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The REAL Ciaron

Joanna Gleason's "Bakers Wife"

Is this performance not epic?

She is STILL the one thing this entire board (except for some trolls) agrees upon.

Probably the greatest performance by a female in the last 25 years.
dramaqueen220222

God, I wish I could have seen the original show. At least there's the OBC recording, and the video.
The REAL Ciaron

dramaqueen220222 wrote:
God, I wish I could have seen the original show. At least there's the OBC recording, and the video.


Thank God for that DVD!! I was lucky enough to see her in it but that was years ago. I watch that DVD at least twice a weak.
dramaqueen220222

The REAL Ciaron wrote:
dramaqueen220222 wrote:
God, I wish I could have seen the original show. At least there's the OBC recording, and the video.


Thank God for that DVD!! I was lucky enough to see her in it but that was years ago. I watch that DVD at least twice a weak.


I really need that DVD. I asked for the OBC for Christmas, but I think I've changed my mind.
Christine_Colgate

She is truly amazing as the baker's wife. she is also awesome in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. i saw it again on saturday and she is still spectacular at what she does.
mizzie

Christine_Colgate wrote:
She is truly amazing as the baker's wife. she is also awesome in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. i saw it again on saturday and she is still spectacular at what she does.


Oh, Amen! Joanna Gleason is a brilliant actress. Not only as the Baker's Wife, but as her much smaller role in DRS. She really stands out! Plus, it was a huge treat to see her in DRS after seeing both Into the Woods (in Stratford) and Chip Zien in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Go Joanna!
RainyCrystal

Joanna Gleason's Baker's Wife...

One word: AMAZING!

~Sissi
Frank_Rind

Joanna Gleason is amazing.

When sitting down to watch the DVD with someone new I always tell them to study her, because in doing that they will witness not only, as Ciaron said, one of the greatest performances by a female in the last 25 years but also one of the most deserving Tony wins in recent history. I consider Joanna the benchmark against which all Best Actress in a Musical award recipients should be measured. It is sad that so many fall short of Gleason's brilliance. Menzel springs to mind.
The REAL Ciaron

Frank_Rind wrote:
I consider Joanna the benchmark against which all Best Actress in a Musical award recipients should be measured..


Could not have said it better myself.

Joanna, Stephen and Lapine proved, once again, that is takes more than a pretty voice to be a great musical actress.
Jennyanydots

Honesty. She is the epitome of truthfulness.
RainyCrystal

The REAL Ciaron wrote:
Joanna, Stephen and Lapine proved, once again, that is takes more than a pretty voice to be a great musical actress.


Famous quote from the great Maria Callas: "A beautiful voice is not enough."

~Sissi
Annaliese

I fully realized how truly amazing she is when I watched the Bakers Wife performed by someone else. The woman I saw- was very nice and sweet and stuff- but had no comedy to her performance. In fact, none of the cast in that particular production did. I sort of blame it on the way it was directed though- Because ALL the characters were really earnest and everything- but seemed to have no comic insight into the characters (with the exception of one or two performers)- which is truly odd- because there were some really talented performers in that show... Has anyone else seen a version of Into the Woods that was just NOT FUNNY? I know there are versions that apparently play up darker elements- but trust me- the comedy was not sacrificed for that- because it wasn't dark either.
Desperado

I don't see what's so good about Joanna's performance.

Is she like...so subtle that I don't notice it?
The REAL Ciaron

Desperado wrote:
I don't see what's so good about Joanna's performance.

Is she like...so subtle that I don't notice it?


It's sad that you don't "get" it.
Salome

The timing and the humor mixed with the realisim and pathos of her situation. Joanna is brilliant. I even like her on the Nick and Nora OBC album and she and Bostwick were miscast in that..but somehow Joanna always adds extra layers to whatever she does.

Ive seen many productions of into the woods..the strange thing is the only other baker's wife i liked was a 20 year old girl who played the role for a youth production of actors whose ages ranged from 14 to 22.
Guest

I LOVE Joanna Gleason's Baker's Wife. Her portrayal is probably one of the things that got me into theatre. And she was very, very good in DRS...

