Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:02pm
I’m confused at how a Sondheim vet could not have played a role on Broadway unless they are British or something? Or if Audra is considered a Sondheim vet?
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:05pm
The first name to come to mind is Carolee Carmello, who’s done a number of Sondheim productions - including Sweeney- but never on Broadway. But she doesn’t seem right for this production.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:07pm
FolliesCabaret said: "From what I've heard, the new Lovett is a Sondheim vet but this will be her first time doing Sondheim on Broadway. Very, very excited if it's true."
There's a lot of Sondheim vets out there who have never done his work on Broadway. Audra fits that description, as do Sutton Foster, Hannah Waddingham, Imelda Staunton, Maria Friedman, and Christine Baranski. Among others.
I think Foster (rumored above) could be excellent if the timing worked out right. MATTRESS is currently Jan 24-Feb 4 and it seems that that production is being built around her, so perhaps her start date would be a month after AA & JG leave. It would be funny if Encores moved TWO shows in consecutive years because of ladies starring in SWEENEY on Broadway (Ruthie/Piazza).
Tveit is a disastrous idea imho.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:10pm
Just give us Cyndi Lauper already. I was thinking its Carolee also but she seems wrong for it
Updated On: 10/19/23 at 01:10 PM
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:13pm
Anyone saying sales for Audra McDonald in a musical would be "abysmal" is truly delusional. Nobody cares when she's in a play. Everyone in the world cares when she's in a musical because singing is her greatest gift and is one of the best in the world. I hope they pick two people of color in the starring roles this time around.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:16pm
McDonald would be tremendous, but would she want her first musical role in 7 years to be a replacement?
For Sweeney, however, I would love to see Joshua Henry.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:16pm
If they alternate theatre names like Woods did, I’d love to see Norm reprise Todd at some point.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:16pm
binau said: "I’m confused at how a Sondheim vet could not have played a role on Broadway unless they are British or something? Or if Audra is considered a Sondheim vet?"
She's done Sondheim to great acclaim in New York and California, but never on Broadway. Yet.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:21pm
For Sweeney, however, I would love to see Joshua Henry.
That would be stunningly perfect casting. Wow, great call.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:26pm
I kind of feel like to be a Sondheim vet you needed to be in one of those red dresses in the 2010 concert 
, but perhaps the group can't be so exclusive.
Sutton Foster has done Into the Woods at the Hollywood Bowl and Anyone Can Whistle at Encores! though, and someone in the grosses said it was Sutton. She's as big as name as you might expect at this stage. Could it be her?
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:32pm
Setting aside my opinion that Sutton is not right for the role, the logistics of her doing Sweeney and Once Upon a Mattress would make it hard without either Encores shifting the production dates or her starting once Mattress is done. Neither is impossible but I’m not sure how likely either is. She would be essentially preparing and/or rehearsing and/or performing for two lead roles at the same time.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:43pm
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:44pm
You're right RE: Sutton. That's tricky. Would love to see Victoria Clark but I guess she's still tied to Akimbo. Bernadette is in Old Friends so wouldn't be able to rehearse (unless Lea hands over "Worst Pies" "My Friends" and "Little Priest" to Bernadette - PLEASE)...in addition to maybe being a bit, well too Old.
THIS IS HARD.
Updated On: 10/19/23 at 01:44 PM
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:50pm
Would it be ridiculous to hope for Hannah Waddingham? She was in Into the Woods, but I don't know if one production makes her a 'vet'.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:50pm
Could it be Amy Adam’s?
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:52pm
The only headline is that for now the final performance on sale is 01/14, the leads are leaving, and they hope to continue with actors not yet signed.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:55pm
A Justified Bean said: "Would it be ridiculous to hope for Hannah Waddingham? She was in Into the Woods, but I don't know if one production makes her a 'vet'."
Take with a grain of salt but someone claimed here a few weeks back that Waddingham had been offered Lovett and declined. Add her to the long list of Lovetts I'd like to see someday.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:57pm
https://x.com/sweeneytoddbway/status/1715042371119771662?s=42&t=yZrNJIR0n2vvoZa59M6Eyg
the duo is lined up.
The vet description fits Audra more than anyone else, but Waddingham would be a brilliant choice. Her Desiree in Nunn’s Night Music received smashing reviews.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 1:58pm
MezzA101 said: "The only headline is that for now the final performance on sale is 01/14, the leads are leaving, and they hope to continue with actors not yet signed."
I suppose you can read it that way, but the official announcement is that the show IS extending, and that casting information will be announced shortly, which doesn't sound like a "we hope to continue" situation. Plus, look at the link in the post above this.
Also, we've known about Groban's departure date for months, so that's barely a headline. The real buzz is that the show is extending with new leads.
Updated On: 10/19/23 at 01:58 PM
Posted: 10/19/23 at 2:03pm
RE: whether Audra would be a replacement, I think when it comes to this role and this show on Broadway yes she would. At her age, it would likely be her last chance to place the role on Broadway. I think this is why Bernadette also did "Night Music" and "Hello, Dolly'. Ego aside, would you really turn down those roles if you know it's your last chance to play them on Broadway?
Posted: 10/19/23 at 2:18pm
Has Audra played a comedic role since Carrie Pipperidge?
I'm not doubting that she could pull off Lovett, but it would be a big departure from what we've seen her do up to this point, vocally, comedically, acting-wise, etc. Annaleigh brought so much humor to this role (naysayers might say to the detriment of the show).
Posted: 10/19/23 at 2:22pm
I'm excited to hear the replacements and also excited that the show is trying to continue. I didn't love the emerging trends of revivals closing when a big name star leaves.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 2:24pm
Waddingham would be perfect.
Audra obviously would be brilliant, but I don't know if I truly want her as Lovett. Her Beggar Woman in the LC Concert was so beautiful.
As for Sweeney's... RAUL. RAUL. RAUL.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 2:28pm
If there is one person that could get me back to New York it might be Raul Esparza. That voice on this score, WOWWWW. It's a tragedy he hasn't already played the role on Broadway.
Posted: 10/19/23 at 2:30pm
For Sweeney I would love to see Nik Christopher get it full time, but if not, my wild card pick is I would commit federal crimes to see Patrick Page's Sweeney.
