Bring Back Len Cariou!

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 12:50am

I miss him so much!

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 12:55am

Me too, Sum. Me too.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 12:59am

*sigh* I'm writing him a fan letter and *sniff* I just can't get through it!

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 1:01am

awwwww...I mean, what can you say to a legend like that?

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 1:02am

It's hard! I try to ask him useful questions but I can barely get past OH-MY-GOD-SWEENEY-TODD-MADE-ME-LOVE-THEATRE-IT'S-ALL-YOUR-FAULT-mode

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 1:05am

HA, true that. That's why I can't talk to my idols. When I met Lea Salonga it was a lot of "ummm...I love you...Miss Saigon...you...good..." and other sort of cavewoman speak.

At least a letter is a bit less on the spot :0)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 1:12am

A great actor, but Sweeney apparently was too taxing and damaged his voice. He has more or less avoided challenging roles in musicals ever since. Not to mention, he's pushing 70 at this point. But, I'd love to see him in a straight play sometime.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 1:14am

What about, believe me I'm cringing saying this, the Wizard? I know, I know it's where they put ageing Broadway legends nowadays. But just to see him on stage!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 5:26am

He was in THE DINNER PARTY a few years ago and I met him afterwards. He's quite a gentleman.

[magruder]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 5:32am

He still sings on occasion. I did hear him sing "My Friends" at a benefit in the 90s. Still sounded great. He was in bad shape around the time of Dance a Little Closer, but on the album, recorded about a year after that show closed, he sounds absolutely fine.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:14am

back in the '90's Len Cariou would often have the lesson just ahead of me at The Paul Gavert Studio. i could hear him from the foyer and i would pay close attention to whatever he was doing. imagine that enormous, ringing sound coming out of this teeeny room. i was fairly new at the time and i was always mightily intimidated. he always came out of the lesson looking disgusted with himself and refused any compliments. i don't think he was able to perform at the level he was used to and i think the loss broke his heart. i would go in for my lesson and the walls would still be vibrating--zing! zing! zing! zing!

Updated On: 8/5/05 at 09:14 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:22am

Amen, Margo!

Put the man in a straight play, again... I saw him in PROOF opposite Anne Heche. A totally wonderful performer.

[Lori]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 9:44am

I saw him at the "Night of 1000 Voices" at the Royal Albert Hall in May of this year. He sang "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" with the ensemble cast. His voice is a bit rough, but it was wonderful to see such a Broadway legend in person!

[Mamie]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:05am

I was lucky enough to see him in both Copenhagen and The Dinner Party and he was absolutely wonderful. I'll always regret not having gone back to see Proof when he was in it. I'm definitely ready for another dose of Cariou magic!

[Sluggy]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:33am

I saw him in Copenhagen and spoke with him afterward. He's old enough to be my father, but it remains the only time in my life when I literally got weak in the knees!
The man is charming - he has lovely eyes, too.
*sigh*

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:38am

He was superb in Proof, opposite Anne Heche, Neil Patrick Harris and Kate Jennings Grant. The best Robert I've ever seen, actually (I saw them all).

[twogaab2]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:59am

I saw him in "No Strings" for Encores (The Man Who Has Everything) and the singing voice was pretty much shot to hell. However in this world where Harvey Firestein can headline a musical-who knows?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:15am

Oh he'll probably end up playing The Wizard at some point I'm sure.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 12:03pm

Well at least he'll be on Broadway again! Has anyone ever considered a female wizard?

[SFJPS]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 2:02pm

He was in good voice at Sondheim's 75th Bday at the Hollywood Bowl in July. He did "A Little Priest" with Angela Lansbusy and he sounded great. And he was having a fantastic time with Angela--at one point almost losing it and laughing. He just had this big grin on his face. It was really remarkable to see them perform this number and to see him enjoying himself so much.

[BoxFive]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 2:11pm

He's a true star.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 2:13pm

A female Wizard wouldn't work. It would change the plot completely.