Bernadette Peters and Kim Cattrall to star in Kennedy Centers Follies
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #50
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:07pm
Agreed MB but we must also remember that Ravinia is what, a week or two of performances? LuPone could very well be touring and performing an entire set of her choosing although her track record may indicate she could be game.
I certainly would love it. I feel that Carlotta would be better suited because she has more book scenes in the first act than Stella from what I can assess from the City Center production.
EDIT: husk, That's sort of why I suggested LuPone. I feel like it would really fuel an interesting rendition of "I'm Still Here" to have her and her only real Sondheim contender in the same show.
Updated On: 8/25/10 at 03:07 PM
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #51
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:08pmI also thought of LuPone as Carlotta, but think she'd be an awesome Stella, too. Neither one would happen, though, because she's doing Seven Deadly Sins with the New York City Ballet in early May.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #52
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:10pm
I always saw Carlotta as a little more of a faded sex symbol, which LuPone realy never was, though I'm sure she'd find a way to be wonderful in the part.
She's absolutely a Stella though - that tough, ballsy, slightly blousy broad!
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #53
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:11pm
Carlotta possibilities:
Donna McKechnie
Lola Falana
Melba Moore
Loni Ackerman
Patti Lupone
Michele Pawk
Stellas:
Lainie Kazan
Mary Testa
Judy Kaye
Kathi Moss
Camille Saviola
Bette Midler
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #54
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:16pmBette Midler could sing the part, but would only do it should it be turned into a film...which has been mentioned before.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #55
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:23pmEven though we're just trading hypotheticals here, do you really think Patti would agree to play a small (though distinguished) role in a production where Bernadette is playing the iconic lead?
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #56
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:32pm
"I always saw Carlotta as a little more of a faded sex symbol..."
I (and others) have often suggested Vanessa Williams as Phyllis, but she could easily fit the Carlotta role as well.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #57
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:37pm
I know that she is almost 50, but Vanessa, with that perfect smooth skin and sylph-like figure, hardly looks like someone who has been through much in the way of good times and bum times, does she?
It seems that Carlotta works best when played by an actress who actually sort of has run the gamut. Vanessa (although she has been represented on film, tv, stage, and records) still seems more mid (or early-mid-)-career, don't you think?
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #58
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:45pm
She was stripped of her crown, for Pete's sake! How much more bum times do you NEEEEEEED????
Kidding. I think she can certainly do it, but your reasoning is why I suggested LA Warren.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #59
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:52pmThe moment I saw "Peters" and "Follies" together, I smiled. This is such great news. I know it was rumored for quite some time, but it's great to see some confirmation. Now I just have to plan a trip from Las Vegas. Hmmmm...
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #60
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:53pmI think by 'bum times' she means career and personal lows - I don't think it necessarily means she was living on the streets or was in a crack house.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #61
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:56pm
Well...she does mention bread lines, reefers, vino and pills.
WAIT.
GOT IT.
WHITNEY.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #62
Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:59pmDanny Burstein? Count me in.
Joined: 12/31/69
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #63
Posted: 8/25/10 at 4:17pmShe toured in stock! How much lower can you go?
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #64
Posted: 8/25/10 at 4:19pmSonofRobbieJ - If they cast Whitney poor Gregg Barnes is gonna have to scotch guard all of her costumes from the sweat...
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #65
Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:08pmWait, I'm so excited for this.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #66
Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:15pmThough she'll be pushing 70 next year, I would love to hear Ann-Margret's take on Carlotta and "I'm Still Here."
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #67
Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:21pmWhyyyy can't they start FOLLIES a month earlier :'(!!!!
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #68
Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:40pm
I am SOOOO excited at the prospect of this production, but am so apprehensive about Kim as Phyllis. Do we know anything about ehr singing ability? And I don't buy, well Alexis couldn't sing very well. This is a professional production, with professional performers in a musical - deserve someone that can sing and act. Therefore my vote goes to Vanessa Williams.
Updated On: 8/25/10 at 05:40 PM
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #69
Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:42pmBecause the original production was unprofessional?
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #70
Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:00pm
Kim Cattrall is inspired casting for Phyllis. She'll knock "Ah, But Underneath" (which suits her much better than "The Story of Lucy and Jessie") out of the ballpark. Initially, they'd indeed been talking to Vanessa Williams before she signed on to another television series and became unavailable.
Eric Schaeffer wants Bette Midler for Carlotta. I have serious doubts as to whether or not she'd actually do it (though her schedule's free now that her Vegas engagement is up,) but they've already had a meeting about it.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #71
Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:02pmDo you know for a fact that "Ah, But Underneath" is being used?
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #72
Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:06pm
"The Story of Lucy and Jessie" was designed to show off Alexis Smith's dance chops. "Ah, But Underneath" seems tailor made to Cattrall's abilities- it's a sexy showcase for an actress first and singer second, which is exactly what she is (and what Diana Rigg was when Sondheim wrote it for her in the London production.)
I'd be willing to bet almost assuredly that they'll use it.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #73
Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:11pmOf course, Vanessa is in Desperate Housewives now, isn't she? No chance of her signing up to it.
Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies #74
Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:12pm
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