Bernadette's or Ethel's.... — Page 2

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#26

re: Bernadette's or Ethel's....

Posted: 7/9/05 at 8:02pm

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??

#27

re: Bernadette's or Ethel's....

Posted: 7/9/05 at 11:26pm

The roles were written for Ethel and the songs were constructed around her unique voice. Even if you are not a fan of that "belt" she had it is very effective in both roles. (For GYPSY she also brought amazing intense anger to "Some People", "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Rose's Turn.)

I consider the Merman recordings of both shows definitive (I prefer the 1966 Lincoln centre ANNIE over the heavily abbreviated original) but Bernadette's reading "Lost in His Arms" is touching and tender. And the Peters GYPSY is about the most complete version available.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#28

re: Bernadette's or Ethel's....

Posted: 7/10/05 at 12:18am

Bernadette Peters might've been odd as hell as Annie Oakley, but her rendition of Moonshine Lullaby is gorgeous.

"I've got to get me out of here This place is full of dirty old men And the navigators and their mappy maps And moldy heads and pissing on sugar cubes While you stare at your books."

#29

re: Bernadette's or Ethel's....

Posted: 7/10/05 at 12:57am

I like them both...thats all I can say !!!

Facebook...ME !!!

#30

re: Bernadette's or Ethel's....

Posted: 7/10/05 at 1:10am

Peters IS the Merman of our time!

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. --Dave Berry

#31

re: Bernadette's or Ethel's....

Posted: 7/10/05 at 2:17am

The current Broadway environment does not cultivate stars like Merman. She came along when they wrote shows around specific stars. She appeared in 15 Broadway shows. Only one was financilly unsuccessful and even that show ran a full year.

Bernadette Peters has so far done 10 shows. I think Peters is a better technical actress and when te score is tailored to her unique voice she can be dynamite with it. But she is not a modern Merman. Nor would we expect her to be.

These ladies along with Martin, Channing, Andrews and Verdon are all unique talents that can never be replaced.

#32

re: Bernadette's or Ethel's....

Posted: 7/10/05 at 3:35am

Ditto to that. As for Bernie vs. The Merm...both women are amazing! One is not required to be "better" than the other. Bernadette is, in many ways, the last great musical theatre star. For that reason alone, she should be respected, not to mention her formidable talents as an actress and singer. She's great.

#33

re: Bernadette's or Ethel's....

Posted: 7/10/05 at 9:28am

I enjoyed Bernie's take on Annie, but there is nothing like Ethel though belting out those tunes.

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