pish123c
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White MamasHow do you feel about Mama being played by a white woman?
I know several freinds who say Mama is "Sassy and in your face and is best played by a black woman"
I've never seen it played by a white woman, I only have the revival cast recording to base my opinions on the matter, and I really don't think the woman on the recording gets Mamas character at all-but then again, it's all a matter of artistic interpretation. I guess not all Mamas have to be the way most play it.
What do you think?
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Joe
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Marcia Lewis
Michele Pawk
Roxanne Carrasco
all three of them are white and i saw all three as mama and all three were fabulous in the role.
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Quique
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The role was traditionally played by caucasian actresses on Broadway back when the revival started out in 1996. The first two national tours cast African American actresses. My first Mama was Marcia Lewis. The rest I've seen have all been black. I think they all did an equally good job in the role.
People just expect the role to be played by an African American actress nowadays because of the film.
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alex591
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I have a video of Debbie Monk doing Mama and shes GREAT!
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pish123c
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| Joe wrote: | Marcia Lewis
Michele Pawk
Roxanne Carrasco
all three of them are white and i saw all three as mama and all three were fabulous in the role. |
How did they play it?
I'm only used to the sassy, roz ryan, queen latifah type mama. I'm not biased, just curious.
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Bklyn
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Dont forget Ann L Nathan, Debbie Gravitte and Belle C on Broadway; Linda Carter in London; and Judi Connelli (Original Australian Cast) to name a few of the other white mama's.
BTW, Marcia did "get" the role. recording doesn't show how great an actress she is. Her Mama also got laughs where I haven't heard them since.
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theatre4life
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i destest marcia lewis. just terrible. i even saw the reviewer's reel dvd and her speaking voice is horrifying.
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alex591
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| pish123c wrote: | | Joe wrote: | Marcia Lewis
Michele Pawk
Roxanne Carrasco
all three of them are white and i saw all three as mama and all three were fabulous in the role. |
How did they play it?
I'm only used to the sassy, roz ryan, queen latifah type mama. I'm not biased, just curious. |
Michele Pawk's Mama is outstanding! She is so great at everything she does!
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ruthiefan_felix
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I think it's fair for me to say London has only seen 2 Mama (at least that I know of) and that's Sharon Clarke & Brenda Edwards. I think Sharon's my all time fav cuz she sang the SH*T of the role but also added some new lesbian side to the character which I never thought of!
Anyway... white Mamas are good... I think it's more down to the person than their colour. I actually wanna see Jenny Galloway try Mama!
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pish123c
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| ruthiefan_felix wrote: | I think it's fair for me to say London has only seen 2 Mama (at least that I know of) and that's Sharon Clarke & Brenda Edwards. I think Sharon's my all time fav cuz she sang the SH*T of the role but also added some new lesbian side to the character which I never thought of!
Anyway... white Mamas are good... I think it's more down to the person than their colour. I actually wanna see Jenny Galloway try Mama! |
Yeah, even if the actress dosen't play it that way, I always figure Mama is a lesbian. Just a random thought I had when watching the movie the first time, and even moreso when I saw Roz Ryan on Broadway.
But my big question is: How do most of the white mamas play the part? Do they do it in a sassy in your face type way or in a new direction all together?
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Salome
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dont forget the origial Mama was white..the incredible Mary McCarty.
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Kev
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There was also Alex Korey, who was insanely dry, sharp and witty, and...jewish. She sang the poo out of WYGTM. Really enjoyed her.
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PappyCat
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While we are on the Topic of Mama, has she always been a bigger women? Or was the role Queen Latifahfied?
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Salome
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Mama is traditionally a larger woman. but some thinner actresses have playedt he role..notably Lilas White.
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Kev
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| Salome wrote: | | Mama is traditionally a larger woman. but some thinner actresses have playedt he role..notably Lilas White. |
are you kidding?
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Linda
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| Kev wrote: | | Salome wrote: | | Mama is traditionally a larger woman. but some thinner actresses have playedt he role..notably Lilas White. |
are you kidding? |
that is funny!
Ann Runolfsson was a thin Mama Morton. She was just "eh".
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Kev
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| Linda wrote: |
Ann Runolfsson was a thin Mama Morton. She was just "eh". |
Linda, she's in Phantom dear 
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Linda
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| Kev wrote: | | Linda wrote: |
Ann Runolfsson was a thin Mama Morton. She was just "eh". |
Linda, she's in Phantom dear |
BIG ooops. 
Who is the thin white Mama I am thinking about? Hmmmm.
Darn this memory.
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alex591
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| Linda wrote: | | Kev wrote: | | Linda wrote: |
Ann Runolfsson was a thin Mama Morton. She was just "eh". |
Linda, she's in Phantom dear |
BIG ooops.
Who is the thin white Mama I am thinking about? Hmmmm.
Darn this memory. |
I can think of a few, though an understudy, Michelle M. Robinson, and Susannah Fellows in London. Those are the only that pop into me head!
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Linda
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Now I remember.
It was Debbie Gravitte.
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ruthiefan_felix
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Anita Dobson, Chrissie Hammond, Lynda Carter all are thin Mamas... including original Aussie revival Mama Maria Mercedes are all thin ~
Anita was fab, not the best singer but proves to be one sharp, bitchy, 'Mrs. Meers' type Mama which I really like! Chrissie... whilst a gd singer, did not act well in the role, Lynda would be in the same league as well
I do hope to see someone play Mama as an drunken alcoholic! 
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Linda
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| ruthiefan_felix wrote: | | I do hope to see someone play Mama as an drunken alcoholic! |
I love that idea!!!!!
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christinadaae
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Re: White Mamas | pish123c wrote: | How do you feel about Mama being played by a white woman?
I know several freinds who say Mama is "Sassy and in your face and is best played by a black woman"
I've never seen it played by a white woman, I only have the revival cast recording to base my opinions on the matter, and I really don't think the woman on the recording gets Mamas character at all-but then again, it's all a matter of artistic interpretation. I guess not all Mamas have to be the way most play it.
What do you think? |
Weren't you the one that was critizing my school for not knowing anything about the original show and copying everything from the movie?
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Kev
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| Linda wrote: | Now I remember.
It was Debbie Gravitte. |
oh GOD. I'm sorry.
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Joe
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lillias white was a larger mama, hell when talking to her after the show i swear she said "i don't feel like posing for a picture cause i wanna go to dinner"
the sexiest thinner mama's that i've seen have to be:
michelle robinson - hot hot hot hot
michele pawk - hot hot hot omg hot
roxane was a rather nice mama on tour when i saw her back in 1998 too.
debbie is just a cow in general.
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SupremeDiva
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Awe I actually really liked Debbie Gravitte as Mama.
Loved Rox as Mama, but my hands down favorite is Pawk. I adore Roz and MMR and everyone, but Pawk blew the effin roof off.
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