SWEENEY screening this eve with MERLE LOUISE, orig Beggar Woman

[Storefrontnyc]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 12:13pm

Just a reminder! Hope to see you... going to be great fun.


The Laurie Beechman Theatre

is very pleased to continue our popular series

SCREENING SONDHEIM

Saturday, May 3 @ 8pm

with

SWEENEY TODD

on the big screen!

starring Angela Lansbury & George Hearn

8pm: Interview with Sweeney's
original Beggar Woman,

Merle Louise

to be immediately followed by a screening of the 1979 Original Broadway production

Join your fellow Sondheim fans for what will be a memorable evening.


The Laurie Beechman Theatre is very pleased to continue our celebrated series, SCREENING SONDHEIM, featuring screenings of celebrated Sondheim productions. The series kicked off in February with the sold out debut of COMPANY, and continued with the original Broadway productions of INTO THE WOODS and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.


SCREENING SONDHEIM continues on Saturday, May 3rd at 8pm with the original Broadway Production of Sweeney Todd, starring Angela Lansbury and George Hearn. Sweeney Todd, the Broadway production, garnered eight 1980 Tony Awards, and the filmed production won three Emmys.

At 8pm, we'll chat with MERLE LOUISE, who created the role of the Beggar Woman in the original cast. We'll chat about the origins of the musical, working with Sondheim and we're sure to hear some tasty backstage stories. Immediately following, we'll screen the ground-breaking production on our big screen. Join your fellow Sondheim fans for what will be a memorable evening.

There is no cover charge for this event, and there is a two-drink or $15 food/beverage minimum, a full dinner and bar menu is available. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located within The West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd St., in the heart of New York's theatre district. For reservations, which are strongly recommended, please call 212 695 6909.

MERLE LOUISE made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway company of Gypsy, appearing alongside Ethel Merman as Thelma, a role she created, eventually succeeding to the role of June. In 1970, she created the role Susan in the original Broadway cast of Stephen Sondheim's Company, and continued her association with Sondheim in 1979's Sweeney Todd, creating the role of the Beggar Woman. Other Broadway credits include La Cage aux Folles (original Mme. Dindon), Into the Woods (original Cinderella's Mother, Giant, Grandmother) and Kiss of the Spider Woman (Molina's Mother).

MAKE RESERVATIONS! 212 695 6909!
Playbill article

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 12:23pm

to be immediately followed by a screening of the 1979 Original Broadway production.
Curious to know what this is about as they're showing the George Hearn/Angela Lansbury taping of the Nat'l Tour. Could it be the Lincoln Center Archive film of the original 1979 Broadway production?

Hmmm.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 12:26pm

How old is Merle now?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 12:40pm

Born in 1934, Ms. Louise is now 74 years old (she was 45 when she originated the role of The Beggar Woman in the original 1979 Broadway production of SWEENEY TODD).

She also was the original Thelma in the original 1959 Broadway production of GYPSY, and later took over the role of Dainty June, which she also continued playing in the 1st Nat'l Tour which went out after the show closed on Broadway. She was also the original Susan in the original 1970 Broadway production of COMPANY, in fact... she was in the original casts of numerous other Broadway musicals (LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, INTO THE WOODS, etc.).

[Storefrontnyc]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 4:43pm

yes, sorry - this is the touring production starring Lansbury and George Hearn. It was filmed in 1981 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (former home of the Oscars) in Los Angeles.

Lots of interesting questions for Merle this eve, and lots of interesting Sondheim fun facts- hope to see you!

City on Fire! City on Fire!