Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

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Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:45pm

According to an anonymous tip to the rumor mill over at Deuxmoi, there’s talk of a “big and bold revival” featuring “a Tony winning blonde buffoon and a big voiced cougar magnet”. Online, there’s suggestion that this is referring to Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban. Take it with a grain of salt, but I’m up for a revival of any of Sondheim’s shows.

Updated On: 4/6/22 at 05:45 PM

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:46pm

I've heard rumblings of this as well. Spring 2023 at the St. James?

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:50pm

I'm not an Ashford stan. I get her appeal - but she didn't do it for me in Sunday. And not sure she'd do it for me in this. But I'm here for a big splashy Sweeney.

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:53pm

The rumor is out there. A little unsure about Ashford. She would’ve been only 21 when Sweeney was first exiled. Seems a bit young?

I do hope Sondheim was around to give his blessing to both stars.

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:53pm

If Ashford can shake her normal schtick, she could be genuinely terrific as Lovett. I don't blame her for relying on said schtick (it clearly landed her a lucrative sitcom deal, so she's laughing all the way to the bank), but she has used it on a few projects that don't necessarily call for the "quirky-ness" of it. But she could really elevate her stuff here and use her comedic timing to good use.

I have no idea if Groban could summon enough menace to play Sweeney, but I'm down to see him try. At least it would be vocally awesome. And he sells tickets. And I would love to have profitable Sweeney on Broadway!

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:54pm

Add me to the list of people unsure about Ashford. She just does not do much for me.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:55pm

I can imagine exactly how Ashford will sing “Worst Pies” and that’s not a good thing, it’s not a bad thing either. I just think they need someone like Carmen Cusack maybe.

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:56pm

It was discussed a little a few weeks ago:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1125783&page=3

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:58pm

It seems like a missed opportunity for a woman of color. Audra???

All I know is there better be a VERY full orchestra. I can’t take tiny versions of this show anymore. The score needs to soar.

#10

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:59pm

Tommy Kali is also set to direct. I’m down for Ashford as Lovett. I thought she was sensational in Sunday and think she’d be lovely.

#11

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:07pm

n2nbaby said: "Tommy Kali is also set to direct. I’m down for Ashford as Lovett. I thought she was sensational in Sunday and think she’d be lovely."

Mrs. Lovett is FAR from “lovely.” Oy!

#12

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:10pm

No to Ashford.

A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

#13

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:11pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "n2nbaby said: "Tommy Kali is also set to direct. I’m down for Ashford as Lovett. I thought she was sensational in Sunday and think she’d be lovely."

Mrs. Lovett is FAR from “lovely.” Oy! "

Haha yes!!

—-

Audra would have been so perfect and it would have been so good for her to take her place in a Sondheim role on the Broadway stage but I’m sure if she wanted to do it, it would be her.

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

#14

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:12pm

I can see Groban conjuring up some darkness. I'm not sure Kail has the vision for a big, grand show. All of his hits have been pretty minor in terms of staging. I don't mean that as a diss, but "In The Heights" and "Hamilton" aren't large scale in terms of production. And his off-Broadway shows have all been pretty small. Def. would be curious to see what he'd do as this would def. be out of his normal fair.

#15

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:15pm

I still want my Bernadette Peters/Stokes production that’s lived in my head for years.

#16

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:20pm

Personally I would’ve wanted Christian Borle as it’s his dream role, but I’m interested in Groban as Sweeney. He could absolutely sing it, and he showed he can legitimately act in Great Comet. And while the question of how scary he could be is a valid one, I remember he successfully pulled of a few unnerving moments in that show like The Duel and brought out good menace in his final interaction with Anatole.

Ashford meanwhile is also not who I’d immediately think of for this role, but I can see her being excellent nonetheless, and bringing something a bit different. And Kail sounds like he’s be a perfect creative force for the show, hopefully bringing out the epic scale of the original that we know he can do.

#17

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:21pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "n2nbaby said: "Tommy Kali is also set to direct. I’m down for Ashford as Lovett. I thought she was sensational in Sunday and think she’d be lovely."

Mrs. Lovett is FAR from “lovely.” Oy! "

Clearly meant that she would give a lovely performance, not that the character is lovely.

#18

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:38pm

Audra has said before that Sweeney is one of her dream roles. Can’t see her “settling” for Lovett although I would love to hear them sing together. I’m intrigued by Annaleigh in this.

#19

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:40pm

These are odd casting choices, but it will be a fun multi-million dollar gamble to see if it works!

#20

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:06pm

The profit algorithm certainly thinks it's worth the gamble since they decided to chicken out on stealing my idea to go for this instead.

(I honestly wouldn't have known they were trying to do it if (a) I hadn't foolishly posted it in a Sondheim-devoted Facebook group that probably attracts some industry people, and (b) they hadn't directly tried to rip off one of my casting ideas straight out of that post. I'll give them credit for eying Amber Gray for Lovett in their rendition of it, though... solid casting choice that did not cross my mind at all.)

Formerly gvendo2005
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#21

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:15pm

It is indeed Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. However there is no house for it at the moment.

New York, New York a new musical is slated to open cold at The St. James post The Piano Lesson.
Susan Stroman Dir/Choreographing.

#22

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:19pm

That casting leaves a lot to be desired, for me.

But this “New York, New York” fascinates me.

#23

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:39pm

troynow said: "New York, New York a new musical is slated to open cold at The St. James post The Piano Lesson.
Susan Stroman Dir/Choreographing."

Does this have anything to do with the 1977 movie of the same name (with a score by Kander and Ebb)?

"Gitchie gitchie Betsy Aidem / Squibby Squibby Squibby June."

#24

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:49pm

I think Ashford is an inspired choice for Lovett.

As for Groban, I hope he can "rough up" his voice a bit and maybe Kail can help him find some acting depths.

troy, you tease, pour us a little more tea about this Stroman project...

#25

Rumor: SWEENEY TODD Revival In Talks?

Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:54pm

Sounds like it is a musical adaptation of the Scorsese film –– but will this have a new score, or existing songs? "It was time to learn music. Some period pieces evoking the era of the show. Lovely, hummable tunes."

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