Showtune Sunday: Roz Russell, Bernadette Peters, Liza, Bette & others do their versions of “Some People” from “Gypsy”

There was all that talk about Barbra Streisand possibly starring in a new big-screen version of Gypsy as Mama Rose.

I’m doubtful it will happen now.

If she had done it, she would be  compared Patti LuPone and Ethel Merman and Bette Midler and Angela Lansbury and Bernadette Peters and Tyne Daly.

All nailed the role brilliantly.

We know Rose’s Turn and Everything’s Coming Up Roses are big number but the the opening one, Some People, is a gem. It tells us so much about Rose, her drive and determination for her kids, her lack of support from her father.

You might want to start off with this LINK to a terrific version performed by Tyne Daly at the Kennedy Center Honors in the late 80s when shortly after she won a Tony for her portrayal of Mama Rose on Broadway.

Here are some of the others including Liza Minnelli who never played Mama Rose but who loves to do Some People in concert and Linda Lavin who replaced Miss Daly on Broadway in the late-80s revival.

Also, Rosalind Russell was a splendid Mama Rose in the movie version but as this video shows, it is a good thing that her singing voice was dubbed at times.

It makes you wonder how Miss Streisand will compare.

Even though she is in her late 60s, she doesn’t look it and her voice is still as strong as ever. She is a diva who has really taken good care of herself!