Understudy Joined: 9/3/06
I was reading the posting about Dorthy Loudon replacing Angela Landsbury in Sweeney Todd and always wondered about the exact dates that the original Broadway cast members were replaced; ie: Victor Garber and Angela Landsbury. In addition, did Len Cariou play Sweeney for the entire run? Thanks for your help.
Not sure of the dates, but Garber left before anyone. Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou played it for a year. Dorothy Loudon and George Hearn did the last four months.
Garber left in the summer of 1979. Lansbury and Cariou played the show for a little over a year (counting previews) - February 6, 1979 to March 2, 1980. Loudon and Hearn began March 4 and stayed with the show until it closed on June 29 that same year.
One charming touch that Lansbury and Cariou did was right after the curtain call, as the lights dimmed and before they left the stage, they always gave each other a kiss. It brought the house down after their final performance.
I know Chris Groenndal (sp?) replaced Garber. Garber was the only member of the OBC that was gone when I saw it.
Stand-by Joined: 4/20/05
Also, didn't Richard Warren Pugh eventually replace Jack Williams as the Beadle?
No. He was Williams' understudy and went on a lot, but he didn't replace him on Broadway. He did do the tour, though.
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=952914&dt=30
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/29/04
Understudy Joined: 9/3/06
Thank you all very much for the information provided! It's great to have such a wealth of theatrical knowledge ready just for the asking. Happy New Year to all!
Videos