New Birdie Buzz

[The Insider]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:19pm

There's a Roundabout buzz on
David Hyde Pierce and Bebe Neuwirth as Albert and Rosie for the upcoming Birdie.

[little_sally]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:28pm

Isn't Bebe too old?

[lakezurich]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:30pm

In actuality yes, she is a bit old, but it all depends on how young of a person she can be convincing as.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:30pm

They BOTH seem a bit old for the roles. But I think it can definitely work. I've always wondered how Bebe would be as Rosie. Though her lack of Spanish-ness will definitely not make some people happy on here.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:31pm

I just saw Bebe in concert about a month ago. The woman looks incredible, and I was in the third row. I would totally buy her as Rosie.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:31pm

I would lyke heart Eydenna Menzel as the Rosie chick and lyk totes Eden 4 that Kimm ladyyyy.

Idina Menzel.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 12:33am

David Hyde Pierce would be INCREDIBLY adorable and perfect as Albert. I would totally buy it.
I don't know why Bebe Neuwirth gets to play all these roles that have a sort of Latina-ness to them: Lola, Aurora/Spider Woman... now Rosie? I mean, she's fabulous, yes, but how great would it be to have an actual Spanish Rose in the role? Oh well, I do love me some Bebe, though lately I feel she has become a bit mannered.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 1:12am

2 words:

Andrea Burns,
Bebe is too old and too non-ethnic.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 3:22am

Well, if they are going for David Hyde Pierce and Bebe Neuwirth, I assume they are going for big names. As talented as Andrea Burns is, she is no name. Actually, sadly enough I can't think of a Latina actress with the triple-threat skills to match Neuwirth's that is a solidified star. Unfortunately, this will keep being the case as long as the minimal number of Latina/o characters in musicals keep being monopolized by non-Latin performers.
How great would it have been to see a young post-CHORUS LINE play Rosie.
How about Rosie Perez? Doubt that she can dance to save her life, but she would be a riot.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 5:29am

And I'm pretty sure we don't want to hear her sing, either.

In some ways, I think an older Albert/Rosie could definitely work: that REALLY makes him a mama's boy and would totally magnify Rose's frustration.

Could be fun...I'd try to catch it.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 7:58am

Opposite David Hyde Pierce, Bebe is not too old. The problem is, as Curtain pointed out, she's too non-ethnic. Rosie is Hispanic.

But I've heard from a few places that Pierce will be in one of the MTC shows, so who's to say?

[figaroindy]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 8:13am

Ummm, seriously people - Albert is supposed to be older - after all, he's built this business after he was going to become an English Teacher. And Bebe's in great shape. Read the script, Rosie's only "Spanish-ness" is her name - Alvarez. She makes a crack about that, because she was born in "Allentown, PA."

"Spanish Rose" is a joke about her trying to BE Spanish in order to "live up" to Albert's mother's comments.

[MethodActor]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 8:19am

Yeah, I've always taken her as a relatively "american-ized" non-ethnic character.

TOGETHER I think the pair could work.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 8:22am

The role of Rosie was written for Chita Rivera.

It was specifically written to be played by a Latina actress.

The inclusion of the song "Spanish Rose" was because Rosie was supposed to be played by a Latina.

David Hyde Pierce is enough of a name. Besides, it's a non-profit production. It's not like it's going to be a long, open-ended run. One name is enough to sell the show.

And honestly, outside of Broadway, Bebe is a nobody (yes, people know her from CHEERS, but they couldn't put her real name with her face to save their lives).

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 9:12am

I believe the lyric is "All right, Rose, I'll BE Spanish!"

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 9:35am

Uh Rosie Perez was a choreographer for the Fly Girls on In Living Color, I am pretty sure she can dance ray.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 9:40am

Bebe is a 2 time Tony winner and 2 time Emmy winner. I'm sure more people would recognize her her than a no name like Andrea Burns (no offense to her).

I think they can make her look Spanish enough. Hell she can pass for Spanish a hell of a lot better than Karen Ziemba.

I think there's a SPANISH ROSE substitute song for non-spanish Roses. I'm pretty sure Ann Reinking used it even though she did perform SPANISH ROSE for a while.

Anyway I doubt they would cut SPANISH ROSE, and they shouldn't. Lets just hope they add the movie (remake) songs including the title song medley (also from the movie).
Updated On: 5/1/08 at 09:40 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 9:44am

Andrea Burns ALL. THE. WAY.

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 9:44am

Making her Broadway debut as Rosie will be Jennifer Lopez. I'd buy a ticket.

[robbiej]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 9:55am

Actually, the line of dialogue PJ is quoting is actually, 'Alright, Mae, I'll be Spanish.'

And I vote Lopez.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 10:01am

Shall we start to guess which SA kids will play Kim/Hugo? Just saying...

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 10:02am

I would LOVE to see Jennifer Lopez do it.

Who will direct this?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 10:03am

Hopefully NOT Kathleen Marshall. Dear God.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 10:04am

I'm not very familiar with this show. So is it that Rose really is spanish, or that everyone thinks she is?

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 10:08am

I was just thinking that, Foster.

How about Casey Nicholaw?