Rose's Turn (Bernadette Tonys)- Page 2

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 8:22am

I loathed Bette in the tv version - too over the top and badly directed. When Bernadette has the beginning of her breakdown near the end of the number, it actually leaves you in tears. Bette's version just left me cold and uncaring.

[alterego]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 8:46am

This topic has been put through the ringer here time and time again, how long before someone says she was robbed of the Tony (again)?

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 8:53am

Oh, I couldn't care less who got the Tony that year, I just happen to think she performs the role flawlessly.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 9:06am

I had the priviledge to see Bernie live in the show and think her performance of the number for the Tony's that year was spectacular. She was brilliant in the role. She should have had the Tony- especially over Winnokur. Blah.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 9:11am

The best post-Merman Rose (IMHO) was Lansbury. Her Rose's Turn was a complete musical nervous breakdown right on stage... she was riveting.

And she DID win the Tony.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 9:11am

Well, to start with, this is "Rose's Turn Lite," since she's only doing HALF the marathon on the Tony telecast. This is such a drastic cut-down from the full number, it's hard to tell if she can really go the distance and keep up the intensity and the emotion... not to mention her voice.

She pulls it off wonderfully on this telecast, but according to friends who saw her do it, she did NOT reach this level in the show, and singing the entire number.

Still, it's one hell of an abbreviated version of Roses' Turn, I'll give you that.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 9:21am

She reached it when I saw it. As someone who wasn't expecting much of her Rose, I was completely enthralled from the minute she ran down the aisle to her curtain call.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 9:34am

I thought Peters was very good as Rose, and I expected that from her. I admire her talent, but there was not the fire Tyne had. I've only seen Russell, Tyne, Bette, Buckley and Peters. I had to go back to see Tyne I was so blown away, while I dont even listen to Peters'. When I want to hear Gypsy, I listen to Lansbury.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 9:47am

The problem with Bernadette Peters is that, even at her age, she usually comes across as a child dressed up in her mother's clothing. She didn't start out that way but somewhere along the line took a wrong turn. I see Kristin Chenoweth on the same road.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 9:55am

I disagree, Tom.

And doodle, I found Bernadette to be a more dimensional Rose than Tyne. Tyne kind of barrelled her way through most of it - she was FANTASTIC - but Bernadette found more levels.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 10:21am

I humbly disagree. I didnt see the dimensions in Peters' portrayal. I found no spark between Rose and Herbie, while Tyne and Harady had fire. While Tyne may have barreled, I liked her Rose in in that production. I didnt fall in love with Rose or quite understand her with Peters. I didnt like her much. There needs to be a reason to like her. I had the same trouble with Bette...and I truly hated Rose the way Buckley portrayed her.

[rosekwbp]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 10:26am

I was lucky enough to see Bernadette in Gypsy twice. It was a flawless performance both times. I saw it right after in opened and a few months before it closed. Both times Rose's Turn left me in tears.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 10:29am

Dossett was a limp rag in that role - can't blame Peters for not having chemistry with that. Hadary was a definitive Herbie. The Mendes GYPSY was incredibly poorly cast except for Peters and the strippers, so she had a harder row to hoe than Daly, who was surrounded by the perfect company.

I found Bette excruciating to watch - she didn't have a handle on the character at all. And I didn't see Buckley.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:06am

I agree about Dossett, tho I did like Blanchard's Gypsy. I find her a compelling actress. I didnt like Moore's Gypsy and my favorite was Gibbs in Midler's version (also hated her Herbie, whatsisname.)

I never doubt your opinion, Rath, so maybe it's apples and oranges here...but to me, not enough from Peters to understand her motivation, and Tyne made me want to follow her into vaudeville stripping...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:12am

I was very disappointed in Blanchard's Gypsy, as I have admired her in other roles. I didn't think she found Louise within herself at all.

Yes, Midler's Herbie (Peter Riegert) was useless as well. It's a fine line between meek and personality-less.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:16am

Exactly. I really think Herbie's motivation is key in the show. Why would anyone ruin his life like that? Because Rose is so convincing and charismatic...not because he's a doormat.
Anyway (not anyways!) Bernie was my second favorite...tho I never saw Lansbury. That is one perf. I'd sell my kidney to see.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:23am

I'm pretty sure you didn't see Merman...

I have only seen Daly (dozens of times as I worked on that production), her standby Jana Robbins (also many times) - who was wonderful - Midler, and Peters.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:29am

Rath;
I found Bernadette to be poorly cast and horrendous in the role. I had to see it a few times during the run because of clients.. and she was always in poor voice. Tynes was my favorite.. And lets not even discuss poor Linda Lavin.

Jonathan hadary was wonderful. He made the role ito a three dimensional being. Something I have never seen anyone else do with the role. Bettes version is just painful to watch. ( and I do love my Bette)

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:32am

Correct, I wasnt born in time to see the Merm...close tho, too close!

Lansbury's is looms so large in my imagination.

I love Jana Robbins, and think she is one of those many unsung talents (like you Rath...like most of us!)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:38am

I saw Peters toward the end of the run, Dame, and she happened to be in glorious voice then.

And Lavin - there are no words. She knew she was horrible - she hardly ever even showed up to work.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:43am

I always felt bad for Lavin. Someone defaced her picture in the front of the theater and carved the word "bad" over it. It was like that for a while.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:44am

She did that herself.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:48am

Oh my god your kidding!

Did she not improve at all?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:49am

Of course I'm kidding.

And she didn't play the role enough to improve. Seriously, she'd call out on a Wednesday or Thursday, and everyone knew she'd be out through Sunday. That happened many weeks.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 12:00pm

I thought Bernadette was extraordinary - one of the best performances I've ever seen, hands down.

I hated Tammy Blanchard.

I didn't care for Bette Midler...she had good moments, but the direction was so poor. If she had a better director, there's no doubt that she would have been atleast suitable.