See It First series launches with a splash…of blood!
Sweeney Todd chills and Sardi's cast reception thrills
Click here to see photos from the event.
On November 15, 2005 generous supporters of Gay Men's Health
Crisis gathered at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre to view the smash
hit of the fall theater season, John Doyle's transcendent restaging
of the Stephen Sondheim classic, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of
Fleet Street. The sentiment of the audience can best be described
in the words of GMHC's Managing Director of Development, Janet Weinberg:
"The New York Times got it wrong," she said to the stunned cast. "They
didn't rave enough!" From the opening tableau of the actors positioned
on a set that appeared to be a cross between an asylum and an old curiosity
shop to the final moments as "Sweeney" meets his fitting demise and the
cast reprises "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," the audience was kept on the
edge of their seats. Sondheim devotees and Sweeney Todd neophytes alike
were held captive by the stirring performances by the cast, headed by Patti
LuPone (whose terrific Carnegie Hall solo debut concert in 1999 benefited
GMHC) and Michael Cerveris. It was an evening that reminded one and all
of what an evening on Broadway should be.
And the night just kept getting better!
After the show, our most generous event donors were treated to a
fabulous reception at the world famous Sardi's Restaurant, sponsored by
Stoli Vodka, who created a special cocktail for the occasion: The
Sweeney
Tini. A little later in the evening which also featured a silent auction
we were joined by the entire cast and special guests Miss USA Chelsea
Cooley and Sweeney Todd composer and lyricist, Broadway legend Stephen
Sondheim for fun and photos.
Gay Men's Health Crisis wishes to thank the following extremely
generous sponsors and supporters for their commitment to the Sweeney Toddevent, the See
It First Series and GMHC's vital work in the fight against
HIV and AIDS.
See It First Series Sponsor
Sweeney Todd Event Presenting Sponsor:
Anita Jaffe
Silent Auction and Gift Bag Supporters
The Art of Shaving
John Bartlett
B. R. Guest, Inc.
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Little Pie Company of the Big Apple
Rent
Richard Frankel Productions
The Sondheim Review
GMHC would also like to offer our special thanks to:
The cast, crew and production team of
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and the staff of
Sardi's Restaurant.
© 2005 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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