SWEENEY Christine Baranski & Kelsey Grammer "Priest"

"A Little Priest," from the 1999 Reprise! L.A. 20th anniversary concert production of "Sweeney Todd." Baranski's "Worst Pies in London" can be seen at • CHRISTINE BARANSKI Swe...

[@ASingleSpaghetti]

1:30 I love how understated Kelsey Grammar's "huh" is here. It's genuinely hilarious.

[@christopherbush9027]

She milks that song for every laugh line it has - she’s brilliant. This made for a lovely distraction this afternoon-thank you as always Spiderwoman!

[@SweatyOracle]

Christine Baranski is MONSTROUS. Her "fop, finest in the shop" is HYSTERICAL and i've never heard that line really command a laugh in the past. Her performance makes me wonder what Jane Krakowski would look like in the role today

[@TheKelJacob]

I think since she wasn't using much of the accent and clearly enunciated everything, people who weren't already familiar with the lyric understood & laughed.

[@bigred8432]

I think the fact is she’s a very gifted comic actor. The accent has nothing to do with it

[@TheKelJacob]

@@bigred8432 I think it's probably both. I agree, she's fabulous. Have only gotten to see her live 4x.

[@this_Joe_Smith]

@@TheKelJacob agree! Agree! Her delivery & enunciation ensured her connecting the audience to the point. She pulled it off.

[@unicornalq11]

Jane would be awesome. I love her in she loves me.

[@seantodd8875]

Christine Baranski is a national treasure. She's amazing as Lovett!

[@Sindollx666x]

She really is. I hope I'm fortunate enough to watch her in a live stage show someday!

[@christiankincaid313]

CB is killing but can we all just appreciate the trombone player. He's fucking amazing. Beautiful round sound and perfect intonation. Love it.

[@SebisRandomTech]

So it wasn’t just me who noticed! Great ear!

[@VeracityLH]

That's the kind of thing that really makes a musical, whether the audience ever knows or not.

[@mantis1s1k]

As a Bass Bone player, I just assume we're the only ones noticing that stuff. Are you by chance a Trombone player?

[@ericstark2147]

It was incredible...I noticed it too!!

[@chrisfrenchnyc]

AGREE about the trombone... gorgeous...but let's not assume it's a dude!

[@ashareeoo]

I never knew she played this role! Wow, what a gift.

[@elphbwckd212]

It was only for this concert. I don't think she ever actually played to role on Broadway. I think she was in a production in DC maybe... I can't remember.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes, 2002, Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration production.

[@emilygracey]

I'm like, 90% sure, that she played it again later with Brian Stokes Mitchell. I'm gonna have to go check though... EDIT: Yup, she did in 2002. I vaguely remember seeing their picture in the NYT.

[@brookesdecker7188]

@@emilygracey yes I believe this is actually 1999 LA Reprise and then Brian Stokes was Kennedy Center in 2002.

[@VeracityLH]

Oooo, I'd pay quite a lot to see CB and BSM perform.

[@Janen74]

So impressive and hilarious how she really nails every joke, and even breaks down at her own puns! The self-awareness is really cool! And then in the end, she becomes really sinister and dark...

[@annabellethedoll4032]

This has been the most responsive crowd I've seen for this song!! Love it, and those 2 did a wonderful job!!!

[@evanisbaked]

Ashford and Groban are blowing this out of the water right now

[@chrisfrenchnyc]

It's because most of them have clearly never heard this song before.

[@NickyMay16]

I remember the audience howling the five times I saw the original.

[@seantodd8875]

I didn't think that anyone could be a better Lovett than LuPone. Baranski is now my all-time favorite. There is humor in this song that I've never fully visualized until now. Masterful. Every joke clear and hilarious. Every movement appropriate. Baranski is THE standard.

[@FolliesFan-yu8mf]

Lovely performances by both! Christine's mugging and wiggling certainly makes one think of Carol Burnett - whose Mrs Lovett would certainly be an interesting take!

[@VeracityLH]

I would pay good money to see Burnett as Lovett!

[@Sindollx666x]

I could see that. And vice-versa I'd love to see Christine do Noises Off, as Dotty Otley.

[@Sindollx666x]

It's weird I didn't think about their initials being the same until I saw C.B. written in a different comment to refer to Christine !

[@dorydaryl]

I'm glad someone else thought of Carol Burnett. She's channelling a bit of Carol here, for sure. And brilliantly!

