I have no problem with anyone expressing their opinion. But there is such a thing as overkill. And every Gypsy thread draws you in, like a (Gypsy) moth to the flame.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Guilty as charged. I happen to love this peice. And I usually love Bernadette Peters. Updated On: 2/27/04 at 04:02 PM
Theatermafia please stop bothering Macgruder or you will deal with moi.
Ha. And i for one adore Bernadette in the role.
Freedom of speech life is grand.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/31/04
Bette Midler was my least favorite Mamma Rose. God her voice is so annoying!
Theatermafia I concur with you on the Tyne recording. Her version was one to experience in the theatre (I saw it 9 times). I will say that the worst had to be Linda Lavin.
Theatremafia is not bothering me. We're having a thoroughly civilized board exchange.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Thank you Magruder :)
Someone here mentioned Lansbury's American accent being poor.If you want to hear a laughable English accent have a listen to Peter's on Song and Dance, oh dear.
While I like Lansbury's vocals on the cast album, I don't care for the tinny sound of the orchestra. I guess for the best allround cast album with a BIG overall sound (vocals and orch.) I guess you have to go back to Merman and the originators.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I wonder if theres a recording out there of Betty Buckleys version.
There's no authorized recording of Betty. Too bad, because she was in fine form, musically. She was also pretty gripping to watch, even if she wasn't too concerned about landing much of the humor. Her "Everything's Coming Up Roses" was the scariest and maddest I've seen.
I love Betty Buckley (and would love to hear her sing the score) but I just couldn't imagine her as Rose. I do have her doing Rose's Turn on CD.
The lowbrow aspects of the character didn't come naturally to BB. There is something very elegant, regal and otherworldly about her presence. So she had to work pretty hard at those aspects of the character, though she's a smart actress and managed to do some interesting, startling things with the book. But when she opened her mouth to sing...it was like hearing that score for the first time. She had such command over the music and her voice (though she too did lose her voice for a week's worth of performances). She is famously difficult, but it's truly a pity that she hasn't created a new role on Broadway since Triumph of Love. She is a great talent.
The only Mama Rose I've ever seen was Bernadette, and to tell the truth, I don't really know what I thought of her. When I saw the show I was blown away by how much passion and energy she put into her performance, but now that I think about it, there was a lot of pain in it too, as though she were in pain to get those emotions out. Not to mention how painful it sounded for her to sing. But then again, these could just be character choices.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
nycbabe,
Do you mean it was painful to listen too?
Sorry Theatermafia.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
There was a cd called Stairway to the Stars or something like that from England. It was a benefit concert, I recall. I am not at home so I cannot look up the cd. But anyway, the final scene from GYPSY is recorded on it. And the person who performs it is amazing! Simply amazing--- and that is just a cd.
Hey, it's Bernadette's birthday today - February 28. No anti-Bernadette posts for 24 hours!
Today is also the birthday of Charles Durning, Tommy Tune, Brent Barrett, Mercedes Ruehl, Robert Sean Leonard and the late Zero Mostel! Go Pisces! (I'm a Taurus, but bow before the talent of the fishes!)
Happy Birthday Bernadette and Brent Barrett.
Two incredible performers. Hope they have fun.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/04
I liked Bernadette Peters the best singing wise, but acting wise...I liked Rosalind Russell the best, unusual I know.
I loooveeed Bernadette!
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BERNADETTE! You get more beautiful every day!
My favorite Rose would be Angela Lansbury. Favorite Gypsy/Louise would be Kate Shindle. Updated On: 2/29/04 at 03:22 AM
Kate Shindle played Mamma Rose? My guess if she was in Gypsy she played the daughter. I can see that. She is a nice lady.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Everyone is a "nice lady" to you, Corine. The trouble is you start stalking them and they have to take out orders of protection to keep you away from them.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
You're kidding, right Corine?
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