Filicia's felicitous idea - Victoria Clark - MAME

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 9:56am

Towards the end of his fascinating PIAZZA review (he doesn't like it quite as much as he wants to), he expounds on the varied strengths of Victoria Clark, then tosses off the idea that Clark is the MAME we've all been waiting for.

I really like his way of thinking. :)

Filicia's LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA review

Updated On: 4/29/05 at 09:56 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 10:04am

I dont really see Clark has having the right qualities for Mame, and no Broadway producer is going to bankroll a Broadway revival on her name, but it would be fun to see her try the show regionally.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 10:04am

She'd be a faboo Mame. Too bad that probably won't happen (not a commercial star, sadly), at least not on Broadway.
Updated On: 4/29/05 at 10:04 AM

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 10:41am

She'll likely get her chance when Pittsburg CLO does it, then.
Of course, if she wins the Tony, there's a chance they would try to use that to steamroll the project starring her.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 11:31am

Sadly, winning a Tony award doesn't mean much for box office clout...

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 11:33am

It does a little and certainly helped make Kristin a draw.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 11:36am

I hope she wins the Tony...I can't imagine her not, as the competition isn't that tough this year. Back to Mame, I think she would be perfect. Clark is very versatile. I never thought she would work as the Beggar Woman in Sweeney, and I thought she was great.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 11:38am

Well, to be fair, Kristen's follow up to her Tony win for CHARLIE BROWN was the disasterous EPIC PROPORTIONS which was a huge flop. I'm not sure how much of a difference Chenoweth/Menzel made to WICKED -- clearly the selling point of that show has turned out to be the material.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 11:39am

Well, the real problem with Mame is that they're not really tossing out any "name" draws either, I think. Christine Ebersole's not going to have them packed in the aisles and neither would Christine Baranski.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 11:43am

I don't know how serious the talk was, but I think Catherine Zeta Jones would be a fantastic idea for MAME. She'd be glam, fab and would sell out the theatre.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 11:44am

And even "names" don't go that far anymore, unless you are a big box office star. But I mean, Applegate and Lange, although stars, don't really have them running to the theatre. I think the vehicle the star is in and how good they are in it has a lot to do with it. But then again, Jackman was in a crappy show that he was good in, and that show did well.

Point is, Clark in the Broadway Mame won't happen. She'll have to play it at Papermill or a light opera house somewhere regionally. But that said, I'd be there in a heartbeat. I love Mame and I love Clark.

Also, I think Baranski is a really bad choice for Mame. She's more of a Vera.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:00pm

Does Broadway need a MAME at this point? With revival-itis not exactly making everybody rich, I'm sure everybody from the Weisslers on down (or up) is seriously reconsidering any "sure thing" revival of any piece. For MAME to pack 'em, it probably needs some really powerful stunt casting, not just someone who's suitable and beloved in NY theater circles. And the equivalent of Applegate -- I don't think so. Fill in the blanks as to who you feel that might be.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/29/05 at 12:10pm

Bette Midler would be a great Mame.

I thought of someone great for Vera a while back, but now I am drawing a blank.

Dratch for Gooch but I don't think she could sing "Gooch's Song" to it's full potential.

Gavin Creel for older Patrick.

That adorable, great actor from Caroline or Change for younger Patrick.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 12:25am

Jan Maxwell as Vera to anyone's MAME

[broadwaynut20]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 12:29am

I saw victoria clark as dolly in pittsburgh and i thought she was amazing. i thought she was better then carol channing. the problem is she is not a real big name and she might not draw people to the box office. but she would make an amazing mame

[rawleygirl]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 12:39am

Nobody is waiting for anybody to play MAME but a genuine star. There's no reason to film or revive it without one. It's not that good. It has always been all about the star personality in the lead.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 1:09am

like CHER?
if she can tour town to town for 30 or so years
she can certainly do 8 a week in Manhattan?
she fills stadiums, she can fill the Palace.

[rawleygirl]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:56am

Cher averages four a week on tour. she hasn't done 8 since Jimmy Dean, and that was some time ago. She's pushing 60 and she ain't gonna do it.