Anything You Can Do....
Discuss.
EDIT: Doesn't it seem like Nathan Lane revives all of Zero's shows, and Bernadette does the same with Ethel's....
Bernadette's, judging only from the recording. I can't listen to Ethel sing anything for more than 20 seconds - I get a headache.
Bernadette has done GYPSY and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN...only 2 of Ethel's shows....
Nathan Lane has only done one that I can recall, and that's FORUM. I really don't see a trend...
Not a faN of Ethel's singing at all, and Bernadette I can take slightly more than Ethel. Let's face it, Bernadette Peters isn't a great vocalist. Only Lansbury's Rose beats the other Rose's, Ethel's included. I enjoy Peter's Annie O. better than Ethel.
*Not only shows....The Producers...
I know there are a bunch of movie things....
I have to go with The Merm. Nobody can beat her Annie Oakley. Not even the faboo Bernie.
I disagree. I actually think Peters was a miscast Annie Oakley. I think that whole revival was a waste. I miss my "I'm an Indian Too". PC Annie Get Your Gun is boring!
I'm a huge fan of Bernadette, but I don't like her Annie at all.
Leading Actor Joined: 2/22/05
It's difficult to say not having seen Ethel's take. Also, they have VERY different styles.
I think Bernadette puts more heart into both roles. I adored her in AGYG, but I think both ladies were a little miscast as Annie.
Bernadette was a much better Mama Rose than Ethel; but Ethel is a force to be reconned with in her own right.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
I think Merman is still definitive as Rose -- Peters tried hard, but she seemed totally out of her league vocally the times I saw her. Merman is STILL the only one to sing that role and make it seem effortless (Peters, Daly and Lansbury all had MAJOR vocal problems throughout their runs and missed many performances).
As for Annie, the role was written specifically for Merman and her voice (Merman was attached to the project even before Irving Berlin was hired). Peters was some weird country bumpkin cartoon on stage -- a very odd performance (Reba McIntire was much better).
I've thought of that same comparison between Merman and Peters, but never about Mostel and Lane. Good Eye!!!!!! However, I wouldn't want to see Nathan Lane is Fiddler on the Roof. At least not if he uses the same persona he's been using in everything else......
I'm not a fan of Reba, but credit where it's due: She was fabulous as Annie.
I find that Bernadette is a better acor than singer, but Ethel has the belt. I feel Bernadette puts more heart into everything, Ethel just screams.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/10/04
i'm a huge bernadette fan. can't stand ethel's voice.
Only Lansbury's Rose beats the other Rose's, Ethel's included.
I should post this in the other thread regarding Lansbury's Rose, but I recently heard her recording of "Rose's Turn" and was shocked to find that the key changes and such were completely different. For example, the "Why do I do it" segment is higher than it should be in the song. Was it changed because Lansbury couldn't sing it as written, even after it was transposed? To me, it sounds less powerful and rather awkward.
Bernadette all the way! Can't stand Merman.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
They altered several of the keys throughout the show so that Lansbury could sing the songs (she still struggled, though). Nevertheless, she was, by all acounts a great Rose.
Merman all the way! I'm sorry, I love Bernie but when it comes to Annie and Rose she cannot hold a candle to Merman. I would have thought Patti LuPone over Bernie as Rose and she sings the hell outta some Annie too although I do not see her in the part. I also did not like the changes that were made in the revival of AGYG. I too miss "I'm An Indian Too."
Bernardette can't sing...its embarrassing that some people think of her as the biggest Broadway star...when she can't sing!
Saying Bernadette can't sing is ridiculous. She is not the best vocalist, but she can sing!
I can't believe all of the "can't stand Merman" comments.
Updated On: 7/9/05 at 06:32 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I love Bernadette, but to me, Ethel IS Annie, as Yul Brynner IS the King of Siam and as Robert Preston IS The Music Man!
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/03
Ethel is "ANNIE". Not to start anything again, but Bernadette should have won the Tony for Rose and not for "Annie". IMHO,she was miscast as Annie Oakley. Many may disagree, but I loved Bernadette's Rose but I would have given ANYTHING to see the Merm do Rose. Did anyone see her perform it??
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