thinking .....give it another decade - and Anyone can Whistle - will have a great new production on Broadway.. Glad to have this record, and it's certainly something different - and inevitably as any Sondheim show, just keeps on growing on you. Seeing Sweeney Todd's original production on Broadway - guess it WILL remain my favorite theater-night ever......the whole cast / production / perfection.....Thank you mrs Lansbury/ mr Cariou / mr Garber and everybody else.
Just watched a production of this musical, my first time. I can absolutely understand this interview. She was given a good part, with some weight, in a rather strange show. I imagine she had to dance some. I can't imagine the singing was easy. I'm sure she was very good. It isn't a show for everyone; but it is it's very good self. I understand that it might have flopped; but my guess is that it will be revived, & new artist/audiences will be drawn to it.
Always a pleasure seeing Angela, however she is certainly mistaken as to when she auditioned for Anyone Can Whistle. She says it was in "1961, I suppose" but that's not even close. The show was in rehearsals early in 1964 with a troubled out of town tryout in Philadelphia prior to it's delayed Broadway opening in April. In addition, she says Laurents and Sondheim had written a musical called Anyone Can Whistle. Having followed this show from the start, I can tell you it was originally called SideShow and the title was changed to Anyone Can Whistle prior to opening in Philly. It was to be my first Broadway show, but I never did get to see it. I had tickets for the Saturday matinee in the rear balcony at the Majestic Theater on what turned out to be it's last day on Broadway. It closed after the evening performance. Shortly before it opened I bought two front orchestra seats for the following Saturday matinee. I gave my tickets to my aunt and my sister. They got to see the show. That night it was announced on the local evening news the show was closing. Incredible considering the reviews were mostly raves except for The New York Times which was negative. In those days, the Times critic, Howard Taubman, was all powerful. Very sad considering it was starring Lee Remick, Angela Lansbury and Harry Guardino. And of course, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
They announced the show in 1961 and offered the role to angela very early on so its likely she did audition for them much earlier than other cast members
Dame Angela starred on broadway in "Blythe Spirit" not too long ago before bringing it to the West End. She's going on tour in the U.S. very soon. Wasn't she amazing in it, she won a Tony award for her performance.
I’m sorry to hear that she dislikes herself on the recording. I think her singing is perfect to the tone of the show & character. The music is rather singular, but she makes every song her own. Personally, I like the show, I saw a university production in Chicago in the early 90s and loved how “grown-up” the subject matter was, immediately ran out and bought the Broadway recording.
Yes indeed. And A Foggy Day (In London Town) is not a song that came out of WWII: it was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 film musical "A Damsel in Distress" (Joan Fontaine, George Burns & Gracie Allen) -- which at least is set in England! :)
RIP in the arms of God dear lady. 1926 -2022.
Loved your movies and shows ..RIP Angela 🙏❤️🌷
I love her voice, no matter whether she's singing or speaking.
thinking .....give it another decade - and Anyone can Whistle - will have a great new production on Broadway.. Glad to have this record, and it's certainly something different - and inevitably as any Sondheim show, just keeps on growing on you.
Seeing Sweeney Todd's original production on Broadway - guess it WILL remain my favorite theater-night ever......the whole cast / production / perfection.....Thank you mrs Lansbury/ mr Cariou / mr Garber and everybody else.
You coud do anything! R.I.P Angela
Just watched a production of this musical, my first time. I can absolutely understand this interview. She was given a good part, with some weight, in a rather strange show. I imagine she had to dance some. I can't imagine the singing was easy. I'm sure she was very good. It isn't a show for everyone; but it is it's very good self. I understand that it might have flopped; but my guess is that it will be revived, & new artist/audiences will be drawn to it.
I love anything Angela Lansbury does. A real class act!
I love Angela!!!
Always a pleasure seeing Angela, however she is certainly mistaken as to when she auditioned for Anyone Can Whistle. She says it was in "1961, I suppose" but that's not even close. The show was in rehearsals early in 1964 with a troubled out of town tryout in Philadelphia prior to it's delayed Broadway opening in April. In addition, she says Laurents and Sondheim had written a musical called Anyone Can Whistle. Having followed this show from the start, I can tell you it was originally called SideShow and the title was changed to Anyone Can Whistle prior to opening in Philly. It was to be my first Broadway show, but I never did get to see it. I had tickets for the Saturday matinee in the rear balcony at the Majestic Theater on what turned out to be it's last day on Broadway. It closed after the evening performance. Shortly before it opened I bought two front orchestra seats for the following Saturday matinee. I gave my tickets to my aunt and my sister. They got to see the show. That night it was announced on the local evening news the show was closing. Incredible considering the reviews were mostly raves except for The New York Times which was negative. In those days, the Times critic, Howard Taubman, was all powerful. Very sad considering it was starring Lee Remick, Angela Lansbury and Harry Guardino. And of course, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
They announced the show in 1961 and offered the role to angela very early on so its likely she did audition for them much earlier than other cast members
onirannam n
Howard Taubman could be very negative and sometimes nasty to great actors and singers...even when reviewing his great Kirsten Flagstad!
I think she only says Laurents contacted her in 1961.
Wonderful recollections beautifully told. What a class act
My childhood idol.
she has just finished "Blythe Spirit" in London and it could well transfer to Broadway
Dame Angela starred on broadway in "Blythe Spirit" not too long ago before bringing it to the West End. She's going on tour in the U.S. very soon. Wasn't she amazing in it, she won a Tony award for her performance.
It is going to tour the USA. My friend Simon Jones will reprise he role with Angie :)
@@HereticPharaoh And the Dame even toured in it to San Francisco where I first saw her in Sweeney Todd in the early 80s. 🙌🏾❤️🔥🦋
A 'Gem' of an Interview; look forward to the rest..... Thanks for downloading - have subscribed
I’m sorry to hear that she dislikes herself on the recording. I think her singing is perfect to the tone of the show & character. The music is rather singular, but she makes every song her own. Personally, I like the show, I saw a university production in Chicago in the early 90s and loved how “grown-up” the subject matter was, immediately ran out and bought the Broadway recording.
I can think of a number of auto-tuned “singers” that might benefit from that strangling technique. 🙂
A Foggy Day is actually by the Gershwins of course.
Yes indeed. And A Foggy Day (In London Town) is not a song that came out of WWII: it was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 film musical "A Damsel in Distress" (Joan Fontaine, George Burns & Gracie Allen) -- which at least is set in England! :)
J'ADORE TOUT DE GESSICA MAIS JE N'AI PAS LA TRADUCTION EN FRANÇAISE FEMME DE FORTE CARACTERE DANS SES.FIMS QUE LE SEIGNEUR LA PROTEGE ET SA FAMILLE
marvelous surgery ::; she looks younger now than here !!! we love u hun...
Why do believe she’s had surgery? She looks her age and is fine. No one criticized Lena Horne or Audrey Hepburn of surgery when it’s good genes.