Landmark musical play about vengeance, justice, love… and meat pies; of composer-lyricist Sondheim’s many classic musicals, this is the only one that he originated himself (his other works include West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods). This musical was adapted from Christopher Bond’s play, with a book (script) by Hugh Wheeler (who also wrote the book for A Little Night Music), and was directed by impresario Harold Prince (West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Evita, Phantom of the Opera). ( )

I love musicals, but I have trouble hearing all the words when sung quickly or when the voices overlap with different lines. So written versions like this are always illuminating and welcome. The story here is a little thin, but there is glee in the gore and wit in the words. This isn't my favorite Sondheim work, but it is certainly worth revisiting. ( )

I must admit I don’t exactly see the point in reading a musical, especially one with as many musical numbers as Sweeney Todd. But this was a school assignment, so I simply shook my head and mumbled “okay.”

This is not to say I did not enjoy the experience. It’s a good show, and reading it did bring certain lyrics to the fore that I had not noticed before, such as Sweeney’s line “if only angels could prevail/we’d be the way we were,” which I think speaks to one of the musical’s most important themes, the way in which we all long for something better.

So I do think I understand the musical better now, but for all newcomers I would say to skip reading it, and instead watch the excellent video of the stage production starring George Hearn and Angela Lansbury (just ignore the shrieky and cross-eyed Johanna, blech). I’ve not seen the Tim Burton movie, and I’m not sure I want to, because one of the things I like best about the musical is the almost operatic complexity of its score—so to cut and simplify the songs is going rather against the grain as far as I’m concerned.

A final word to those of you who are put off by the gruesomeness of the subject matter: as I said to my father recently, yes, murder and cannibalism is involved in the plot, but that’s not really what it is about. It’s a very complex show thematically; for me, it is about revenge and the way it comes back to bite you, how messed up human love can be, and the class system.

So the show? Recommended. The book? Only for those who already like it and want to have a closer look at it. ( )

The most amazing score, with no note or word that is not cleverly crafted. One of the best ever. ( )

The libretto to the musical. This is excellent. Don't think this is the movie. It is the original Broadway musical words and direction. ( )