Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
#0Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 2:44pm
In particular I am curious about Angela Lansbury's dubbed performance the year of Sweeney Todd and Robert Preston's dubbed performance that I believe aired on the Tony 25th anniversary broadcast.
IS there a way to ask Ms. Lansbury why she did not sing live that night? Who made the decision and why?
(I realize the reason Len Cariou is not in the scene they did from Sweeney is likely because it might have been a bit insulting to ask him to participate in "The Worst Pies In London" being broadcast on the Tonys--a song that he had no lines in.)
The same with Mr. Preston's dubbed performance. Anyway to find folks involved at the time who decided for him not to "sing live?"
I would be delighted to hear a definitive answer from someone who really knows.
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#1re: Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 2:46pmsorry, i know thi is not what you want, but weren't George Hearn and Angela the only ones onstage during the Worst Pies in London?
#2re: Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 2:53pm
the charachters of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett are the only ones onstage during The Worst Pies in London. The original Broadway cast had Len Cariou as Sweeney and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett.
During the Tonys they presented "The Worst Pies in London" as the number from Sweeney Todd. However, Mr. Cariou did not appear onstage as Sweeney. Another actor sat in the chair where Mr. Cariou as Sweeney would have been sitting.
#3re: Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 2:59pmI imagine it had to do with the demanding nature of the song. i have heard very few actresses who can get that song out and have it make any sense or not be fighting for breath while doing it. She was such a draw in that show that she and the producers didn't want to take any chances on her straining her voice anymore. Either that or maybe she was fighting off a cold.
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#4re: Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
Posted: 1/5/05 at 3:07pm
oh ok, sorry - i wasn't paying attention to what your wrote...
#5re: Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
Posted: 1/6/05 at 1:15pmI am surprised no one on this message board has access to find the definitive answer to my question. Please ask around for me. I've been trying to find a definite answer for this for quit a while. Thanks for your help.
#6re: Why Were These Two Performances Dubbed on Tonys?
Posted: 1/6/05 at 1:53pmMost of the Tony performances of nominated shows in the early 80s were dubbed. I don't know why, but you can see it in other performances. The most obvious I've seen were that one from Sweeney Todd (when Angela misses the first cue) and Jim Dale in Barnum.
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