A very gay post.

April 22, 2003 12:27 AM

Battle of the "Gypsy"s. There was Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly and Bette Midler. There was even the possibility of Barbra Streisand as Madonna's mother. And now comes Bernadette Peters in the Sam Mendes production of the show theater guru Frank Rich called his favorite musical. This surely begs the question: who's the swellest, greatest, world-on-a-platiest Mama Rose ever? And who are your top five desert island Mama Roses? (Note: participation weighs significantly on your sexuality...contribute at your own risk.)
posted by adrober (17 comments total)

I know someone who's thinking of flying to New York simply to see Bernadette Peters in this production. Freak.
posted by Summer at 2:15 AM on April 22, 2003

I'd love to see Michael Musto in the role.
posted by dogmatic at 3:24 AM on April 22, 2003

If there's only us freaks here, I suppose I can give up the libretto.

I barely know Gypsy. Porgy and Bess is my favourite, but I've been in Sunday in The Park with George, and those lyrics and music are wonderful.
posted by emf at 3:41 AM on April 22, 2003

I've only heard Ethel Mermen's portrayal of Rose. Vocally, she's the gold standard.

Saw Tyne Daly's performance. Absolutley riveting! Made "Rose's Turn" something terrifying and wonderful to behold.

My Father just got back from NYC and saw Bernadette's performance. He thought she was fantastic. I may hop the Amtrak and see for myself.
posted by tommyspoon at 4:21 AM on April 22, 2003

Rosalind Russell in the movie version is my fave, but surprisingly, people i know who have seen it say Bernadette's wonderful. (I didn't think she had it in her)
posted by amberglow at 5:18 AM on April 22, 2003

miguel, is that you?
posted by quonsar at 5:20 AM on April 22, 2003

Bernadette's great and all, but Sam's the man.

If I had the spare cash, I'd go see a Sam Mendes production of Our Town in Kalamazoo.
posted by grabbingsand at 5:50 AM on April 22, 2003

Personally, after Chicago, I'd like to see Queen Latifah give it a try--it might not be the best fit, but she's got magnetism & it'd keep the Mama roles rolling.
posted by win_k at 6:04 AM on April 22, 2003

Ted Striker: It's Lieutenant Hurwitz. Severe shell-shock. Thinks he's Ethel Merman.

Ethel Merman: [singing] You'll be swell, you'll be great! Gonna have the whole world on a plate! Startin' here, startin' now! Honey, everything's comin' up roses...

Ted Striker: War is hell.
posted by Pollomacho at 6:43 AM on April 22, 2003

How 'bout Harvey Fierstein?

No, really.
posted by soyjoy at 7:42 AM on April 22, 2003

I mean, after all, ya gotta have a gimmick.
posted by soyjoy at 7:43 AM on April 22, 2003

you're all gay
posted by divrsional at 8:15 AM on April 22, 2003

I'm a bad gay person. I've never seen any production of "Gypsy." Nor "Funny Girl."

I have, however, seen "Auntie Mame," "The Women," "All About Eve" and "Mommie Dearest."
posted by dnash at 8:21 AM on April 22, 2003

Fierstein's too busy.
posted by grabbingsand at 8:22 AM on April 22, 2003

Angela Lansbury, with Rosalind Russell a close second.

And when are they making a musical version of "Mommie Dearest" anyway?

"Noooo wiiiiire han-gerrrrrrrrrrrrrrs!"
posted by zedzebedia at 9:12 AM on April 22, 2003

The best Mama Roses have been all the obscure, unknown, unsung and unheralded Mama Roses I've seen over the years in regional theaters, singing their hearts out, carrying the show, producing their glorious moments of theatrical gold for no pay, belting out the middle aged swan songs of careers that never much happened.
posted by Faze at 9:37 AM on April 22, 2003

Come on, what's the matter with you people? Merman is Mama Rose. Everyone else is just an imitator. I mean, please!
_{Well, was Mama Rose.}
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:08 AM on April 22, 2003