GREAT Rose's

[jimmirae]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 8:35pm

I never hear too much about Betty Buckley on the subject of "Gypsy". She did it at Papermill and she was a great "Rose". Anyone else see it? Debbie Gibson was Louise/Gypsy too. Great Production, But Papermill usually puts on fabulous shows IMO.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 8:48pm

If you go on sondheim.com there's an interview with her, apparently many people say she's the best Rose. I never saw her but I have read many good things about her. My ultimate Rose (at the professional level I saw Daly when I was like 13 or 14, and Mrs.Peters a couple of years ago) is Bernadette Peters just because I believe-very much like LuPone did-Peters completely went in a different way from the originator of the role and she deserves props for that. Plus, Brantley loved every second of her performance.

[wherethehorizonlies]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 9:41pm

I saw the papermill production and loved it - thought betty was quite good although bernadette has my vote for best and the merm is always very close to my heart

and I hope to see patti who I bet will be fabulous

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 10:48pm

Ms.LuPone promises to be an ideal Rose, I don't think I'll like her as much as I loved Ms.Peters but I saw Gypsy 5 times in 2003 and she just changed my life so I have too deep a connection with that specific production. I have imagined LuPone in my head singing those songs.

[PJ]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 11:10pm

I've only heard "good" things about Betty's vocals in the show. I heard she was terrible in the book scenes.

[Pinaud]

Posted: 1/24/06 at 11:52pm

I thought Betty treated the character of Rose like Medea. I thought she had no charm and totally lost all the humor. I do have to admit, it was better than her first stab at the role at the CLO.

Posted: 1/25/06 at 10:20am

I saw Angela Lansbury,Dolores Gray,Tyne Daly,Jana Robbins,Linda Lavin,Lainie Kazan and Bernadette Peters.

My two favorites were Ann Sothern (I was a kid!) and Peter's stand-by the terribly underrated Maureen Moore. Both brilliant Roses.

I wish I'd seen Buckley. I have heard such diverse opinions.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 10:31am

I disliked Buckley in this role, and agree completely with Pinaud. She sang the role beautifully but was completely charm-free.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 10:31am

According to Dolores Gray, the best Rose ever was...

<------

...herself, Dolores Gray!

In Dolores's own words, "I was the only one who understood the PSYCHOLOGY!"

[bschneid76]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 10:43am

It would be hard to pick the best rose, I've gotten to see Bernadette Peters and she knocked my socks off. But I have seen the two films with Roz Russell (not the best singer but she acted the hell out of it) and Bette Midler (she added her own style to the role). I've heard all the recordings and still love Merman's the best, but Lansbury's is also terrific. It would be hard to choose.

[lildogs]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 10:51am

If I was just judging by cast albums, I'd vote Lansbury, but then again, I ALWAYS vote Lansbury.

Posted: 1/25/06 at 8:17pm

Pal Joey - I love the Dolores Gray quote! I thought she sang the hell out of it but she seemed like she was walking through it the night I saw it.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 6:46am

I would have loved to have seen Delores Gray and Ann Sothern! Who else has done it (Rose) in tours and stock?

[AngusN]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 1:40pm

Bette Midler is truly awful in the film. I have never watched it all the way though, she irritates the hell out of me. She overacts everything, it is so false. Urgh! It was one of the worst performances I have ever witnessed in my life.

[children&art]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 2:32pm

here is my list:

1. Angela Lansbury (her "Rose's Turn" is heartbreaking!)
2. Bernadette Peters
3. Rosalind Russell
4. Betty Buckley
5. Tyne Daly
6. Ethel Merman
7. Bette Midler

i imagine Patti will be either #2 or #3 after i hear or see her version & i would love in a couple of years to see Donna Murphy as Rose, she would rip up the joint!

Updated On: 1/26/06 at 02:32 PM

Posted: 1/26/06 at 9:28pm

Betty was wonderful at the Papermill's Gypsy. Rose's vocals were perfect!

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 9:47pm

I actually believe Donna Murphy is ready to play Rose, this role tends to go to older women but I've heard Andrea McArdle did it in Texas and although I'm not friends with anyone in Texas I think she has the appropriate age to play the role. So Murphy as Rose is an ideal choice, she would be one of the few actresses (including LuPone and Peters) to play this role that could sing and act the hell out of the role, and I wonder what choices she'd make. So Donna Murphy we are ready to see you on Broadway as Rose. This show should never stop running.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 9:58pm

NO WAY does Donna Murphy have the titanic belt needed to be Mama Rose.

If they ever cast Gypsy colorblind, i personally would love to see Tonya Pinkins take a shot at it.

I always find this question insanely difficult to answer, I think Merman has the best vocals (I REALLY hope to see Patti LuPone to see what she can do vocally). Overall, though, Peters. However, she's just slims above Lansbury, who's just slims above Midler.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 11:08pm

I'd have to disagree with you,inlovewithjerryherman. I have seen Donna Murphy in what I think are her three major Broadway roles, and she has an amazing voice, perhaps the roles she's taking do not require her to belt as much as Rose does, but I think she would surprise everyone. Just like with Peters, Rose is a role that would let Murphy show her great skills as both a dramatic actress and as a comic actress. Also, she would simply act the role like very few actresses have.
Another actress who is probably about Murphy's age who would do wonders with Rose is Ruthie Henshall. Her "Everything's Coming Up Roses" is good but I'm sure if she works with a good director and Sondheim himself, she could go from good to mind-blowing because her acting is impeccable.

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 1/26/06 at 11:36pm

I agree if they do Gypsy colorblind, Tonya Pinkins would be awesome. Lilias White could also blow the roof of with it.

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:11am

ooooohh, Lillias White as Rose, Yes!

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:33am

*bats eyes sweetly*