Spent nearly a week in Lebanon, PA, with my girlfriend, so that I'd be able to catch a show in Lancaster with her yesterday (since I don't have my own vehicle anymore, not that it was a bad thing to spend that much time with her) at the Fulton Theater. It was Sweeny Todd, albeit far less gruesome than the movie (so I'm told), but still a fantastic production. It was two hours and forty minutes of sparse dialogue and a great amount of singing. It was funny, tragic, and generally good. I'd watch it again. I plan to see the movie; according to my girlfriend, the movie is simply more gruesome, as was the original play, but on the whole everything in the movie was in the production. The actor playing Sweeny had quite a bit of saliva in his mouth; I know this because I was in the front row, and he sprayed it liberally as he sang. Almost got hit. I really enjoyed it, despite the liberal use of saliva. We were the youngest couple there, most of the patrons were in their 60's or older. We got the tickets because my girl's grandparents couldn't attend; her grandfather is unfortunately undergoing chemotherapy and physical rehabilitation at the moment. The seats would have cost $80 each had we paid. Though, because of our sitting arrangements, we couldn't see some of the action in the play; there was a great deal done on top of a moveable room made specifically for the play, and our view was obstructed by the room itself. If you get the chance, see it as a production. The players were quite good, though it was odd that the English Accent was inconsistent among the actors; some would speak and sing with it, others wouldn't. Oh well, it was very good. Hah.
In the theatre industry, we have a saying that if the front row isn't wet, the actor isn't doing his job, so good on him!
