Todd Patti

The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra's 2001 concert production of Stephen Sondheim's witty shocker is musically superb and (even without scenery) theatrically effective. The performers are in costume and use a few essential props such as Todd's razor, but more than these details the quality of their singing and acting makes this production stand out. It looks like a final seal of approval at the end when Sondheim comes out, smiling, to take a bow. Sweeney Todd evokes a special balance of horror and comedy because injustice, revenge, and cannibalism are the subjects of its grisly humor, balanced with moments of romantic idealism. George Hearn in the title role and Patti LuPone as the enterprising, utterly amoral pie seller Mrs. Lovett are both brilliant, with an excellent supporting cast. Members of the orchestra are occasionally seen behind the action, but frequent, effective close-up shots of the singers generate a dramatic atmosphere. --Joe McLellan

THIS DELICIOUS PRODUCTION OF STEPHEN SONSHEIM'S 'SWEENEY TODD': THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET' A MUSICAL THRILLER OF REVENGE & ROMANCE SET IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND.

CD set that goes with PBS series. Include origianl cast recordings from many important muscials

The 2005 revival of Stephen Sondheim's 1979 Grand Guignol masterpiece Sweeney Todd illustrates what happens when you have a director with genuine vision. The show has been completely reivented, yet at the same time its dark core has been masterfully unveiled, not betrayed. In John Doyle's radically pared-down version (which originated in England), there's no orchestra in the pit: Each member of the small cast is on stage the entire time and plays one or more instrument in addition to singing. Thus Michael Cerveris (Sweeney) also plays guitar, Patti LuPone (Mrs. Lovett) plays percussion and tuba, Donna Lynne Champlin (Pirelli) plays accordion, piano, and flute, etc. Of course this means that those used to hearing Sondheim's operatic score delivered by a full orchestra (LuPone herself starred in a 2000 version recorded with the New York Philharmonic) will have to get used to Sarah Travis's minimalist arrangements. But the setting works wonders and the cast rises to the challenge. Cerveris is intensely charismatic as the murderous barber and LuPone finds great dark humor in Mrs. Lovett, while the younger Lauren Molina (Johanna) and Manoel Felciano (Tobias) aptly go from innocence to despair. While completely different in style, this recording stands proudly next to the original one. No small feat, that. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Tony Award winners Michael Ceveris (Assassins) and Patti Lupone (Evita) lead a ten-person ensemble as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett in the cast album from the celebrated new Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Originally produced in 1979, and considered a core work of Sondheim canon, Sweeney Todd has not been seen on Broadway in more than sixteen years. The revival opened to unanimous raves at the Eugene O'Neill Theater.

The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra's 2001 concert production of Stephen Sondheim's witty shocker is musically superb and (even without scenery) theatrically effective. The performers are in costume and use a few essential props such as Todd's razor, but more than these details the quality of their singing and acting makes this production stand out. It looks like a final seal of approval at the end when Sondheim comes out, smiling, to take a bow. Sweeney Todd evokes a special balance of horror and comedy because injustice, revenge, and cannibalism are the subjects of its grisly humor, balanced with moments of romantic idealism. George Hearn in the title role and Patti LuPone as the enterprising, utterly amoral pie seller Mrs. Lovett are both brilliant, with an excellent supporting cast. Members of the orchestra are occasionally seen behind the action, but frequent, effective close-up shots of the singers generate a dramatic atmosphere. --Joe McLellan

This delicious production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Ba rber of Fleet Street, a musical thriller of revenge and romance set in Victorian Engla nd, features Broadway diva Patti LuPone as Mrs. Lovett and veteran stage actor George Hear n in the title role. Premiering in 1979, the legendary Sweeney Todd--winner of nine New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and eight Tony Awards--is recorded with the San Fran cisco Symphony as conducted by Rob Fisher. Cast: Patti LuPone: Mrs. Lovett George Hearn: Sweeney Todd Davis Gaines: Anthony Hope Lisa Vroman: Johanna Neil Patrick Harris: Tobias Ragg Timothy Nolen: Judge Turpin John Aler: Beadle Victoria Clark: Beggar Woman Stanford Olsen: Pirelli

