Can We PLEASE Get Betty Buckley Back To Broadway??

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:21am

She's been gone so long and I'm starting to go through withdrawal not hearing her voice on stage!

Does anyone know if Betty even has any interest in coming back to Broadway?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:24am

The more appropriate question is, with her history, whether or not producers are interested in hiring her.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:36am

Madame Morrible!!!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:38am

I thought she went in for Grandma in BILLY ELLIOT and lost the role to Carole Shelley.
I think her voice is thrilling but her acting is unimpressive to say the least, IMO (though I have heard a lot of people say she was the best Norman Desmond).

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:41am

Her Norma Desmond was something I will never forget. I saw 'em all and they all had amazing qualities but hers was thrilling. I really hope she can land another role like that where she can get to showcase everything that I think makes her great.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:43am

^ I don't mean any disrespect, but why does practically everyone suggest this role for any female performer over 45?

I say this because the role is so one-dimensional and cartoonish. No real room to act and no great songs.

I see this role (and that of The Wizard, by the way) as being conduits for seeing revered older performers simply walk on and off the stage.

They offer nothing by way of memorable material, but hey, at least they are easy roles for older performers which afford you at least have the opportunity to say "I got to see (insert name)."

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:47am

I agree Rudy, I find Madame Morrible to be such a one-dimensional dull role, but actors must find something fun about it because the likes of Carole Shelley, Carole Kane and Patty Duke have played it.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:48am

Betty White for Morrible!!

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:51am

If I can't have Donna McKechnie in a revival of Ballroom, Buckley is my second choice.

Honestly, I can't think of a role I am dying to hear/see her play right now.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:55am

I don't care what she comes back in personally (as long as it has nothing to do with WICKED) but I'd love to see her in something new. It's always exciting when someone as brilliant as she is opens a brand new show. Sadly that hardly ever happens anymore.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 6:11am

Obviously, Betty Buckley is utterly talented. However, I've read about how she is a b.o.w. ( b. on wheels) in any show she is in. Still, it would be a wonderful event when it does happen. I dream sometimes of a 3 divas concert series (like the 3 Tenors concert). Ideally, it would have Patti LuPone, Elaine Paige and Betty Buckley. I once even asked Miss Patti about that in an email a few years ago. Her response was crystal clear: "are you kidding?" Oh well. from RC in Austin, Texas

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 6:16am

1. That WOULD be an incredible concert
2. She WAS divine as Nora Desmond
3. Couldn't agree more that Morrible and The Wizard are absolutely nothing roles. If "name" folks had never taken on these roles they would be easily forgotten.


But I'd pay good money to see Buckley Back on B'way. (OOH..that could be the name of her one woman show!!)

In a drunken stupor she once bought me and my three friends cheesecake. We were in college at the time and that was a LOOOOOOOONG time ago. But she plopped herself down at our table and hung out for a good part of an hour!

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 9:15am

I would love to see her play Margaret White again

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 9:37am

Betty Buckley has the reputation for being very erratic backstage. Producers don't want to get involved with that sort of thing.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 9:57am

^ I've heard the same thing about Patti LuPone, Bebe Neuwirth, and Rosie O'Donnell (not that she's as talented as the others, but I still like her). Yet, these women still get shows.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 11:34am

I know several people who've worked with LuPone and they've all loved her. The same can't be said of Buckley. Those who've worked with her run in the opposite direction when they see her coming.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 11:39am

RC in Austin, Texas in f*cking retarded. Hey Patti, how about doing a concert with the person that stole your show?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 12:17pm

One of the stories about Buckley was about her behavoir during CATS.
I heard this second hand so take it as you may.
She is famous for being late and she would come thru the Stage Door as the show was almost starting and demand that she go on even though the understudy was already in complete make-up and costume.
She is not well liked backstage.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 12:19pm

Linzi H said Betty was lovely to work with

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:41pm

The only reason every actress over 45 is recommended for Morrible is because there's nothing else on Broadway for women beyond a certain age. Anyone know any other "star" musical roles for older women at the moment, aside from Morrible and the Grandmother in Billy Elliot?

[Rudy2]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 1:58pm

EverythingTaboo, thank you for pointing that out, but you're thinking is in tandem with my own. I was stating, however, that the role is simply a bland one. I could see actresses turning it down unless they need the money. It's that kind of a role. Shelley might have felt differently though because she got be on the OBCR.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 4:42pm

I wasn't even being serious about that, by the way. I too think it's funny that everyone seems to suggest Morrible for every actress of a certain age.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 4:43pm

After Buckley's stunt with Lindsay-Abaire on BROTHERS & SISTERS I would be willing to bet any amount of money you not only will never see her in a new TV show, you will never see her in a new Broadway show (play or musical).

Her reputation truly preceeds her at this point.

Musto's column a few weeks ago mentioning the actress who SCREAMED "NOOOO!" when Sally Field won the Emmy last year know why.

But think of it this way: now she has plenty of time to "de-construct" those mundane tinker-toy melodies she so generously "reconceives" like "Send In The Clowns" and "Meadowlark" and make them even more unintelligible and unenjoyable.

I find it humorous that both Betty Buckley and Linda Eder have second careers as equestrians, and could NOT be more dissimilar in personality or vocal ability.

Buckley IS her character in Woody Allen's ANOTHER WOMAN.

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

[philly03]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 4:58pm

"I find it humorous that both Betty Buckley and Linda Eder have second careers as equestrians, and could NOT be more dissimilar in personality or vocal ability."

I wish Linda would come back to Broadway :) !

Forget Buckley...like what she did in the past, but similarly, having no role of interest right now to see her in. I never really understood why people favored her Norma so much. Didn't see her in the role, perhaps that was it, but do have the four singles or whatever that she released (having seen Elaine Paige / Close), and thought nothing special of it. My favourite will always be Elaine Paige. Wonderful in every aspect...I actually think she outshines Buckley both acting and singing abilities!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 5:05pm

Linda Eder sang the National Anthem at the Mets game I was at on Mother's Day. it made me smile, because I know so many people on here are her fans.

as for BBucks, I've only seen her once (and in concert), but she's a little too unhinged for me.