http://www.sfcv.org/2007/09/04/the-demon-barber-at-close-quarters/ The Demon Barber at Close Quarters Janos Gereben / SFCV.org Stephen Sondheima - 's Sweeney Todd is a big musical a - " large in passion and in production values. It originally opened in 1979 on one of Broadwaya - 's biggest theaters, in Harold Prince's hugely operatic production, and went on to be performed by opera companies as well as in theaters around the world. Come Christmas, it will be a big, expensive movie, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. And yet, the American Conservatory Theater opened its 41st season Tuesday night in the Geary Theater with an interactive, chamber-music version of Sweeney Todd a - " 10 musicians took on the work of a 27-piece orchestra, all while also singing multiple roles. Scaling down the musical, trimming it slightly, and presenting it in a Brechtian fashion with a virtual backstage view, gave the work added intensity and immediacy. Scottish director John Doyle's production comes from London through Broadway (where it picked up a couple of Tony Awards) and to San Francisco, for its West Coast premiere before a 17-city U.S. and Canadian tour. ... Janos Gereben www.sfcv.org [log in to unmask] *********************************************** The CLASSICAL mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's HDMail High Deliverability Mailer for reliable, lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html