Like many, including some who have posted here, I was INCREDIBLY disappointed by Mary Louise Wilson's performance, which was devoid of the madcap ridiculousness that the role requires. That being said, I understand why she was cast in the first place. Not only did she have a prior existing relationship with Roundabout (e.g., Cabaret, The Women), but, also, throughout her long career--and even in her Tony acceptance!--she has demonstrated considerable comic skill in roles like Tessie Tura in Gypsy; Marge in Promises, Promises; and Big Edie in Grey Gardens.
When her casting was announced, I was excited. For whatever reason--and I think Scott Ellis deserves a lot of the blame here--she seemed to be in an entirely different show than everyone else. The performance was far too grounded and realistic while everyone else was doing a screwball comedy, maybe even an SNL sketch parodying screwball comedies. |