[@ZidaneWarner]

Vicky Lawrence would also make an awesome Lovett

[@Tom-ep3cq]

She was playing Dr Nora on Frasier while they were doing this play together. Brilliant performers.

[@zingela]

I've NEVER heard people laugh at this song like these people. Brilliantly done!

[@VeracityLH]

Brilliant! Grammer is smart enough to know this song largely belongs to Mrs Lovett, and Baranski milks this for every laugh without slowing the action. While Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson are still my favourite Todd and Lovett, these two are terrific.

[@funkapotamus86]

I always preferred Hearn and Lupone. But I have a deep appreciation for Kelsey Grammar's voice.

[@TheContessa52]

Loved Emma Thompson - hated Bryn Terfel. George Hearn reigns forever in my opinion.

[@arkoudanthrope]

@@TheContessa52 Emma Thompson killed it - her comedic talent is unsurpassed for Mrs Lovett, though admittedly her singing is not among the best. I found myself enjoying the humour too much to mind the singing, though :) Bryn Terfel was quite a mixed bag for me. He's clearly very talented, but I don't think this role was for him.

[@keikekaze]

For me, the problem with Terfel and Emma Thompson was that they seemed to be in two different shows. His Sweeney was dark and operatic, while Thompson's Lovett was practically in a musical comedy. Both valid interpretations--but maybe not in the same production!

[@VeracityLH]

Thompson certainly one how to milk the laughs. But I also appreciated the points where she turned serious. At several points you can see the moment she's decided Todd has crossed into madness and starts handling him very carefully. Terfel's humorous moments are more subtle, which is true to the character and plays to Terfel's strengths (he was terrific in Don Giovanni). Sometimes those styles clashed, so I do get your point. Cheers.

[@notcarlie1710]

This performance is incredible but..........who was in charge of Grammar's eyebrows?

[@this_Joe_Smith]

...like, designed for the view from the absolute back row

[@ProfessorStuDDS]

Tbf, "his skin was pale and his eye was odd" 😅

[@isthisryan7899]

I hear he based on his performance on MOMMIE DEAREST.

[@JoopSloot]

Divine.

[@arthurinuk]

They are distracting :)

[@WillScarlet16]

Attend the tale of Sideshow Bob...

[@funkapotamus86]

His eyes were dark and his hair was odd,

[@adrianmedeiros8431]

@@funkapotamus86 he entertained some gentleman who never thereafter were heard of again He trod a path that few have trod. Did sideshow Bob The demon carny of Springfield

[@funkapotamus86]

@@adrianmedeiros8431 There's a hole in the world like a great black pit, and the vermin of the world inhabit it, and its morals aren't worth what a pig could spit, and it goes by the name of Springfield!

[@adrianmedeiros8431]

@@funkapotamus86 I'll come again when you have Bart on the menu

[@adrianmedeiros8431]

@@funkapotamus86 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am Krusty the Clown Clown of the kings and king of the clowns

[@Chaotic_harmonies]

I have seen so many versions of that song over the last few decades, and I have never laughed so much. Baranski is epic as Mrs. Lovett.

[@thedariuscolquittcompany]

This is easily the best balance of a Mrs. Lovette I've ever seen... The delivery of "With or without his privates.... with is extra" is absolutely PERFECT."

[@lakehayden]

I know they're both legends and everything but this is so cute, it's like someone's parents at a bbq showing everyone they've still got it from their musical theatre days, except they actually do ❤

[@Sindollx666x]

I wish I could've seen this entire performance. They're both incredible, but Christine what a EFFING LEGEND!!

[@1angel23]

Me too. I LOVE Christine.

[@BrendanClifford]

They both, but especially Baranski, gave so many of these lines a reading I don't think I've heard before in this show. Whether it's too modern or not it was very refreshing. And this song never fails to make me laugh and give me chills. By the end I'm nearly shaking because of how brilliantly it comes together and how unsettling the combination of humor and darkness is.

[@debra13]

Don't like KG but do love CB.

[@johnstirret5021]

I saw this production with Christine Baranski. She was marvelous. I have never seen anyone interprete the roll quite like her. Thank you for posting this.

[@johnsax1445]

Wow, I’m amazed at what a great Mrs Lovett she was. Christine nailed it!

