Roses That Never Were

Judy is the correct answer. She should've done the film. I think she would've been definitive.

Georgeanddot2 said: "Judy is the correct answer. She should've done the film. I think she would've been definitive."

Absolutely correct. Unfortunately, for as good as the movie is, Rosalind Russel's performance doesn't quite do it for me and her Rose's Turn is disappointing. I can imagine Judy in it, and it could have been a triumph. (It would also have been a much better fit than her aborted attempt at Annie Oakley...)

ChiDoc said: "Georgeanddot2 said: "Judy is the correct answer. She should've done the film. I think she would've been definitive."

Absolutely correct. Unfortunately, for as good as the movie is, Rosalind Russel's performance doesn't quite do it for me and her Rose's Turn is disappointing. I can imagine Judy in it, and it could have been a triumph. (It would also have been a much better fit than her aborted attempt at Annie Oakley...)"

Although generally a huge Rosiland Russel fan, she's abysmal in the movie. She tries to make Rose into Auntie Mame, sometimes even recycling the same mannerisms (the way she rushes to Louise with her arms held straight out, just as she did with adult Patrick after their fight over O'Banion) and "eccentric" costumes.

I'll give you two, one for the cinema and one for live theater, with the caveat that the latter may be more of an "it could happen if someone moves fast."

Screen

By the time she finally essayed it, it might have been too much, too little, too late, but as someone who's read the second draft of Barbra's proposed Gypsy film*, it's perhaps the best screenplay I've ever seen for the property (and that includes straight-up filming Arthur's libretto word-for-word for Bette's rendition) and would have been a magnificent book-end to Barbra's screen career.

* In the words of Rose: "This people's got it, and this people's spreadin' it around..." ;)

Stage

Jenifer Lewis mentions within the first few pages of Chapter One of her memoir, The Mother of Black Hollywood, that playing Rose was an as-yet-unrealized dream. With all kudos to Audra, who seems to have pulled it off despite the negative nancies, I think Lewis would do a credible job, perhaps even one that might go over better with the aforementioned detractors. You'd have to pick the keys very carefully, the vocal would be no Merman except in volume, but the acting would be electrifying.

A Gaga Rose would be amazing in like 10-15 years. If there's any role that I think she would be amazing in, it's this one.

Bea Arthur sang Some People in her one woman show and talked about how she wanted to play the role. Maybe she wouldn’t have been the best to ever sing the role but I think she would have been great. It’s a shame she never got to play it.

joevitus said: "ChiDoc said: "Georgeanddot2 said: "Judy is the correct answer. She should've done the film. I think she would've been definitive."

Absolutely correct. Unfortunately, for as good as the movie is, Rosalind Russel's performance doesn't quite do it for me and her Rose's Turn is disappointing. I can imagine Judy in it, and it could have been a triumph. (It would also have been a much better fit than her aborted attempt at Annie Oakley...)"

Although generally a huge Rosiland Russel fan, she's abysmal in the movie. She tries to make Rose into Auntie Mame, sometimes even recycling the same mannerisms (the way she rushes to Louise with her arms held straight out, just as she did with adult Patrick after their fight over O'Banion) and "eccentric" costumes."

I'm the opposite on this. I think Russell is terrible in just about everything, but her artifice serves her pretty well in Gypsy. She even manages to drop it to good effect in just the right moments.

The Other One said: "It would have been a game-changer for Ann Miller and I bet she would have been brilliant."

I'll be thinking about this all day!!!

Georgeanddot2 said: "A Gaga Rose would be amazing in like 10-15 years. If there's any role that I think she would be amazing in, it's this one."

The thing that I find so ironic is that Gaga is already OLDER than Rose was through all of Act 1.. Gaga is 38. Gypsy was born when Rose was 22. Based on Gypsy's making June younger than she actually was when she got married...she was 22, the show makes her more like 16 - 18. That would make Rose 38 - 40 when June runs off.

I actually think the next production of Gypsy should have a Rose who is in the 35 - 45 age range. I think it wouls be very interesting to see.

I agree that Garland and Streisand represent a gold standard for the role. I think that Cate Blanchette and Kate Winslet could do a great job with the acting, but I have no idea if either could even approach the score. I would like to see Lea Michelle do it and in 15 years, at 53, she would be at an age consistent with other Roses, even if I would prefer to see her in the next 5 years (ain't gonna happen). Finally, since I believe that she can do anything, I would second the Donna Murphy suggestion.

Updated On: 1/11/25 at 03:26 PM

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "I'll give you two, one for the cinema and one for live theater, with the caveat that the latter may be more of an "it could happen if someone moves fast."

Screen

By the time she finally essayed it, it might have been too much, too little, too late, but as someone who's read the second draft of Barbra's proposed Gypsy film*, it's perhaps the best screenplay I've ever seen for the property (and that includes straight-up filming Arthur's libretto word-for-word for Bette's rendition) and would have been a magnificent book-end to Barbra's screen career.

* In the words of Rose: "This people's got it, and this people's spreadin' it around..." ;)"

I know playing Rose was the main driving force for Babs but I soooo wish she had made the movie and just cast another actor.

Just because I think they should always be in more prominent stage productions, I’m going to say Carolee Carmello and Toni Collette. I guess they still could do it, but time is running out (unless you ask Barbra or Glenn).