Reacting to Joe Locke's "Not While I'm Around!" (Sweeney Todd)

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Joe Locke is currently playing Tobias in the Sweeney Todd revival, a role originally played in this production by fellow teen TV star Gaten Matarazzo. Do Joe Locke's singing chops hold up? Let's find out!
Sweeney Todd is currently playing a revival on Broadway originally starring Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashford, Jeanna de Waal, Gaten Matarazzo and Jordan Fisher, now starring Aaron Tveit, Sutton Foster, and Joe Locke.
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ABOUT THE CHANNEL:
Hi! My name is Mateo, I'm a professional musical theatre composer, splitting my time between Toronto & NYC right now.
Every Thursday on this channel, I post a video analyzing the music theory behind some of the great Broadway musicals of all time! In the past, I've analyzed works by Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Pasek & Paul, Jeanine Tesori, and Stephen Schwartz, just to name a few.
Every Sunday on this channel, I post a video update of the progress I'm making on my writing projects, so you can follow along with the process as I create new musicals from scratch.
And every Tuesday on this channel, I post a video reacting to a performance by a musical theatre superstar.
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Note: I do not hold the rights to Sweeney Todd or to Joe Locke's performance, and I will happily take this video down if requested!

[@rowanmurphy]

This was his very first performance and he said he was quite nervous! I saw him again yesterday and he’s clearly grown more comfortable in the role, it was bloody brilliant!

[@alexanderzamora5930]

Joe Locke hits the a-flat beautifully. And for sure, his accent will be genuine so we won’t cringe hearing him delivering his lines. Joe can sing wonderfully. He has another song about the elixir in the show. I hope to hear that.

[@dh9892x]

I adore Joe Locke and have seen every single interview he’s done and i always think of him saying “i’d love to do a musical but i don’t think i have the voice” MEANWHILE HE SINGS EVERY TOBIAS SONG IN ITS ORIGINAL KEY😭😭

[@alexaj4534]

He’s spoken about taking voice lessons all through childhood and did amateur musical theatre. But he hadn’t done theatre since Covid so around 5 years. Because he got Heartstopper from an open call I’ve been thinking of him as a theatre kid/performer who happened to become a tv actor, vs a tv actor who’s trying theatre

[@mandygriffin8204]

Good call!

[@emilymarausa6730]

This is very accurate. He's stated that theatre is his passion and where he feels most comfortable.

[@mark99k]

It's incredibly encouraging to hear a trained professional review Joe's singing so positively. He's put so much work into it and was clearly nervous going in. I just hope this isn't a dream I'm about to wake up from!

[@znmnky13]

I'm thrilled that Joe got this opportunity. I feel like you gave him an honest and educated review. Here's to bigger and better things.

[@rop888]

That recording is from his first performance ever btw. He's very good.

[@dollydolldoll2]

His voice is utterly beautiful and his vibrato is so controlled and not only that he can really project his vocals almost effortlessly!

[@janem9016]

Just saw Sweeney Todd yesterday and Joe was fabulous. His voice was strong and clear and the audience loved his performance.

[@BellyJae]

I’ve listened to this clip so many times and I still cry listening to him sing. I was supposed to go see him last month but then I got Covid from work and had to cancel. I’ve not been able to go because I have no more time off and we just found out today that we’re getting laid off so I’m really not able to go see him now. Always my luck. I’m still absolutely GUTTED. 😭😭

[@MusicTheatreTheory]

So sorry to hear ❤️ sending you love

[@jsdemonaco]

I was lucky enough (and old enough) to have seen the original cast, and Locke's rendition of this song is lovely and vulnerable. Bravo.

[@user-go7my5jo8u]

I don't know why but I feel so proud of Joe, the fact that he was unsure of his voice, makes it even more impactful. Thank you for your insightful commentary.

[@vanessawyeth9037]

When he was announced I thought it was a PERFECT choice for Toby but had no idea if he could sing. Utterly blown away the first time I saw him and he just gets better each time.

[@vickypion]

Joe Locke's voice in this song has taken up residence in my head.

[@stephanie154]

He's gotten even better now

[@AmelLic]

thank you for the analysis! there is some visuals available with this song on tiktok. And the one you heard its from his opening night. He became even better now.

[@williamtyre523]

Way to go Joe, you nailed it! I was as surprised as anyone to discover that "Charlie Spring" was such a talented singer!!

[@asinbumble]

This was really interesting, it was fun to follow along with you on the sheet music! The audio you listened to is from Joe’s first performance, which was his Broadway and professional musical theater debut. Prior to Sweeney, Joe says the last musical he did was five years ago, when he was 15. He took singing lessons as a kid and did some amateur theater in his hometown on the Isle of Man, but that’s it. (Still much more training than he had for Heartstopper, which was his first ever screen acting experience - he landed that without an agent through a nationwide open call.) Joe once mentioned in an interview for Heartstopper that he’d love to do a musical someday but wasn’t sure if he had a good enough voice, which made even some of his fans worry he might not have the chops. But clearly he does! And in more recent audios/bootlegs he sounds even stronger. 😊 Hopefully Sweeney isn’t a one and done situation for him and he does more musicals in the future! (Another fun fact: Last year Joe became friends with Patti LuPone while working with her on the Wandavision spinoff, Agatha, which is slated for release in the fall… there are rumors they may have a song or two on the show. Patti came to see Joe in Sweeney a couple weeks ago!)

[@Bytherocks]

I’m really interested to see where Joe’s career leads him. He has a ton of talent, and a lot of drive.

[@user-qs9zm2wo1t]

Same! If I think about how far he's already come (no professional experiences, no fancy child acting classes, working class background from that tiny Iom to debuting on screen by co-leading Heartstopper, debuting on stage, debuting on Broadway, his Marvel series will come out this autumn....), I could tear up of how proud I am of him!

