How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Joined: 12/31/69
#1How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 1:44pmIn case you hadn't noticed.....she's black!
#2How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 1:46pmShe's also 71. Great Grandmama Rose.
#3How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 2:26pmProbably by going onstage, performing and getting paid.
"Through The Sacrifice You Made, We Can't Believe The Price You Paid..For Love!"
#4How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 2:27pmShe also looks younger than Patti LuPone, so I think she'll be just fine.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#5How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 2:56pmAre we still working ourselves over this. Theater is about creativity and stretching the boundries. She is FREAKING LESLIE UGGUMS! She can do what the hell she wants.
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
#6How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 2:57pmYeah! She can eat a human baby on stage because she's FREAKING LESLIE UGGUMS!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#7How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 3:02pmSo are we supposed to just ignore her being black? Or pretend there were black people in burlesque back in the 1800's when Gypsy was set? What about Louise and June- I suppose THEY are black too?
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#8How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 3:04pmNope, Joe, one is Chinese and the other will be Swedish. Just specifically to mess with everyone's heads.
#9How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 3:04pmHaven't you heard: Black don't crack.
Showface
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/14
#10How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 3:34pm
"So are we supposed to just ignore her being black? Or pretend there were black people in burlesque back in the 1800's when Gypsy was set? What about Louise and June- I suppose THEY are black too?"
First, Gypsy was set in the 20th Century, not the 19th.
Second, racism is not a theme in Gypsy, so why not have a legendary African-American performer play the legendary role of Mama Rose? You should not judge before you even see it.
Also, I think Baby June and Louise are going to be black as well.
You should see it...maybe you'll enjoy it! 
Updated On: 7/6/14 at 03:34 PM
#11How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 3:35pm
"Or pretend there were black people in burlesque back in the 1800's when Gypsy was set?"
Really?
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
#12How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 3:40pmYou guys didn't know the show takes place in 1802? And you call yourselves theater folk!
#13How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 3:55pm
I'm sorry
1800's?
Wow
Updated On: 7/6/14 at 03:55 PM
#14How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 4:00pmYep! It takes place from 1776 - 1802.
Showface
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/14
#15How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 4:06pm
^ Oh! Now I remember! Didn't George Washington have a solo? I think it was called "America's Turn". Just kidding! But seriously, I can't wait to see her performance!
Updated On: 7/6/14 at 04:06 PM
#16How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 4:22pmtroll...
"Through The Sacrifice You Made, We Can't Believe The Price You Paid..For Love!"
#17How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 4:55pmI really hope she refers to Baby June as Baby JOAAAAAAAAAN!!!!
#18How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 4:57pm
There have been some song changes...
"When Momma Get A Baby Daddy"
"Everythang Be Coming Up Dem Roses"
"Rose's Turn It Out"
"Let My Ass Entertain Y'All"
The changes were made to suit the 1800s motif more.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
Showface
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/14
#19How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 5:00pm
^Are any of those songs rap?
But seriously, she will do a great job in the role!
Updated On: 7/7/14 at 05:00 PM
#20How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 5:05pm
I enjoy the music of the 1800's
it has a pleasant beat
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#21How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 5:20pmWhen was it then? I know it was a long time ago- long before blacks could enter show biz.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#22How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 5:23pmGreat! Another director who thinks he needs to make a "statement." What we need are brave directors who aren't afraid to cast white actresses!
#23How can Leslie Uggums play Mama Rose?
Posted: 7/6/14 at 5:23pm
It's not important to the story so it doesn't matter what race she is
Also blacks were allowed in showbiz
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
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