There's a reason Mama Rose is in the top pantheon of musical theatre leads. Because it is the ultimate challenge- a role that walks the line between Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and genuine psychopath. Making a sympathetic character who grows more and more monstrous while still remaining sympathetic work is tough. Some characters, like Mrs. Lovett, we can love to hate. A character like Rose, we loathe... and yet we still somehow love.
Ethel Merman - mean Rose Roz Russell - mean Rose Angela Lansbury - nice Rose Tyne Daly - mean Rose Bette Midler - nice Rose Bernadette Peters - nice Rose Patti LuPone - stop taking pictures Rose
This isn't a troll thread at all. What Louise said to Rose didn't make sense. I'd gamble that it was Arthur Laurents letting out his own insecurities.
Factoid: Arthur Laurents thought Bette Midler was the worst Rose. He described her as part "Norma Desmond" and part Jon Crawford. He didn't like Russell either. FWIW...Bernadette was the most accurate portrayl.