Several new projects have been announced over the last few weeks, and many of The Queens loyal subjects have asked me to comment on them. First off, we have a film remake of the classic musical Gypsy starring Barbara Streisand as Mama Rose.
The big question of course, is she too old? The short answer - yes! This will be Grandmama Rose! Ten years ago she could have been a grand Mama Rose, but at the age of 70 she is just too old. Can she still sing the score? Yes of course she can. Will anyone buy her having a daughter ages 8-20? I sincerely doubt that. Though being too old didn't stop her from making Yentle, but that's another story.
There is also a case to be made for the "Do we really need ANOTHER Gypsy?" camp. The short answer - no. We've had too many over the course of it's life. Don't get me wrong. I love Gypsy and I think it's one of the finest musicals ever written. It's not without it's problems, but what show isn't? The problem is that We've just had a stellar revival of the show on Broadway starting Patti LuPone. This came right on the heels of a less than stellar revival only five years previous starring Bernadette Peters in an interesting, albeit misguided performance. Not to mention that Gypsy was made as a TV movie in the mid 90's starring Bette Midler to great acclaim. Is the world ready for ANOTHER Gypsy or are we burned out?
The bottom line is this. People have been clamoring for decades, DECADES, for Babs to play Mamma Rose. She is already too old, and if they delay filming another second she will only become even more so. There are legions of fans who have wanted her to play this role for so long that it just has to happen. If it's going to happen, than it has to happen soon or they'll have to digitally remove the wrinkles Benjamin Button style. This film will have a CGI budget to rival any Harry Potter film. Hopefully she wont also direct.
This brings us to our second are you too old project of the week, Cathy Rigby, who I saw in her farewell tour of Peter Pan in 2005, has decided that she was only joking, and will play Peter Pan once more after all which might as well be billed as her "Final Farewell, unless she should change her mind again" tour.
The big question - Is she too old? The only answer? YES! Cathy Rigby stop playing Peter Pan! You can't play the boy who won't grow old when you are a member of AA RP! It's just not right! Do other things! Play Roxie Hart in Chicago and be fabulous! Do a revival of Sweet Charity and blow us away. Stop playing little boys! It's a bit creepy!
In all seriousness, I have seen her play the role of Peter Pan twice. Ms. Rigby brought a true boyishness and sense of playfulness to the role that few, even Mary Martin in her Tony winning portrayal have been able to do. Her skills as a gymnast also brought a carefree athleticism to the role that was also refreshing. It's not that she isn't good at it, she's just too old.
Also, the same tour has been going around for almost 20 years now. The show itself could use some new life blood. It's a very good production, with excellent sets, costumes, and choreography (The original Jerome Robbins staging is not used). There is just no real reason for this to be happening.
Tune in next week dear Readers when the Queen will give his two cents about the new film version of Rock of Ages, as well as the rumored film remake of Annie starring Willow Smith. Ta till then!
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