Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?- Page 2
Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
#25Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/29/13 at 10:12pm
I've heard arguments made for an all black Gypsy and even though it's a show based on historical figures I think I'd be open to an African American Rose, Louise, etc.
I see both sides of the argument but I'm the type of audience member who will more than likely ignore historical inaccuracy for a performance that blows me away. That's just me.
*edit* And just because I'm thinking about it now I need Tonya Pinkins as Rose!
Updated On: 12/29/13 at 10:12 PM
#26Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/29/13 at 11:01pmIf Margaret in The Light in the Piazza was played by a man, the show would become about a man in drag, as happens with most shows featuring a man in drag. Man in drag = comedy, at least to most audiences, unless you're doing M. Butterfly or something. Piazza is a beautiful show and would be ruined by such ridiculous casting.
#27Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/29/13 at 11:31pmI have been saying for years, but I would kill to see Nathan Lane as Mama Rose in Gypsy. The songs would fit his voice like a glove, and I think he could play Rose with an interesting mixture of comedy, drama, the grotesque and the real that fits what the character is, a self-mythologizing woman whose only "reality" is herself.
#28Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 3:40am^ That is all kinds of "no." Rose played by Nathan Lane is not Rose. Rose played by Nathan Lane is Nathan Lane in a dress. No one's going to take that seriously, especially with his limited vocal range (unless he sings it in a male register, even on a good day, in the lower keys of Bette Midler or Angela Lansbury, he doesn't have Rose in those pipes -- maybe Roz Russell/Lisa Kirk, but if they want to hear the score done that way, they'll rent the movie). Some roles can be played as "pants" (in the case of women) or "blouse" (in the case of men where it's not drag) roles. Rose is not one. (Unless it's a parody.)
Formerly gvendo2005
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05
Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky
Updated On: 12/30/13 at 03:40 AM
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05
Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky
metropolis10111
Broadway Star Joined: 7/28/06
#29Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 10:17am
Could it be? yes
Should it be? no
ANY role can be played in drag if that's what you want to go for. I guess it depends on what sort of show you are going for.
#30Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 10:25amYes! I would love for someone to do a tale of two CARRIEs! One company would play the show straight. The other would play the show for camp and include a Margaret White in drag!
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#31Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 10:38amWill this dead horse n'er be beaten?
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
brldisteach2
Stand-by Joined: 11/28/11
#32Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 1:08pm
In response to DramaMama:
Hairspray: The original movie was written as a vehicle for Divine, so that's why it was a man-when it went to Broadway they followed that tradition from the movie, and I'm sure the fact that Harvey Fierstein was involved was a big part of that.
Matilda: The producers have said they are open to a woman playing the role of Trunchbull-the character has to be large and imposing and so far they've gone with men, not that they couldn't find a large and imposing woman to play the role. They should look at casting someone who has played Madame Thenardier. On a side note, I think Christopher Sieber would be amazing in the role.
#33Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 1:29pmTrunchbull is a man not just for size or grotesquerie, but for athletic prowess. This character is an ex-Olympic actress who performs variations on shot-put, hammer throwing and gymnastics onstage. It's easier to find a male actor who can do the intense stunt work the character requires than it is to find a working female actor with such attributes.
wheelsinmotion
Swing Joined: 8/3/11
#34Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 4:37pmI know a lot of people dislike the show, but Carrie is one of my favorite musicals/movies/books of all time. At its core, it is a VERY deep tragedy. I don't believe it has even been done the right way to get that across. That being said, casting a man in the role of Margaret would take away so much. It would present not just her, but her mental illness as well, as a parody. I wouldn't have any issue doing an all-black version of Carrie, however. I think Tonya Pinkins or Jennifer Holiday or even Anita Baker would be great in that role.
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#35Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 5:09pmThe creators have worked diligently to make this musical heartfelt and profound. Whether they have succeeded is not for me to say, but I wouldn't want to sabotage their efforts with this kind of gimmick.
wheelsinmotion
Swing Joined: 8/3/11
#36Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 5:31pmThis busted mess. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FtqAIVVX5g
#37Could Margaret White in 'Carrie: The Musical' be played by a man in drag?
Posted: 12/30/13 at 8:20pm
It'd depend on the performer. Personally, I think it's about time to make Margaret scary and monstrous again. The recent revival and film remake turned her into a well meaning, but mental disturbed figure. Sorry, but that's not as scary as the imposing fanaticism of Piper Laurie or Betty Buckley. Maybe a man in drag can play the monster. I dunno. It really is going to depend on what the director wants. I think it's possible, but usually men in drag are played for laughs. And P.S. I'm all for a male Rose in Gypsy, even if it is for selfish reasons. 