[@user-xz9vk2el1d]

I thought he could sing because apparently there'll be a songs in his Marvel series Agatha Darkhold Diaries (coming this Sep.!) and there'll be Patti LuPone singing, too!!! She would be the one to make it clear if he can/not sing!

[@user-xz9vk2el1d]

She already came to see him, very cute. Called him 'doll', too.!

[@africansweetheart9590]

When I tell ya I was surprised when I heard him open his mouth that first night... He's incredible. I hope he does some music along the way. I'd buy his albums fr

[@LittleGirlOfSeven]

Thank you for this analysis. Knew you'd be impressed with Joe's vocals.

[@user-vs7nv8mo4e]

joe was great in the role

[@callyblackley5850]

Love Joe Locke! Great video. 😊

[@stefennieburke2032]

I really hope Joe gets to see this video. High praise & well deserved. Have you had chance to see him in the musical yet? Would be really interested in your thoughts especially when he is being lowered on to the counter and pulled around while singing and making it look effortless (I am in the UK so not been to see him but watch all the clips I can find).

[@iangardner2392]

Saw the show last week and he was amazing. The whole cast was.

[@springform_99]

Thank you for this! We know he sounds nice to hear but your technical explanation explains exactly why

[@CaolKailash]

The one most recently that was briefly before Joe Locke that I was worried about, is Ariana Madix in Chicago. (Jinkx Monsoon I had zero concerns about as a celebrity casting) Somehow I felt Joe Locke would be ok. But he exceeded any possible scenario one could think of for someone who had never been in a musical before.

[@aas1926]

Tysm for explaining it to me (I really don't understand anything about music and theater. But, you explained it easily for me to understand that) I love Joe so much! I know Joe can sing. He always said theater is his number one favorite. But, I didn't know he could sing it so beautifully! Joe is 20 now with this skill, I'm pretty sure he can be better and more later!

[@john_andresen]

i also think he sounds very good too👏🏼👏🏼😃

[@user-qs9zm2wo1t]

Joe being a very humble human being is - next to his intelligence - is one of my favorite of his character traits but sometimes I think he needs to stop downplaying his talents. He is incredible especially taking into account his upbringing/social-economical background etc.

[@PhantomOperaWickedTheaterPhan]

I recently stumbled across your channel and I have to say your content is amazing - exactly what I’m looking for. Your passion for music and musical theatre is incredible. I love it. Thank you. I’ll be looking forward to watching your videos

[@annmharbison1190]

Wow, I really like your channel. You are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The first video I watched was you reacting to Ryan Gosling singing “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars and I loved it. Can’t wait to watch more. When your first musical gets staged I hope I get to see it.

[@MusicTheatreTheory]

Thank you! I really appreciate that! You can join my mailing list at the link in the description for updates on the musical, if you haven’t already :-)

[@danieloneal7137]

Heh … I’ve been leery of stunt casting since they put Rosie O’Donnell in Grease. Glad that Joe Locke is doing a good job.

[@stephanie154]

Enjoyed your reaction

[@allisonbergh4429]

No idea who that singer is, but I’m comfortable calling him a “singer” 😆 Ever since Andrew Garfield in Tick Tick Boom and Jake Gyllenhaal in Sunday In The Park, I have a little more optimism when I encounter apparent stunt casting, I have to say 😂

[@MusicTheatreTheory]

Totally true - Andrew Garfield and Jake Gyllenhaal were excellent in those roles.

[@isabel20728]

Saw Sweeney Todd on Saturday. Primarily came for Aaron but Joe just surprised me in the best way. I heard someone say “I knew he could act, but I didn’t know he had PIPES??”. And tbh same. He was just unexpectedly good technically and his tone was so beautiful as well.

[@skyt4133]

Totally, totally agee with you! And, he is so cute. I want to go see him too!

[@johnkarlquist7787]

I really enjoy your videos. I have a question. Can you recommend a shop in NYC that sells sheet music for musical theater?

[@MusicTheatreTheory]

Drama Book Shop on 39th St! Best place in the city for a coffee, or to read a play or get vocal selections books. I’m there all the time!

[@johnkarlquist7787]

@@MusicTheatreTheory thanks!

[@sandragonzalez-zh7ol]

Gracias por analisar este video el es genial cumpliendo un sueño con una voz angelical adorable❤👍✌️

[@DukeofTownsend]

♥️♥️♥️

[@kelvinkao7436]

I don't live in New York, so I tend to watch a bunch of tours. It often makes me a little nervous when the person headlining is "so and so from The Voice". We know they can sing... but is the acting is going to be cringe? Are they going to sound really good, but with sub-par diction and enunciation that I would struggle to understand the lyrics? And am I going to secretly wish the understudy / standby were on instead? The result varies. Some of them are great, some of them are a little underwhelming.

[@fairamir1]

Never heard of this guy

[@emilymarausa6730]

Hope you enjoyed it.

[@milesmills9516]

I have a problem with you falsely assuming he’s done Netflix for one show and that’s all he was first a singer and then got hired as an actor. I saw his performance, and he is quite wonderful. I think what’s cringe worthy is videos like this gunning for the person until they’ve heard them. Why not go in positively saying let’s see what he can do as opposed to assuming he’s bad because he’s on a TV show. Yes there are some inadequate performers in Broadway shows that can’t really do the material but there are people with extensive theater and singing credits that people don’t know from their film and television work.

[@MusicTheatreTheory]

Totally agree with you, and in fact, if you watch the whole video, that is the conclusion I arrive at ;-) thank you for your comment!

[@davids6898]

He scooped a couple notes. It was very slight though.