Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

#1

Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:11pm

There is some rumbling on a couple of other Broadway chat boards that there may be some changes to the cast of the upcoming Broadway revival of SWEENEY TODD.

I'm not sure if this is just speculation becuase its taken such a long time to announce the cast officially or if there is any truth to the rumor.

Anyone heard anything?

#2

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:17pm

I certainly haven't...

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What the puck?!

#3

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:21pm

What are the rumors? Which cast members?

#4

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:22pm

Something about Karen Ziemba.

Again this is total speculation from other chatboards...

#5

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:23pm

While I don't want Lupone as Mrs. Lovett, I don't want Ziemba either.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#6

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:25pm

I don't see her being a good fit for this production either...

#7

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:26pm

Can I just say, this production is an ensemble production with a cast of only nine.. I'm actually very surprised there is such high-profile casting, as the show is the attraction not the cast. Don't go expecting big star turns such as the New York City Opera. I'm even surprised that it is going into the Eugene O'Neill - it's far too big for it, it would be more suited to the Music Box!

#8

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:26pm

Karen Ziemba as Mrs Lovett. Okay, you've got to be kidding me. Is it a dancing Mrs. Lovett? That is weird casting. I can't see Ziemba in that role. I hope-it's a rumor or at least, a bad joke.

I heard a rumor Carolee Carmello is playing Mrs. Lovett. And by rumor, I mean I dreamt it.

#9

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:28pm

She's not a strong enough singer.

#10

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:30pm

That must have been a good dream...

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"I don't understand. Everything's coming up Roses' WHAT?"-Jerome Robbins to Stephen Sondheim

#11

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:32pm

Carmello is perfect for the role, but alas.

It's not like Ziemba is a star or anything. I think star casting is a mistake for this type of production, but Ziemba.

Didn't someone email Lupone and she more or less confirmed it's a done deal?

#12

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:33pm

I agree that the show shouldn't have stars and shouldn't be in a venue as large as the Eugene O'Neill. As I've said before, I personally think they should have just brought over the original London cast for a limited run at BAM.

P.S. The "speculation" is just that Karen Ziemba may be joining the cast. I'm not sure that means as Mrs. Lovett.

Updated On: 7/12/05 at 01:33 PM

#13

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:35pm

I agree. I think a lot will be lost in this new production.

Seriously, I hope this isn't true. Karen Ziemba? SHe's a great dancer. Great. But she's a so-so singer, and not the greatest actress.

#14

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 1:53pm

The actress who played Mrs Lovett in the London production played a trumpet solo. Surely we should expect the same on Broadway, no?

#15

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 2:32pm

Karen could just as easily be doing the Beggar Woman or possibly Pirelli (cast as a female in this production)...She's amazingly talented.

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"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!" Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!

#16

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 2:34pm

Patti f*&%ing LuPone had better be in this show!

#17

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 2:34pm

Ziemba could not sing any 3 of those three roles. She's a passable singer, but her real skill is dancing.

#18

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 8:29pm

You know, she can do A LOT more than dance. I'm just saying...

She is a fantastic actress, and her singing is wonderful to me.

#19

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 8:32pm

Bobby, exactly what have you seen Ziemba do? She is actually quite a superior actress, and as far as her singing, I'd say she's better than Lansbury, especially now.

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#20

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 8:36pm

What parts are they speculating her playing? I'm just curious, but isn't the whole idea behind being an actor/actress to stretch yourself outside your comfort box, and do things a little more challenging and unexpected/uncharacteristic for you? That's is how you grow as a performer, and it keeps your act from getting old and overdone. I believe Karen can do whatever she sets her mind to do, and I don't think we should be bashing her, especially since these are just rumors.

#21

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 8:39pm

I thought Ziemba sounded great in "And The World Goes Round".

#22

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 9:30pm

Ziemba sang fine in "110 in the Shade."

#23

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 9:41pm

I wrote to Ms. LuPone concerning Sweeney Todd. It sounds more or less like a confirmation in my opinion. We shall see!

This was the email:

Hi Patti!
I love all your work and can't wait for you to come back to Broadway! My question is if you are going to be playing Ms. Lovett in the revival of Sweeney Todd slated for this October. Thanks for any information.
Renee :)

Dear Renee,
It looks like it. Love, Patti

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Happy...Everything! Kaye Thompson

#24

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 9:42pm

I want Victoria Clark to be Mrs. Lovett and Brian Stokes Mitchell to be Sweeney! Patti's too Patti! She thinks she's entitled to act like whoever she wants because she's Patti. And Michael Cerveris doesn't have the ummph for Sweeney. Let's give the brilliant Vicki and Brian the chance at another set of well-deserved Tonys!

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"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

Updated On: 7/12/05 at 09:42 PM

#25

re: Changes to SWEENEY revival cast?

Posted: 7/12/05 at 9:47pm

ve to agree abot Michael Cerveis--I admire him, but I wonder if he is the best choice. There are so many others for this role--Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ken Jennings (the original Tobias), even someone who is not known as a singer, like Brian F. O'Byrne,