[@Gel677]

I think this must be my second or third favourite rendition of this song, and I've seen dozens. Lansbury's still reigns supreme for the darkness and a bit more seriousness, but this is the most successfully I've ever seen it performed as a purely comic piece

[@billsnyder6391]

"Good, ya got it" is all you need to enshrine her as one of the best singing actors we need to follow.

[@gewolfe9414]

From Addams Family to Cybill to The Birdcage, this fellow Buffalonian will always love CB. And Dr Frazier Crane is another perennial classic!!

[@gewolfe9414]

“With or without his privates” ... God it’s Maryanne Thorpe all over again

[@AdcrofromTikTok]

*Frasier

[@DaCoach68]

Of course we all love Angela Lansbury, but HOW Fabulous is Christine? She brings her own magic to Lovett...just wonderful! Thank you so much.

[@larryblankmusic5877]

I conducted this...thanks to Calvin...I am so thrilled to have this video .....Musicbeater

[@CalvinRE]

And I was so thrilled to have you!!!

[@sergioalvarado4898]

She does such a different interpretation. I actually love it.

[@taylorchapman-sutton1742]

Brava Baranski.... I thought Lansbury could never be equaled in this role, but Christine gets there!

[@corgisrule21]

She really reminds me of Lucille Ball here...the mannerisms and timing. Just genius

[@richardbernstein9215]

I was there!!...this was my only first hand experience with seeing Sweeney...i have loved Christine Baranski ever since!!

[@WiGgYof09]

My god, she is killing it! I would have never guessed she would be thus good in this role.

[@gioPHL]

How awesome! I didn't know these two did this. Christine Baranski is one of my FAVORITE actresses.

[@Concetta20]

I didn’t realize THE Kelsey Grammar played Sweeney! Wow!

[@smokeandmirrors7450]

These videos of Christine are just magical. Thank you for sharing. I've never laughed so much at someones portrayal of this role!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@LeBasfondMusic]

this is the absolute best performance of this song.

[@zentraveler1834]

Not enough awards can be hurled at Ms. Baranski...

[@MikeA15206]

She MILKED every oz of comedy out of that.

[@danielblair9535]

But it worked😂

[@prestonnorris9822]

I've been blessed to see Angela Lansbury , June Havoc and Christine Baranski in this role 💚💜💙 when I saw Ms Baranski she played opposite Brian Stokes Mitchell 🌞

[@kennethdesmondmosley1075]

Preston Norris June havoc. I would have loved to have seen that.

[@rabbitfishtv]

Holy shit. I have NEVER seen this song funnier.

[@MrMdprosser]

This is so awesome. I didn't even realize they made this concert. I was just watching the Sondheim Hollywood Bowl concert you uploaded a couple days ago and loved seeing Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury together again performing this number and now this! I love your channel so much. Thank you so much for your uploads! If you have more from this concert I'd love to see it!

[@williamoser5953]

Wow! Both are spectacular. They are festival level performances, meaning a great star taking on a role they might not be able to sustain for a grueling run of performances. I sense Ms. Baranski might be able to more than Mr. Grammer, which takes nothing away from his performance which based on this one number is one of the finest I've ever seen. He tones down the ferociousness a bit so that you can embrace this Sweeney Todd, a valid choice.

[@MovieFan1912]

I had no idea that Kelsey Grammer played Sweeney at one point.

[@emerson3323]

Baranski's performance here is a unique one! Kind of feels like she went the opposite way of Julia McKenzie, with that huge smile and bright eyes- really leaning into the unsettling giddiness. She's also chewing the scenery a lot more than most, which is saying something with how little she has.

[@SebisRandomTech]

I have been looking everywhere for any recordings of this performance!!! This is fantastic! Thanks for posting! :)

[@jja8750]

Fantaaastic! Loved that. Baranski always brings it.

[@Paigeturnernyc]

Good God, they are AMAZING!

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

Thee Christine Baranski as Mrs Lovett! Oh my fricking god, how brilliant! I can't even!

[@skippertrey]

Oh that was marvelous. Makes so much more of the punchlines in the number stand out that much more. I can’t believe I hadn’t seen this yet!

[@BrokenToy92]

They just have the perfect chemistry...

[@glamdolly30]

WOW she's the BEST Mrs Lovett EVER!

[@johnyohalem6507]

Baranski is unquestionably the best Mrs L since Lansbury!

[@davidvargo8216]

FABULOUS! They were BRILLIANT! Perfectly done!

[@theresevanarsdale6470]

Dear Christine, Come back to Broadway! You are still incredible.

