My thoughts on casting the next Mama Rose.....

[BenjaminBraddock]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 3:42pm

Hi-
Believe me, I don't want to see Bernadette go anywhere any time soon....!! But as time goes by and if she does not extend her contract for further performances, a replacement will be needed, if the show decies to stay open (which I hope it does). My thoughts on casting the next Mama Rose, would be (not in any particular order):

Rue Maclanahan: From the "Golden Girls"....although she may be a little too old (I am unaware of her age), she did do "The Women" not to long ago, so you never know. I think as far as "this" production of Gypsy, as far as Mama Rose being played sexier, etc, etc,...Rue has what it takes and she is both a good comedic actress as well as a dramatic one.

Louise Pitre: Although I didn't see her in "Mamma Mia!" when I saw the show, I have heard and seen her perfom (on tv) and she does have a name for herself because of MM!....and she is age appropriate!!

Diana Ross: This is not my "original" casting, but I have heard of this casting idea...which I think she might do well in (think of that VH1 tv-movie with Brandy). She is older (looks good) and she has talent, make no mistake about that! To put her in the role (not to be racial), there could be an "all black cast" (like Pearl Bailey in "Hello Dolly!"). If not all of the cast, atleast, the central characters (this too was suggested on ATC). I support Ross in Gypsy all the way.

Christine Ebersole: Love her.....she can be dramatic.... as well as funny. I saw her in Mame at Paper Mill and she was wondeful. Her funny self ofcourse, but very "versatile " (as the song goes).

Bette Midler: Last but not least. To see Bette in any Broadway show, would be great, let alone in Gypsy. I have enjoyed the (tv) movie of Gypsy that she made (starred in). But I am not sure how I like her voice with the music (some say she is like Merman...please don't start a thread on this notion...thanks!). Then again, ( I am not against her in this role, just not "crazy" (in a good way) about this idea) on stage and live is different and she has what it takes. I would pay to see her in the show, most definitley.

These are my ideas, thanks for listening!

Benjamin Braddock

Updated On: 8/25/03 at 03:42 PM

[moljul]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 4:02pm

Rue at 69 years of age is MUCH too old to play Rose and does she even have that strong of a singing voice?

[orion59]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 4:13pm

What about Debra Monk?

If there were to be a black cast or just a black woman in that role, instead of Diana Ross, I would go with Lilias White. Lilias has a much more powerful voice and is mainly a stage actress.

Betty Buckley?

Maybe Chita Rivera. I think this would be interesting casting. I'd love to see what she would do with the role.

Raquel Welch might be a possibility. She certainly has the attitude and personality but I'm not sure about the voice.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 4:14pm

Susan Lucci??



:laughs while ducking to avoid playbills being thrown at head::

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 4:36pm

I think Michelle Pawk will be the next likely candidate. However, if Broadway continues its stunt star casting, expect to see Rosie O'Donnell trying to croak out Rose's Turn.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 4:37pm

well...... Rose was known for same sex flings.


How about Anne Heche. lol.

[tpdc]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 4:51pm

As much as I like Monk and Pawk, a GYPSY revival needs a big name on Broadway. Linda Lavin couldn't keep the last revival running after Tyne Daly left.

[nycgirl]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 6:12pm

Really what i think is they NEED a new Mama Rose. I am probably the only one in the world that thinks this but, in my opinion Bernadette Peters is just annoying.....she sounds like a smoker when she sings? I mean she is powerful and can belt but I cant really understand why anyone would go to a show just to see her? that is just my opinion though. Im sorry for disturbing anyone's feeling i just thought i might post this. I would defenitly eventually go see the show but no while Bernadette Peters is is in it. Although one good thing about her....SHE IS WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY BETTER THAN ETHEL MERMAN!!!!!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 6:14pm

I know some people whose feelings will be disturbed by that, defenitly.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 6:21pm

yeah, Orion, i would have liked to have seen Buckley do it at Papermill or Goodspeed or wherever the hell she did. Rumor has it a studio recording of her singing the score is coming out soon. She has the vocal power and acting range for it, and appears the right age. i also think she could keep it open (box-office name) on Broadway, but chances are she would not follow Bernadette. And most anecdotes about her personality don't suggest she would adapt to a director's vision for the piece, but you never know...

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 11:29pm

I do like the Christine Ebersole idea. She is a phenomenal singer, and she can act the role, and she is hysterical as well. She would be great.

Posted: 8/25/03 at 11:44pm

Not that she would....
but what about someone like Linda Eder (or is she too young)
She can prove she can sing the songs

also if she was a we younger she would have made a fabulous Funny Girl.


okay so here is a name -- PIA ZADORA

(ducks as to be fearful of whatever is thrown)

but why not...she is not that old and it would be a neat comeback for her of sorts. And I do have one of her cd's and it is not terrible terrible.

[CJR]

Posted: 8/25/03 at 11:47pm

I vote for Michele Pawk as the next Mama Rose. Yes, I know I say it ALL the time, but I will keep saying it till I see it happen lol She was slated to be standby in the beginning.....

[GottaGimmick]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:30am

Catherine Zeta Jones would be amazing in my opinion! :)

[CJR]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:35am

CZJ would demand TOO much money a performance

[GottaGimmick]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:36am

Good point... :) But she would be good...

[alterego]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 2:35am

My choices, Lorna Luft or Melissa Manchester. Two great voices who can both act. About the same age as the old girl playing it now.

Bernadette better than Ethel ? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. You best get your head examined.

[PJ]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 11:14am

I say Liza or Glenn Close.

Posted: 8/26/03 at 12:06pm

No response to la PIA?

[Thetruth]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:03pm

I'm all for Lilias White! I swear I was thinking the same thing. She's got it boy. On a side note..does anybod know what Lilias is up to anyway? I havnt heard too much about her recently and I can't seem to locate her site. Thanx

[bongoboy]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:14pm

Jon,

Pia would be great...but only if they wrote in an extra scene where she's assaulted by a garden hose.

[tpdc]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:37pm

I thought Pawk was offered Tessie but she declined it as they had already hired Maureen Moore to standby for Bernadette. Pawk would have taken Tessie if she got to cover Rose. As she got to create a role in a Sondheim show, I'd guess she's not too upset about not being Bernadette's standby.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:43pm

I say the show closes with Bernadette and the next time it is revived it should be Christina Agulara when she is 55! Let's put this show away for a while. I love it too, but my god, how long will it go on?

[Sonofmamamiasam]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:51pm

Sueleen, my divine pet, you are oh so correct. But, don't you think that Ruben would make the perfect Rose?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/26/03 at 1:59pm

ROSE BOWL FLOAT, MAYBE!!