Replacing Bernadette as Rose in Gypsy- Page 2

[ShineOn]

Posted: 8/18/03 at 9:24pm

Oy, I don't know if Catherine or Jane have the pipes to pull off that show 8 times a week. Neither are belters and I don't know how Catherine's voice would fair 8 times a week on a stage in anything, let alone in a demanding role such as Mama Rose. Look at all the wear and tear it's done to Bernadette, a musical theatre veteran! Yes, yes... I know Catherine started out on the west end, but I still don't think she has the power behind her voice that is required for the role... nor does Jane, and I adore Jane.

Bebe has a very unique voice, but I think it would fit the role well and she is diverse and strong enough an actress to tackle the part, as well. I really want to see her play it now!

So, Bebe for the NEXT revival of Gypsy, and twenty years from now in the FOLLOWING revival, I say Emily tries her hand at the part! Now SHE would kick some little vaudevillian behind!

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/18/03 at 10:01pm

Daisy, who is the Jane you are speaking of?:)

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 12:00am

She's talking about Jane Krakowski; and I don't think she would ever be able to play that part....I do love Jane though. Catherine can defintely do it in a few years, like 10-15.

Imagine how much tickets would cost if Barbra did it. I would have to start saving now if she planned to do a Broadway show 5 years from now.

[DavidMegg]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 12:04am

With the talk of replacing BP...
Betty Buckley (although who knows if she would really be interested) didn't mind replacing Glenn Close in Sunset, and the show did quite well, and her reviews were great. Betty usually gets rave reviews with anything she does, and should she want and get the part... I imagine it would do well. One thing to think about is not necessarily who would be a great Rose, but who would fit into the mold of this particular production. Say Betty or Patti or whomever was cast in the first place... it would be an entirely different type of production. So with the way Sam Mendes did it (with a svelt, sexy, and petite Rose, I imagine the next person would be more like BP in manner and size, or else maybe it wouldn't work. Does that make sense?
:)

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 12:55am

Neither of the living authors of Gypsy liked Betty Buckley in the role when she did it at Paper Mill, so I would not expect her to pop up on the list as a replacement.

Also, Patti Lupone, oft mentioned here, alienated Laurents by not doing his play, Jolson Sings Again, so I don't think she'll be replacing Bernadette either.

[CJR]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 1:25am

One name -- Michele Pawk

That is all!

[Lorelai]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 2:24am

one more time.....when is bernadette's contract up? i haven't heard anything announced yet....

[QueenS]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 9:25am

During the '89 revival, as plans were being made to remake the movie, Arthur Laurents was quite vocal that Barbra (who had been wanting to play Rose in a new film version) would never get her hands on the property. So, that combined with the fact that she doesn't like to perform in public should eliminated anyone's hopes of seeing Babs take on the role.

Betty Buckley replaced BP in Song and Dance and one could argue that at that time Buckley was a bigger star then than she is now. However, box office dropped without BP and the show soon closed. And if the authors didn't adore her at Paper Mill, then I would assume that we won't be seeing her either.

One of the few names getting tossed around to replace Tyne Daly was Carol Burnett's, who I thought would be exceptional in the role. She had the voice, she had the dramatic acting ability and at that time, she was the perfect age. Now, though, I think that she may be slightly too old to go into THIS production.

I think that Michelle Pawk is a great actress and would love to see her take on the role. But she is not a big enough name to sell this show and it could be disastrous for the future of her career. She does not want to be known for having a show close soon after she took over. Producers will look back on that.

Bronte, I believe that BP signed a year contract, which would mean she could be leaving as early as April of next year. But she could always sign on to stay for longer.

[theatrediva10086]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:21am

I think that to replace Bernadette in this role is going to be a tough job. I mean, when she took on this role, everyone was surprised. She never seemed to be the Mama Rose type. Ethel Merman, Tyne Daly, Rosiland Russel were all big presances, and then there was diminuative (sp) Bernadette. Then she stepped on the stage, and took the world by storm, singing the role that most women would kill for.
I say give The Divine Miss Maureen a shot at headlining, as people now all know she is now capable of playing the role as she took over for Bernadette when she was ill.
I know some people here posting will kill me for giving comments on people and shows I have yet to see, but I thought I would give my "two-cents".

