Mama in the stage version?

BroadwayRedHead · Mama in the stage version?

Hello there! I'm really curious about Mama Morton in the stage production.

I'm going to be a senior in high school this upcoming year, and we are doing Chicago (we're about 99% positive). This sounds odd but I come from a very tiny school (300 students) with a small theater company that is basically ran by 4 students -- myself included -- and we are all seniors next year. Our director wants us to go out with a bang, in hope to spark interest for upcoming productions when we are gone.

Now, I have basically been informed that I will most likely be Mama Morton. Is this a good role? What is her range? I'm not really worried about the range as I have a very broad one but I am just curious. Also, what do you suggest I sing as an audition as Mama?

BroadwayBud

I'm not really sure about the range. Actually, I've never seent he show on stage, I've only seen the movie with Queen Latifah as Mama. I think it's a great role! I'd suggest singing "Always True To You" from Kiss Me Kate for your audition. I think that corresponds well with the song Mama sings in the show.

Salome

Range wise its about the same as te film. she sings 2 songs.. 'Whwn youre good to mama" and 'class'.

I'd sing another Kander and Ebb song..such as Mien Herr" from CABARET, or Where you Are from KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN.

norayouadora

Another thing that might be worth mentioning is that the part is acted sort of differently in the stage version. This isn't done in all productions, but in the few that I've seen Mama played is played to be sort of androgynous. For example, one production that I saw had a flat-chested Mama with a cropped hairstyle, and she wore an outfit sort of like a police uniform. Also, she sort of gives out a homosexual vibe. I can't think of any other way to put this, but it's as if she's hinting that she's a lesbian, or that she's attracted to the girls in the prison. The first time I saw the show I was mildly surprised by this, so I think it's probably relevant to someone playing the part, especially if you've only seen the movie. It's not something that all directors choose to do, but I think (if done right) it can be funny, and it adds to the character.

Salome

nora,

thats all interpretation based on the way the director wants ot go. nothing to do with script differences.

In the film the role had alot of gay overtones as well.

norayouadora

Oh, I didn't mean that the scripts differ. I was referring to different interpretations, as you said... That was bad wording on my part. I didn't notice much of this in the movie, though I've never really looked, either. Naturally, the director could choose not to do the role this way. I just figured it might be useful to know.

BroadwayRedHead

I'm so sorry I haven't replied to my own thread in a while! I've been busy in a production of Beauty and the Beast and this is my first chance to get on MDN!

I've seen the show numerous times by means of the movie, on Broadway, and I've seen local colleges and high schools perform the show. The only problem is, I didn't really pay attention to Mama.

Salome -- thank you so much for mentioning Mein Herr! I am a huge Cabaret fan, and I didn't even think about Mein Herr as an audition song! I do believe that's what I'll be singing for this audition.

As for the more lesbian Mama, wow! Shocked

I haven't really seen a production where she was portrayed as androgynous... If that's how our director wants me to play it (if I even get this role... even though I just spoke to her very recently she mentioned the role audition to me yet again.. argh) then so be it! The only problem with that could be is I am very curvy and couldn't portray a somewhat male-ish Mama! Laughing

But thank you so much for all the help!

MichiFan

what is this common misconception that lesbians have to be androgynous?!

and just because they might want you to play her a little gay doesn't mean you have to look male, or even slightly masculine.

i realize you didn't mean this offensively, but there are lesbians out there that don't dress, look, and/or act like men.

mama pawk and jennifer holliday played the role just a *wee* bit gay and they are both curvy, beautiful women. pawk, in that suit, is about as far from masculine as one can get.
~Cat
who is, by the way, gay. and very much a feminine girl.

SupremeDiva

Oh Michele definitely played Mama more than a wee bit gay.... and she's one hot Mama! (pun completely intended!).... you know, and not to mention the sexy outfit they put her in that she kept falling out of towards the beginning of her run.

BroadwayRedHead

I'm really sorry!

