Bernadette Peters agenda

[OperaBwayLover]

Whether she gets to play the role or not on Broadway, now I kind of want to hear her sing something from Sweeney Todd when she comes to New Orleans in February. I can picture her singing "By the Sea" and "Not While I'm Around;" the rest is certainly intriguing.

[nasty_khakis]

I can't see the recent London revival transferring without Staunton. She is THE reason to see it. That isn't a dig at Bernadette or saying she can't handle the role, but why transfer a production without the reason it's successful. It would be like transferring the Lupone Gypsy to the West End with, say, Frances Ruffelle.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

^ She's known in the UK as a theater and film actress of some renown. She's known in the US as Dolores Umbridge. Weigh that against Bernadette Peters and then try to tell me the production wouldn't transfer without her.

[qolbinau]

Not long since the last update, but this is interesting.

Update #5 (7th November, 2012). Well, it seems BWW just asked Bernadette whether MRS LOVETT is the next role she'd like to take on, and she replied:

BP: Well, you see, it wasn’t done that long ago, you know?

PC: Of course - with Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris.

BP: Right. So, I haven’t really thought about it. But, you’re right - it is a really wonderful role. It really is.

In fact, they then went onto ask her if she would play Lovett against Michael Ball's Sweeney if the London production transferred:

PC: Sondheim recently spoke so favorably to me of that new West End Jonathan Kent production set in the 1930s. Perhaps you could team with Michael Ball if it comes over?

BP: Oh, I know! I’ve heard it’s just fabulous, but I didn't get over there to see it. I’d love to have seen Imelda Staunton in it.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Stuanton gave one of the great performances I've ever seen in my lifetime. Ever. Only bested by Natasha Richardson's Sally Bowles. Though the production was terrific and the 'concept' worked, it was Staunton's performance that made it a must see. So much so that I flew thousands of miles to see it. And it was worth every penny of that trip.

[Quiche2]

No.

[Caring Soul]

You need a strong warhorse for that role. She just doesn't have the vocal chops anymore to pull it off, lovely as her voice is.

[qolbinau]

We have discussed this issue in more detail earlier in the thread, although I would be interested to continue it if you like.

I think the issue of vocal ability is too complicated to simply dismiss that she doesn't have the "vocal chops". For example, Imelda Staunton barely sings "WORST PIES IN LONDON" - Bernadette is (and has always been) a stronger singer than Staunton in the sense of being able to loudly sustain singing notes across a wide range. Staunton probably could not begin to consider singing "BUDDY'S EYES" and "TOO MANY MORNINGS" (especially).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bExQa9nxY84

The demands of the role to me seem to be more stamina than pure 'vocal chops'. I think Bernadette would find "WORST PIES IN LONDON" most challenging if I were to guess - maintaining breath with the quick tempo and complicated lyrics. But she wouldn't struggle much singing the slower songs that require her to sustain notes (My Friends, Wait, Not While I'm Around).

[goldenboy]

Look I'd buy a ticket to see Bernandette as Mrs Lovett.
Why not???????????????????????
I can see it.. shining somewhere.
Bright lights somewhere invite me to come there.

by the sea Bernedette.

[nasty_khakis]

Robbie said what I was trying to say. I know Bernadette is a bigger name here in the states and on Broadway. I'm not saying she WOULDN'T get the role, just that it would be stupid to transfer the Kent production WITHOUT Staunton since she IS the show. The production is well done, but nothing revolutionary or outright special. I too flew to London expressly to see her and I agree I was worth all the money to get there and seeing it twice. Bernadette wouldn't fit in at all in that production. She fits with the Lansbury/Music Hall style, not in the gritty/desperate/scary/earthy style of the Kent production. You can not tell me she wouldn't bring her little wiggles and winks to the audience like she's always done. I would NEVER be scared of her Lovett. Staunton had me afraid of her and for her.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Don't worry, folks, I've got this, I've got this:

You don't know anything about how she'd do it in this production till you pair her with that director and that team and see what they get out of her. Every performer has certain trademarks they use in every performance, sure, but to assume those will overrun everything this director has in mind is premature at best.

[lupone76]

Yessss to Ms. Peters as Ms.Lovett!! It actually makes alot more sense than some of the other roles she's played on Broadway. Unfortunately, she has lost her voice in recent years but I still feel she could pull this role off quite well. I will definitely go see her as Ms. Lovett.

[qolbinau]

Update #6 (9th November, 2012). Because Bernadette is promoting her new movie COMING UP ROSES there are a lot of interviews popping up, so here is yet another that discusses MRS LOVETT on broadway.com. This makes it clear that the song she learned a few years ago was WORST PIES IN LONDON (see update #1). Assuming it isn't misleading, it also suggests that Bernadette explicitly brought up the role in the interview, saying she still has it left to play.

"Peters notes that Sweeney Todd’s Mrs. Lovett is still left to conquer, “but they did that [on Broadway] not long ago. I once learned 'The Worst Pies in London,' and the details in that song are incredible.”

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/165342/bernadette-peters-on-losing-her-mind-in-the-new-movie-coming-up-roses-and-her-thank-you-note-to-sondheim/

In another interview over at theatremania she said ""I don't think I'll be doing anything in the next year, but it [sic] you never know. I have a part in mind"

http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/11-2012/bernadette-peters-is-busy-coming-up-roses-and-revi_63698.html?cid=homepage_news

Is Bernadette looking for a vehicle to play Mrs Lovett?

[nasty_khakis]

I've seen Ms Peters in several roles, both live and on film. I enjoy her as a performer, I honestly do and I'm one of the seemingly few who adored her Rose. I think she would be a great Lovett. My ONLY issue was her not fitting in with the STYLE and DIRECTION of the Kent production. I've never, ever seen Bernadette drop her cutsie-isms and those would stick out like a sore thumb in that particular production. She's worked with strong, incredible directors before, but she's never managed to drop them. This productions Lovett needs to be scary, gritty, dirty, and visceral-- things I've never seen her pull off completely (including her Witch). Again, she'd fit right in line with the Lansbury-style Music Hall Lovett. I am not pre-judging her performance, but one can get a general sense of how certain actors will play certain roles.

Whatever, I'd buy a ticket reguardless.