[@CarolClements-zw8wn]

Christine Baranski is wonderful in whatever she does!❤

[@jpetersgoyanks]

Kelsey also does a mean Pinafore in The Simpson, classic episode. This is surprisingly great!

[@misfittoys5873]

You do the Lord's work

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Very sweet and I appreciate it.

[@malp1]

I saw this concert live. As you can see and hear in this clip, Christine Baranski's cockney accent isn't perfect, but in every other way, she was GREAT in the role. As you can also hear, Kelsey Grammer sounded fine in the lower-lying sections of the score but, alas, he did not have the high notes.

[@TheKelJacob]

I saw her in the DC version with Stokes. Her performance here is fabulous as it's a concert. In the full show, it just came off hammy. Still funny as hell, though.

[@mcammontoya]

This is unhinged in the best way when it comes to Sondheim... Like the ending of "Now You Know" in the original Merrily We Roll Along cast album, where the orchestra is barely keeping it together until Ann Morrison forcibly drags everyone onto the same page.

[@hefinrosser8685]

What an an astonishing performance xxx just brilliant xx

[@CalvinRE]

I am thrilled to see this again....and on KZbin! Thank you Ms. Spiderwoman! You made my night!!! (I was associated with this production.....years ago!)

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Hello Calvin---So nice to hear from the director of this production, Calvin Remsberg, who can be seen as the Beadle in the Lansbury-Hearn video of "Sweeney." This must have been exciting to put on, and of course it kicked off a series of major "Sweeney" concert productions.

[@jimpigato2149]

I saw this production (Sunday evening performance). I remember thinking that Kelsey Grammer’s acting was spot-on, but his voice wasn’t up to it. (Although it was the fifth show in 48 hours!) NPH’s performance was perfect. Baranski was fantastic. And I think Davis Gaines played the judge.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

@@jimpigato2149 Davis Gaines was Anthony. He and NPH were carried over to the next two "Sweeney" concerts, first with the NY Philharmonic (2000) and then in San Francisco (2001, the one commercially released on DVD and Blu-ray).

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

@@jimpigato2149 Davis Gaines was Anthony. He and NPH were carried over to the next two "Sweeney" concerts: NY Philharmonic (2000, available on CD) and San Francisco (2001, available on DVD and Blu-ray).

[@nn6404]

Obsessed with Buranki’s Lovett! And I’m very appreciative of Grammar giving her some room in this number to steal it because it’s clearly meant for her to shine!

[@TheContessa52]

What a couple! Wish I could see them live!

[@vitorrc3068]

I love this channel so much. Thanks!

[@mattdeans9873]

Next to Lansbury, CB is the best Ive seen. She really brought out the humor of this song, not throwing away one word. Poor KG tho. He didnt have the hight notes so needed.

[@andreamajoros7669]

1. Patti Lupone 2. Angela Lansbury 3. Julia McKenzie 4. Imelda Staunton.

[@amourah2003]

This is genius. Thank you so much for this!

[@ZidaneWarner]

OMG I have the audio of the concert but I had no idea video of it exists!

[@cameronwalker9726]

you have audio of the full concert?

[@ZidaneWarner]

@@cameronwalker9726 Yes

[@edbishop8951]

@@ZidaneWarner Pleeeeeeeze post it!

[@InvisibleBlues]

If you ever DON’T post that audio somewhere, I’d love to NOT know where… 😉

[@bnorem09]

You’ve done it again, Spiderwoman!

[@AnjelaEra]

So good 🥺 How I wish I was there watching live. Must have been an amazing experience

[@old.not.too.grumpy.]

At last as American actress playing Mrs Lovette who sound like she lives in the East End of London. She gets the vowel sound and more importantly the inflection spot on. What's more she doesn't sound like a strangled cat with a mouth full boiled candy as so many have done in other productions

[@jeremiahgabriel5709]

Well I had zero idea these two had played these roles. And the further down this rabbit hole I go, the more couples I find. I wonder just how many there are!

[@mayadg16]

What a great duo!😍 also My Fair Lady with Kelsey Grammar snd Keli O’ Hara

[@MacNair]

It’s like Sideshow Bob plotting to murder all of Springfield 😆

[@highbaritone]

Fantastic. I had no idea. I’ve been lucky to play Sweeney and the Judge. Thank you so much. I have subscribed. Hello from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤️👋🌹🙏🏼

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Welcome Donald---glad to hear from a resident of the land of June Bronhill, Jill Perryman, Nancye Hayes, Debra Byrne, etc.

