tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post7024265400867576426..comments2024-03-23T21:46:50.843-04:00Comments on the passionate moviegoer: making an age-appropriate "gypsy"joe baltakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-55575999534074714222017-04-14T13:36:26.008-04:002017-04-14T13:36:26.008-04:00Alan- Thanks for the heads-up. -JAlan- Thanks for the heads-up. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-57099109254699936172017-04-14T13:23:09.792-04:002017-04-14T13:23:09.792-04:00The 1st Rose after Merman actually while Merman wa...The 1st Rose after Merman actually while Merman was still doing the show in NYC was former child star (and the 1st person ever to sing Where or When, Lady is a Tramp and My Funny Valentine) Mitzi Green (she would have been in her late 30s) in Las Vegas. Bernadette Peters was also in the cast.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513434767426512417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-34638085019800341892015-12-23T16:56:44.946-05:002015-12-23T16:56:44.946-05:00Gosh, I had no idea Ann Sothern played Rose. That ...Gosh, I had no idea Ann Sothern played Rose. That would have been something.<br />Can't wait to see Imelda Staunton on BBC TV over Xmas.<br />My memories will always be Angela Lansbury in London and Rosalind Russell on film.Viennanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-628343490129498182015-12-17T09:44:52.444-05:002015-12-17T09:44:52.444-05:00Also, a belated thank-you to Michael O'Sulliva...Also, a belated thank-you to Michael O'Sullivan, plus a note: I added a link to the post on Michael's site about the recent Imelda Stauton production of "Gypsy" in the U.K. I'm hoping that if it isn't transferred to Broadway that, at least, the taped version will play here. Can't wait.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-84438689449734355592015-12-17T09:38:32.179-05:002015-12-17T09:38:32.179-05:00Jimbo- Thanks. I made the addition. Having lived...Jimbo- Thanks. I made the addition. Having lived in the area as a child, I have fond memories of both the Valley Forge and Camden County Music Fairs. I should have remembered that Sothern played there as Rose. Thanks, again. -Jjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-17012538883650223982015-12-17T04:07:54.123-05:002015-12-17T04:07:54.123-05:00Let me add the name of Ann Sothern to your list of...Let me add the name of Ann Sothern to your list of Mama Roses. I saw her in the role when I was a child at the Valley Forge Music Fair in 1967. That would place her somewhere in her 50s when she played Rose. I remember reading somewhere that she was the original choice to replace Merman in the Broadway production but declined the role. The actress who played Gypsy was singer Joanna Lester who was popular on the tv talk show circuit at the time. Jimbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05027786373775510140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-78427039159483382732015-12-17T03:12:14.687-05:002015-12-17T03:12:14.687-05:00Great post as usual. I saw the latest London one w...Great post as usual. I saw the latest London one with Imelda Staunton back in the summer, and was blown away, as per my own review at the time - its on Imelda label on my blog - she played it all year until the end of November, what stamina. It was also recorded and will be shown on television here over Christmas ! so one can re-live it again. <br /><br />I love the 1962 film of course. There have been lots of amusing stories about Streisand and her proposed new version. She rang Arthur Laurents one Sunday morning just as he was sitting down to his weekly big breakfast, so he told her to call him back - which she did. Of course they go way back to her FUNNY GIRL stage debut - which thankfully I saw in London in 1966 when all of 20, and from the front row. It was the first time I had seen someone with a little microphone taped to them. Michael O'Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17820802843771524920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-76747774030153891392015-12-16T18:06:27.306-05:002015-12-16T18:06:27.306-05:00Actually, Brian, I somewhat agree with you. I was...Actually, Brian, I somewhat agree with you. I was hoping that Sam mendes, who directed the Bernadette Peters revival, would have breathed new life into the show, but apparently he knocked heads with Laurents, who would have none of it. I was hoping that one terrific song, deleted during the show's out-of-town tryout in 1959 would have been restored - a duet by Bay June and Bay Louise titled "Mama's Talking Soft," which is later referenced in "Rose's Turn" when Rose sings, "Mama's talking loud..." A missed opportunity.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-5488501762788871492015-12-16T17:55:04.519-05:002015-12-16T17:55:04.519-05:00Great news about Richard LaGravenese writing the G...Great news about Richard LaGravenese writing the Gypsy script. Maybe, now with Arthur Laurents out of the way, LaGravenese will have full reign to correct the lop-sidedness of an otherwise perfect (your word) show. Its first half is pure musical comedy; the second act not so much.Brian Lucasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-15543579987588002002015-12-16T17:36:06.270-05:002015-12-16T17:36:06.270-05:00Yes, Streisand singing the "Gypsy" score...Yes, Streisand singing the "Gypsy" score sounds like a winner, so why not just record an album of the songs? Problem solved.Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-55806309761594402492015-12-16T17:14:38.889-05:002015-12-16T17:14:38.889-05:00I agree, Joe. Barbra should step down, give the r...I agree, Joe. Barbra should step down, give the role to Gaga (or someone else better suited) and just direct. Her talents would be better used - and invaluable - behind-the-scenes.Sheilanoreply@blogger.com