Donna

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 11:49am

Okay, I have posted about Donna's body before. I think I am fixated on it. She looks quite normal out of character but when she does Ruth, she makes her body curve into a question mark shape. Her shoulders look rounded and her back curves out. It's very cartoonish. What's that about?

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 11:51am

Maybe it's a Smeagol/Gollum kind of thing?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 11:54am

I, too, was rather curious. Is this how she does the entire show, or does it have some meaning for that particular number that you just couldn't determine by the number alone? I felt like Rene' from Sly Fox had wandered over to the Tonys to do a little vaudeville.

[wickedrawbrt]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:18pm

She must be getting it from Roz Russell. It's a posture she used quite often in her career. Lest we forget she originated this role. I'm guessing it's some sort of homage, I would hate to think she is doing a second rate imitation.

[Sunfish]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:37pm

She doesn't do it the whole show. Ruth is not a very cool, hip or "hep" person. She is physically awkward at the beginning of the number and then begins to catch on, be transformed, as the song proceeds. The hunched pose is a kind of "cool cat" posture...if you can remember some of poses the dancers struck you will see it is not far off. I have seen some films of jazz singers from that era who hold their bodies in that sort of way when doing that sort of singing.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/04 at 12:39pm

Bingo, Sunfish!

Donna's physicality in the show is priceless, drawing from many great ladies of comedy.

And, she looked stunning on the red carpet!