Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?- Page 3

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:48pm

She was also great in Lincoln's production of A NEW BRAIN

[Kad]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:49pm

I didn't get to see it, but "There Will Be a Miracle" is one of my favorite songs from a musical.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 9:57pm

You guys are yungins. You want dramatic Testa? Go back to In Trousers. She helped William Finn shape the music for that.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 10:32pm

And FIRST LADY SUITE, MARIE CHRISTINE, ON THE TOWN, LUCKY STIFF, THE KNIFE, CHICAGO and MARILYN.
She has worked with most of the up and coming and legendary Theatre writers because she is that rare combination of Actress/Singer/Commedian.

The right part will come along, Vicky Clark had to wait some years also.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:23am

Two words:
Pay. Check.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:35am

When Testa was announced for GUYS + DOLLS I just assumed she would be the ADELAIDE cover - perhaps even doing matinees - with an un-tested leading lady (Graham) in the role.

I eagerly anticpated catching her tear the roof off the theatre - SADLY - she's not covering the role. But I agree with Foster - she would be terrific.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 12:54am

I actually really like Gothampc's idea for Nunsense. I happen to love the show and think the suggested casting is kind of genius. And as for why Testa is part of the show, I choose either divine intervention or a paycheck. Probably the latter. But to tell you the truth I can't imagine her in any other role for what is currently playing on Broadway. Other than the suggestion of her as Adelaide (heaven knows that would have been a million times better than what passes for a performance 8 shows a week at the Nederlander), I can't picture her in any other role for what's currently playing. Can anyone else? I mean Shrek, Next to Normal, Hair, August, Blithe Spirit...none of those seem to have parts that would suit her talents. Just my opinion though.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 2:08am

CSononBroadway wrote: "Faith Prince was also older when she played the role...and it worked perfectly!"

Faith Prince was 34 when that production opened. Mary Testa is 53, (Btw, she was 36 when the Zaks revival opened. She's older than Faith Prince.) Lauren Graham will be 42 in a couple of weeks.

I'm always amazed when people ask questions like that of the OP's. Mary Testa would rather be working and getting a paycheck than not working and getting no paycheck. She's not a name. Producers and directors are not beating down her door and pleading, "Please star in my next show!"

I'm not sure saying it's just the money (though the health insurance may also be a factor). Some actors surely also think, "It's good for me to continually be flexing my performance muscles, even in a small role, than to let them get rusty. And it's just better to be seen than not seen."

But ultimately Testa is probably not in a position to pick and choose her roles. I'm sure she'd rather have a better role in some other show, but this is what she has.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 2:25am

And have NONE of you heard the old adage: There are no small roles, only small actors?

I don't see the big deal. MOST aspiring to B'way acting just want to be a working actor...period. She's doing just that! What's WRONG with accepting a "small role"? What kind of leading parts are being written for actors of her age and type?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 9:41am

"Two words:
Pay. Check."

Actually four words:
Pay. Check.
Health. Insurance.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 10:09am

I am simply bewildered by the hate for Mary Testa here and on ATC and Datalounge.

She is consistently entertaining, a gifted comic actor with a booming voice and a seldom-used by finely tuned capacity for pathos.

What's to hate? Her outsize persona? Certainly it's no more outsize than male comic actors like Nathan Lane or Harvey Fierstein.