Debra Monk

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:20pm

Yesterday, my boyfriend and I decided to have a lazy day. We slept in, left the house only to have brunch and came back to my apartment to watch tv. Being as NOTHING was on yesterday, I popped in the DVD of LEADING LADIES...the concert from Carnegie Hall. It's always a hoot to watch Jennifer Holliday's hair shake during 'And I'm Telling You' (though it's nothing compared to the way she nearly swallows the microphone whole at the end of the song). Do you have any idea how many times we rewound Elaine Stritch trying to find the starting pitch to 'Ladies Who Lunch'?? HILARIOUS. It's a thoroughly delightful concert filled with highs (Audra's 'Down With Love') and lows (Robert Morse and Tony Roberts are just a smidge old to be reviving their SUGAR days, no?). But the performance that struck me most was that of Ms. Debra Monk singing 'Everybody's Girl' from STEELE PIER.

This Tony and Emmy winner rarely gets brought up in the casting discussions here and on other boards. No, she's not a household name nor will she sell bucketloads of tickets. She is, however, a terrific musical comedy star who should be doing MUCH more. Her belt is big and juicy, not the focused, pop wails of the younger generation. She can play to the back of the house without ever once making you feel like you're being beaten over the head. And her energy is infectious. She also has the capacity to plumb emotional depths (her Mrs. Paroo in TMM was the most honest and deeply-felt performance in that movie).

What do you think it is about her that keeps her from being a grande dame in NY theatre?

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:29pm

Interesting question you pose, little Robbie.

Maybe Ms. Monk's problem (if one can call it a "problem", as she seems to be working regularly, which is about all anyone can ask for) is that she's the Kathy Bates-type. Chameleon-ish. Not flashy enough, personalitywise.

She is a consummate performer, though -- I loved her Sara Jane Moore in ASASSINS. Not to mention her role as Jeffrey's mother in the film JEFFREY ("Do you like it when they shave their assh*les, dear?")

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:32pm

I saw her in the Roundabout's "Company," and I almost did rise at the end of her "Ladies Who Lunch."

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:33pm

Rise in adulation, or rise as in "where the F*ck is the exit?"

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:35pm

She is a fantastic performer.....But I have to agree with rlb's assessment of why she's not a household name. I am also a big fan of Mary Testa, who I feel fits into the same category.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:37pm

Now THAT is very interesting (and thank you both for the info).

I remember reading reviews of Ms. Monk's performances in both of the shows y'all mentioned and that they were unfavorable. I'm glad to hear that people I trust (my darlin' Namo; my dearest RLB) enjoyed her performances.

It's true, rlb, she is someone who disappears into a role. I guess 'fans' need to feel a personal connection with a star. When an actor disappears too completely in a role (and when the role is not necessarily the lead) it's difficult to make that connection.

But I do love my Debra. I would love to hear specifics about her performances.

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:43pm

Rob:

True about the fans' connection thing. Although we must differentiate between the "dilletante" fans (those that lurk outside stage doors, those that wet up at the mere possibility of a scribbled autograph, etc.) and the "edumucated" fans (who actually think. God, Imagine that.)

Monk has plenty of "edumacated" fans, but is woefully lacking in dilletantes.

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:45pm

Well...I GOTS MY EDUMACATION!!!

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:48pm

You go, Shofreaka!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 2:49pm

I suggested a while ago that Sondheim and Prince would be "wiseguys" to dump Miss Powell and replace her with Debra Monk in BOUNCE. It would give that role the kick in the pants it needs, and Monkey has the vocal chops to make those songs "gold".

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 4:43pm

I loved her "Ladies Who Lunch," but I had only seen one performance of that song live before and it weren't Ms. Stritch's.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 4:53pm

like the appropriately mentioned Kathy Bates, Ms. Monk is a character actress who sometimes get to play leads, as opposed to a leading lady who sometimes does the interesting character/supporting/featured role. i think i have it right that Monk was one of the composers and original stars of PUMP BOYS & DINETTES. She also is very effective as the ex-wife of Sipowicz on NYPD BLUE. That shows her range and versatility in just two credits. Her voice is truly amazing.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 6:23pm

She was great in Steel Pier

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 8:45pm

Debra Monk has had a really awesome career.

Yes she is a co-writer and star of "Pump Boys & Dinettes"

Some of the shows I've seen her in:

She was in the ill-fated "Nick & Nora" playing a society matron.
She was John Goodman's wife in the starry "The Seagull" in Central Park.
She was the lead in "Time of the Cuckoo" at Lincoln Center
She was Joanne in "Company" Roundabout revival
She was great in "Steel Pier" (this show completely lacked energy until the time came for her to sing "Everybody's Girl". She really brought the energy of the show up 100%. and then the material dragged it all back down).

But the best I've ever seen her do was in the Roundabout's "Picnic". She played the desperate-to-get married school teacher and it is a performance I will never forget. She was incredible!!!!

All of us should immediately write letters to all Broadway producers and ask them to do a revival of "The Glass Menagerie" with her playing the mother, Amanda Wingfield. It would definitely be a landmark in theater history!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 9:36pm

I actually think Sutton would be better for that role, don't you?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 9:56pm

To Gothampc

Must disagree on Steel Pier. I throughly enjoyed it. I thought it was a very good new american musical. Too bad it did not make it.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/15/03 at 10:53pm

Mr. Roxy, Steel Pier didn't make it because it was boring and stupid.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 6:07am

Your opinion - nothing more & nothing less. You are entited to I as I am to mine.

Updated On: 9/16/03 at 06:07 AM

[QueenS]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 10:13am

Touched on, but not really stated, is another major problem. This great talent as acquired quite a list of flops on her resume. Let's not forget how sorry most people felt for during "Thou Shalt Not." My basic thought was that if she couldn't make those songs work, no one could.

Put me on the list of bored audience members in "Steel Peer." Though I admired most of the cast, I thought the material was not up to their standard.

I thought that she was brilliant in "Time of the Cuckoo." Made me pine for a revival of the musical. Like when I saw Roundabout's "The Matchmaker," I kept expecting them to break into song.

However, Company, Cuckoo & Picnic were all limited engagements. I don't know if any of her extended run shows have lasted (save for Pump Boys and Oil City Symphony, which most people don't remember...)?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 1:08pm

QueenS, you can't be saying that she is not used more because she has never been in a bona fide hit? Do you think producers see her as a jinx or that it was her fault these shows did not succeed? I hope that is not what you are suggesting.

[QueenS]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 2:07pm

Didn't mean to suggest either, Sueleen, sorry! What I meant was that not having a "blockbuster" has prevented her from acquiring a large fan base, which is why she doesn't have a household name.

She does work often, so I don't think that anyone considers her a "jinx" or "box office poison." She just hasn't done anything that registers to the hinderlands...

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 2:24pm

Gotch, Queenie. But do not presume those of us in the hinters do not know who she is. But you are right, she has not had the break through role to put her in the same category as Sutton or Marissa. Show anyone in the hinters a picture of either of them and I am SURE they will be able to say "Oh, that is Sutton Foster and That chick from HAIRSPRAY."

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 2:27pm

Really, Sueleen? You think the hinterlands are familiar with Sutton? I never would have thought so.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 2:30pm

Remember JOKES, Robbie?

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 2:36pm

OH GOD!!! I WAS HOPINIG FOR IT!!!

I saw the smiley face, but didn't see it winking at me, so I thought, 'SULEEN'S GONE BATSH*T CRAZY!'

Girl, your tone was so sincere it just threw me! Thank you for setting me straight!