GYPSY REVIVAL QUESTION

No, the Production was not planned before she was involved. Arthur Laurents had wanted her in this role for years; She finally said yes. As far as I know, she was the only sure thing they had for the show bfore they started the Production process. I don't even think Sam Mendes was involved before her, but I could be wrong.

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Both Liza Minnelli and Shirley Maclaine, among others, had made it known that they wanted to do the show. Both of them "auditioned" by putting SOME PEOPLE in their concert tours over the years.

Mr. Laurents only had one person in mind for the part. What Mr. Laurents wants...Mr. Laurents gets. La Peters has shown that his faith in her was more than justified.

PJ as for Liza not being able to sing the show, well you might have a point, but neither can Bernie! Didja see the Tony's? She was so hoarse and I was afraid she wouldn't make it through. Instead of relaxing and enjoying her powerful performance i Was cringing and praying her voice wouldn't give out.

As for Patti LuPone. I had hoped they would pick her for Rose. But I am glad Mendes wanted Patti first off. That's good enough for me. And in my opinion if Patti was Rose she wouldv'e won the Tony over Marrissa.

I think the reason why Bernie didn't win the tony was because she was so inconsistant with her performaces. One day she'd be great the next, so-so. She also needed warming up to the character as the show started.

I mean think if it this way. Rose is one of the hardest and most complicated, sought after role besides Evita, and mostly every woman whose played her has been hailed to acclaim or won the Tony. But Bernie lost out to a bubble gum bopper musical with a cute girl with a squeaky voice and high energy, over the monstrous Mama Rose? Well then Bernie's doing something wrong, and Marissa's doing something right.

i just think anyone who plays Rose correctly is a shoe in for the Tony, no questions asked, UNLESS that woman was up against an Evita.

Gee, Rob, then Merman must not have known what she was doing, since she didn't win for her Rose either.

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Ever hear that Tyne Daly took 4-5 months on the road to find HER Rose, and was almost fired in the process? Merman broke her Rose in out of town, Lansbury did it first in London and on the road, and Daly toured for about 8 months before coming into town. Bernadette had to iron out her performance in front of the most miserable hateful audiences in the world - the New York preview community. Her illness didn't help her cause either, but regardless of not winning, it certainly doesn't negate the performance she's currently giving eight times a week.

There would be absolutely nothing wrong with Lupone doing the role (apart from Laurents' objections to her), but her Rose would most likely be cut from the Merman mold. It has been interesting to see a different take on the character, thanks to Bernadette's efforts and Mendes' stewardship.

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Moljul and Magruder, I agree with everything you've written. I enjoyed Daly in the role but I thought Bernadette's Rose is a fresh and riveting take. I like Lupone but suspect she, like Daly and probably Liza, would be working from the Merman tradition. What's great about this production is the drastically different approach to Rose which brings so many new colors to the show. With a different type of Rose, Louise comes off differently as well. That's also due to Tammy Balnchard's equally fresh and interesting performance. Daly has been very honest in interviews about GYPSY. She said she found her Rose only in previews in NY after a long pre-broadway tour. She got terrible reviews here in Washington. I thought she was uneven but when she got something right, she was great (like Everything's Coming Up Roses and Rose's Turn). As you say Rob, Rose is a monster role and it takes an actress time to capture all of it. Bernadette was in fine voice when I saw her. But it's not her singing of the big three songs that defines her Rose, it's all those wonderful moments of great acting all night long that makes her Rose unforgettable. You should see her.

I think it takes all actors a while to get into their role...no matter what it is. Broadway, tv, movies, it takes time to become comfortable in a role. Like others mentioned, unfortunately Bernadette had to find her way in the role in front of a new york audience on broadway.

Did you see Merman and Lansbury in the role? I did, and I'm here to tell you that Merman stills owns the role lock, stock, and barrel. She may not have been as great an "actress" as Lansbury, but she was ten times the "performer" (this is not to criticize Lansbury, just to assert that Merman's style was more powerful in the role of Rose). As for Tyne Daly, Rosalind Russell, and Bette Midler, fuhgeddabout it. It's La Merm all the way! (Haven't seen Peters yet; doubt that I will after enduring her vocal problems on the Tony award show).

this production of GYPSY was mounted to star Bernadette Peters.

Luckily, her mesmerising and brilliant performance on the Tony awards has been heralded by columnists and theater folk worldwide.

people are still talking about the thrill of that performance and i have viewed it now many times.

how "right on" it was to feature Rose's Turn(although it was an abbreviated version) on the Tonys.

This performance of Bernadette Peters doing Rose's Turn has already reached legendary status and I hope Ms. Peters continues to create those wonderful goosebumps and thrill theatergoers with her special magic.

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