Favorite performance of Rose's Turn

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:41am

I know that this is a tired topic, but considering that the only thread I found with Rose's Turn as the subject heading was made back in 2006, I felt that nobody would mind if I made another thread about this topic now that Patti got to play Rose.

I was watching youtube and out of boredom, I decided to seek out different versions of Rose's Turn that's out there, and I really can't decide on a favorite anymore. On Youtube, I saw Rosalind Russell, Angela Lansbury (only partial clip), Tyne Daly, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, and Patti Lupone. The closest performance that I found of Ethel Merman was a well-edited version of Rosalind Russell's "Rose's Turn" being dubbed by Ethel on the OBCR.

I was interested in hearing everyone's opinion on who they felt gave the best or at least their favorite interpretation of Rose's Turn and see if they can rank the performances.

BTW, are we allowed to post the links to the youtube videos or is that prohibited on this board? I'm never sure of the rules regarding youtube on this board because even though the guidelines says they're prohibited, I see them posted all the time.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:44am

Hands down... Ethel Merman. I mean, for chrissakes -- the damn song was written specifically for her and in her range and style.

Everyone else is singing HER song and regardless of how they try to make it their own... it still sounds like they're singing an 'Ethel Merman' song.

Seriously.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:48am

I can see that.

I just love how they keep trying though, and we've gotten some really interesting and fantastic versions both in singing and performance and acting of the song because of it.

I think Rosalind Russell and Bernadette Peters were the LEAST Merman of all the Roses. What do you think?

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:59am

Bernadette. I haven't seen such layers, depth, and vulnerability from any other Rose. I love that she made Rose a real person, not just a monster. She was still fierce though. Her interpretation was complete unique. Seeing Bernadette's "Rose's Turn" from the front row was an experiemce that I'll treasure forever.

[Broadway Baby 2]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:20am

The incomperable Patti LuPone delivers a Rose's Turn in a league all it's own. I love all of the wondreful women who have brought life to Momma Rose. However, the power that Patti radiates from the stage during her performance is unmatched.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:21am

I think all of them our good in their own way, but my favorite is Angela Lansbury.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:31am

I think Angela Lansbury definitely has my favorite "Together Wherever We Go." The part where she breaks it down and dances like a maniac and does those high kicks just amazed me.

I can't help but have a soft spot for Karl Madden, Natalie Wood, and Rosalind Russell being so playful in the cut scene with all three probably knowing how bad their voices were for the song.

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 2:06am

Until Patti came along, my favorite was Betty Buckley. I don't think she was a good Rose, but I always liked the way she sang that song. After hearing Patti- no comparison.

[Barnaby151]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 2:10am

Although I saw Patti front row center, I cannot stand her voice. Betty Buckley's was great, and Ethel Merman's was also. I love Bernadette's voice, but she was miscast as Rose.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 2:11am

My favorite is Ethel's, hands down. Her last "for me!" is just breathtaking. But, I think Patti gives just as brilliant of an interpretation, maybe even more so.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 2:18am

It is possible to like Bernadette and Patti. I don't, but it's definitely possible. :)

[philcrosby]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 9:10am

On recordings, Merman hands down. For me, because I saw her do it live, Lansbury is a very close second. Anyone who says Bernadette was the first to give Rose sex appeal and sympathy ... uh, uh, it was Angela.

I heard a recording of Dolores Grey doing it which is also a favorite, even though she botches the lyrics.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 9:51am

She doesn't so much as botch the lyrics as she rewrites them.

Updated On: 10/24/08 at 09:51 AM

[philcrosby]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 10:02am

LOL, Joey ... that is far more accurate!

[Bwayidiot]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:32am

Angela Lansbury without a dougbt. She had me in tears.

Merman was great but she had me shuddering at her bravada.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:35am

Patti is the best rose, but I think Bernadette had the best Rose's Turn. The Tony's performance is so, so profoundly sad. I didn't much care for Angela's, though I love her; she just seemed too calm and controlled. Ethel...obviously I haven't seen her, but, to be honest...I don't care for it. From a character standpoint. Tyne Daly's is fine. Bette Middler is pretty boss, too.

If I had to rank:

1. Bernadette
2. Patti
3. Bette
4. Tyne
5. Angela
6. Ethel
7. Rosalind Russel/whatserface who dubbed her
8. That fat guy on youtube who does it.

Updated On: 10/24/08 at 11:35 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:37am

I've seen every Rose but Merman either live or on film. Of those, it is certainly LuPone's. It runs the gamot of every emotion from A to Z. Brantley's review describes it best.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:41am

1. Merman
2. Lanbury/LuPone (a tie)
3. Tyne Daly
4. Roz Russell
5. Bette Midler
6. Linda Lavin
7. Harvey Fierstein
8. Dolores Gray
9. Bernadette Peters
10. Liza Minnelli
11. Betty Buckley
12. Kay Medford

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:43am

Where did you ever hear Linda Lavin and Harvey Fierstein do it?!

[BNN]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:46am

I feel like it's hard to pick a favorite because they are all presented in such different manners and I found myself reacting to them differently. Merman completely shocks and blows you out of the water, Lansbury is absolutely terrifying in her's, Bernadette Peters made me truly pity Rose and Patti LuPone broke my heart with hers.

[fflagg]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:09pm

Patti?? All she is being is herself; that is not acting. The current prod is memorable for Louise, Herbie, and June. Not Rose and not those tacky sets and cuts to the show and score. Heck, even Tulsa looks homely.

You cannot beat Ethel. Period. Angela is a close second and as usual a class act.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:10pm

Linda Lavin took over for Tyne Daly.

Harvey sang it at Sondheim's 75th birthday event at the New Amsterdam Theater. He came right from Fiddler and performed Rose's Turn dressed as Tevye. It was brilliant--and surreal.

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:43pm

I believe Lisa Kirk dubbed Roz Russell's Rose.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:47pm

I had mixed feelings about LuPone as Rose, but thought her Rose's Turn was pretty awful both times I saw it. Hammy, over the top, not at all connected to character.

Peters was definitely more effective in this number, IMO.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 12:59pm

QUESTION: I know Patti has said that she was able to deconstruct 'Rose's Turn' for this production and was curious about the moment right before "I dreamed it for you June."

Patti sings "I had a dream" and picks up the smock and bundles it up and cradles it like a baby right before throwing it off to the side when she hits "JUNE". Is this a Patti thing? or is it part of the role and others have done it as well?