Zeta-Jones as Mame????

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 9:50pm

From Variety:


"Jerry Herman, here for Goodspeed Musicals' revamped version of his "Mack and Mabel," gives an update on the long-gestating TV musical production of "Mame." Cher was supposed to star; then, at another juncture, Barbara Streisand's production company was going to do it.

"It's on indefinite hold and now it's up for grabs," says Herman, who nixed the Streisand project. According to the songwriter, he took one look at an early version of the script that had Streisand taking some of the big chorus numbers and turning them into solo spots. "She took 'It's Today' and made it into a solo," reports Herman. "A solo? It's a party song. I don't want to go into it."

Herman does want to talk about his current dream choice for the role. "What would you say to Catherine Zeta-Jones as Mame?" he wonders out loud. "She's funny and she's a real musical lady. I think it would be phenomenal."

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 9:57pm

I see where Herman is coming from, but I don't quite see CZJ as being quite madcap or having enough oomph yet for the role.

And jeez, Barbra...this role would have REALLY been wonderful for you. Why'd you have to screw it up?

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:03pm

CZJ...well, Spider would watch it.

Oh, and I love your new icon, Margo. :)

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:09pm

Nope. Just can't see C.Z. as Mame. Hope it never happens.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:18pm

Zeta-Jones is FAR TOO YOUNG to play MAME.

She also lacks wit, glamour, sophistication, style and just about every quality needed for that role.

It's a LONG leap from Velma Kelly to Mame Dennis.


And Streisand as MAME? She's already ruined one Jerry Herman musical (HELLO, DOLLY!); better she should leave well enough alone.

I think Patti LuPone would be a super MAME--right voice, right style, not too old to handle the dancing. Yep, I'm goin' with LuPone.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:19pm

Herman seems to have no sense of what kind of actress is needed to pull off Mame (Cher? CZJ?). I think all he really cares about is that a movie get done, somehow, someway, and he doesn't care who's starring in it. CZJ is WAY too young, and has never demonstrated, to me at least, that she has any real flair for comedy. There does need to be a new film of Mame -- hopefully they won't screw it up this time.

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:22pm

They should get Madonna and make it funnier than the Lucy version.

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:23pm

Well if we buy the rumors about CZJ's REAL age, then it wouldn't be as much of a stretch.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:23pm

Well, Margo, it COULDN'T be any worse than Lucille Ball.

I still remember the reviews when the film first opened (1974). One critic headlined his "Calling Fred and Ethel Mertz!" :)

By the way, Margo, it's nice to see you spend some time on the Off-Topic Board.

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:24pm

Should Sian Phillips do it? I think so because I adored her in MARLENE and I CLAUDIUS.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:25pm

I dont think Zeta-Jones is a good choice for Mame. She is too young in my book and I don't think she would do well in a role that is so comedic.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:31pm

And Phillps is 70, even older than Ball was when she played it. Phillips was a terrific actress in her time, but, unfortunately she's too old even to play Vera now.

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:31pm

Darn it.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:32pm

Awwwww, poor Glebbie. Don't worry. I'm sure Jessica Simpson will get the part.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:33pm

Ah, they slapped so much makeup on Ball in that film to make her look younger she came off looking like a wax dummy.

As a matter of fact, when she sang, she SOUNDED the way a wax dummy would sound if THEY could sing. :)

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:37pm

I recommend all here watch "I Claudius" to see what real acting is. Sian Philips' Livia is a divine performance.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:42pm

Your recommendation will be taken. Thank you.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 10:44pm

Sian Phillips was also a wonderful Vera in the London revival of PAL JOEY.

IMO, her rendetion of "Bewitched" is THE definitive one!

[MusicMan]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 11:02pm

Zeta-Jones is 35. Rosalind Russell was almost 50 when she did the play. Lansbury was 41 when she originated the role in the musical. As a character actress, however, Lansbury invariably played older than her actual age (she played Laurence Harvey's mother in the original THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE---and she was only three years older than Harvey!) Lansbury's mature demeanor lent a pathos to the role of Mame Dennis (who undergoes financially hard times and finds it necessary to scramble in order to survive) which would potentially elude someone as young, soignee, and attractive as Zeta-Jones.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 11:04pm

How about Catherine Zeta-Jones as the girl who is in my bedroom?

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 11:05pm

Glebb, I just read your Madonna comment. THAT was completely uncalled for. Now come over here for your spanking!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 11:06pm

uh oh...Matt's spanking again? Time for me to go to bed!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 11:07pm

Whatever happened to you going to the movies today on your day off???

[Glebb]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 11:07pm

Don't worry. I love her.
We'll see about the spanking.
Hanky Panky.....

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/24/04 at 11:08pm

Well, Ebonic, if you think you can get her away from Michael Douglas, HAVE AT IT. :)