She says she is, and has learnt one song from the show.
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Update #2 (7th November, 2009): A UK Sweeney Todd revival is semi-announced with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in the lead roles. Launching 'Spring 2011' then a west end transfer. Sounds like an appropriate vehicle for Bernadette Peters if the production transfers to Broadway in 2012-2013 (Aged 65 if she is able to pull it off it will be her last chance).
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Update #3 (3rd March, 2012): Well it's been a long time and the fanboyish pipe-dream continues but since the last update, Bernadette Peters has returned to Broadway twice in two leading Sondheim roles (in NIGHT MUSIC and FOLLIES) so it seems clear she still enjoys working. The Chicester Sweeney Todd has opened and closed and is about to open in the West End, and has just been recorded in the studio.
Apparently there is going to be a "Special Guest Star" in the summer. Perhaps Bernadette could make a temporary replacement for Staunton :P.
Michael Ball has expressed desire to come to Broadway with the production, although I assume Staunton who is praised in the role will come with him. This will be the last chance for Bernadette to ever play the role in London or New York if it transfers though.
Doesn't mean that Bernadette can't sing the role in a concert when she is 70 or play it somewhere regionally (although playing the role regionally seems beneath her). But this will be the last chance for her to play the role in London or in Broadway.
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Update #4 (5th November, 2012). So, according to rumours on the West End board - the Sweeney Todd production with Ball and Imelda is not going to Broadway anymore because of the high upfront costs. So that avenue seems exhausted.
Bernadette said she'd return to Broadway in a recent interview she suggested it's a lot of work, but that she "loves it" and she'd return if the project was "irresistible".
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.
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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.”
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"
Peters was asked if she was interested in playing Mrs. Lovett during her American Theater Wing Downstage Center interview (which you can download online.)
She said that SWEENEY TODD is a show that she's always wanted to do, casually moving on to say something about the merits of Sondheim material.
I have no desire to see her in that role, and I don't think a revival is needed so soon after the Lupone/Cerveris production and the movie. She took a big risk taking on Gypsy, and I don't think it's in her best interest to take on another role where she'll be subject to another diva comparison.
I would happily experience a new production of SWEENEY every year. (In fact, it seems I am as the recent film has inspired a number of local groups to tackle teh show.)
What values do people think Peters would bring to the role? I could see her as the Beggar Woman, but not Lovett.
"What values do people think Peters would bring to the role? I could see her as the Beggar Woman, but not Lovett. "
Honestly, I just want to hear her sing the score. I know it's a bad reason but whatev. (Added update: I think BP would bring new life to some of the songs like "WAIT" that are previously just a bore. I'd like to see her classic vulnerability brought to the role plus her humour etc.).
I suppose I could also see her as the Beggar Woman but that part is beneath her at the moment in her career.
I'd love to see her play the part, maybe at the Encores! Summer Stars series, at the Hollywood Bowl, or even if they did a concert version at Carnegie Hall. Doesn't matter where, I think she'd make a fabulous Mrs.Lovett. I think she'd be sexy, a hoot, and bring an interesting mix of her musical theater chops and combine it with the darker aspects of her personality (seen in roles like the Witch or her rendition of "Hello Little Girl." I really would love to see her.
Bernadette Peters Yes. I started looking at that role. You know what role I would love to play is Sally in ?Follies.? That?s the one. The music, the role, everything about it.
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Unfortunately "I started" kind of implies it is halted (what does "looking at the role" mean anyway? for the movie?), but omgg. Interesting about Folles though, of course biasly I love Bernadette in everything, but I'm not dying for her to play Sally :P.
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I know no one cares and this post is pointless, but still.
"But she's got plenty of time to wait on the perfect production for her."
I disagree. At 61, she's a the very high end of the age range for Lovett. She's already too old for Sally in Follies. Sally should be around 50 or so. She could do wonderful takes on the songs of either character in concert or on CD, but I have no desire to see her play either role.
Only through the rose-colored glasses of a fan. She looks her age. Nothing wrong with that. Not to say it won't happen. Hell, she was cast in Annir Get Your Gun when she was far too old for the role.
I'd much rather see her in something we haven't seen for a long time on Broadway: Hello Dolly, Mame, Dear World or Anyone Can Whistle (as Cora Hoover Hooper).
Hell, she was cast in Annir Get Your Gun when she was far too old for the role.
Ethel was 43 and 63 when she played Annie on Broadway and in the Lincoln Center revival (respectively), and Ethel never looked younger than her age on stage.
I don't wanna judge on whether or not Bernie should play Mrs. Lovett because I have a very anti-Bernadette Peters bias; however, I would very much love to see Christine Ebersole take on the role.
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joined:6/29/08
Posted: 4/24/09 at 03:23am