MAME REVIVAL!!! Needs to happen!

I have waited long enough!!! It's time for a MAME REVIVAL. And no. Not a stripped down concert production. A full blown flashy production!!! We need someone good to play MAME too. Call all Jane Krokowski, Jessie Mullers, Kristen Chenoweths, etc... This revival needs to happen fast. It should also play at a great theater. Something that screams old Hollywood like the Palace, Broadway, or Winter Garden. I can't believe a revival hasn't happened since 1983!!! And the last Jerry Herman show to play Broadway was the second revival of La Cage and the future whatever number revival of hello dolly is about to play, so I believe MAME deserves its chance too!!! Rant done. :)

Updated On: 8/18/16 at 12:17 PM

slumdogdelaware said: "...you should probably change the title of this thread.

I know...I got excited then "WHOOMP WHOOMP" set in.

I also agree about changing the title of this thread.

I enjoy this show a lot, despite the fact that it's rather dated. However, I can't think of an actress right now that has the right mix of star power, box office appeal, charisma, and talent to headline a commercial revival.

Since Ebersole will be busy for quite a while with WAR PAINT (we hope!), let's pull this one out for Bernadette! Can you imagine her singing If He Walked Into My Life?! Would be great, IMHO... And if it opens this season (just dreaming) she would compete with Bette for a Tony! Battle of the Herman leading ladies! :)

"Bernadette would SLAY "If he Walked Into My Life"!!!"

I think she might have slain it 15 years ago at the latest; at 68, her voice is, I believe, no longer sufficiently strong or flexible to sing and act this role even 6 times a week.

Don't you think Mame should pass for no older than 40, at least during Act I? And perhaps there would be no commercial Broadway revival unless the actress hired was a genuine star to more people than just a few thousand rabid musical theatre devotees? That said, here are thoughts about actresses suggested above:

Jane Krakowski - 47, somewhat well known, not a very strong voice, would be a rather trashy/sexy Mame;
Jessie Mueller - 33, good voice, difficult to glam up (as Clear Day showed), not much of a national star;
Kristen Chenoweth - 48, soprano not belter, terribly short, known to America primarily from supporting/bit roles;
Christine Ebersole - 63, soprano, not a star;
Christine Baranski - 64, belter/soprano, moderately well known, less a leading lady then character actress;
Christine Andreas - 64, soprano, not a star;
Bernadette Peters - 68, voice very delicate these days;
Donna McKechnie - 73, belting soprano, not a national star;
Patti LuPone - 67, still in great voice, short, stout, would be a sort of Long Island Mame;
Beth Leavel - 60, not famous;
Nancy Opel - 59, not famous;
Imelda Staunton - 60, slightly known to US audiences, generally plays frumpy/dowdy, but a terrific actress.

The last revival was considered a pretty big failure.

Believe it only lasted 40 or so performances with Lansbury in 1983.

Audra of course, duh. After she has her baby that is.

Ebersole played Mame at the Papermill many years ago, and was disappointing. Not even Kelly Bishop as her Vera couldn't save it. Maybe Catherine Zeta-Jones?

bebe neuwirth as Vera?

Maybe a real out of left field choice, like Amy Poehler, Jane Lynch, Toni Collette, Kristen Wiig, Amy Adams?

I enjoyed Ebersole as Mame more than most people did (but I was like...16 at the time), but she's too old now, and certainly wouldn't be able to headline a Broadway revival. Catherine Zeta-Jones is probably the most viable suggestion to come out of this thread thus far.

newintown said: "Maybe a real out of left field choice, like Amy Poehler, Jane Lynch, Toni Collette, Kristen Wiig, Amy Adams?



Why should Toni Collette, well known, much loved and highly acclaimed, Broadway credits, musical, Tony and Oscar nominated, and seemingly perfect for the role be considered "out of left field"?

Updated On: 8/18/16 at 03:39 PM