Will we ever see MAME on broadway again?

[AHTC]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 10:43am

Maybe?

[Huss417]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 10:57am

I always say Never say Never but this would be a very expensive undertaking if produced the way it should be.

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 11:07am

I really hope we see Mame again, but I wouldn't bet on it. If Allison Janney hadn't been so disappointing in 9 To 5, I'd say she'd be perfect. In fact, if Auntie Mame were ever to be revived (far less likely), she'd be ideal.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 11:46am

They're waiting for Catherine Zeta-Jones' schedule to open up.

[Bwayman2]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 11:57am

I hope not. I really didn't like that one.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 12:09pm

Not without a major book re-haul.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 1:59pm

Forgive me for saying this, but I'm wondering if they're waiting until Jerry Herman passes away. Doesn't he have to approve all major productions of his shows? That's why the Patti Lupone "Hello Dolly" is taking for forever/kinda dead. Because Jerry Herman, and the "producers" aren't meeting eye to eye?

[ChildrenwillListen]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 2:01pm

Yes I hope not too

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 2:03pm

Jan Maxwell.

[booth0882]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 3:27pm

Of course, the Musical is a staple of Broadway history. It will happen at some point. That being said, I doubt it would happen in the next few years. In the next decade, I would almost be willing to bet on it happening.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 4:26pm

I seriously doubt Jerry Herman is blocking a revival of MAME. He seems to enjoy seeing his work produced. Maybe he said "no" to a specific star, but I know he participated in the casting of the Goodspeed production.

[Will42]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 4:58pm

It's been said many times that the show needs a 'star', not necessarily a huge name, but someone with stage presence and tons of charisma (and talent, but that goes without saying). Until then...

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 5:04pm

Jan Maxwell is a GLORIOUS idea even if I don't see a producer putting a penny into this without a bigger name. No matter how much proof there is shows with broadway names make money (Mormon, Porgy and Bess, Once, Newsies, etc).

[ComingUpRoses2]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 7:18pm

Jan Maxwell was born to play this role!

[WestCoastActor/Director]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 8:02pm

I say yes for Jan Maxwell as well! Just saw her in Follies and she would be terrific. I saw the Christine Baranksi production at the Ken Cen and was a bit let down. I always thought she'd be a better Vera. To quote The Baker's Wife - were is the warmth?

Currently reading "But Darling, I'm Your Auntie Mame!: The Amazing History of the World's Favorite Madcap Aunt" which is a great look into the behind the scenes productions of Auntie Mame and Mame. Currently on the chapter where Mame is gearing up for Broadway and Angela has just auditioned. I never knew it was written for Mary Martin who turned it down. This book full of interesting things that happened along the way.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 8:15pm

In the 1960s, EVERY musical (except perhaps HAIR) was announced as written for Mary Martin or Ethel Merman. And most of the time the announcement was true.

But Jerry Herman recently told a friend of mine that he wrote the show for Judy Garland; however, she was basically uninsurable by the time it was finished. He said the tradition of Mame as tall and statuesque was entirely a consequence of casting Angela; it was never his original vision of the character.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 8:23pm

How incredible would a Garland staring version of Mame on screen be? (Or potentially camp-tastic). I think the only way a revival would work would be if they took a Hollywood star, but I can't think of anyone I'd like to see in the role.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 8:35pm

I used to joke with a buddy that the ultimate crazy choice for Mame would be Isabel Sanford. Don't change a word. Just have her "Weezy" it up. Make the Southern scenes loonier.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 9:45pm

I started to post that I'd love to see an African American Mame, perhaps with a multiracial cast (white Vera, say). After all, the period of the show coincides with the Harlem Renaissance, an incredibly rich period for the arts and culture in NYC.

And though Jim Crow was still going strong in the South, there were middle and upper-middle class blacks in the North.

And Audra McDonald is only one of a number of ladies who could play the part and sell tickets.

BUT THEN I thought of the whole "Southern" section at the end of Act I. I know there were black debutantes in Atlanta, but I'm not sure you could do that scene (including the title number) without it looking like a minstrel show.

So too bad and never mind. I think.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 9:47pm

I want Liza!

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 9:52pm

I know there were very few black stage "stars" during the period, but I've often though about how I'd love to see someone like Audra play against type and play Vera.

Jan Maxwell IS Mame!...light the candles.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 10:16pm

Does Jan have the warmth for Mame? She would be a perfect Vera.

Jerry has said that MAME is the most difficult role to cast of all the shows he's ever written, which is why he's very protective over it. And I think that's why we haven't seen a full Mame revival without Lansbury. It's also a huge production with a large cast, though it's brilliant when done well.

[SingingChef]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 10:46pm

I want Ebersole. OR Carolee Carmello.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 10:48pm

No joke, I would loooooooooove to see it with RuPaul.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 6/18/12 at 10:55pm

Jan was incredibly warm in The Royal Family, especially in the scenes with the daughter. She also was a loving, if loud and crazy, wife in Lend Me a Tenor. She's an incredibly talented actress first and foremost and can look as elegant as hell and still willing to fall down stairs for a laugh if need be.

I hate casting a cliche ice queens as Vera. To me it's boring casting to see someone who's already played "drunk best friend" like Beth Level, Megan Mullaly, Christine Beranski, etc.

Kerry Butler for Agnes Gooch anyone?