Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
#1Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:21pm
I'm curious to know everyone's take on this question...
Discuss.
#2re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:22pmIt's a fourway tie between Christine Ebersole, Victoria Clark, Donna Murphy and Patti LuPone. I can't decide.
bwaygal1
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/07
#2re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:22pm
Depends on the age you're talking. This is a highly debatable subject.
My pick, would of course, be my avatar!!!!!
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#3re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:28pm
Patti F'ing LuPone.
That's who.
And if you don't like it, she'll beat you up.
#4re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:30pmcurrent? definitely Christine Ebersole.
#5re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:32pmI'd say Ebersole is currenly the 1st Lady of Broadway.
#6re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:33pm^ Yeah. You're right. It's Ebersole now.
#7re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:33pm
I don't know that we have one, and I think it's great. Sure, there are terrific leading ladies who are legends in their own rights, but I think we're beyond the days of the "star vehicle" (obviously with exceptions). You still get shows like Grey Gardens, where Ebersole was involved from the beginning and the part was tailored to her, but she wasn't the impetus for doing the show. It's not the same as Chicago and Damn Yankees for Gwen Verdon or Gypsy or Annie Get Your Gun for Ethel Merman. I think (again, with many glaring exceptions) it puts the focus on the quality of the piece, rather than just highlighting its star.
Go ahead, start yelling at me...
#8re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:33pm
Right now. Ebersole.
Overall? Audra, Patti, and Bernadette.
#9re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:34pm
Ebersole has had one major leading role in a new musical. Get a grip, guys.
First Lady would be Bernadette or Patti, I'm thinking. Audra could certainly become that, but as of now, she's not quite there.
#10re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:35pmSeriously, rath!
#11re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:35pmOkay, but has any leading lady since Bernadette gotten such wonderful coverage in print and televsion? No.
#12re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:36pmi honestly think it's Audra McDonald. she's the greatest stage actress we have in this day & age. i have NEVER seen her f*ck up. it's almost depressing because i wanna see it now!
#13re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:38pmLuPone, Ebersole, McDonald.
bwaygal1
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/07
#14re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:40pm
Actually, Ebersole's coverage was BETTER than Bernadette's. You could hardly miss her. (Not that yours truly has any real problems with this.)
But, the original question was the CURRENT 1st lady and I say that Christine Ebersole has earned that title right now. It's always changing.
But, right now, it's, as the City Scope said, "Queen Christine".
#15re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:41pm
LuPone & McDonald.
Ebersole has had one role in a new show... Get over it.
Burnadette's star has faded.
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#16re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:43pm
2 words: Linda Balgord
#17re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:43pm
See, I would go for older ladies who have been consistantly amazing since their first show and are still alive, and for me that would have to go to Angela Lansbury and Barbara Cook.
But for for recent status, I would have to go with Patti LuPone as well. That woman does no wrong.
Rath's right, stop saying Ebersole. That's just silly.
bwaygal1
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/07
#18re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:44pm
Christine Ebersole has been climbing the ladder for ten years.
This was her big break to the top, but I have seen her steadily ascending for awhile, now.
#19re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:44pmMy only problem with that is that Lansbury hasn't done a musical in years
#20re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:46pmthey key word here is "current," which is why i chose Ebersole.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#21re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:46pmFran Weissler
#22re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:46pmBernadette easily. Updated On: 6/16/07 at 12:46 PM
#23re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:47pm
My only problem with that is that Lansbury hasn't done a musical in years
- Well if A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is revived any time this century - that can change.
#24re: Who is the Current 1st Lady of the American Musical?
Posted: 6/15/07 at 12:47pm:) we can only dream, ljay!
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