Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:45pm
According to an anonymous tip to the rumor mill over at Deuxmoi, there’s talk of a “big and bold revival” featuring “a Tony winning blonde buffoon and a big voiced cougar magnet”. Online, there’s suggestion that this is referring to Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban. Take it with a grain of salt, but I’m up for a revival of any of Sondheim’s shows.
Updated On: 4/6/22 at 05:45 PM
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:46pm
I've heard rumblings of this as well. Spring 2023 at the St. James?
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:50pm
I'm not an Ashford stan. I get her appeal - but she didn't do it for me in Sunday. And not sure she'd do it for me in this. But I'm here for a big splashy Sweeney.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:53pm
The rumor is out there. A little unsure about Ashford. She would’ve been only 21 when Sweeney was first exiled. Seems a bit young?
I do hope Sondheim was around to give his blessing to both stars.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:53pm
If Ashford can shake her normal schtick, she could be genuinely terrific as Lovett. I don't blame her for relying on said schtick (it clearly landed her a lucrative sitcom deal, so she's laughing all the way to the bank), but she has used it on a few projects that don't necessarily call for the "quirky-ness" of it. But she could really elevate her stuff here and use her comedic timing to good use.
I have no idea if Groban could summon enough menace to play Sweeney, but I'm down to see him try. At least it would be vocally awesome. And he sells tickets. And I would love to have profitable Sweeney on Broadway!
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:54pm
Add me to the list of people unsure about Ashford. She just does not do much for me.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:55pm
I can imagine exactly how Ashford will sing “Worst Pies” and that’s not a good thing, it’s not a bad thing either. I just think they need someone like Carmen Cusack maybe.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:56pm
It was discussed a little a few weeks ago:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1125783&page=3
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:58pm
It seems like a missed opportunity for a woman of color. Audra???
All I know is there better be a VERY full orchestra. I can’t take tiny versions of this show anymore. The score needs to soar.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 5:59pm
Tommy Kali is also set to direct. I’m down for Ashford as Lovett. I thought she was sensational in Sunday and think she’d be lovely.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:07pm
n2nbaby said: "Tommy Kali is also set to direct. I’m down for Ashford as Lovett. I thought she was sensational in Sunday and think she’d be lovely."
Mrs. Lovett is FAR from “lovely.” Oy!
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:10pm
No to Ashford.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:11pm
BrodyFosse123 said: "n2nbaby said: "Tommy Kali is also set to direct. I’m down for Ashford as Lovett. I thought she was sensational in Sunday and think she’d be lovely."
Mrs. Lovett is FAR from “lovely.” Oy! "
Haha yes!!
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Audra would have been so perfect and it would have been so good for her to take her place in a Sondheim role on the Broadway stage but I’m sure if she wanted to do it, it would be her.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:12pm
I can see Groban conjuring up some darkness. I'm not sure Kail has the vision for a big, grand show. All of his hits have been pretty minor in terms of staging. I don't mean that as a diss, but "In The Heights" and "Hamilton" aren't large scale in terms of production. And his off-Broadway shows have all been pretty small. Def. would be curious to see what he'd do as this would def. be out of his normal fair.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:15pm
I still want my Bernadette Peters/Stokes production that’s lived in my head for years.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:20pm
Personally I would’ve wanted Christian Borle as it’s his dream role, but I’m interested in Groban as Sweeney. He could absolutely sing it, and he showed he can legitimately act in Great Comet. And while the question of how scary he could be is a valid one, I remember he successfully pulled of a few unnerving moments in that show like The Duel and brought out good menace in his final interaction with Anatole.
Ashford meanwhile is also not who I’d immediately think of for this role, but I can see her being excellent nonetheless, and bringing something a bit different. And Kail sounds like he’s be a perfect creative force for the show, hopefully bringing out the epic scale of the original that we know he can do.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:21pm
BrodyFosse123 said: "n2nbaby said: "Tommy Kali is also set to direct. I’m down for Ashford as Lovett. I thought she was sensational in Sunday and think she’d be lovely."
Mrs. Lovett is FAR from “lovely.” Oy! "
Clearly meant that she would give a lovely performance, not that the character is lovely.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:38pm
Audra has said before that Sweeney is one of her dream roles. Can’t see her “settling” for Lovett although I would love to hear them sing together. I’m intrigued by Annaleigh in this.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 6:40pm
These are odd casting choices, but it will be a fun multi-million dollar gamble to see if it works!
Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:06pm
The profit algorithm certainly thinks it's worth the gamble since they decided to chicken out on stealing my idea to go for this instead.
(I honestly wouldn't have known they were trying to do it if (a) I hadn't foolishly posted it in a Sondheim-devoted Facebook group that probably attracts some industry people, and (b) they hadn't directly tried to rip off one of my casting ideas straight out of that post. I'll give them credit for eying Amber Gray for Lovett in their rendition of it, though... solid casting choice that did not cross my mind at all.)
Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:15pm
It is indeed Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. However there is no house for it at the moment.
New York, New York a new musical is slated to open cold at The St. James post The Piano Lesson.
Susan Stroman Dir/Choreographing.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:19pm
That casting leaves a lot to be desired, for me.
But this “New York, New York” fascinates me.
Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:39pm
troynow said: "New York, New York a new musical is slated to open cold at The St. James post The Piano Lesson.
Susan Stroman Dir/Choreographing."
Does this have anything to do with the 1977 movie of the same name (with a score by Kander and Ebb)?
Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:49pm
I think Ashford is an inspired choice for Lovett.
As for Groban, I hope he can "rough up" his voice a bit and maybe Kail can help him find some acting depths.
troy, you tease, pour us a little more tea about this Stroman project...
Posted: 4/6/22 at 7:54pm
Sounds like it is a musical adaptation of the Scorsese film –– but will this have a new score, or existing songs? "It was time to learn music. Some period pieces evoking the era of the show. Lovely, hummable tunes."
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