Stephen Sondheim calls the Tim Burton film of SWEENEY TODD "Great"

Broadway legend and genius composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, whose diabolical musical SWEENEY TODD took the Great White Way by storm in 1979, has given his stamp of approval to the upcoming Tim Burton film of his masterpiece. During a recent awards program, Sondheim was approached by Fox News entertainment reporter Roger Friedman, who asked if the maestro had seen Burton film. Yes–“and he says he likes it,” reports Friedman. The movie is not a film of the stage play; it has its own essence . . . and, of course, its own time constraints. Explains Sondheim, “It’s not the Broadway show. It’s only an hour and 45 minutes. A lot of the score has been cut. They’ve made it its own thing. You have to go in knowing that. But what they’ve done is great.” We look forward to seeing it, Mr. Sondheim!

The Zone thanks Emma for the Sondheim article; she also reports that the November 2007 issue of EMPIRE features a large SWEENEY TODD poster inside the magazine . . . but unfortunately, no article on SWEENEY TODD as yet. To see the poster, click here: http://tinyurl.com/2rk8cy Note that the EMPIRE poster’s “in theatres” date–January 25–is the UK opening, not the North American release date. You can read both stories on the Zone’s News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet