I know she's my go-to-girl for almost any casting situation, but if she were still alive I think Dorothy Loudon would've given Stritch a huge run for her money.
"Light the candles! Get the ice out! Roll the rug up, it's today!"
Carrie Fisher is someone I've always pictured in the role.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
There were a few clips of the 1984 Tony Awards on "that site" and had Dorothy Performing in the Jerry Herman Tribute, and also performing "Broadway Baby" and "Vodka". Sadly the Jerry Herman tribute has been taken down from the site, and it really showcased Dorothy.
"Light the candles! Get the ice out! Roll the rug up, it's today!"
I've heard that LuPone does a nice version of "Ladies Who Lunch".
Ok, seeing a picture of Megan Mullally just made me think of Karen, and that made of think of Joanne....I don't know. They really are kind of similar. Karen's kind of the new Joanne, in my mind. That's probably completely ridiculous, but I like it anyway.
I've wrecked my brain on that one, but I don't think ANYONE could compare with Elaine. Loudon would be fine and probably definitive if Elaine had never done it, but Elaine is Elaine is Elaine. As a side note, I'd always loved Dorothy's version of Broadway Baby, but then Elaine came along and the song was never the same. I love Dorothy (and she was as nice a person as you'd ever want to meet), but Elaine is a planet unto herself.
I saw Carol Burnett do it.. and she surprised me.. not as jaded or cynical as Joanne should be..but she really toned down her clown persona and did an impressive job.
you know, I watched "Company" last night, and watching Joanne, I kept thinking of the tart, wry humor and jaded attitude of Sheila in A Chorus Line. I don't know why, but Vicki Frederick from the ACL movie came to mind. Her bitter sarcasm reminded me of her. I know she's given up the stage, but I think she might have been good for the part.