I wasn't enthused with the idea of another "Gypsy", having seen two movies, numerous revivals and been Mama Rose'd out over showqueen arguments of who's the best one. Club Patti vs. club Bernadette with the 2008 revival had me numb. Now, Imelda Staunton in a filmed version of the newest London production, with rumors of a third movie coming down the pike and recently flushed from being a possibility. Not a major fan of Staunton's and having heard from friends of their feelings, I went into this reluctantly, and can honestly say from my perspective, she's just fine. In fact, she's brilliant.
Mama Rose, since the day Merman burst down a theater aisle screaming "Sing out, Louise!", there's been talk that this was one monster mama. But each actress has had their own subtleties, and Staunton's is a sense of fun in just being involved. I wasn't expecting a powerhouse voice like the one I discovered, and she's got it down perfectly. Mama is a part for an actress who sings and they shouldn't be Jeanette Macdonald. Through Merman, Lansbury, Tyne, Lavin, Buckley, Peters and LuPone, they've all been praised by some and skewered by others. But like Merman herself said, if the audience could do what Broadway performers could do, they'd be the one doing "Rose's Turn".
An outstanding ensemble supports her, and the fabulous overture and orchestra in stereo and HD makes this a master class for actresses who want to tackle the theater, let alone this role. With three productions in a short span of time, two movies and countless recordings, this show may be overdone, but this production is certainly not burnt. Of the three productions since the turn of the millennium, this is also the glossiest, and that makes it a perfect TV special to enjoy over and over.
Mama Rose, since the day Merman burst down a theater aisle screaming "Sing out, Louise!", there's been talk that this was one monster mama. But each actress has had their own subtleties, and Staunton's is a sense of fun in just being involved. I wasn't expecting a powerhouse voice like the one I discovered, and she's got it down perfectly. Mama is a part for an actress who sings and they shouldn't be Jeanette Macdonald. Through Merman, Lansbury, Tyne, Lavin, Buckley, Peters and LuPone, they've all been praised by some and skewered by others. But like Merman herself said, if the audience could do what Broadway performers could do, they'd be the one doing "Rose's Turn".
An outstanding ensemble supports her, and the fabulous overture and orchestra in stereo and HD makes this a master class for actresses who want to tackle the theater, let alone this role. With three productions in a short span of time, two movies and countless recordings, this show may be overdone, but this production is certainly not burnt. Of the three productions since the turn of the millennium, this is also the glossiest, and that makes it a perfect TV special to enjoy over and over.