What happened to this alleged MAME revival?

This year there was a rumor of 'two HBO sisters' (or something similar) - people alluded to Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski (??) - to star in a revival of MAME on Broadway. But nothing since... anyone know anything??

Updated On: 11/27/23 at 05:56 PM

jimmycurry01 said: "Baranski's Mame had a "pre-Broadway" run several years ago. It was very poorly recieved, and the pre-Broadway part just became a regional production that fizzled into nothing."

I believe that one of the deciding factors of not bringing the show to Broadway (it was planned to move to the Palace Theater) was the running cost.

Musicaldudepeter said: "No, no, no... I'm aware of the Baranski Name from many years ago. But there was a rumor/cryptic message rumor from one or two years ago where it said that "two HBO sisters" would star in an upcoming Broadway mounting of MAME. I don't know if it was a Rudin-related project which may explain the delay ... but ... anyone know anything??"

If this rumor was from one or two years ago and nothing has come of it since then I think it is a safe bet that it is D.O.A.

jimmycurry01 said: "Baranski's Mame had a "pre-Broadway" run several years ago. It was very poorly recieved, and the pre-Broadway part just became a regional production that fizzled into nothing."

Was the over-all production the issue, or was Baranski specifically found wanting? I'd have thought she'd make a marvelous Mame.

Musicaldudepeter said: "Why hasn't there been a MAME revival on Broadway since the '80s?"

I don't know, but I was listening to the title song on my car's music shuffle during my commute home and...it has not aged well. I can't imagine the title song, with lyrics like "The whole plantation's hummin' since you brought Dixie back to Dixieland." would go over well today short of a "Shipoopi" level rewrite - and we all knew what a royal disaster that was.

It's a fun show, but I think the time has long past and this might be better suited to a City Center production.

Musicaldudepeter said: "Why hasn't there been a MAME revival on Broadway since the '80s?"

I think it's the same situation Hello Dolly was in - it's not going to happen unless a huge star is interested. The recent Dolly would have never happened without Bette or someone of equal fame.

The rumour of a revival came from an unreliable source who may have just been making something up.

There was more credibility to the rumour of a new production of Kiss of the Spiderwoman. That may come in 24/25. It takes time to put the finances together for big shows, and gets more difficult every time an expensive show flops. This past year saw at least four expensive flops in Bad Cinderella, NYNY, & Here Lies Love, and Once Upon a One More Time.

joevitus said: "jimmycurry01 said: "Baranski's Mame had a "pre-Broadway" run several years ago. It was very poorly recieved, and the pre-Broadway part just became a regional production that fizzled into nothing."

Was the over-all production the issue, or was Baranski specifically found wanting? I'd have thought she'd make a marvelous Mame."

She was awful. She would have been a great Vera, but not a Mame; she was just miscast. She couldn’t get Mame’s warmth and she couldn’t dance. Her singing was fine, but her belt was not as strong as Lansbury’s. She was also hurt by the bad casting of Harriet Harris, who was just wrong as Vera. I remember that the audience really didn’t take to her…no laughs!!!

Updated On: 11/28/23 at 11:19 PM

I don't see anyone producing that entire Southern sequence today.

To be fair, the sequence set in the south has always seemed like abject parody to me, and I don't really think in the context of the show people would mistake it for glorifying slavery. The one lyric "This time the south will rise again!" is delivered soly by the grotesque Mother Burnside.

That said....

Everything else about MAME is propblematic from a modern producing perspective. The script is dated. Its a huge show- much bigger than DOLLY - that covers decades and requires a jaw dropping costume, wig, and production design budget. The orchestrations are huge. The show would also need a MAJOR and very specific type of star to work - at least with the script as originally written. I'm actually remiss to think of anyone who I think is right for the role, could perform it nightly, and could truly be a massive box office draw. Meryl Streep 30 years ago.

All of this and I don't think there is really an audience for MAME. It's not a beloved ltitle like THE SOUND OF MUSIC or THE MUSIC MAN and I doubt the show would be of majo ticket buying interest to many people under 50.

Whoever suggested this for Encores -- yes, that is the way to go for this show in this day and age.

QueenAlice said: "
Everything else about MAME is propblematic from a modern producing perspective. The script is dated. Its a huge show- much bigger than DOLLY - that covers decades and requires a jaw dropping costume, wig, and production design budget. The orchestrations are huge. The show would also need a MAJOR and very specific type of star to work -


If RuPaul could handle the singing 8 times a week they'd be perfect for today's market.

My argument isn't that the show couldn't 'work,' its that it is commercially unviable because of the massive costs and major star name required to produce it. Maybe if Jamie Lloyd wants to do a stripped down, no sets and costumes version someone like Hannah Waddingham could star - but a production of MAME given similar treatment to the Bette Midler DOLLY would easily cost $25M+ to produce today on Broadway. It doesn't make sense to do it.

inception said: "The rumour of a revival came from an unreliable source who may have just been making something up.

There was more credibility to the rumour of a new production of Kiss of the Spiderwoman. That may come in 24/25. It takes time to put the finances together for big shows, and gets more difficult every time an expensive show flops. This past year saw at least four expensive flops in Bad Cinderella, NYNY, & Here Lies Love, and Once Upon a One More Time."

I can absolutely confirm that Kiss of the Spiderwoman was gearing up for spring on Broadway. They did an extensive workshop at New 42 with Ariana DeBose, Javier Munoz, and Robin de Jesus. However, they wanted it to be the big stary revival event of the spring (it will have a hefty capitalization and running cost). And producers realized that they would have major competition from the extended Merrily and soon-to-bow Cabaret. DeBose will theoretically also have an even bigger box office draw if they wait, with films like Kraven, and Argylle releasing ahead of her return to Broadway. They believe next season will position them better and be a less crowded marketplace.



Anyway, back to your previously scheduled Mame convo! (Which, I agree with other posters, will not return at this point without a Midler-level star).