Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd- Page 2
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#25
Posted: 10/9/13 at 7:25pm
Sublime casting.
She's a great dramatic actress, extraordinarily funny, and she can sing.
It wasn't for nothing that back at Cambridge she was dubbed "Emma Talented" by the likes of Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#26
Posted: 10/9/13 at 7:59pm
Saving Mr. Todd!
What brilliant and unexpected casting this is.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#27
Posted: 10/9/13 at 8:10pmPatti LuPone as the Beggar Woman? Bwhahahahaha. City on fire indeed!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#28
Posted: 10/9/13 at 8:17pmI wonder was Patti pissed that she wasn't asked back to do it finally with Terfel...
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#29
Posted: 10/9/13 at 8:23pmThe likelihood of this being filmed is pretty high, right? Even though there's a film of the original concert? I'm not sure I want to shell out the money for this.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#30
Posted: 10/9/13 at 8:40pmI have to agree with others who have mixed feelings about this announcement. On one hand, I’m surprised and intrigued by Thompson’s casting and am very much looking forward to seeing her in the role. But then there’s Bryn Terfel. Sure, he’s a technically proficient singer, but what an absolute bore on stage. He’s probably going to do that really ugly awkward thing in which he sings out of the side of his mouth like some operatic Elvis, too.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#31
Posted: 10/9/13 at 8:41pmLet's hope that Bryn doesn't bail out at the last minute the way he did last time!
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#32
Posted: 10/9/13 at 9:07pmPlease. When has there ever been a Sweeney who hasn't been, at the very least sometimes boring. Its the least interesting character in the show (and I've seen Brian Stokes Mitchell do the part!). Pure vengeance becomes redundant and static in a character and Sweeney is no different. He does has some gorgeous music to sing that saves the character somewhat, but even Johnny Depp was somewhat stifled by the role.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#33
Posted: 10/9/13 at 9:16pmI agree! No matter who plays the role of Sweeney, it's Mrs. Lovett's show 100%, always has been. In 1979, it was Lansbury's show, in 2005, it was Patti's show... Sweeney has very little dialogue, lots to sing, and basically just stands there brooding for the whole show. I brought this up in a thread aaaaaaages ago and was eaten alive by many because I stated that Sondheim wrote better for females than he did for males, and Sweeney is testament to this statement.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#34
Posted: 10/9/13 at 10:03pmAmazing casting!
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#35
Posted: 10/9/13 at 10:43pm
Bryn Terfel doing the "Epiphany" and then "A Little Priest" with Maria Friedman as Mrs. Lovett.
http://youtu.be/ba6U4mZpG6Y
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#36
Posted: 10/9/13 at 11:41pmI SHAT
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#37
Posted: 10/10/13 at 1:50am
Happy News Indeed!
Thompson is excellent on stage. I saw her many times doing DREAM (Helena) and LEAR (Fool) in rep with then husband Branagh.
He was the big draw back then, but SHE shone brightest on stage. I envy those who get to see this!
VIDEO: Thompson/ ME AND MY GIRL
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#38
Posted: 10/10/13 at 2:32am
I was lucky enough to see Me & My Girl with the original cast- she was PHENOMENAL!
She is a great dramatic actress but she also has impeccable comic timing and what a brain!
I am so jealous at the moment that I hope all those ****ty pants are extremely uncomfortable!
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#39
Posted: 10/10/13 at 3:36am
A lot of people seem to be on laxatives on here!!
This is unexpected casting. Exciting casting. That's the best type of casting.
Wish I was coming to NYC to see it. Maybe I will.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#40
Posted: 10/10/13 at 3:48am
Another Sweeney Todd!
It's so overdue.
Why, it's already been ten minutes since its last revival.
Now, please, someone, give us a revival of Merrily We Roll Along!
Updated On: 10/10/13 at 03:48 AM
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#41
Posted: 10/10/13 at 4:14am
Somehow I have got to get in and see this. Inspired casting.
Thompson has been my favorite actress for decades now, and yes she can sing it. She's got a great voice.
This could also help wash the terrible Kelsey Grammar Sweeny performance I saw in LA in the late 90s out of my brain.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#42
Posted: 10/10/13 at 6:08am
Count me in with the laxative gang. There has been some amazing casting this season, but this...THIS IS THE APEX.
Damn, I am stoked for this.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#43
Posted: 10/10/13 at 6:46amStage debut my untalented foot. I saw her at least half-a-dozen times in Me and My Girl at the Adelphi in London. She was wonderful.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#44
Posted: 10/10/13 at 7:41pm
I understand Owen's point about Sweeney being rather one-note. But I promise that Len Carious wasn't boring; he was terrifying! And hilarious! And heart-breaking! He doesn't have the voice of a Bob Gunton or George Hearn, but Cariou is such a cerebral performer one was drawn irresistibly into Sweeney's mind. What was he thinking and who would be his next victim!?
***
As for "stage debut", that's quite a typo. Thompson's on-stage LOOK BACK IN ANGER with Brannagh was filmed. We saw her here in Los Angeles (at the Taper) doing Shakespeare when Brannagh's company made its California debut.
She has the skills for stage work. No problem.
Updated On: 10/10/13 at 07:41 PM
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#45
Posted: 10/10/13 at 8:36pmAfter Eight rolls his eyes and sneers but god know he'll be there, if only to tell us what a miserable time he had.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/04
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#46
Posted: 10/10/13 at 8:43pmSo would this mean that the recent London revival that got all the rave reviews is not coming in?
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#47
Posted: 10/10/13 at 9:22pmNY Phil concerts generally do not transfer. Have any? They are usually limited starry events.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#48
Posted: 10/10/13 at 9:35pm
It couldn't transfer with Bryn Terfel. Opera stars are usually booked several years in advance.
Emma Thompson to make stage debut as Lovett in the NY Phil's Sweeney Todd#48
Posted: 10/10/13 at 9:35pm
And I imagine Emma Thompson has film commitments.
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