Patti Lupone as Mrs. Lovett...I am still upset. Is anyone else?- Page 2

[lamentingenvelope]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 11:18am

No... I am not thrilled about Patti in the role.

However I can't wait to see how Forbidden Broadway spoofs it.

[SFJPS]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 11:39am

She was great when I saw her do the SF staged concert. And I just finished listening to her as Fosca in Passion--she's terrific, such a solid voice...not always the most soothing, no, but man can that woman act! She'll knock this one out of the park.

[Teeny Todd]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 12:23pm

She can sing, but Mrs. Lovett is a character role. I saw the concert version and she sang very well (although not always as written) but she had very little character at all. It seemed like Patti LuPone. She is a legend and deserves a lead role in a great show, but maybe not this one. But hey, I'll still go see it.

[bwayrocks_ca]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 7:14pm

I have to agree with SFJPS on this one. I think Patti was and will be again fantastic in Sweeney Todd. She is a great actress and singer.

However, I will be the first to admit that I have blinders on because I really think Patti could do ANYTHING.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 8:19pm

I liked Patti's Lovett but didn't love it. I did enjoy her performance (not her voice) much more than Landsbury, (yes I know others feel differently). I still would love to see Donna Murphy tackle this role. It would be a thrill!

[jim coleman]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 8:21pm

I have done the show with many good Mrs. Lovett's, so it is not fair to say that Angela Lansbury is the only one! Karen Morrow was brilliant in the role, and have done it with her twice. Marcia Mitzman, and Myrna Paris were also excellent, as was Joyce Castle. I just feel that Patti is way out of her league with this role. Anyway, it is just my opinion, and I have just as much right to it as you have to yours.

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 8:28pm

Who is Joyce Castle? I know that name, but I can't place her.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 8:49pm

"I did enjoy her performance (not her voice) much more than Landsbury, (yes I know others feel differently)..."

Understatement of the year.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 8:59pm

As much as I adore LuPone, I thought that since they were going with a younger Sweeney (Michael Cerveris), they would go with a younger Lovett. I would have like to have seen Donna Murphy in the role.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 9:18pm

It remains to be seen whether producers will entrust another demanding major lead role to Murphy, given her attendance record on WT.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 9:23pm

"It remains to be seen whether producers will entrust another demanding major lead role to Murphy, given her attendance record on WT."

Good point.
Other possibilities for me would've been Randy Graff, Alice Ripley, Michele Pawk...

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 9:57pm

The great Australian musical theatre star Caroline O'Connor would also make a smashing Lovett.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 11:22pm

"It remains to be seen whether producers will entrust another demanding major lead role to Murphy, given her attendance record on WT."

I know. I'm worried about that. She's so wonderful though..I think it was just something she was going through at the time. Passion was just as demanding, though in a different way, and from what I heard she didn't really miss much at all there. I hope she recovers soon, and someone will take a chance on her. I need to see her live again. I missed Wonderful Town.

[jim]

Posted: 6/11/05 at 11:26pm

Speaking of Myrna Paris. I know she was the alternate in NYCO Sweeney Todd. I saw her play Carlotta Thursday night in Music Theatre of Wichita's PHANTOM (Yeston/ Kopit). She was sensational and got a great review in the local Wichita paper.
In fact, the show, with Matt Bogart, Kim Huber, Daniel Bogart and Paris got a big thumbs up review. Paris was great. They all were.
As for LuPone playing Lovett in the Roundabout production, I saw this in London and it is such an abstract staging,I am not sure how she will come off in this. Don't get me wrong, I do like her but the way the showis staged, it is not a star driven vehicle at all. Yes, it's worth seeing but,it's unlike any Todd you have ever seen.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/12/05 at 7:00am

Just so you know, Jim, Roundabout is no longer handling this production. It is going to be a commercial Broadway venture.

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 7:42am

Just don't let her near that accent again! It's almost painful listening to the dialect in the concert wander from Australia to America, via various bits of the UK (though rarely London). At least Geroge Hearn didn't even bother to try and mess it up.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 11:20am

I have a cd from the book of the month club and Joyce Castle performs two numbers from Sweeney Todd. She is excellent, at least on CD.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 11:31am

I would assume LuPone and Cerveris get along as they have previously performed the concerts of Passion and Sunday in the Park With George and are set to perform the concert of Anyone Can Whistle in August at Ravinia.

I didn't like LuPone's Lovett at all. I think she is wonderful for some roles, but not everything and Lovett is just not right for her. Marin Mazzie or Rachel York could be good choices and I think would be better pairings for Cerveris.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 11:33am

Emily Skinner would be a swell Lovett, though her attendance record is also shaky. I agree with those who want younger energy to match Cerveris. And we've got a recorded version of the LuPone Nellie L. For her to return to it now seems a bit been there/done that. Saw Angela do it 4 times, and it remains legendary. Better to try a younger generation of singing actors rather than merely turn to one of the reigning divas. It's not about age, but about seeking freshness, finding new things.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 11:37am

If you want fresh , buy a salad!

[TG4802]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:01pm

M.B. The way I understand it, Equity and the Musicians are negotiating with the employer on how to best fulfill the provisions of two entirely different contracts. There's no reason why Equity would have to negotiate with another entertainment union for anything. They all work together.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:06pm

"If you want fresh , buy a salad!"

At this board I'm often intimidated by displays of wit. This instance is no exception.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 12:21pm

this is a chat board and it's fun. no one knows each other and that allows us to say things to one another that we normally wouldn't say to a person standing in front of us. The sarcasm and nastiness says a lot about the person dishing it out but should never be taken personally. d'accord?
Updated On: 6/13/05 at 12:21 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:15pm

I hear you. Sorry. I'm lightening up as I type this...

[K8eeyore]

Posted: 6/13/05 at 3:48pm

Not thrilled about LuPone, although as far as the age issue goes, Angela Lansbury was over a decade older than Len Cariou in the OBC. My thoughts for the perfect Lovett? Nancy Opel or Carolee Carmello. They've got the pipes, and their comic timing is wonderful.