[alterego]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:22am

Arthur Laurents offered Streisand the role for the 1974 revival, she turned him down flat and took it as an insult. Pity.

I'd love to see Patti do it. Here is a thought, Melissa Manchester. She did the road tour of Song and Dance, then again Lorna Luft would be a pretty damn good Rose and she sing it better than any of the previous Rose's. Then if you want someone in a similar mold (to Peters) there is always Faith Prince but that really is too scary a thought.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:24am

I want to see Maureen as Rose SO badly! I've heard from so many friends that she is incredible.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:28am

Kathy Bates

Voice might take a little work before taking on the role

TWOGAAB
"A Class Act" will never die!

[Benzy92]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:33am

Guys-
The real Rose was only 19 i believe when she had Louise. So in the show, ROse isnt in her fiftys. She is much younger. In the beginning if this held truth to the real Rose she would be around 29 or 30 in the beginning. Towards the end she would have to be around 40 even a little older. Even though the Rose's are usually 50 doesnt mean they cant be younger. I think 40-45 is the perfect age.

[theatrediva10086]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:40am

exactly...
When I saw Bernadette on Regis and Kelly, she told a short story about the real Rose, and how she fit the role. She mentioned that the real Rose was actually a small woman. Most people must have been used to seeing a different type of actress in the role.

[alterego]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:49am

The real Rose also wore glasses. We haven't yet had a optically challenged Rose! Now that would be a new slant.

[moljul]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:50am

Actually the real Rose was only 16 when she had Louise. She was only 15 when she married Louise's father. And eerily, Rose and Louise were not only 16 years apart but died 16 years apart as well.

So technically Rose should be in her mid 20s at the beginning of the show but I don't think the character was ever written like that. She's already had three husbands, etc. She is a bit older than mid 20s. So while it doesn't quite go with the real life story, I still think Rose should be able to pass for early thirties at the beginning because she does have small children. I find Bernadette to be the perfect look. She can kind of pass for quite a bit younger at least for a few scenes and then she can look like she is in her 40s for the rest of the play.

[moljul]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:52am

LOL Well Bernadette does wear glasses so maybe we should campaign for her to wear them onstage to make this really realistic!

[alterego]

Posted: 8/19/03 at 10:57am

I'd still like to see Lorna Luft or Melissa Manchester follow BP. A few months ago Lorna Luft did a short season somewwhere as Rose. There are photo's on her website I recall.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 8/21/03 at 10:25am

Kathy Bates- interesting idea. She could work- but I agree...her voice does need a lot of work. She could definitely act the hell out of the role, and she is a lot less sexy than BP, so she could make the role her own.
However, I think the best choice mentioned is Bette Midler. We already kow she could sing and act the role, and it would be a thrill for many to see her live on Broadway. She is a star, and tickets would definitely sell, since so many people are worried aboutt he shwoc losing. This is a wonderful revival, and I want it to say- Bette, I think, would be the best choice. Sorry, but Michelle Pawk, as much as I love her, is not enough of a name.

[magruder]

Posted: 8/21/03 at 10:30am

No one has mentioned Glenn Close. A flawless singer she's not, but she has an instrument, the songs are in her chest range, plus, she would act the hell out of the role. In fact, I can just imagine her being the scariest Rose ever.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 8/21/03 at 10:35am

Brilliant casting, magruder. I agree. She may, quite possibly, be a bigger name than Midler,a nd she can sing and definitely act. I would love if either of these actresses took over the role.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 8/21/03 at 11:10am

I recently heard through the grape vines that after Bette Midler's "Kiss My Brass" tour is over, and Bernadette's contract is up, Bette is slated to take over. I don't know how reliable my source is, and I could have sworn that Arthur Laurents did not like Bette? but if it's true, then I will be one of the happiest people alive.

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 8/21/03 at 12:12pm

Haha Christine, if Barbra was going to "replace" Bernadette, I couldn't even start now saving to see her!

[PJ]

Posted: 8/21/03 at 5:58pm

20 years w/ Bebe? Won't she be a little, um...long in the tooth to play Rose? She'd be around 65 in 20 years. She was born in 1958 for cryin' out loud.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/21/03 at 6:00pm

two words

PATTI LuPONE

put the fiesty redhead back on the stage where she belongs! Updated On: 8/21/03 at 06:00 PM