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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


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"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.


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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.


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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!


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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.


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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.


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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.


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