Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

#1

Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:34pm

Would anyone else LOVE to see Audra play Rose? I think it could be incredible, she has the voice and she is a great actress. In a few years obviously but I think she should be the next Mama Rose. Any thoughts?

#2

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:35pm

The next Gypsy should really be all-black.

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Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

#3

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:37pm

That could work... couldn't it?

#4

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:38pm

An all-black Gypsy could be amazing! I'm not quite sure about Audra though.....

#5

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:39pm

Nope not Audra, Tonya Pinkins.

#6

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:40pm

I loved Audra and I think she's wonderful, but I don't think she's right for GYPSY. She could act it, but her singing voice isn't right- it's too legit. I think Rose should really be played by a belter.

If we're talking an all-black cast, give me Tonya Pinkins. Hell, give me Pinkins anyway, she'd be phenomenal!

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I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

#7

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:43pm

Tonya Pinkins. Anika Noni Rose. Ben Vereen. Kenita R. Miller. Bobby Daye.

DONE. THERE'S YOUR REVIVAL.

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Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

#8

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:47pm

Tonya Pinkins for Rose and Audra for Louise, granted she's ten years older than Laura Benanti, but she looks younger than Laura.

#9

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 9:58pm

I think Laura looks older than she is, but I never thought she read too old onstage.

Audra could've made a pretty good Louise, but now she's too old. And as for Rose...I can't see it.

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When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

#10

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:05pm

I would die if there was an all-black gypsy. This is what broadway needs.

#11

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:11pm

I would be on the first plane to NYC with your cast, Piragua

#12

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:18pm

Even if they just do an album, it would be great.

#13

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:19pm

For someone to take the financial risk for this, they'd need a name, like Queen Latifah as Rose.

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"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#14

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:22pm

Well, Latifah could certainly sing it!

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I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

#15

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:23pm

Latifah might actually be a decent choice...

#16

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:24pm

More importantly, she can act it.

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"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#17

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:30pm

LATIFAH? I love the girl, but NO.

Tonya Pinkins as Mama Rose
Anika Noni Rose as Gypsy Rose Lee
Norm Lewis as Herbie
Heather Headley as June
Usher as Tulsa (and there is your star name)

Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Tessie Tura
Queen Latifah as Mezzeppa
Phylisha Raschad as Electra

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

Updated On: 5/19/09 at 10:30 PM

#18

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:03pm

if Norm Lewis is in it, are they adding a strip scene for Herbie?
;D

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When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

#19

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:04pm

I'm surprised that black actors aren't offended by the lack of original material; instead, people are just taking classics and making them "all-black," as if that will make it better or give it some relevance.

I'd rather see Tonya Pinkins and Audra McDonald in an original piece rather than see them play parts they're not right for just for the sake of an "all-black" production.

#20

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:11pm

Usher? I can't wait for the window card.

USHER
GYPSY

#21

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:15pm

Tonya Pinkins, puhleeze!!! Maybe if you want another Bernadette Peters snoozefest performance.

The only woman worthy of playing Rose is Lillias White.

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If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#22

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:24pm

I agree, Lillias White should be Mama Rose if there's an all-black production. I don't think Audra really has the right sound to pull off Rose.

#23

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:29pm

Puhleez. USHER GYPSY would be WAY better than LUPONE GYPSY.

Can't you just see all those picture-takers in the audience getting USHER'd out of the theatre?!

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#24

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:40pm

She's really not a belter, but she can belt when she wants to. I'm sure that Audra would act the crap out of that part. Personally I'd see her in anything. She could play Sweeney Todd, and I'd love it.

Updated On: 5/20/09 at 11:40 PM

#25

re: Audra McDonald as Mama Rose?

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:42pm

Audra Macdonald as Sweeney Todd? Now THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING!!!

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle