Sweeney Todd TV Version Question

I was wondering something-and forgive me if there has been a thread about this already. I did a search and couldn't find anything.

For the 1983 televsion version of Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn, did they assemble the cast specifically for that recording? Were some of the people on the recording in the Broadway cast at the time?

From the IBDB it looks like a lot of the people in the TV version were doing other things at the time the recording aired, but I wasn't sure when it was made.

Also-Betsy Joslyn? The Johanna on the TV version? Does she freak anyone else out????? It's a different take I guess-she's just SUCH a spaz.

Anyway any info and also any random Sweeney Todd related sites or books you know of would be very helpful-I'm directing a production in the spring.

A few people in the ensemble were in the OBC, and Betsy Joslyn and Cris Groeendaal (spelling?) were in the nesemble as well.

And I hate Betsy Joslyn's performance. She kinda screeches/warbles.

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I believe it was filmed in LA with yes, the touring cast.

The touring cast was actually the Broadway cast after that production closed. By the tim it closed on Broadway CHris and Betsy had replaced Victor Garber, and Sarah Rice. Dorothy Louden had replaced Lansbury and Hearn had replaced Cariou. It is really Lansbury who rejoined the Broadway cast for the tour.

When the video first premired is simulcast on the radio too.

Oh, C, thank you for that. And it's not mean; it's completely true. Damn you, Betsy!






OK, I don't mean that. I'm sure she's a nice person. I just really hated her as Johanna.

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For the record: it's "Cris Groenendaal."

I'm not really fond of Betsy Joslyn, either. I spend a good portion of "Kiss Me" cringing, and usually just skip "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" altogether (I still have Lisa Vroman on the concert DVD for that). I've often wondered what the casting directors saw in her too...

"she looks like shes gonna eat my soul."

Oh my God, you're killing me. That is the funniest thing I've read on these boards yet. Thank you, ZONE.

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Ergh- all the more power to you, C (and anyone else who can laugh at her performance). I've tried to find humor in her performance- I really have- but I usually wind up crying... Nobody should be allowed to commit those atrocities on the score of Sweeney Todd, goddammit!

Ok, I'm done threadjacking.

Except for this: Lildogs, I'm impressed. 9 years old and watching Sweeney Todd? I don't think I would have had a deep enough understanding of it to be afraid of it, when I was 9.

LOL great story Demitri2

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Betsy Joslyn was a vast improvement over Sarah Rice. Rice had no personality and extremely mushy diction when she sang. I couldn't understand a single lyric in either "Green Finch" or "Kiss Me". I was glad when she left the show.

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The more I watch this version, the more beef I have with it! Thanks for the info about the cast everyone.

I just watched the opening number and when the cast is gathering around the oven right before Sweeney's big entrance, you can see George Hearn come out from behind the oven. It's a far away shot and it's literally a split second but oh my god. BUSTED.

I must say that all of the people who played their roles in the original cast are sublime. Edmund Lyndeck is incredibly creepy as Judge Turpin, and Ken Jennings is heartbreaking as Tobias. And of course Angela Lansbury is perfection.

I do NOT like the Beadle. He sounds like he was coached to death on all of his dialogue. Cris Whatever is the perfect type but he and Betsy are just plain awkward together-he is so tall and she looks like a midget next to him. And Betsy-yeah she is just too much. That warbly KISS MEEEE after they escape from the asylum-are those actual musical notes or just noises?

Over all I do not like the ensemble-lots of flat singing and bored looking people. Also, why did they hold the notes in the opening lines? For example:"Attend the tale of Sweeney Tooooooooood."

Any other insights are much appreciated-love to hear public opinion on what works and what doesn't.

I agree with Dolly. I've always preferred Joslyn over Rice, but then again, I've always been a Joslyn fan. She was also married to George Hearn at the time the production was filmed for TV.

I know what you guys mean!!!!!! Someone once commented that her eyes go cross-eyed in "Green Finch and Linnet Bird," I think it's on "Madden by the STARS." Anyways they did, and supposedly she was a little sharp to on that note.