It came off really rude of me. I didn't mean to say lesbians are androdgynous. I didn't mean that at all. Just the way I worded it came out wrong.

So please accept my apology, as I didn't mean anything by the way I worded that. I understand how it could be taken offensively. Confused

MichiFan

yeah, pawk was definitely the hottest mama i've ever seen. i was there on her opening when she wore that outfit you are referring to, heather. it was delightful and entertaining!

and redhead - it's cool. i know you didn't mean it. that's why i wrote "i know you didn't mean this offensively" the first time Very Happy

i was just clearing up the wording was all.

no hard feelings!

SupremeDiva

You were at Michele's opening? No way, Jose-- I was there.... that was Rox's opening night as Velma... I totally would have remembered you being there! Or do you just mean you were there in the beginning before they started attempting to tape her into her corset? lmao

MichiFan

It was a Wednesday, so if that was Rox's opening, then perhaps. It was definitely near the beginning of her run because I talked to her afterwards and she was commenting how she was having a blast, but just getting started so 'watch out!' I was on the front row, but I was surrounded by Asians, so it must have been a different day because I figure you were on the front row too. This was back in the front row rush days right?

And we so weren't friends back then, so if you were there, I might have just avoided you like the plague.

I would have stuck with that feeling if I had known you were going to leave me at the altar for an older MAN 4 years later!!

Sigh.
~Cat, who is still heartbroken over Heather.

SupremeDiva

My dearest darling Cat,
I love you. That is all.

Love, Me

Oh, that and you were there a few days after I was. The opening was a Monday night..... (yeah back in the days of front row rush, and in the front row I was indeed) I believe the date was January 14. Im such a geek that I know this without having to look it up.

And yeah, we so weren't friends back then, but even if you avoided me like the plague, I still would have remembered you being there. Very Happy

MichiFan

well, yeah. because you would have been like "who is that girl and why is she so much hotter than me? i want some of that."

and then we would have fought over pawk, just for fun.

and i still wouldn't have loved you Wink

but yes, mid january sounds right.

