Will we see a MAME revival soon?

[David10086]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 9:57am

I do recall about 15 years ago (2002-03), when the ABC 'Streisand produced/directed' movie "Mame" came to a dead end, that Jerry Herman sat for an interview and said he wanted to see three of his musicals revived on Broadway in the next decade: La Cage,  Hello Dolly and Mame (and I believe it was in that order he wanted them).

His 'La Cage' did debut in 2004 and was more or less a flop with mixed reviews, sudden cast changes and lasted about 6 months. IIRC, that experience caused Herman to slow down the revivals of his other two musicals, as he was so angry and disappointed with what happened to LC.

So here we are in 2017, "Hello Dolly" is one of the biggest musical revivals to hit the stage (if not the biggest) and the question is - will we get a "Mame" revival any time soon...and if yes, with whom?

I would love to see Broadway legend Bernadette Peters in the role of  'Mame', or even Christine Ebersole. Someone perky and energetic like these two could make it a hit.

If we need a 'celebrity' name to fill the seats, perhaps (dare I say) Catherine Zeta Jones? Or if they really want to be creative - Queen Latifah? 

 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 10:12am

Don't forget that about the 2010 revival of La Cage aux Folles that proved to be much more successful.

As for Mame, someone suggested to Roundabout Theatre Company about producing it in a future season. Roundabout responded to the suggestion with:
“A great show that is overdue for revival. Again, who would you cast in those iconic leading roles? It’s hard to follow Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur!”

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 10:23am

I would pay top dollar to see Jane Krakowski star in a revival.

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 10:34am

Catherine Zeta-Jones would be a perfect Mame.  As would Jane Krakowski!  Both of these ladies have the style, sophistication and elegance that the role requires.  And, they are both extremely talented.  

Can't really picture Christine or Bernadette.  Yes, I know Christine has played the part before.

It's really rather annoying when you get that sort of a response as Jeffrey K posted from Roundabout.  It's not about following the original stars.  Look at the revival of "Cabaret" in 1998.  Many balked about it - saying no one can compare to Joel Grey or Liza - even though Liza never did the stage version.  Then Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson both took home Tony awards and it was a massive, massive smash!!!  

Updated On: 8/14/17 at 10:34 AM

[Valentina3]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 10:37am

Do you think Audra could do it?

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 10:40am

Actually, Audra would be a fantastic Gooch.  

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 10:42am

I think Keakowski is the right actress for Mame, and I'd love to see Alison Janney as her Vera. 

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 10:43am

I can see a few Broadway Divas being excellent in this show but I can't think of another SuperStar like Bette who would be the perfect fit for a Revival. And Jones is not A List anymore, is she?  And she won a TONY but she was a Mess in LITTLE NIGHT.

Audra as MAME  would be interesting.

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 10:52am

It's not about being A list.  I saw CZJ several times in "Night Music" and she was wonderful.  And, I also enjoyed Bernadette Peters performance when she took over.  

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 11:17am

I really hope if there is a revival that they do a large overhaul of the book. Lawrence and Lee took their amazing play and shoehorned songs into it. I've always thought it comes across that way. It needs to be reworked.

[David10086]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 11:57am

I honestly think it needs to be celebrity-driven to be a box office hit like "Dolly". And that's what Herman would want...not another dud like "La Cage" revival. (As for the 2010 revival mentioned above, I believe that didn't last long either. )

I'm not really sure if she would do Broadway, but...I could actually see Melissa McCarthy in the role. She wasn't 1/2 bad singing on Streisand's last album. And she seems very comfortable in front of a live audience (as she is on SNL). If I was a producer, I'd beg her to take the role. 

 

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 12:04pm

My dream Mame is Maya Rudolph but I doubt she'd be in command like Bette.

[David10086]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 12:20pm

little_sally said: "My dream Mame is Maya Rudolph but I doubt she'd be in command like Bette.

 

"

I could see Rudolph as Agnes Gooch, not sure about Mame. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 12:22pm

David10086 said: "I honestly think it needs to be celebrity-driven to be a box office hit like "Dolly". And that's what Herman would want...not another dud like "La Cage" revival (As for the 2010 revival mentioned above, I believe that didn't last long either)."

Terry Johnson's production at least ran longer than Jerry Zaks'.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 1:09pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "David10086 said: "I honestly think it needs to be celebrity-driven to be a box office hit like "Dolly". And that's what Herman would want...not another dud like "La Cage" revival (As for the 2010 revival mentioned above, I believe that didn't last long either)."

Terry Johnson's production at least ran longer than Jerry Zaks'.

 

"

I feel like the 2010 La Cage could've run a bit longer (at least until Labor Day) if there wasn't a casting scramble caused by the sudden departure of Jeffrey Tambor.

 

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 9:41pm

David10086 said: "little_sally said: "My dream Mame is Maya Rudolph but I doubt she'd be in command like Bette.

Maybe in Summer Stock.  I don't know if she can sing, but I can't see her being successful with the glamour aspects of the role.  And, she is not a big enough star.  Audra MacDonald seems the best option to me...maybe Rudolph could be Vera.
 

 

"

 

[Cat Guy]

Posted: 8/14/17 at 11:13pm

I saw Ginger Rogers' "Mame" in London in 1969 (wonderful!).  To see it again, I would want someone of the caliber of Audra, Kristin Chenoweth or Reba McEntire.

I have posted this before, but here is a fun video featuring Ginger, Angela and Lucy simultaneously performing "Mame".  If you click on the YouTube logo, it will allow you to bring it to full screen.

 

 

[Soaring29]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 1:24am

Hmm, I don't know who could do it- Bette would fit the part really well, but I don't know. Patti and Christine could be wonderful too and Audra could maybe do it too. 

[brian1973]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 3:44am

Mame needs to be quirky. Zeta Jones would kill the role stone dead like she did with her dreadful performance in Night Music. Patti would just play Patti in it.

 

Ebwrsole could play it. 

[Aunty Mame]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 4:18am

Light the candles!!!

CZJ gets a nod from me.  JK also.

Let's do it soon!

[SweetLips]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 5:46am

CZJ as Mame and Ms Peters as Gooch- Lupone in a role she was born for[now], as Vera, for a trifecta.

 

In Aus. we had an American Gaylea Burn[?]as Mame--we didn't trust a local to carry a show then--Jill Perryman was the first with Funny Girl then Nancye Hayes in Sweet Charity--and the best Gooch EVER in Mary Hardy-a radio 'star' with a mouth and huge following[sister of author Frank Hardy].

Updated On: 8/15/17 at 05:46 AM

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 8:01am

I agreed that it would need a star vehicle.  Hopefully Cher and Meryl 

[brian1973]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 8:34am

Sorry... did no one on here actually see CZJ murder Night Music???!!

[nealb1]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 10:26am

Exactly - I saw CJZ a few times in "Night Music," and she didn't "murder" it the nights I saw it.

Cher????  Yeah................right............UCK!!!!!

Updated On: 8/15/17 at 10:26 AM

[bdn223]

Posted: 8/15/17 at 11:25am

Haven't there been a few productions of Mame revivals that were in the works that were torpedoed by Jerry Herman himself?

I could of sworn, there was an article somewhere that said Mame won't be revived until unfortunately Mr Herman has passed, as he was way to protective of the show and all casting choices that would make producing a revival next to impossible.