| Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | Greaser217 09:47 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| I've read a few articles referring to Bebe Neuwirth making Broadway history as the first female to play all the principle roles in a Broadway show but no reference to any man who done so. Is she the first person and if not any clue who else has done that on Bway? | |
| Link | http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/12-2013/bebe-neuwirth-makes-broadway-history-with-a-hat-tr_66948.html |
| reply to this message | | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | sf 02:13 pm EST 01/20/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - Greaser217 09:47 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Donna McKechnie has played Sally, Phyllis, and Carlotta in 'Follies' - but not on Broadway. | |
| reply to this message | | |
| Blair Brown came close | |
| Posted by: | whereismikeyfl 09:40 pm EST 01/18/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - Greaser217 09:47 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| As I recall, in an interview Blair Brown noted that she played Lucy, Jenny and Polly in Threepenny Opera during its Lincoln Center run. That is not all four principal female roles but it is close. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Blair Brown came close | |
| Posted by: | FriendofDorothy 12:07 am EST 01/19/14 |
| In reply to: | Blair Brown came close - whereismikeyfl 09:40 pm EST 01/18/14 |
|
| |
| Was she covering the parts or did it have a long run? Btw, I love BB. Saw her in The Dead, Copenhagen and Cabaret over the course of one year. Fantastic actress and a very nice lady. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Blair Brown came close | |
| Posted by: | whereismikeyfl 09:51 am EST 01/19/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Blair Brown came close - FriendofDorothy 12:07 am EST 01/19/14 |
|
| |
| I assume that when you say "cover" you mean understudy. I doubt that was the case since she was a name and opened the production in a major role as Lucy. Nor could she have had a long run in any role since the production only ran a year at the Beaumont and briefly at the Delacorte. IBDB does list Brown as a replacement Polly, but not Jenny. The list is definitely incomplete though since it omits Philip Bosco as a replacement Macheath. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| Brad Oscar? | |
| Posted by: | broadwaymyway 01:13 am EST 01/18/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - Greaser217 09:47 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Franz, Roger and Max in 'The Producers'? As an understudy or standby? ps - principal | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | sloughie 04:37 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - Greaser217 09:47 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Donna Marie Asbury covered and/or played all three roles at one point. If Ruthie Henshall comes back as Mama, she'll have pulled off the same feat, since she has also played both Velma and Roxie. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | FriendofDorothy 05:22 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - sloughie 04:37 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| I would think people who've at least covered the three parts at some point would be significant, considering the length of it's runs in NY, London, and on tour. Belle Calaway has done Roxie and has gone on as Mama; she may have gone on as Velma, I think she covered R&V in the first (revival) national tour, before being upped to Roxie on tour. Nancy Hess has certainly played both; I am not sure if she was ever pressed into service as Mama. Ute Lemper would be a good Mama, although I don't think she has done it. Pro | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" | |
| Posted by: | shadowlight 05:28 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - FriendofDorothy 05:22 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| She originated June (I think) in the revival, went on to play Velma and Mama. Not the big three, but at least three. When did Hess play Roxie? I only remember her Velma. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| I saw Hess as Roxie but never as Velma. Did anyone ever see her in Spider Woman? | |
| Posted by: | GabbyGerard 03:28 am EST 01/18/14 |
| In reply to: | "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" - shadowlight 05:28 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Her Roxie was beautifully danced and well-sung but somewhat personality free. It's hard for me to imagine her as Aurora when so much of the role is built around personality. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" | |
| Posted by: | FriendofDorothy 06:43 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" - shadowlight 05:28 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Well, she was the standby for both parts for the first year of the revival. Considering Miss Reinking was not known for perfect attendance, I am certain she went on more than a few times. Never caught her as Roxie, though. She was actually cast as Velma, briefly I think (maybe during Bebe's first vacation?). Or maybe she came after Bebe but before the next "star" Velma. Who was the next star Velma? Jasmine Guy? I used to know all the details, but damn, this show has been running a long time! | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" | |
| Posted by: | shadowlight 07:08 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" - FriendofDorothy 06:43 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Are you talking about Mamie or Nancy? I'm guessing Nancy, because I don't think Mamie understudied Roxie (though I didn't think Nancy did either). Mamie definitely was cast as Velma for a time, but I don't remember Nancy having the role. I do think Jasmine Guy followed Mamie. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" | |
| Posted by: | FriendofDorothy 07:22 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" - shadowlight 07:08 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Referring to Nancy. I am dealing only with bits of memory now, but I think after playing Velma for a year, Bebe took 2 or 3 weeks off, during which time Nancy was the listed Velma. I'm pretty sure Mamie never did Roxie. I am not at all sure why so few black actresses have played Roxie, actually. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" | |
| Posted by: | shadowlight 07:47 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: "Look! It's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs!" - FriendofDorothy 07:22 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| "I'm pretty sure Mamie never did Roxie." I'm almost certain you're correct. I don't understand why any actress would play both roles - they are so different in my head. In reality, probably not so much. Mamie and Deidre Goodwin were two of my all-time favorite Velmas. One of my favorite Mamie/Nancy stories was when Uta Lemper was Velma. Mamie, as understudy, was on vacation. Hess was on standby. The show began, and Hess was released. Midshow, Lemper went out. The curtain was rung down for 15 minutes while Hess was summoned back to the theater. Her first number? "I Can't Do It Alone" - which she performed beautifully, to much applause. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | perfectlyfrank 01:04 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - Greaser217 09:47 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| All three principal roles? Hmmm...Roxie, Velma and Billy are the three principal roles. But, despite the hyperbole, Neuwirth's feat is certainly rare. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | FriendofDorothy 05:01 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - perfectlyfrank 01:04 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Agreed. I think people are just reacting to the relative novelty of the situation. It is rare for one actress (not counting swings and understudies) to have played the three biggest (female) roles in a show. Rarer still that it is the same production, years later. Rarer still that said actress won a Tony for the role she is most identified with on stage. I always thought it would be fun to do a Gypsy (probably a concert), where the strippers would be Daly (Miss Electra), Peters (Tessie Tura) and LuPone (Mazeppa). Now THAT would be rare. Back to the topic, though, I think it's wonderful that she's doing it, and certainly a substantial accomplishment. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | SingersRMusicians2 02:06 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - perfectlyfrank 01:04 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Wait another 3-4 years, and she'll come back as Billy as well . | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | sloughie 05:45 pm EST 01/19/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - SingersRMusicians2 02:06 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| She did play Billy in the Broadway Backwards concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKYCa0akqd8 | |
| Link | Bebe as Billy |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | SingersRMusicians2 06:43 pm EST 01/19/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - sloughie 05:45 pm EST 01/19/14 |
|
| |
| Thanks. I never saw that clip. Wish I could see more of it. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | sloughie 01:01 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - Greaser217 09:47 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| There are a few actors (Hugh Panaro, John Cudia) who have played both Phantom and Raoul and actors who have played both Valjean and Javert as well I believe (not sure if anyone has played Valjean, Javert, Marius and Thenardier though). | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | LynnO 06:21 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - sloughie 01:01 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Add Brad Little to the list of men who have played both The Phantom and Raoul on Broadway. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? | |
| Posted by: | FriendofDorothy 06:44 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - LynnO 06:21 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| I've known 2 people who have understudied (and gone on) in both parts on Broadway. One of them has also played both leads on tour. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| Bebe is not the first by any means. | |
| Posted by: | footlight9 11:18 am EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe's Hat Trick is Broadway history? - Greaser217 09:47 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Arnetia Walker played Effie, Lorrell, and Deena in DREAMGIRLS over the course of the run. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe is not the first by any means. | |
| Posted by: | JereNYC (JereNYC@aol.com) 12:42 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe is not the first by any means. - footlight9 11:18 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| It's interesting to me that a single actress would or could play both Effie and Deena. They are rather pointedly supposed to be, not only different physical types, but also different vocal types. Lorrell can probably go either way and I could see a single actress playing both Lorrell and one of the other two. I'd be curious to hear more about this. | |
| Link | Jere-Rigged |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| The original DREAMGIRLS ... | |
| Posted by: | Alcindoro 12:56 pm EST 01/20/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe is not the first by any means. - JereNYC 12:42 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| ... had a "fat suit" for the gals that understudied Effie. I had a good friend in the OBC who gave me a backstage tour and pointed it out on a rack. I saw the svelte Brenda Pressley wear it when she went on for Holliday, and it was fairly convincing. Brenda was marvelous in the role. I think they lowered the songs a bit, which allowed her to sing them in a rich, Mahalia-style contralto, very different from Holliday but very effective. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe is not the first by any means. | |
| Posted by: | mendacity 12:18 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Bebe is not the first by any means. - footlight9 11:18 am EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| >>Arnetia Walker played Effie, Lorrell, and Deena in DREAMGIRLS over the course of the run. ... all on Broadway, not as an understudy? | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Bebe is not the first by any means. | |
| Posted by: | kdogg36 02:47 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe is not the first by any means. - mendacity 12:18 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| I know it's not the same, but Van Hughes played all of three main guys in American Idiot on Broadway, two of them as an understudy though. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| Helen Gallagher? | |
| Posted by: | lordofspeech 04:34 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Bebe is not the first by any means. - kdogg36 02:47 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Someone will know this: Didn't indefatiguable Helen Gallagher play a number of roles in MAME and in SWEET CHARITY over the course of time? | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Helen Gallagher? | |
| Posted by: | LegitOnce 01:30 am EST 01/18/14 |
| In reply to: | Helen Gallagher? - lordofspeech 04:34 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Her Mother Burnside was definitive. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Helen Gallagher? | |
| Posted by: | SingersRMusicians2 08:02 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Helen Gallagher? - lordofspeech 04:34 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| I know that Helen Gallagher played Nickie and was a replacement Charity (unfortunately I never saw her in either role). As for Mame, she was both a replacement Gooch and a replacement Vera. I saw her many times as Gooch (loved her), but never saw her as Vera. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Helen Gallagher? | |
| Posted by: | PlayWiz 04:46 pm EST 01/19/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Helen Gallagher? - SingersRMusicians2 08:02 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| Did she do the high note at the end of "Gooch's Song" like Jane Connell? | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Helen Gallagher? | |
| Posted by: | SingersRMusicians2 06:45 pm EST 01/19/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Helen Gallagher? - PlayWiz 04:46 pm EST 01/19/14 |
|
| |
| It was a long time ago, but I do not remember her omitting the Bb (I would have noticed that!) | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Helen Gallagher? | |
| Posted by: | FriendofDorothy 06:46 pm EST 01/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Helen Gallagher? - lordofspeech 04:34 pm EST 01/17/14 |
|
| |
| I don't have specifics, but I think this is true. On tour, Stritch also played both Mame and Vera (not at the same performance, I assume). | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
All That Chat is intended for the discussion of
theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)
Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.
[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Restaurant Revue | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]
Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]
Time to render: 1.796536 seconds.