GYPSY...controversy?- Page 2

[alterego]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 10:15am

I still think it is crazy to say that any actress that is "qualified" to play the role of Rose should win a Tony. Why? Because she learnt the material and can do a good workmanlike performance of said material she should get an award? (I'm not referring to Peters here just any actress who is "qualified'" past, present or future). What u are saying could be applied to anyone. Does this mean that any actor who can handle the material for Sweeney Todd should win an award? Using your theory you'd have to say yes.

I would love to have seen Lansbury's Rose. I think she has the right balance of acting chops and vocals. Merman I like (vocally) but doubt that she would have had the dramatic skills. The reverse would probably apply for Tyne Daly. Bernadette can act but the nasal voice I find off putting. I would like to have seen Betty Buckley a couple of years ago at Paper Mill (?). Then of course there is the wish list...

[magruder]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 10:30am

I had subscribed to the idea that Merman couldn't have had the acting chops for Rose, largely due to the negative viewpoint of Laurents and Sondheim about her in respective biographies. Then, I heard a tape of Merman's performance. They're wrong and she's perfect. She's particularly devastating in the Minsky's dressing room scene, where she plays it unexpectedly, very quietly, with a wounded, childlike hurt. Throughout the performance, every joke is mined for all its worth, and she hits the heights with the dramatic, monstrous material as well. I can't imagine what else the authors could have wanted.

Lansbury must have been a great monster, but I wonder how she played Rose's more vulgar qualities. I'm sure she found a way.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 10:39am

I care even less than the press, Daisy. I was just illustrating a point.