Bernadette Peters as Lovett - Will it EVER Happen? — Page 5

That might be what gets the West End production to NY. Bernadette can resurrect her Song & Dance accent, and hit Broadway in Staunton's hand-me-downs.

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I can't see the recent London revival transferring without Staunton. She is THE reason to see it. That isn't a dig at Bernadette or saying she can't handle the role, but why transfer a production without the reason it's successful. It would be like transferring the Lupone Gypsy to the West End with, say, Frances Ruffelle.

Not long since the last update, but this is interesting.

Update #5 (7th November, 2012). Well, it seems BWW just asked Bernadette whether MRS LOVETT is the next role she'd like to take on, and she replied:

BP: Well, you see, it wasn’t done that long ago, you know?

PC: Of course - with Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris.

BP: Right. So, I haven’t really thought about it. But, you’re right - it is a really wonderful role. It really is.

In fact, they then went onto ask her if she would play Lovett against Michael Ball's Sweeney if the London production transferred:

PC: Sondheim recently spoke so favorably to me of that new West End Jonathan Kent production set in the 1930s. Perhaps you could team with Michael Ball if it comes over?

BP: Oh, I know! I’ve heard it’s just fabulous, but I didn't get over there to see it. I’d love to have seen Imelda Staunton in it.

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No.

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We have discussed this issue in more detail earlier in the thread, although I would be interested to continue it if you like.

I think the issue of vocal ability is too complicated to simply dismiss that she doesn't have the "vocal chops". For example, Imelda Staunton barely sings "WORST PIES IN LONDON" - Bernadette is (and has always been) a stronger singer than Staunton in the sense of being able to loudly sustain singing notes across a wide range. Staunton probably could not begin to consider singing "BUDDY'S EYES" and "TOO MANY MORNINGS" (especially).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bExQa9nxY84

The demands of the role to me seem to be more stamina than pure 'vocal chops'. I think Bernadette would find "WORST PIES IN LONDON" most challenging if I were to guess - maintaining breath with the quick tempo and complicated lyrics. But she wouldn't struggle much singing the slower songs that require her to sustain notes (My Friends, Wait, Not While I'm Around).

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Robbie said what I was trying to say. I know Bernadette is a bigger name here in the states and on Broadway. I'm not saying she WOULDN'T get the role, just that it would be stupid to transfer the Kent production WITHOUT Staunton since she IS the show. The production is well done, but nothing revolutionary or outright special. I too flew to London expressly to see her and I agree I was worth all the money to get there and seeing it twice. Bernadette wouldn't fit in at all in that production. She fits with the Lansbury/Music Hall style, not in the gritty/desperate/scary/earthy style of the Kent production. You can not tell me she wouldn't bring her little wiggles and winks to the audience like she's always done. I would NEVER be scared of her Lovett. Staunton had me afraid of her and for her.

Yessss to Ms. Peters as Ms.Lovett!! It actually makes alot more sense than some of the other roles she's played on Broadway. Unfortunately, she has lost her voice in recent years but I still feel she could pull this role off quite well. I will definitely go see her as Ms. Lovett.

I've seen Ms Peters in several roles, both live and on film. I enjoy her as a performer, I honestly do and I'm one of the seemingly few who adored her Rose. I think she would be a great Lovett. My ONLY issue was her not fitting in with the STYLE and DIRECTION of the Kent production. I've never, ever seen Bernadette drop her cutsie-isms and those would stick out like a sore thumb in that particular production. She's worked with strong, incredible directors before, but she's never managed to drop them. This productions Lovett needs to be scary, gritty, dirty, and visceral-- things I've never seen her pull off completely (including her Witch). Again, she'd fit right in line with the Lansbury-style Music Hall Lovett. I am not pre-judging her performance, but one can get a general sense of how certain actors will play certain roles.

Whatever, I'd buy a ticket reguardless.

While Bernadette is great...do we need yet another Sweeney Todd production? I mean really.

Not to mention that Bernadette, if she were cast, would barely make it through the score.

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Bernadette 'wrestle' through NIGHT MUSIC? She barely sang a note. There were no issues with that score.


MRS LOVETT is played by non-singers.....she sings more difficult songs in concert.

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Updated On: 7/8/13 at 05:02 PM

A very wise and handsome friend just said that he's not sure that Bernadette's voice should stand so close to an opera singer's.

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Yea, I agree that Bernadette's voice has not aged as well as some others, but I don't think it's nearly as bad as people are saying. Lovett is a difficult role to sing, but it's not nearly as rangey as Sally, and I don't think Bernadette's musicality has diminished with her age.