Dream Mama Roses

Mama Rose is obviously a dynamite role for an actress, and there are tons out there that I'd love to see play the role. They include:

Now:
Marin Mazzie
Donna Murphy
Alice Ripley
Betty Buckley
Meryl Streep
Carolee Carmello

In the future:
Stephanie J. Block
Audra McDonald
Idina Menzel
Sutton Foster
Lena Hall
Megan Hilty
Laura Benanti (would be awesome to see her go from Louise to Mama!)

Updated On: 6/1/15 at 08:55 PM

Idina Menzel as Mama Rose? hmmm

There is only one actress that could justify yet another Gypsy in the next twenty years. She is Tonya Pinkins.

All of my picks would win Tony's.

MERYL STREEP PLEASE

How about Klea Blackhurst?

I also like Tonya.

Or Mary Testa or Judy Kaye

I hate to sound like I'm ordering the kids off my lawn, but Mary Testa is 59 and Judy Kaye is 66! I think Judy walks on water, but I doubt she gave birth in her 60s!

Even Merman was only 51 when she opened in the role.

I don't understand these "casting" threads where we just list every actress (or actor) who can carry a tune and deem them "right" for a certain part.

Did we learn nothing from Tovah Feldshuh?

This is a response to the entire thread and not just to CurtainsUpat8. His/hers was just the most recent post.

"There is only one actress that could justify yet another Gypsy in the next twenty years. She is Tonya Pinkins."

I've been wanting this ever since I first heard Caroline, or Change. Maybe make it a reunion with Anika Noni Rose?

What better way to introduce yourself to the world. And maybe Kim could be Louise and Kris could be Mazeppa.

"I hate to sound like I'm ordering the kids off my lawn, but Mary Testa is 59 and Judy Kaye is 66! I think Judy walks on water, but I doubt she gave birth in her 60s!

Even Merman was only 51 when she opened in the role."

Surely being 51 years old in 1959 is a lot different to being 51 years old over 50 years later, in 2015.

Rachel York, Stephanie Block and Tonya Pinkins.

Although I feel the ultimate Rose would have been Judy Garland.

I think Tonya and Anika would be phenomenal. It would not need to be an all-black revival, but I would highly support Norm Lewis or Brian Stokes Mitchell as Herbie.

Carolee and Marin would be interesting choices, as would Donna Murphy or Audra. The Sutton revival is inevitable 15 years from now and I'm not complaining!

That being said, I've been hearing rumors of Alice Ripley doing it regionally next year.