She was somebody who found humor and life and humanity in every character that she played. Lovett.Īnnaleigh Ashford: I always just wanted to be Angela Lansbury when I grew up, because she was the ultimate character actress. Groban: No, no, I was in the ensemble, but I loved every minute of it.Īnnaleigh, I’ve heard you were a big fan of Angela Lansbury, who originated the role of Mrs. One of my first memories of doing Sweeney Todd was at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, and I got to be a part of that when I was 15 years old. I was very lucky to have had opportunities when I was younger to see theater, to experience shows like Sweeney Todd. I mean, before I was in the music business, theater was my dream. Josh, was this a bucket list role for you? “And you get to play the puzzle.”Īshford and Groban, who are both Tony-nominated for their portrayals, spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about their ties to Sweeney Todd, playing villains and memorable scenes in this production, such as doing the splits down a set of stairs. So if it comes up, you say yes,” Ashford said. “You learn early on as a young actor in the musical theater that Sondheim is the goal. But there was no question she would take it on. This is the second Sondheim role Ashford ( Masters of Sex, Impeachment: American Crime Story) has played, after portraying Dot in Sunday in the Park with George opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, and she, like Groban, sees the challenges inherent within it. Tom Stoppard on Delving Into His Family History for 'Leopoldstadt' and What's Next: 'I Feel That I'm Getting Into Something New'

Dream by Garrett Leigh