His behavior, more weepy than enraged, makes him seem like just some guy, like Sweeney Todd, The Normal Barber of an Average Street. He processes his emotions in a way similar to the stereotypical male. He shuts up and stews, making his decision to commit mass murder less believable.

Perhaps that is the point. The ensemble says in the epilogue, “perhaps today you gave a nod to Sweeney Todd” implying anyone could be capable of such acts if driven to it. So, this may be what Groban’s more muted Todd is meant to convey. Still, I found it a bit lackluster and kept waiting for the rage associated with the character. Although, his voice more than made up for any acting shortcomings, or at least the crowd seemed to think so, as they hollered at the end of every scene.

The rest of the cast did their jobs very well. Annaleigh Ashford was effortlessly charming as deranged baker Mrs. Lovett, a role she seems almost born to play. The stars of the show, however, were undeniably Jordan Fisher and Gaten Matarazzo as Antony and Tobias, respectively. Fisher brings humility to Anthony, and his songs and dialogue are instantly believable. Unlike Groban’s Todd, Fisher’s “everyman” act is highly effective. You cannot help but root for him as he seems like any young man you might know. Matarazzo’s Tobias is much the same. Mazzerato executes Tobias’s high, childish songs with ease and heart, humanizing a character that is often made to look a fool.

Maria Bilbao as Johanna is a lovely contradiction, pairing a voice like a Disney princess with the actions of someone who has given up on magic. Her twitching and picking at herself reflect the caged bird metaphor, as well as a trauma response. These offputting, involuntary motions make the audience wonder what horrors she faced from Judge Turpin before the story began, adding further depth to an often shallow character. Jamie Jackson’s Judge Turpin is creepy and despicable, as a Judge Turpin must be, and his sidekick Beadle Bamford (entertainingly portrayed by John Rapson) fills the role of pompous stooge perfectly.

Nicholas Christoper (Pirelli) and Ruthie Ann Miles (Beggar Woman) perform well but struggle slightly to make their unremarkable characters stand out.

All in all, it was a deeply entertaining show, with a creative set and attention to detail. Despite my qualms, the show is a faithful revival of a Broadway classic, that any musical theatre fan is sure to enjoy.

#sweeney todd #sweeney todd revival #sweeney todd the demon barber of fleet street #broadway #review #singing #acting #musical theatre #stephen sondheim #josh groban

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