Thank God for the DVD (or six-year-old taped copy, in my case)...I love the way she says this one line..."Oh, I pulled it from a maiden in a tower." She's just so...nonchalant about the way she says it (is that the word I'm looking for?)

To Salome (or anyone that knows): "Nick & Nora"...you mention a Bostwick? Is this Barry Bostwick? Because I like his voice. And I like Joanna's voice. Perhaps...if I'm right about this..."Nick and Nora" will be my next cast recording I get...
Amber

^ That was me. Just...not logged in. Embarassed
The REAL Ciaron

The simple fact is her performance was one of the greatest in 30 years.
dana_c

I love Joanna Gleason's Baker's Wife! She's the best! She's just awesome! Very Happy
ADistantMoonAgo

After I saw "Moments in the Woods" on dvd i was like..yes. Joanna Gleason. is my new favorite actress. Phenomenal.
mannfann714

for me, single greatest line...(and forgive me for not quoting exactly...)
Wife: These are no ordinary beans, these beans carry magic!
Jack: Really? What kind of magic?
Wife: (with a jerk of the head) Tell him.

I LOVE HER! and I cry whenever she dies, not ashamed to admit it.
Salome

Anonymous wrote:
I LOVE Joanna Gleason's Baker's Wife. Her portrayal is probably one of the things that got me into theatre. And she was very, very good in DRS...

Thank God for the DVD (or six-year-old taped copy, in my case)...I love the way she says this one line..."Oh, I pulled it from a maiden in a tower." She's just so...nonchalant about the way she says it (is that the word I'm looking for?)

To Salome (or anyone that knows): "Nick & Nora"...you mention a Bostwick? Is this Barry Bostwick? Because I like his voice. And I like Joanna's voice. Perhaps...if I'm right about this..."Nick and Nora" will be my next cast recording I get...


yes..Joanna and Barry starred in Nick and Nora.
the supporting cast included Christine Baranski.
audreydarling

Yeah..I was so obsessed with Into the Woods..three years ago I watched it over and over again..and Joanna never fails to impress me! Because of her the Baker's Wife is one of my dream roles, I just hipe I can do it justice! i also love bernadette as the witch..the OBC DVD is super amazing!..I love all the little things Joanna Gleason does with her head and her hands and the inflection in her voice!..it's such a wonderful performance
disneytim

Joanna Gleason News!!!!!

Check out www.netconline.org.... Stephen Schwartz is going to be appearing at the Omni New Haven Hotel in November to do a live interview and will be receiving an award for his contributions to musical theatre.

Also Joanna Gleason and Gregory Jbara of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS will be giving workshops and also being honored.

All on November 18th!!! Very inexpensive weekend for theatre enthusiasts. Very Happy
Kaiana

^Gah. Keep Stephen Schwartz out of the Sondheim board please.
DramaFreek

I have been obsessed with Into the Woods for about a year. I've seen that DVD like a million times.
She is amazing. Moments in the Woods is my favorite song and she's hilarious.
Apples2for10

Frank_Rind wrote:
When sitting down to watch the DVD with someone new I always tell them to study her


So do I! When my mom saw the DVD for the first time, I said "Now pay close attention to Baker's Wife; the actress who plays her is amazing". So, when it was over, Mom has the audacity to say that she thought the best performance was by Danielle Ferland! I mean, she's a good actress too, but in terms of how Little Red was written, nobody could do that part justice!
Apples2for10

Christine_Colgate wrote:
She is also awesome in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.


She should not have taken that part, period! As great of a talent as Joanna Gleason is, she was totally miscast as Muriel. In fact, I believe that Muriel should not have even been written into the show. Her only purpose was to complete a romantic subplot that had no business being included in the show.
Salome

Are you nuts?? Joanna was perfectly cast as Muriel!

and its the best female role in the show too. Have you seen her do the role? perfection.
The REAL Ciaron

Apples2for10 wrote:
Christine_Colgate wrote:
She is also awesome in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.


She should not have taken that part, period! As great of a talent as Joanna Gleason is, she was totally miscast as Muriel. In fact, I believe that Muriel should not have even been written into the show. Her only purpose was to complete a romantic subplot that had no business being included in the show.


The role was expanded specifically to get Joanna back to Broadway. She was incredible and received a Tony nomination for her very small role. She was perfection!!
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