Anything new on the rumored Groban-lead Sweeney? — Page 6

I was a young Sweeney freak, the show opening the year I moved to NYC. I saw Cariou 6 times, Hearn twice. I subsequently saw Bob Gunton (the Circle production), Michael Cerveris, and Mark Delavan opposite Elaine Paige at City Opera. Plus the video iterations and Burton film. As I note above, the role has its traps, in particular the possibility of sustaining one near catatonic persona through much of the first act. If we don't see telling glimpses of the man unfairly imprisoned -- flashes of who he was before he was robbed of everything including his very identity -- the story can feel too predetermined. And predetermination in any narrative kills emotional suspense. And puts actors in a corner. I love George Hearn, but to me his Sweeney, powerful as it is, and well known (the one we've all seen the most on video), perhaps has the smallest range. (Hearn defenders, I certainly admire his work, and saw it again opposite LuPone.)

So I welcome a chance to see not "Sweeney" but Benjamin Barker, the honest man who was ruined by Judge Turpin and the Beadle. Isn't that the man Mrs. Lovett fell for, and has carried a torch for? I think the sweet-faced Groban is not only inspired, but may be provocatively fresh. With the role more humanized, less tethered to the iconic artwork of the demonic expression and mid-scalp hair part, the tragedy will inch forward. Cariou, still my favorite, was a relatively young man (and still had that whiff of hunky Frederick in Night Music). You knew why Lovett hankered for him. Boyish but emptied of his humanity, the Goban Benjamin might be an eye opening Sweeney for our times. We could use one.

Updated On: 8/16/22 at 09:28 AM

Auggie27 said: "So I welcome a chance to see not "Sweeney" but Benjamin Barker, the honest man who was ruined by Judge Turpin and the Beadle. Isn't that the man Mrs. Lovett fell for, and has carried a torch for? I think the sweet-faced Groban is not only inspired, but may be provocatively fresh. With the role more humanized, less tethered to the iconic artwork of the demonic expression and mid-scalp hair part, the tragedy will inch forward. Cariou, still my favorite, was a relatively young man (and still had that whiff of hunky Frederick in Night Music). You knew why Lovett hankered for him. Boyish but emptied of his humanity, the Goban Benjamin might be an eye opening Sweeney for our times. We could use one."

Having a younger Sweeney is an interesting thought -- but I don't think the idea of him being fresh-faced and, for lack of a better word, gentler is in keeping with the character. Mrs. Lovett, upon recognizing Todd as Barker, remarks "What did they do to you in bloody Australia?!" -- he's just returned from 15-plus years in a penal colony, on a trumped up charge, escaped to find the life and family he had ruined -- he most certainly would not be the same man he once was. Certainly flashes of his old self and old life could make for some new and interesting choices; but the whole premise of the play (vengeance) starts to fall apart if you tinker around too much with what time and experience has done to the man.

Oh, I’m not interested in tinkering, only suggesting that we see glimpses of Barker bleed through. I really didn’t with Hearn or Gunton. But I’m intellectually conjuring a performance that not only hasn’t happened, it hasn’t even been announced. For what it’s worth, Groban could well give us the traditionally scary Sweeney, too. My bigger point is tethered to Great Comet: I didn’t expect the interesting character work there and Groban surprised me. However they reconjure the role or merely revisit it with a new singing actor, I feel he’s up to it. We have no idea what the conceit for a new production will be. Mainly, we can be certain he’ll bring vocal chops, and for that I’m grateful in advance.

I love Sweeney, but this isn’t Hamlet, for godssake. It’s Grand Guignol melodrama. Groban has established himself as a capable actor who can take on the role.

A revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd starring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford could land on Broadway this Spring, with the team behind Hamilton – producer Jeffrey Seller and director Thomas Kail – attached, according to a published report.

The production – reported exclusively today by Philip Boroff’s Broadway Journal site – would be the latest in a string of Sondheim revivals staged since the Broadway icon’s death on Nov. 21, 2021. Revivals of Company and Into The Woods arrived on Broadway this season, and a new Off Broadway staging of Merrily We Roll Along starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez begins previews at New York Theatre Workshop on Nov. 21, with an official opening on Dec. 12.

Groban, who starred in the 2016 Broadway production of the musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, would play the Sweeney Todd title character, with Ashford (Broadway’s 2017 revival of Sunday in the Park with George, the FX drama Impeachment: American Crime Story), as Mrs. Lovett.

According to Broadway Journal, an operating agreement distributed to investors indicates that producer Seller is attempting to raise $14.5 million for the revival.

Deadline has reached out to a spokesperson for Seller’s Hamilton, as well as reps for Groban and Ashford.

Sweeney Todd – full title: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – features music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, based on an earlier play of the same name by Christopher Bond. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1979 in a production starring Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury. It has been revived several times on and Off Broadway.

Groban recorded one of the musical’s most beloved songs, “Not While I’m Around,” in a medley with Into The Woods‘ “Children Will Listen,” on his 2015 album Stages. He also performed the medley during the virtual concert Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration in 2020.

Set in Victorian London, Sweeney Todd tells the penny dreadful tale of a murderous, revenge-seeking barber and his pie-baking accomplice Mrs. Lovett, who uses her culinary skills to dispose of bothersome corpses.

https://deadline.com/2022/08/sweeney-todd-broadway-josh-groban-annaleigh-ashford-stephen-sondheim-1235098515/

Updated On: 8/23/22 at 04:57 PM

BCfitasafiddle said: "I don't anticipate people will willing to pay Hugh Jackman or Bette Midler prices for this. Myself included."

Great Comet sold just fine on Josh Groban’s star status, and that was a new musical. Sweeney Todd is a known entity of its own, and people are clearly hungry for Sondheim revivals right now. That plus Groban is a recipe for a hit even if they charge standard prices (which, what even is “standard” anymore?). If it’s good, even better.

Speaking personally, I usually go for mid-to-low or discounted tickets for most shows, but this is one I would pay top dollar for.

Some here also predicted ITW wouldn’t be a very hot ticket, and look at it now.

Sweeney gained major name recognition after the film. The average person has seen or at least heard of the film.

For those discussing Groban's age as a factor, isn't he about the same age Cariou was when he created the role? Perhaps even a hair bit older? Groban isn't exactly a fesh-faced kid.

JasonC3 said: "Who are you hectoring? The most recent comments are about pricing in general not whether or not the show will recoup."

No hectoring, just anchoring, but any discussion of "pricing in general" is a discussion about recouping. What else would it be about?

DCS said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "I don't anticipate people will willing to pay Hugh Jackman or Bette Midler prices for this. Myself included."

Groban has a huge following; so, I wouldn't be surprised to see this be a hot ticket for the first several months of its run.

"

Not only that, but a huge following that when made as a Venn diagram with the biggest theater ticket buying demo, is practically a circle - middle Alaged and older women.

rkade21 said: "read a social media comment about Patrick Page as Turpin rumors."

He'll be in DC playing King Lear February 23–March 26, so depending on when specifically this is supposed to open it might not work out.

I would like to know what they are waiting for when it comes to OFFICIALLY announcing this production!