Patti could be an interesting Sally. But, a dream would be to see Patti as Carlotta. As much as I love La Paige I don't think she really had a handle on the character. And she could never get the words right.
Patti is completely wrong for Sally. Sally is not a steamroller, it's too fragile of a character for Patti. Patti was and always will be a Carlotta. I can't wait for the day that she starts singing "I'm Still Here."
Now would be the right time for a Sweeney Todd revival on Broadway; the property is hotter now than ever and the previous revival is now well into the past. To think the film version wasn't even out during the last revival.
Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters in SWEENEY TODD. What an event.
Also, I think we can safely say that no other potential casting has been discussed in as much depth and for this long on BWW as Bernadette in Sweeney Todd. Wow.
Here is a transcript of what Bernadette said in 2009 when asked if she would play Mrs Lovett:
"I just learned that one song recently, and it's amazing. So yes I would. Yeah, I mean you know - the more you examine a Steve Sondheim song, or you just learn it, and you realise how amazing it is and what he is saying, and the intricacies, and what he expresses for the character. he really knows how to express what the character's feeling. Yeah - I would."
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I realise it's controversial...I think it's one of those things that could be a complete disaster or brilliant. I don't particular like Mandy/want to see him in much else (or even without Bernadette). This role with that pairing I am interested though.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I have a feeling that if Mandy ever played Sweeney you'd wanna steer clear of him during rehearsals and backstage at any point. Someone could really get hurt!
Mandy Patinkin has a very unusual voice that takes some time to get used to. I didn't care much for him at first but now he's one of my favorite performers. I think that his melodramatic acting style would fit Sweeney Todd perfectly and would work amazingly well along side Bernadette.
Oh, my, is that a brilliant idea. I am the hugest Bernadette fangirl, and she'd be one of the best Mrs. Lovetts ever. Every time I see Helena Bonham Carter as Lovett (or Bellatrix!), I can't help thinking of Bernadette...especially in her Into the Woods costume. Of course I adore Helena as well. And Mandy is an excellent suggestion for Sweeney; I can just imagine what a magical matchup that would be!
The range of Mandy's voice is nowhere in the ballpark of Sweeney's. And if Sweeney and Lovett are in their 60s, then is Johanna in her 40s? He's only been gone 15 years and Johanna is still a ward.
To me, Mandy Patinkin is Burrs or Georges and nothing else. When he works in the role, he is beyond brilliant but he is only good in roles that are right for him, and certainly not Sweeney.
Anything regarding shows stated by this account is an attempt to convey opinion and not fact.
If Michael Cerveris can play Sweeney on Broadway (which was an odd vocal fit for the role) then I'm not too concerned about Mandy's voice...he can still sing and has a blaring lower range still.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one that can see the appeal of Mandy in this role (I'm not his biggest fan, or even a fan outside Sunday and Wild Party). I agree that Mandy is melodramatic, and I think his unhinged, self-indulgent melodrama will work well for the brooding Sweeney Todd. I'd also just love to see him let loose on stage - that final "Joyyy" note at the end of Epiphany with Mandy's voice will be scary. I also would love to hear and see Mandy and Bernadette sing "My Friends" together..I just love the sound of their voices together (probably because they are so different). The novelty of a Sunday reunion would be too good to pass up.
As if this is not scary....gives me chills:
"These are my friends"
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Johanna is still a ward which might insinuate she's in her teens. Even if she's 20, that would put Sweeney in his late 30s at the very most. I don't think Mandy plays late 30s any longer.
I'll be waiting until her death (or mine) for it to happen.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000