[Salome]

and why?

[Hans]

How about Dench? Does her Desirée count?

I can't choose between Dench, Lansbury and Peters, anyway.

[Baker]

Joanna Gleason in Into the Woods.

[Ghost]

What about Elaine Stritch... OK she wasn't the lead in Company or Follies but still quite essential... And if we have Alexis Smith, why not Dorothy Collins?

Anyway, Peters was able to nail two Sondheim roles perfectly in their original productions so I'd probably go with her (even though Lansbury did the same...) However, Murphy's performance in Passion was probably my favourite female perfomance in a musical ever.

[Salome]

Damn! how did miss Joanna on my list!!! grrrr

[bwayluvor31]

Bernadette Peters and Johanna Gleason because they put so much into their characters and they have unbelivable stage presence in everything they do.

[ConverseSneaker]

Johanna Gleason.

[Mimi Marquez]

Bernadette Peters. I first saw her as the witch in Into the Woods, and she is just absolutely brilliant. And in SITPWG she shines. Ahh, I love her.

[Sweeney Hyde]

This is really hard. I love Patti LuPone in Sweeney, but Bernedette Peters is great too. Oh, well sorry Miss Peters...

[music is my life!!!]

I would have to say Bernadette Peters because she made an increddible Witch in ItW, but also, she can play so many roles and you can imagine her acting like mad even on the soundtracks! Sorry! I've been listening obsessively with the OBC of ItW...

[I Love Lockstock]

No one else stands a chance...it's Bernadette, obviously! She's quirky, and has the best stage presence ever.

And Danielle Ferland is my hero.

[music is my life!!!]

she's the best! have seen the OBC's "hello little girl"? it's sooooooooo hilarious!

[Da_Dark_Dude]

lupone in sweeney... hands down... love peters to though

[Salome]

[The REAL Ciaron]

[shakalakababy]

I love peters but i would have to go with Lansbury. She will always be Ms.Lovett to me, lupone doesn't even compare. And she's just amazing in everyway

[kiwitechgirl]

None of the above?! I worked on A Little Night Music with an Australian by the name of Geraldine Turner, who is one of Sondheim's preferred artists - and she was truly incredible, not to mention absolutely wonderful to work with.

[Salome]

yes but she didnt originate any role. thats what we are talking about.

[Mr T]

Hard choice between LuPone and Peters but have to say Peters as the Witch i Into The Woods, is, in my humble opinion, the greatest performance by a Female in a musical until Idena in Wicked.

[Salome]

[The REAL Ciaron]

[Mr T]

I did say it was in my humble opinion........Being from a small Island off Europe maybe my judgement is clouded. I have never seen Joanna Gleason in anything so I can only comment on what I have seen. I saw Julia McKenzie in ITW and she was fantastic I saw Peters on the televised ITW and SITPWG both stunning performances. Albeit the wrong thread I saw Idena in Wicked and thought she was the best thing I had seen on stage for many years. It's all about personal taste, I dislike Phantom and adore Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum which makes all my Friends laugh. Anyway a healthy balance of crap and class is always good for the soul.

[Salome]

uhhmm..If you sawt he televised version of ITW you saw joanna Gleason in her Tony winning role in the show. Peters wasnt even nominated for ITW.

[Mr T]

Just gone back and looked again......Of cause you are right. I saw Imelda Staunton live in the West End very very good but yes not as good as the televised Bakers Wife. I never realised that was Joanna Gleason.
I stand corrected, and a little foolish

[Sweeney Hyde]

[Salome]

Patti originated the roles in the particular productions she was in.

[Da_Dark_Dude]

mrs.lovett! love her!

question - why does she reffer to herself as mrs.mooney in "the worst pies in london"?

[Salome]

she doesnt. she is talking abnout Mrs. Mooney, her rival in the meat pie business.

[Sweeney Hyde]

[music is my life!!!]

IMO, it's really close between Jo Gleason and Peters cuz the Baker's Wife is one of the hardest roles to play but Peters really beats every other Witch hands down. THen to make things even more complicated, Danielle Ferland was so fantastic ("a good quarter of a league - further into the woods" lol!). i think they're all fab!

[The REAL Ciaron]

[ClaraNaccarelli]

Bernadette!!! She's my hero.

[musicalfan07]

Bernadette for SITPWG. Which is my favourite female performance in Musical History. Also loved both ladies in Into The Woods.
thanks,
mf07

[sallydurant]

[Dots Parasole]

[Not Dead Yet]

Angela Lansbury, hands way down. I love that woman so so so so so much.

[BenStone]

Pity that the choices don't include Julia McKenzie, Maria Friedman or Geraldine Turner. I don't quite understand why Lupone is included - as it was Karen Mann who "originated" the role in Doyle's Sweeney Todd and the London productions of Follies, SITPWG and ITTW are all sufficiently different from the original Broadway productions to count as original interpretations, as I suspect the Australian productions that Miss Turner appeared in were. Of course, Julia McKenzie can also be cited as one of the original creators of SBSBS.

My vote would be for McKenzie on the grounds of her heartbreaking Sally, glamorous and scary Witch and her wonderfully slatternly and authentic Mrs Lovett.

[LookBehindTheFacade]

Angela Lansbury got my vote. She is a complete genius.

I also love Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason.

[musicalFREEK]

[BroadwayBaby9211]

Bernadette Peters all the way.

Dot. Marie. The Witch. Mama Rose. Need I say more?

[HugoPeabody930]

where's Elaine Stritch?!?!?!??

[Anno_Domini]

As the Witch, she was hilarious when need be, and cold when need be.

As Dot/Marie, she was heartwarming as she was funny as she was tragic

As Mama Rose, she was simply astounding, the best I've seen or heard the role performed, and that includes Merman, Russells, and ESPECIALLY LuPone


I cast my vote for Bernadette Peters, easily

[Salome]

[Salome]