Joyce Dewitt as Mama Rose

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:31am

Wow. I feel sad for missing what is bound to be a, well, interesting evening of theatre.


Dewitt as Mama Rose

[JustABernieFan]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:33am

I liked her on Three's Company but I had no idea she can sing.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:34am

I'm not quite sure she can...

[JustABernieFan]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:37am

Where is this, in CA?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:38am

Pennsylvania.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:39am

I think it was at Bucks County. Someone posted something about this on the other board and said she was quite good.

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:39am

I saw this last weekend. She was at times, nearly brilliant.
Her Mama Rose was at times sexy, fearless and a terrible monster.
I was really suprised, the Act One finale of 'Everythings Coming Up Roses' was thrilling. Truly.

Production value was of course very low, but the most was done with both the staging and ensemble. The entire production once again proves what a wonder GYPSY is as a musical.

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:45am

I was there, as well.

Ms. Dewitt is, above all else, quite an affecting actress. She has a darling figure and quite a bit of physical grave, both of which she uses to her advantage. Vocally, she's not a powerhouse. She hits the notes and is hardly ever off-pitch. But she doesn't have (yet) the command of the music to really sail through the whole show.

As Eddie said, her Everything's Coming Up Roses was a revelation. Her Rose's Turn could be as well. What she (and every actress) needs for this role is a terrific, strong director. There are moments that need more exploration and others that are emotionally extravagant that could be more focused. But she was nothing if not a true professional who threw herself headlong into this mammoth role. With a bit of vocal coaching and a helping hand in building the character arc, she could be a first rate Rose.

A pleasant surprise, for sure.

And that Everything's Coming Up Roses...wow.

[JustABernieFan]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:45am

Hmm, that's something I would not have expected from her. I wish it was here so I can go see it. Gypsy is my all-time favorite musical, and whenever I hear it's in town ( college production, etc) I'd do my best to make the performance. I think I've read last year in the Sondheim Magazine that it is played quite possibly over than 100 times every year, from college productions to local theatres.

Updated On: 9/30/05 at 11:45 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 12:01pm

Yeah, I was hoping for another Betty Buckley in SONG IN DANCE (i.e. disaster) but friends who saw DeWitt in GYPSY said she was pretty great, and really deserves another go in a first rate production.

I'm not quite sure how Joyce DeWitt's name became instant parody. I mean there have been countless other actors who had one hit sitcom and did "nothing" else afterwards. DeWitt just seems to be the postergirl of C list celebrity. A shame perhaps.

[SMiller]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 12:02pm

I would love to see this. Are there any press or promo clips of her?

SMiller

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 12:03pm

I think she got her weird reputation from all the bitter interviews she has given post-Three's Company.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 12:04pm

Admire her tenacity and talent. Like Sally Struthers, she's getting work. I hear both are terrific onstage. As a serious theater fan, i will no longer giggle when their names are associated with a show.

Updated On: 9/30/05 at 12:04 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 12:10pm

I've seen Struthers on stage as well (well...in a rehearsal hall) and she's quite terrific.

Dewitt was always my favorite on the show on THREE'S COMPANY. I always found Sommers cloying and pretty terrible. Great tits though, so, of course, she became famous.

I think THREE'S COMPANY did make her bitter. There was a lot of bullsh*t involved with that show and it took a toll. But she gave a curtain speech after GYPSY that was thoroughly heartfelt and quite moving. I hope she does more stage and gets to do some work here in NYC.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 1:16pm

I am not surprised she is good in this role. She was always too cartoonish in 3s C...which I think could work for her onstage.

Perhaps she can be put on the same Mama Morton/Miss Lynch circuit that Miss Struthers is on.

[Di2]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 2:03pm

I love Joce DeWitt and have always missed seeing her in the public forum. SHe is a terrific actress and I am so happy for her.

Unfortunately, the only production I have ever seen of GYPSY was a horrific one with the Mama Rose doing nothing but yelling for 2 hours so the show left a very bad taste in my mouth.

I should see it again and give it another shot.

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 2:18pm

And she's got great L'Eggs!


Sorry, had to do it.

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 2:28pm

She sure does!!!

Updated On: 9/30/05 at 02:28 PM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 2:33pm

I remember a takeoff of that commercial on SCTV with Andrea Martin coming out in that outfit...

" Hi...I'm Joyce DeHalfWitt..."

hee hee!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 3:37pm

I have family in Bucks County who have been to see the production. All have said that she is surprisingly good in the role. Go figure.

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 4:17pm

I saw it on Sat as well. I went expecting a train wreck and was very surprised. She was excellent. Her neice however, as louise was not.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 4:19pm

Somewhere, Suzanne Somers is crying on her thighmaster...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 4:24pm

Somers would make a great Dainty June.

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 4:26pm

Wow! Nice to read the good notices on her performance. She was also my favorite on 3's Company.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 6:34pm

Wow! Is all I can say.

Wow! Joyce DeWitt was terrific as Momma Rose. She was thrilling, exciting, driven, an affection mom, and worked her butt off. I was so pleased to have had the opportunity to see her in this. And, no question about it, GYPSY is a masterpiece of the American musical.

Wow! I didn't know so many BWW'ers were in the audience last Saturday. Should we start wearing something that identified us when we go to the theatre--like red hats?