Universal, Barbra Streisand And Joel Silver Tap Julian Fellowes To Script ‘Gypsy’- Page 3

[emilyfaye48]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 4:13am

it would be interesting to see a production of the show with accurately aged actresses. Technically speaking Mama Rose should be played by an actress between her mid-20s to mid 30s, with Louise and June being teens or early 20s. I'd be curious to see how it would work. I think it might change a lot about how we feel toward Rose having a younger more historically correct actress in the role. I feel like at the end of the show, although we agree that Rose was harsh and vicious we can see what motivated her, especially when it's an older actress whom you really feel has no options. But the real Rose was in her late teens or early 20s when her children were born so it might not feel so truthful that she "was born too early and started too late." I think realizing how young she was in real life when all this was happening makes her story more deranged and makes her a much greater villain in a way. But that's just my piece of pondering. I always feel so sympathetic toward Rose at the end of the show, but I don't know if I would feel that way if she was younger.

[binau]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 5:17am

I don't think a 20-30 year old Rose is appropriate for GYPSY, even if it is based on a real character around that age. The musical is an adaptation not a biography.

[random person 112]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 6:37am

Emily name me one late twenties, or early thirties actress today who can handle rose.

[random person 112]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 6:38am

Emily name me one late twenties, or early thirties actress today who can handle rose. Oh and a girl in her late teens whos parents won't faint when they learn about 'the strip'.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 7:55am

I never understood "A Musical Fable" as a subheader for the title. A fable, in proper terms, is a fictional story featuring animals with a moral at the end. Gypsy has no moral at the end, and other than the lamb, I don't think Rose, Herbie, June, and Louise count as animals.

Perhaps that will be the approach in this film! They'll hire Dreamworks or Pixar and make the whole thing with animated 3D animals! Streisand will voice the role of Llama Rose!

Updated On: 3/14/12 at 07:55 AM

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 9:56am

If I remember correctly. "A Musical Fable" was one of the authors' ploys to secure June Havoc's blessing on the project. "Fable" tells everyone it is a work of fiction, and liberties have been taken with real-life events and characters.

Streisand is far from being a fool. She would not take on this project if she didn't feel she could do it, or be in "fighting shape" to play the role. She doesn't need the money, she doesn't need the further fame, she doesn't need the challenge. She is, at her own admission, fairly lazy about work at this stage in her life and must be internally motivated about the project to want to take it on.

And it wouldn't even be considered as a film project without Streisand's involvement. The only other star I could think of who could get a new "Gypsy" onscreen would be Streep. (And she should do a new "Mame".)

[Brick]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 11:39am

I must admit if they address the age, presumably in a flashback, then it *could* work a little better.

Count me behind the people that think one take of each of these songs is all they're gonna get from her. I loved her last album, but the higher register was thin and there were some noticeable stumbles and hoarseness when reaching up there.

And I don't need a GYPSY movie made, so the argument that it wouldn't get made without her doesn't hold much salt. We already have 2 bad GYPSY films, and don't need 3.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 11:49am

Its worth remembering that Rose's vocal line in GYPSY is really only one octave. Its not a rangy score. The challenge that women have had in singing it in the theatre is the amount of material and sheer forcefulness some of the songs require, not so much reaching the notes. I can't imagine Streisand wouldn't be able to still pull this off to exciting effect in a recording studio.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 12:12pm

"Its worth remembering that Rose's vocal line in GYPSY is really only one octave."

Swell, but what about:
Little Lamb
If (Your) Mommas Was Married
All You Need Is The Girl
I Gotta Get A Gimmick

Updated On: 3/14/12 at 12:12 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 12:18pm

Those songs are only half a range so she shouldn't have any problem with those either.

[emilyfaye48]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 12:52pm

I can't think of anyone whom I think could play Rose at the historically accurate age, that's not my point, I was not suggesting they do a production like that. I just think it's interesting to think about how the character is always played by older women because it's such a heavy role. The fact there is a written character based on a real life person who cannot be played by anyone of the same age as the real person.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 1:36pm

It's interesting you bring that up, emily, because someone on the other board raised a connected point. Streisand played Dolly in HELLO, DOLLY! far too young at the age of 27 (while, in my opinion, still mustering up one hell of a thrilling performance.) Though she's going to the other extreme here, it would have been really interesting to see her play Rose in a film of GYPSY at that age, which speaks to your point of casting an actress who is actually historically appropriate in terms of how old Rose really was when these events took place.

Still, I maintain my belief that she remains well within her capability to knock this role out of the park. Those debating her ability to sing the score are acting as if she's going to have to sing it live eight times a week. Having seen her live in her last tour a few years ago, I found her to be in remarkable voice for someone her age, and there's no reason to believe, as Michael Bennett said, that she won't absolutely nail these songs in a recording studio. If she couldn't, then I guarantee you- she wouldn't be doing this.

It's funny- Streisand's entire career has been people telling her she can't, shouldn't, or couldn't do things and her turning around and doing them anyway, usually with huge success. "A girl who looks like that will never have a career in feature films," "An actress can't just decide to direct a major motion picture," "Who does she think she is, producing her own projects?," etc. Why should this be any different? I'm sure she's well aware of the doubts placed upon her when it comes to this material, but I'm even more sure she's relishing the opportunity to take it on and show everyone just how wrong they are. If history's any indicator, we're in for one hell of a performance.

Pretty apt for playing Rose, if you ask me. You've either got it or you ain't, and Streisand's got it.

