Why "Mama" Rose?

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 10:36pm

I'm thinking about Carolyn Quinn's new book, "Mama Rose's Turn," and wondering why "Mama" is invariably spelled that way while in the script and score it's spelled "Momma," as in "If Momma Was Married." Not that she's ever referred to as "Momma Rose." The kids call her "Momma" and everyone else calls her "Rose." But when/where/why did this "Mama" thing come into play?

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:07pm

Believe me, there are partisans on this board who seem to feel very strongly about Mama Rose being the traditionally acceptable way to refer to that character.

I contended Madame Rose (and her Toreadorables) is the way she refers to herself at the top of Act II, so that's preferable to call the character than the completely bogus Mama Rose. I was shot down firmly. (Go search all the threads discussing Streisand's attempt to get a Gypsy movie off the ground for proof.)

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:11pm

There have been endless discussions about this. There is no definitive answer. But I've always found it amusing how some become enraged when others refer to her as "Mama Rose", especially on All That Chat.

Does it really matter how we refer to her? It's an absolutely incredible role, whether she's referred to as Mama/Momma Rose, Madame Rose, or just Rose.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:24pm

I apologize for not realizing that this ground has been tread before. As for me, I'll take the authors' word for it. They wrote her as "momma" and that's good enough for me. Does anyone want to go to bat for Maime or Dollie?

[morosco]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:27pm

For years Ethel Merman often referred to the character as Mama/Momma Rose in interviews. That's good enough for me.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:28pm

Oh don't apologize! We love reliving old fights on a regular basis!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:31pm

In Mexico, they call her La Mamita Rosita. I just made that up.

Someone in a aTree2, I'm sure most people don't care what you call her, but I think maybe it's a little silly and pedantic to try and make Madam Rose happen. She's been referred to colloquially as Mama Rose for nearly sixty years. Even if everybody on this board refers to her as Madame Rose from here on out, what does that do? Raise Ethel Merman from the dead? "Hell was swell, folks! Know why? No dyke nuns! Isn't that swell?"

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:39pm

I always call her Madame Rose, as she refers to herself in the libretto. Rose would never want to be known as " Mama Rose".

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:47pm

All I know is the real Mama Rose didn't look ANYTHING like that.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:48pm

In 2008 Arthur Laurents said in an interview on NPR "I've never understood that, because she certainly would loathe being called 'Mama,' And she was ... nobody ever thought of her as a mother! Why she's called 'Mama Rose,' I don't know."

So, in Arthur's memory, let's all call her MAMA ROSE.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/3/14 at 11:56pm

nobody ever thought of her as a mother!

F*CK him. When I was typing my earlier comment I was thinking that of course it was Mama because the character is defined by her motherhood and how she tries to make her motherhood work for her. If I wasn't already against calling her Maddam Rose I am now!

Mama Rose 4-Ever! Serves her right for what she did to Louise! You can find the thread yourself if you want or know!

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 12:32am

Honestly, who cares? She is a mama. And her name is Rose. What's so wrong about calling her Mama Rose? I find it baffling that people take such offense at her being called that.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 12:40am

Mama's talkin' loud.
Mama's doin' fine.
Mama's gettin' hot.
Mama's goin' stong.
Mama's movin' on.
Mama's all alone.
Mama doesn't care.
Mama's lettin' loose.
Mama's got the stuff.
Mama's lettin' go.
Mama?
Mama's got the stuff.
Mama's gotta move.
Mama's gotta go.
Mama? Mama?
Mama's gotta let go.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 12:48am

Wilma -are you more concerned with the SPELLING or the term itself?

[Playbilly]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 12:49am

I shall call her...Rosie.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 1:00am

I like Mother Rose.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 1:17am

Mutter Rose und her Kinder

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 10:04am

I warned ya they can get partisan around this issue...

[jemjeb2]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 11:25am

Talk about much ado about nothing...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/4/14 at 11:33am

Long Live Mama Rosario!