superb. yay for memories of when the show rocked!
~Cat

BroadwayRedHead	Mama in the stage version? Hello there! I'm really curious about Mama Morton in the stage production. I'm going to be a senior in high school this upcoming year, and we are doing Chicago (we're about 99% positive). This sounds odd but I come from a very tiny school (300 students) with a small theater company that is basically ran by 4 students -- myself included -- and we are all seniors next year. Our director wants us to go out with a bang, in hope to spark interest for upcoming productions when we are gone. Now, I have basically been informed that I will most likely be Mama Morton. Is this a good role? What is her range? I'm not really worried about the range as I have a very broad one but I am just curious. Also, what do you suggest I sing as an audition as Mama?
BroadwayBud	I'm not really sure about the range. Actually, I've never seent he show on stage, I've only seen the movie with Queen Latifah as Mama. I think it's a great role! I'd suggest singing "Always True To You" from Kiss Me Kate for your audition. I think that corresponds well with the song Mama sings in the show.
Salome	Range wise its about the same as te film. she sings 2 songs.. 'Whwn youre good to mama" and 'class'. I'd sing another Kander and Ebb song..such as Mien Herr" from CABARET, or Where you Are from KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN.
norayouadora	Another thing that might be worth mentioning is that the part is acted sort of differently in the stage version. This isn't done in all productions, but in the few that I've seen Mama played is played to be sort of androgynous. For example, one production that I saw had a flat-chested Mama with a cropped hairstyle, and she wore an outfit sort of like a police uniform. Also, she sort of gives out a homosexual vibe. I can't think of any other way to put this, but it's as if she's hinting that she's a lesbian, or that she's attracted to the girls in the prison. The first time I saw the show I was mildly surprised by this, so I think it's probably relevant to someone playing the part, especially if you've only seen the movie. It's not something that all directors choose to do, but I think (if done right) it can be funny, and it adds to the character.
Salome	nora, thats all interpretation based on the way the director wants ot go. nothing to do with script differences. In the film the role had alot of gay overtones as well.
norayouadora	Oh, I didn't mean that the scripts differ. I was referring to different interpretations, as you said... That was bad wording on my part. I didn't notice much of this in the movie, though I've never really looked, either. Naturally, the director could choose not to do the role this way. I just figured it might be useful to know.
BroadwayRedHead	I'm so sorry I haven't replied to my own thread in a while! I've been busy in a production of Beauty and the Beast and this is my first chance to get on MDN! I've seen the show numerous times by means of the movie, on Broadway, and I've seen local colleges and high schools perform the show. The only problem is, I didn't really pay attention to Mama. Salome -- thank you so much for mentioning Mein Herr! I am a huge Cabaret fan, and I didn't even think about Mein Herr as an audition song! I do believe that's what I'll be singing for this audition. As for the more lesbian Mama, wow! I haven't really seen a production where she was portrayed as androgynous... If that's how our director wants me to play it (if I even get this role... even though I just spoke to her very recently she mentioned the role audition to me yet again.. argh) then so be it! The only problem with that could be is I am very curvy and couldn't portray a somewhat male-ish Mama! But thank you so much for all the help!
MichiFan	what is this common misconception that lesbians have to be androgynous?! and just because they might want you to play her a little gay doesn't mean you have to look male, or even slightly masculine. i realize you didn't mean this offensively, but there are lesbians out there that don't dress, look, and/or act like men. mama pawk and jennifer holliday played the role just a wee bit gay and they are both curvy, beautiful women. pawk, in that suit, is about as far from masculine as one can get. ~Cat who is, by the way, gay. and very much a feminine girl.
SupremeDiva	Oh Michele definitely played Mama more than a wee bit gay.... and she's one hot Mama! (pun completely intended!).... you know, and not to mention the sexy outfit they put her in that she kept falling out of towards the beginning of her run.
BroadwayRedHead	I'm really sorry! It came off really rude of me. I didn't mean to say lesbians are androdgynous. I didn't mean that at all. Just the way I worded it came out wrong. So please accept my apology, as I didn't mean anything by the way I worded that. I understand how it could be taken offensively.
MichiFan	yeah, pawk was definitely the hottest mama i've ever seen. i was there on her opening when she wore that outfit you are referring to, heather. it was delightful and entertaining! and redhead - it's cool. i know you didn't mean it. that's why i wrote "i know you didn't mean this offensively" the first time i was just clearing up the wording was all. no hard feelings!
SupremeDiva	You were at Michele's opening? No way, Jose-- I was there.... that was Rox's opening night as Velma... I totally would have remembered you being there! Or do you just mean you were there in the beginning before they started attempting to tape her into her corset? lmao
MichiFan	It was a Wednesday, so if that was Rox's opening, then perhaps. It was definitely near the beginning of her run because I talked to her afterwards and she was commenting how she was having a blast, but just getting started so 'watch out!' I was on the front row, but I was surrounded by Asians, so it must have been a different day because I figure you were on the front row too. This was back in the front row rush days right? And we so weren't friends back then, so if you were there, I might have just avoided you like the plague. I would have stuck with that feeling if I had known you were going to leave me at the altar for an older MAN 4 years later!! Sigh. ~Cat, who is still heartbroken over Heather.
SupremeDiva	My dearest darling Cat, I love you. That is all. Love, Me Oh, that and you were there a few days after I was. The opening was a Monday night..... (yeah back in the days of front row rush, and in the front row I was indeed) I believe the date was January 14. Im such a geek that I know this without having to look it up. And yeah, we so weren't friends back then, but even if you avoided me like the plague, I still would have remembered you being there.
MichiFan	well, yeah. because you would have been like "who is that girl and why is she so much hotter than me? i want some of that." and then we would have fought over pawk, just for fun. and i still wouldn't have loved you but yes, mid january sounds right. superb. yay for memories of when the show rocked! ~Cat

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Mama in the stage version?