Updated On: 3/14/12 at 01:36 PM

[egghumor]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 1:53pm

With every successive post, you sound more like Streisand's exclusive press agent.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 2:08pm

philcrosby is correct about the reasoning of GYPSY being originally called "A Musical Fable". Laurents felt that the production might be sued by June Havoc. David Merrick, co-producer and a lawyer in his own right, actually thought up the idea of calling it "A Musical Fable", with Baby June being called Baby Claire in the Philadlphia try-out, for safety's sake. June Havoc relented, feeling that the publicity surrounding the production could actually help her career. When GYPSY came to Broadway, the " A Musical Fable" was replaced by the ubiquitous "A New Musical"; that is what my lobby card for the Broadway Theatre says. It proudly hangs in my living room. I realize that there are some CD's that still use the subtitle " A Musical Fable."

As for Barbra Streisand playing Rose, I don't know what to think. Hollywood just might pull it off! I don't think that Hammond makes any convincing argument for Streisand playing Rose, though. Anything would be better than the God- awful 1962 film starring a miscast Rosalind Russell. I won't allow it to be shown in my house, despite a charming Natalie Wood and the original Tulsa from Broadway, Paul Wallace. I will follow this GYPSY gestation period with great interest, and I know that I WILL see the finished film. How could I not?

[ComingUpRoses2]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 3:19pm

Yes, she's far too old, but I actually think that even at her age, she looks more youthful than Roz did in the 60's movie. If people were okay with that (some, well, most weren't) then I really don't see the problem. I'm sure she can handle the score with a few takes.

I'm really more concerned with the acting. Can she really drop all of her pretentious and selfish attributes and give a real performance, becoming the character in the process? I have my doubts about that!

Posted: 3/14/12 at 3:48pm

"It's funny- Streisand's entire career has been people telling her she can't, shouldn't, or couldn't do things and her turning around and doing them anyway, usually with huge success. "A girl who looks like that will never have a career in feature films," "An actress can't just decide to direct a major motion picture," "Who does she think she is, producing her own projects?," etc. Why should this be any different?"

This is absolutely the biggest load of BS ever posted on this board. EVERY single performer encounters adversity and Babs is no exception. The only difference is she felt it necessary to turn the same criticisms and difficulties faced by every performer into the MAJOR CHORD of the symphony of her life.

"A girl who looks like that will never have a career in feature films"? Yeah sure, somebody said that I'm sure. But there was also enough people who felt the opposite that she got a HUGE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR contract to act in FEATURE FILMS!

You want to know why Babs has the reputation for being difficult to work with? BECAUSE SHE'S DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH. Even people who LOVE AND WORSHIP her agree- she's a relentless perfectionist who drives people crazy demanding re-takes, specific flattering camera angles, a lengthy rider that specifies exacting specifications for everything under the sun. It's part of her SCHTICK. "I hear she rehearsed the orchestra for eight days to get that 30 seconds of intro music PERFECT."

Maybe she's a genius and needs to be coddled. I'd rather work with one of the hundreds of huge stars that aren't touched by G-d and can show up, take off their jackets and get to work.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 3:59pm

But she wasn't given an Academy Award for her direction of PRINCE OF TIDES, despite the attractive hair streaking and fingernail extensions she had somebody design for the character she played, Joe!

Why can't you see the injustice and adversity?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 4:11pm

Oh and a girl in her late teens whos parents won't faint when they learn about 'the strip'.

Daytime TV talk shows survive on the those families. So does Bravo. Just walk into a Forever 21 and take your pick, basically.

[random person 112]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 4:33pm

^Yes but could any of those give a performance half as good Tammy Blanchard, or a fourth of the one Benanti did. In the words of Streep 'I have doubts.'

As for her singing the whole score, i know she has quite the egomaniac reputation, but you have to admit for her all her so called 'crazy' characteristics, she gets it done, and admirably so.Because of this i think she would be a real stickler about who ended up playing the other parts, she'd want the best and only the best, so if anything we'd have a great supporting cast.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 5:44pm

Actually and while acknowledging her considerable gifts, I think Streisand "gets it done" in a way that always says, "Look at me, I'm Barbra Streisand!"

So I think it remains to be seen what she will do with GYPSY.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 5:49pm

Barbra's got the stuff.
Barbra's gotta move.
Barbra's gotta go.
Barbra? Barbra?

Barbra's gotta let go.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 7:20pm

All these worries about verisimilitude.

Just wait til you hear a 70 year old Mamma Rose say "'Cause I was born too soon and started too late!"

NOW THAT'S VERISIMILITUDE!

[bk]

Posted: 3/14/12 at 10:09pm

Of course, IF any of this is true, then the writer has not even begun word one of the script. So, let's say he can bang it out in three months. Then everyone concerned will have a say and there will be rewrites. Do they have a director? If not, by the time they get one who can fit it into a schedule, that could be September already. Then IF the thing goes ahead, it must be cast. Then pre-production and pre-records. It may well be that Miss Streisand will be seventy-one by the time they start shooting. And yes, she looks very good for her age, thanks to proper lighting, hair color, makeup, and photography and digital touch-up work.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/15/12 at 1:17am

The very idea of directing Ms, S. has to be making Hollywood go Hmmm.
Nichols is an interesting choice but how about a career changer for Penny Marshall?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/15/12 at 3:32am

I'm looking forward to just watching this film and seeing her performance. I just don't see the point in all this speculation, when you can just wait and see.