Sondheim wants voice test for Depp re Sweeney

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:58pm

Per today's Sunday Times (UK), Stephen Sondheim will not approve a film of his Sweeney Todd musical "if the main character has to mime rather than sing."

Can't vouch for the truth of the article (which at the end quotes a spokesman for Nicole Kidman who apparently doesn't know how well she can sing - maybe he should rent "Moulin Rouge" for an idea), but if it is true, it should hopefully put some fans' fears to rest that the film, if made, will wind up with a cast - especially for the title character - unable to cope with the demands of the score.
Sunday Times article on Sondheim/Depp

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:01pm

so wait, Nicole is being considered for Mrs. Lovett?
but anyway, good idea of Sondheim to ask for voice test from Depp
:)

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:01pm

If Julia Robert's does this movie, I'm going to harm myself.
EDIT: I might not mind Nicole Kidman. I love Moulin Rouge. Updated On: 8/13/06 at 01:01 PM

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:06pm

It said Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts have talked about signing up for a musical, not necessarily this musical.

[LostLeander]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:06pm

Praise the Lord Jesus.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:07pm

They meant that both Roberts and Kidman are interested in doing musicals now that they have had success recently. They didn't mean they were up for Lovett.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:08pm

Kidman could be up for Johanna

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:09pm

"They meant that both Roberts and Kidman are interested in doing musicals now that they have had success recently. They didn't mean they were up for Lovett."

That's good.I know I said I wouldn't mind Nicole Kidman but, I would. Julia Roberts had done a play, not a musical.

Updated On: 8/13/06 at 01:09 PM

[PJ]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:14pm

Depp didn't sing in Cry Baby. He lipsynced to someone else's. And the article also mentions Jamie Foxx in Ray--he did not sing either. That film used the actual songs.

[pab]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:16pm

"Kidman could be up for Johanna"

LOL

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:16pm

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:17pm

I'm glad Sondheim wants to "test" him first, but then again, after he granted his approval of the leads in the recent "Follies" revival, I don't know how much I trust his judgment, even if it is his own material.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:22pm

I'm curious where the they got the facts for this piece.

Sondheim has already met with Depp, likes him and OK'd him (not that they need his blessing--it's still the directors and producers choice). Unless he changed his mind...

[matt schneider]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:28pm

So if he fails will he not get in or is it for show. Also this means that at least it wont be horrible, so thank god.

[broadwayxminixidina]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:31pm

I don't think Nicole OR Julia are good choices for Lovett (if they WERE considering Lovett). Also, I don't thin kthat Depp captures the true "essence" of Sweeney. I'll go see the movie, but I will probably not enjoy it.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:32pm

Regardless, Depp can/could/will ACT the part. But if it comes down to someone else, that's great, too

Updated On: 8/13/06 at 01:32 PM

[broadwayxminixidina]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:36pm

I know. I am very excited to see how Burton portrays it. DOes anyone know if they are going ot use the whistle? Are they going to use the revival's ending, or the origional ending?

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:51pm

If Depp does this movie he might suprise us with his performance. When I heard he was playing Willy Wonka I laughed and said "He is going to be really bad" When I saw it I was thought he was actually pretty good.

[Julian2]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:56pm

Well I think that Helena Bottem Carter would be great at either Mrs. Lovett, Johanna, or the Begger Woman. Did anyone here see corpse bride? Her songs in that were beautiful.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:01pm

Well I think that Helena Bottem Carter would be great at either Mrs. Lovett, Johanna, or the Begger Woman. Did anyone here see corpse bride? Her songs in that were beautiful.

Not Johanna or Lovett but, maybe Beggar Woman.

[donna_darko_23]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:01pm

Thanks for the article. It gives a little tiny bit of hope that the film *might* not be killed by people that can't sing.

Ooh, I like the idea of Helena Bonham Carter, but I'm not quite sure if she has the voice (I didn't see Corpse Bride). She's seems to be someone Tim uses a lot also.

[broadwayxminixidina]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:07pm

I like Helena as Beggar Woman.

[gustof777]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:09pm

I thin Helena Bonham Carter would be a perfect Beggar Woman but that's just me. I'm glad that Sondheim is having the voice test but am still very nervous about this.

Donna, Helena is in Tim's movies b/c she's his wife :) He uses her in all of them.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:16pm

Nicole Kidman was somebody that Sam Mendes was considering when he was going to direct, but somebody close to that team told me she was more interested in playing Lucy.

[gustof777]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:18pm

Wait Mendes wanted her for Lovett?