Miracle Pets with Alan Thicke is a new documentary series that explores and celebrates our relationships with animals. These touching, true stories teach us about the power of love and our connection to earth, animals and each other. The series features stories of heroic pet rescues, wildlife adventures and amazing encounters on farms, at zoos, and in aquariums. Perfect for family viewing, Miracle Pets features educational, inspirational and compelling stories that chronicle the miracles happening all around us

Lured to an abandoned mine town two sisters engage in a desperate battle for survival against unspeakable horrors. Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 03/23/2010 Run time: 88 minutes Rating: R

The FBI, the Mafia, and the Yakuza (Japanese gangsters) fight to the death in this nonstop action thriller starring Russell Crowe (Gladiator). FBI agent Zack Grant (Crowe) sends beautiful rookie operative Seiko (Kelly Hu) on a sting operation against the depraved, skinhead son of a Mafia kingpin. Little does he know that Seiko is on a revenge mission of her own. This bloody situation escalates into all-out war, as the Mafia kingpin, Frank Serlano (Michael Lerner), and the head Yakuza, Yuji (Etsushi Toyokawa), get into the act. Grant is forced to go renegade from the bureau when Serlano kidnaps his young son, a plot point that certainly raises the story's emotional stakes. During an exciting airplane hijacking sequence, we meet Mary (Helen Slater), a dizzy blonde flight attendant who introduces an unexpected note of comic relief to the proceedings (along with a touch of romance). Crowe is convincing in Dirty Harry mode, bringing his characteristic intensity and empathy to the role. It's fun to watch a former Miss Hawaii, Kelly Hu, display her martial arts mastery, and the performances of Slater and Toyokawa are a cut above the action-genre norm. Still and all, No Way Back falls squarely into the "guilty pleasure" movie category. Writer-director Frank A. Cappello (American Yakuza), provides plenty of slam-bang, shoot-'em-up action, plus enough nail-biting suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. --Laura Mirsky

Genre: Action/AdventureRating: RRelease Date: 16-JUN-2009Media Type: Blu-Ray

Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Todd Rundgren, Jonathan Richman, Nico, Captain Beefheart, Richard Hell, John Otway, Rio Reiser, Richard Lloyd, Iggy Pop, Bryan Ferry, John Cale, Gene Vincent, Syd Barrett, Marc Bolan, Arthur Lee, Johnny Thunders, Steve Peregrin Took, Mick Ronson, Peter Hammill, Alex Chilton, Roky Erickson, Nick Lowe, Link Wray, David Johansen, Dave Faulkner, Andy Shernoff, Brinsley Schwarz, Ivan Kral, Sky Saxon, David Peel, Wayne Kramer, Dickie Peterson, Ivan Julian, Jayne County, Mick Farren, Bryan Maclean, Michael Erlewine, David Thomas, Ron Asheton, Wilko Johnson, Dave Brock, Patrick Vian, Kim Salmon, Alan Vega, Hasil Adkins, Randy Holden, Ken Forssi, Paul Rudolph, Sean Bonniwell, Jobriath, Stefan Weber, James Williamson, Ross the Boss, Michael Davis, Laurence B. Miller, Niagara, Peter Laughner, Martin Rev, Bette Bright, Scott Asheton, Andy Ellison, Scott Thurston, Mickey Finn, Fred "Sonic" Smith, Johnny Echols, Rob Tyner, Gene Tyranny, Gypie Mayo, Bill Legend, Ben Miller, Urban Blitz, Richard Strange, Dennis Thompson, Stoner, Leigh Stephens, Phil May, Ethan James, Tim Blake, Peter Dilemma, Jimmy Recca, Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer. Excerpt: Don Van Vliet (pronounced ; born Don Glen Vliet, January 15, 1941) is an American musician and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, which was active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12 studio albums. Noted for his idiosyncratic singing voice with its wide range, Van Vliet also occasionally played the harmonica, saxophone, bass clarinet, piccolo oboe, shehnai and keyboards. Often impossible to categorize, Van Vliet's music blended rock, blues and psychedelia with free jazz, avant-g... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=63283