The singular Cleo Laine has died at 97

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 10:41am

Oh how I loved her and, particularly, her interpretations of Sondheim.

Her stage credits included Julie in Show Boat on the West End in 1971, Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood on Broadway (for which she was Tony-nominated), the Witch in Into the Woods on the first national tour, Barry Reckord's Flesh to a Tiger at the Royal Court, and the short-lived Colette, written by her husband and longtime collaborator, John Dankworth. Her wonderful 1989 album "Cleo Sings Sondheim" won Jonathan Tunick his Grammy.

What a great life.

Obit: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/25/cleo-laine-britain-jazz-singer-john-dankworth-dies

Here she is doing a Sondheim medley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdQ-401E810

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 10:41 AM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 10:46am

Thanks for sharing, and sad to read this. Incredible in DROOD but I know she did much more than that. I believe she was a Witch in Into the Woods and that her daughter played Cinderella in Woods in London. 

Editing to add: Laine backstage on the Woods national tour https://www.instagram.com/p/CukxuDKuHOQ/?hl=en

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 10:46 AM