[@Adamguy2003]

Listening to this song while enjoying a delicious Marie Callender microwave chicken pot pie is one of the true joys of life!

[@Xavier-hc6qs]

What an interesting interpretation of Mrs Lovett... Most Actresses seem to play Mrs Lovett as rather dark and more on the insane side, whereas Christine seems to play her as rather upbeat and kooky as apposed to actually insane. I do prefer darker interpretations of the character such as Helena Bonham Carter’s version but I do enjoy Christine’s one too

[@stevepotfora7461]

Yes, comedy is difficult, being dark is easy. The role was written as the comic relief in this serious opera as evidenced by Lansbury who created it with Sondheim. Few are able to pull off the broad comedy in the grand guingold style the piece was was written in.

[@someoneiswaiting]

I LOVE THIS CHANNEL!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Thanks, glad to hear it.

[@Flyyblackgurl]

Today years old discovering this! Ok Kelsey!!

[@wishingonthemoon1]

Gosh I woulda loved to be there in person

[@LeeLee-pk4ss]

I would love to find this whole show. Two wonderful comic actors

[@chlomo368_2]

only person who gets a laugh on pretty much every joke. obsessed.

[@grayday5177]

Stumbled upon this. Thank you KZbin . Wow

[@SeanWhitmore]

Baranski absolutely killed it, but I have to admit I was more curious about Grammer's take. Ever since I saw the taped version with George Hearn, I've been convinced he and Grammer were twins separated at birth.

[@jonsampiro]

Love her always. Who did his makeup and have they sense gotten professional help?

[@codymays9943]

I kinda like it. It’s different.

[@wishingonthemoon1]

She’s fantastic. He’s fantastic. Wow.

[@mik7564]

I love multi talent people

[@silentjustice5657]

What a fabulous performance! ❤

[@showtunestarpower]

Brilliant!

[@HighPlainsCracker]

Hysterical!

[@spadinnerxylaphone2622]

But I dont know what to do with those tossed salads and scrambled eggs

[@ZukAniFan]

Put them together with a pie and a beer… we all know that everyone goes down best with a nice bit of beer.

[@geraldfrank1630]

Christine! 👌👏👌👏👏

[@Tony.H03]

I think next to Emma Thompson this is the best performance I've seen. Emma's is a little more insane, but Christine just knows how to bring every line. Shame that she seems to forget her accent every 4 lines haha. But we forgive her for she is amazing.

[@Alunamai]

I freaking love Baranski.

[@richardmeyer2007]

She is great!! Grammer is the same in every role...

[@MegaCartoon96]

He was splendid in Finding Neverland.. But I can see the similarities between this and his turn as George in La Cauge..

[@kathleenfarris8710]

So good!

[@alfredpicklechips4851]

this is IT!!

[@JusticeJustinGame]

I love the contrast! Look at thier swaying after the executioner line. Ms. Lovett is continues swaying in one motion with the music, but Todd is swaying to one side then pausing, quickly jolting to the other side with the sound of the brass in the instrumental

[@nudgificator]

Exactly what I was thinking! His stiffness against her constant fluidity really matches their characters perfectly,

[@barbarahourigan8462]

Love them - thanks for posting!

[@carlanegri1102]

Funny singing actors are the BEST

[@TheKelJacob]

It's so interesting to see the different ways they approach the material. Baranski is truly a performer and Grammer is an actor...not performing to the audience at all.

[@this_Joe_Smith]

Great point -- her delivery really serves the text ...ensuring the audience gets each laugh... This was great to see!

[@tomshea8382]

That's in the writing, I think. Mrs. Lovett is a real music-hall turn, and Todd is the emotional driveline of the piece. And since this moment is black comedy after the darkest emotional moment, it's performed as both, with her leading him into the waltz.

[@TheKelJacob]

@@tomshea8382 That is also a good point. However, I always think of musical performers "cheating." Cariou & even Hearn, whose version seemed somehow darker and more reserved, directed themselves partially to the audience.

[@tomshea8382]

@@TheKelJacob Maybe he did in other scenes.

[@CalvinRE]

@@TheKelJacob In this case, we were performing the show at standing microphones, which you can see in the video. The performers HAD to play mostly front to sing into the microphones. But comedy is best played mostly front in the first place.