Bernadette vs. Patti as Rose- Page 3

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:07pm

I've always believed that Mama Rose was the Hamlet of musical theater. Every interpretation is interesting, in it's own way, and it's a real test of a true diva.

Patti, I think, is the closest thing in staure to Merman in her time. THAT is what makes this so special.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:20pm

"Patti, I think, is the closest thing in staure to Merman in her time. THAT is what makes this so special."

I've never been a Merman fan, so that might explain why I don't care for Ms. LuPone's voice either. I respect both of them as Broadway legends, but neither Merman nor LuPone appeal to me.

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:22pm

It's not about the voice, it's about the stature. I don't think that Lupone and Merman sound that similar, except perhaps on the Anything Goes recording where Patti definitely does a bit of a send up which I, personally, think is brilliant!

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:34pm

LuPone is the lesser of two evils, the other being Peters.

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 10:38pm

"LuPone is the lesser of two evils, the other being Peters."

I realize this board is built on opinions, but the above is an absolutely ridiculous statement for any theater lover to utter.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/19/07 at 11:46pm

I don't think Midler's would work on stage. But I love it in the film version. I find her comic, over-the-top nature actually makes me wind up rooting for her, whereas I couldn't wait for Peters' rose to finish her final "For Me".

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 2:20am

fakemyway-Tammy Blanchard, I felt, was not very strong as Louise. She had her moments (primarily during Act 1) but she just didn't really go through that "transformation" into Gypsy Rose Lee (which, I think it was Arthut Laurents or maybe Stephen Sondheim who said that THAT was the same problem with Sandra Church, the original LOuise.) Debbie Gibson was actually a very good Louise, it's such a shame she was opposite Betty Buckley who gave her virtually nothing to work with.

I think that is what Natalie Wood did so well in the first Gypsy movie. She had that look where you would believe she would be passed over for the more talented, pretty blond sister, then transform into Gypsy Rose Lee. It also helps that Wood acted the hell out of that character.

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 2:41am

Did anyone see Lansbury in the role? How was she?


...Bernadette wins.

[FutureAladdinOnB'Way]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 2:59am

Patti or Bernadette? I pick both...
I mean comparing Patti Lupone and Bernadette Peters is like comparing coca cola to pepsie, while some will prefer coke, there will always be others who prefer pepsie..but in reality they are almost the same thing just with a different label...same goes for Bernadette and Patti, both are very talented performers, but they both have different styles that make them unique and that both are special in their own way..so you can't really choose one over the other

[skingdom]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:33am

I couldnt take Bette Midler seriously. I wanted to laugh a lot.

Personally, Mama Rose seems to me one of those roles where you get to be as fierce as you want with little restraint, which for a diva is not very difficult.

Everyone is always saying Mama Rose is the most difficult role...I DONT THINK SO. I am sorry, but everyone I've seen has not had much subtelty or nuance, not that it needs it, because letting it all out is fine for the role.

In the end the role is so well written that you end up liking Mama Rose. If the performance was OK, it is usually magnified to a GREAT performance.

How about Cherry Jones? I bet she would be fantastic.

Skingdom out.

Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:37am

now, DUELING TESSIE TURAs, *that* i'd like to see!!!!

[skingdom]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 7:41am

n69n...i love you avatar!

Where did you get it?

[glimpseofstocking]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 4:29pm

I'm a huge fan of anyone who has ever played Rose. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. All of the different characterizations of Rose is part of what fascinates me about Gypsy.

I agree with whoever said that Patti is a performer that is better understood when she is seen live. I saw Patti as Rose at Ravinia and was completely blown away. When I shared the audio with my Mom, she wasn't nearly as impressed.

Either way, I think both LuPone and Peters were fantastic.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 5:36pm

Give me Tyne Daly again any day over either of them. I was at Bernadette's first preview (bought that ticket the SECOND it went on sale) and man, were we dissapointed. And for all of you who are going to say it, yes we went back again a few times to see her through the run and I was never once impressed.
As for Patti, I truly feel that all the hype over her playing this role for so long has influenced how people saw her. I thought her Rose was "okay". Nothing extraordinary, nothing at all that hasn't been done before.

I'm just waiting anxiously for the day when Donna Murphy sinks her chops into the role.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 8:50pm

"Everyone is always saying Mama Rose is the most difficult role...I DONT THINK SO. I am sorry, but everyone I've seen has not had much subtelty or nuance, not that it needs it, because letting it all out is fine for the role."

It absolutely is one of the most difficult musical theatre roles for a female actress. The level of writing is a given--any time a role is well-written and well developed, it's easier to look better in it. At the same time, the character has an enormous arch, and she needs to be an enormous, fierce, overbearing presence, and the actress needs to be able to show some vulnerability and humanity despite her edge. It's SO easy for even a really good actress to drown in how grand the role is.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 8:51pm

You have to make every member of the audience fall in love with a bitch.

Not to mention anyone who plays Mama is compared to the LEGENDS who've played her.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 8:55pm

VIET-Yes, Natalie Wood is the definitive Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee. If everyone else involved with project took as much time, dedication and hard work into the piece as she did than the movie would be as much of a classic as the show.

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 9:19pm

I love them both, but Patti is Mama Rose! in twenty years I would love to see audra in the role.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 9:23pm

Ooh, I could'nt see Audra in it at all. I don't think she is the right for for Mama Rose. I don't think she has the right voice.

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 9:29pm

Every dina should be able to try out the role.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 9:36pm

If you mean "diva"-does this mean that Renee Fleming and Maria Callas should have both tried out the role?

[ahmelie]

Posted: 3/20/07 at 9:38pm

^
I'd sell my left leg and my mother to see Callas as Mama Rose!

[Dover]

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:11am

I thought Bernadette did a great job at the Tonys. I generally don't like watching the Tony performances of any show because they're usually nowhere near as good as the song in the actual show. So many factors to consider: the cuts made to songs, the ridiculously fast tempos needed to get even the cut version within whatever number of seconds CBS has allotted the show for its performance, using a recorded orchestra or different orchestra, the usually improvised set, lighting and sound. Usually the selections have a rather thrown-together look and sound compared to how they play 8 shows a week in their proper environment.

Given all that, I think Bernadette managed to deliver one of the closest-to-the-real-thing performances I've ever seen on the Tonys, and sounded even better than she did many of the nights I saw her. She seemed a little rushed at times, but that has to be one of the hardest songs to work with emotionally when you've already figured out the arc of the song and then have to cut parts out. I remember sitting in front of my TV that night worrying how her performance would come off, and she blew me away.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 3/21/07 at 12:17am

ahmelie, I must say I laughed out loud at that.

Granted I didn't see Bernadette, but what I saw at the Tonys sure as hell makes me wish I did!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 4:01pm

It seems we've stood and talked like this
BEFORE!
We looked at each other with these daggers then...
But I can't remember
Where or when...