Epiphany - George Hearn (1982)

#SweeneyTodd

[heatherhoward]

You haven’t been scared until you’ve seen a good production of this and sat in the front row. I was only a teenager and it was horrifying.

[blueturtle]

The fact that Sweeney can't stay on the same topic (or melody) for more than a minute is a genius way to show that he is fully losing his mind. This isn't some grand plan, this is a crazy person going over the edge.

[annienoelle]

this seems to be the popular opinion, but George Hearn’s Sweeney is the definitive version to me. nobody compares. the level of uneasiness/fear just through the screen tells so much, it must have been incredible in person. he sings the part beautifuly and plays him perfectly unhinged. 10/10

[Jay-qhuv]

George Hearn as Sweeney Todd and Ramin Karimloo as The Phantom...no one else has ever Lost Their Shit on stage as hard as these two dudes in their respective roles. Just full on hysterical screaming at some points. Awesome.

[atiqahdiyana]

George Hearn makes Sweeney absolutely terrifying and unhinged, which frankly is my favorite way to watch Sweeney be played but it still leaves me shivering when he’s just screaming inviting people into the chair. He really looks and plays a man scarred and traumatized by life into being this awful creature who knows nothing else but grief, suffering and cruelty. He’s especially apt at switching between the first two

My favorite Sweeney portrayal by far

[puppymcpupsters]

God my voice hurts even listening to this I can't imagine singing this 8 nights a week

[salmonellau]

I can't imagine having to perform this routine night after night. Hats off to them for these performances.

[MegaAzornumbers]

I MISSED THIS VERSION this is honestly the best version all cause of the "NO! Not one man, no nor TEN men! NOR A HUNDRED!!!" bit like damn that's powerful

[cheetoschrist]

Fuck that was good. Not to diss Depp or anything, I still think the movie adaptation is fantastic, but this is completely psychotic! Truly a terrifying version of Sweeney

[alexedits]

i love every single sweeney because they have their own performance of the character
for example this version is when he's a lot more angry and really shows his anger and sorrow to the world with for example screaming for people to come and sit so he can kill them
and johnny depp shows more of the "i hate my fucking life" type of version of sweeney, showing the sorrow and lifeless heart the character has but still showing enough emotion to show when he's angry and in sorrow
and every other sweeney is different in a really good way
i don't hate any of the sweeney's, everyone is different and everyone plays the character differently and thats a really good thing!

[elliart]

Hearn is my favorite because he gives a million fucking percent in every scene, I love when stage actors are just like "fuck being even a little bit subtle" and go absolute fucking ape shit every opportunity they get. (No but for real, it makes the emotional bits hit so much harder. He's the only one I've seen so far that literally just _screams_ in horror when he realizes what he's done in the end. (As in the actor is _actually_ screaming and not just implying it)

[zeableunam]

I love the rage and intensity in this guys voice, it's almost like he Is not singing.

[TheContessa]

I saw this version on PBS in the 1980's and I fell in love with Sondheim from that day forward. George Hearn is the KING. His voice is a mature baritone and at times is like melted chocolate see Johanna reprise. Yes and here - the rage of a man who has been pushed over the edge. It is a performance of a psychotic break with reality and he is magnificent.

[benlawless]

Georges performance always sends chills through my body. He's a force of nature on the stage. Well done sir.

[atomickrispies]

0:44 when the line at Target is too long.

[reneecarter]

His body language alone in Angela’s “Worst Pies” number, made me want to buy the film of this, and I was sooo not disappointed. His rage, his voice and even seeing tears in his eyes at certain points, just made me fall in love with the guy. George is the best Sweeney Todd ❤

[lunettasuziejewel]

I swear to God, 15 years since I saw this recording for the first time and George Hearn still gives me chills. That feral snarling as he strangles the life out every word just above the violins, the instrument that most evokes the sound of human tears..."Not one man...no, not ten men...nor a HUNDRED CAN ASSUAGE ME!"...

I can't think of a better audial representation of the fact that anger is a secondary emotion understudying for sorrow.

[swoodpanel]

George Hearn is my favorite Sweeney Todd because I also see Benjamin Barker, the broken man underneath. He doesn't just grinds his teeth in anger, he includes nuance and brings a third dimension to the character. He's the absolute best!

[buggyroberson]

RIP Angela...AKA Mrs. Lovett and our favorite motherly teapot.

[lynnbucher]

I always thought Sweeney was so tall and imposing; then I had the chance to see George Hearn who was barely as tall as I was at the time. Just goes to show you how large he was playing this character. Scared me half to death. But he was such a gentle and non-imposing figure in real life.