To be fair, I have to include a response from one of the performers in Sweeney Todd that I found over at Talkin’ Broadway. So go here and read what the woman has to say.
Do I believe that all ten performers are accomplished musicians? Well, I’m skeptical is all. I can’t tell you how many people come up to me and say “I play oboe too!” and when I ask where they say “Well, in high school. I haven’t played since then, but I play too!” It’s their assumption that they and I are at some equal level of ability. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I have to say that they are wrong.
BUT … and this is a big “but” … Sondheim approves of this new production. Who am I to argue with the man himself?
Yep. I knew you’d say, “You’re no one. You’re not even a speck of dust!” … and I guess I’ll have to agree.
So if anyone wants to send me a round trip ticket to NYC, and buy me a ticket to the show, I’ll go and review it myself. With a totally open mind. Honest! Who knows, by the time I’ve seen the whole thing perhaps I’ll have an open mouth as well … jaw dropping to the floor … in absolute amazement at the talent on stage. It could happen!
Then again, I doubt anyone would fly me to the moon … um … I mean NYC (I don’t ask for much, do I?) … so maybe I’ll just have to trust the real reviewers out there. (How does one get to be a “real reviewer”, I wonder. Is there a test? Do you have to have a degree in performance of some sort? Or is it just, “I see a lot of shows and I like to write”? Fill me in … someone … anyone …?)
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