Was Angela Lansbury in Sweeney Todd?

2 years ago

2 minutes

Musical theater legend Angela Lansbury is revered on Broadway for a series of iconic roles. In fact, Lansbury won four Tony Awards during a long and fruitful career on the Great White Way–for leading roles in Mame, Dear World, Gypsy and Sweeney Todd, in which she originated the role of mad meat pie maker Mrs. Lovett.

When was Angela Lansbury in Sweeney Todd?

Considered one of Sondheim’s masterpieces, Sweeney Todd premiered at Broadway’s Uris Theatre (now the Gershwin) February 6, 1979, with a cast led by Len Cariou and Lansbury, who both nabbed Tony Awards for their roles. Harold Prince directed the production, which was awarded the 1979 Tony for Best Musical.

Was Angela Lansbury in Sweeney Todd on Broadway?

Composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim refashions a macabre tale into a musical masterwork in this dazzling performance of the 1979 Broadway hit originally staged by Harold Prince. In her Tony-winning role (one of eight the show earned, including Best Musical), Angela Lansbury plays Nellie.

Did Angela Lansbury win a Tony for Sweeney Todd?

And on Broadway, she’s won five Tony Awards for such performances as her starring roles in the musicals “Gypsy,” “Mame” and “Sweeney Todd.”

Who played the first Sweeney Todd?

Original casts

Character	Original Broadway cast 1979	First national tour cast 1980
Sweeney Todd	Len Cariou	George Hearn
Mrs. Lovett	Angela Lansbury	Angela Lansbury
Anthony Hope	Victor Garber	Cris Groenendaal
Johanna Barker	Sarah Rice	Betsy Joslyn

Is Tom Hardy in Sweeney Todd?

Cast features Ray Winstone(as a very morose Sweeney Todd, and Essie Davis(as a promiscuous Mrs. Lovett). Also featured are Tom Hardy and David Warner.

Is Johanna Sweeney Todd’s daughter?

Johanna is a fictional character appearing in the story of Sweeney Todd. In the original version of the tale, the penny dreadful The String of Pearls (1846–7), her name is Johanna Oakley and she is no relation of Todd.

Was Sweeney Todd based on a true story?

Sweeney Todd is a fictional character who first appeared as the villain of the penny dreadful serial The String of Pearls (1846–47). The original tale became a feature of 19th-century melodrama and London legend.

Who originated the role of Mrs. Lovett?

Sheila Hancock

Sheila Hancock played Mrs. Lovett in the original 1980 West End production at Drury Lane. She received an Olivier nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. June Havoc portrayed the character in a 1982 tour following the PBS broadcast.