Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd — Page 3

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#51

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/8/08 at 5:30pm

Not Sweeney, but I just finished listening to "Ballroom" with Ms. Louden and Vincent Gardenia. She was marvelous.

PS Just joined today. So glad I discovered this site.

Updated On: 1/8/08 at 05:30 PM

#52

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/8/08 at 8:55pm

God, she was amazing! I wish I couls have seen her live in Sweeney!

"He found something that he wanted, had always wanted and always would want— not to be admired, as he had feared; not to be loved, as he had made himself believe; but to be necessary to people, to be indispensable." -F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise

#53

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 1:21am

While you are at - that site- try looking up Sheila Hancock. There is some footage there of her Mrs Lovett in the original London cast of 1980.

#54

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 1:25am

I'm not crazy about that Sheila hancock PRIEST clip. It sounded like she couldn't find the final note.

#55

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 1:35am

I love Hancock here! She sounds and looks so diabolical.

#56

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 1:43am

When exactly did she play the role? 1980-1981ish? If that is the case then kudos for whoever snuck the video camera in!

#57

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 1:56am

BTW, in case no one else has posted, there are other songs besides the ones mentioned in the first post.

#58

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 6:13am

"I saw Ms. Loudon in the National Tour, and she was wonderful. But, does anyone know who played Sweeney? My friend who went with me says it was Ken LaRue? I'm not familiar with that actor. I thought it was George Hearn. Can anyone help? Thanks"

mickeyford, Loudon was never on the national tour. She only played the role in New York.

Lansbury did the first national tour opposite Hearn. Her understudy (who I think also did one of the matinees each week) was Denise Lor. I've never seen Lor, but since she took over as understudy on Broadway at the same time Loudon took over as Lovett, I think she may have been somewhat similar to Loudon. Perhaps you saw Lor?

After the first national, there was a bus-and-truck tour with June Havoc as Lovett, opposite Ross Petty as Sweeney.

#59

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 6:39am

Somewhere between George Hearn and Ross Petty, Walter Charles played the role. Interesting to note that three Sweeney Todds ended up in LA CAGE - George Hearn (Zaza), Walter Charles (Zaza 1st National then Broadway) and Dennis Quilley (Georges in London opposite George Hearn's Zaza).

#60

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 7:28am

Walter Charles was, as you probably know, the Sweeney understudy for the entire Broadway run and the tour. He never got to go on for Cariou and I don't know if he ever went on for Hearn on Broadway, but he did go on for Hearn on the tour. I assume that's why you're referring to. AFAIK, he was never the main Sweeney (or even a regular alternate except during the week that they were taping the national tour).

Yes, I've often thought it was kind of funny that Hearn, Charles, and Quilley all played those roles in Cage. Kind of makes you wonder if Bob Gunton took the role in Roza in anticipation of someday playing Sweeney.

#61

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 8:33am

I was lucky - Sweeney played during my final year in high school. I would come to NYC every month or so and I knew someone who worked at the (then) Uris, so I was always given free tickets to Sweeney Todd. I saw the show 5 times with the original cast. When George Hearn and Dorothy Loudon went in I was blown away. While Angela's Lovett was outstanding, Ms. Loudon's performance was simply amazing and she is without a doubt my favorite Mrs. Lovett. It was such a different interpretation. Even though she nailed the comedy, in the end her Mrs Lovett was heart breaking. She played the part as soooo in love with Sweeney that you just wanted him to return some of that feeling. I am so glad I got to see her do the part 3 times.

Updated On: 1/9/08 at 08:33 AM

#62

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 9:32am

I first saw Marge Redmond, wife of Jack Weston and famously known as Sara Tucker of the Cool Whip commercials during Lansbury's vacation in September 1979. She was terrific and had great chemistry with Cariou. Loudon was out of control and Hearn had a hard time managing her mugging her way through the role. Note on the Worst Pies footage, she doesn't even relate to Todd -- she is merely doing her schtick. It was not a good part for her vocally or emotionally. She was by far the weakest of the three.

#63

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 11:00am

My sentiments exactly South Fl Marc! While those clips are a true gem to get to see again NOTHING can top what it was like sitting there watching her playing that part up on that stage! She was genius in every nuance of the role.

"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns

#64

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/9/08 at 7:03pm

nobodyhome: You are absolutely right. I found my "StageBill" from the Opera House at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and it definitely was Angela. I have seen Sweeney so many times I guess I was a bit confused (OBC, Dorothy version, NYC Opera, Kennedy Center Sondheim Festival, Revival (can you guess that I love the show?)). I never did see the B&T tour though (maybe that's a good thing). Thanks for setting me straight.

#65

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 1/10/08 at 1:57am

I've heard from several people that June Havoc (who was 68 at the time) was a terrific, very daffy and energetic Mrs. Lovett, though I've heard that the tour cast was otherwise just OK.

It's the bus-and-truck physical production that's used at City Opera.

#66

re: Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd

Posted: 5/10/08 at 1:24am

Hello!
I am a new user to Broadway World.com so I hope you can excuse what my seem like a foolish question. In your post, you noted that a clip of Dorothy Loudon performing the Worst Pies In London from Sweeny Todd was available on some website and suggested that 'anyone who loves her should go to that site'. What site are you referring to? I would greatly appreciate any information you might be able to provide. I would very much love to see Dorothy Loudon's Worst Pies performance and any other Sweeney Todd items available. Thanks for any help you can provide...

Kind Regards,
-Adam

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