In "Diana Ross," Kat highlighted the above BROADWAY WORLD podcast. Ben Rimalower and Daniel Nolen discuss Diana Ross in the podcast.
Near the end, they make the observation that Diana should play Auntie Mame.
That is a really great idea.
For years, Barbra Streisand tried to get the musical made as a film and then, when that failed, talked about it for TV.
As a TV special, Goldie Hawn has also been floated over the years.
But it's never been made.
In 1958, Rosalind Russell starred in the film AUNTIE MAME. It was a huge hit and has gone on to become a classic film.
In 1966, it became a hit Broadway musical starring Angela Lansbury (the show won three Tonys -- one of which went to Angela -- Bea Arthur, playing Vera Charles, also won a Tony). In 1974, it became a flop film starring Lucille Ball. Not just any flop, mind you, but one of the big bombs of all time. Chapter five in Edward Margulies and Stephen Rebello's wonderful collection BAD MOVIES WE LOVE is entitled "Vanity, thy name is Lucy" in 'honor' of her film MAME.
[Sidebar: as Ava and I note in our latest for THIRD -- we wrote it Sunday, I assume it'll go up tomorrow -- Stephen Rebello's DOLLS! DOLLS! DOLLS!: DEEP INSIDE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, THE MOST BELOVED BAD BOOK AND MOVIE OF ALL TIME is a lively read. An excellent summer beach read.]
Good or bad, the project always attracts attention.
A musical would be a natural for ABC (which aired Diana's successful DOUBLE PLATINUM).
Imagine Diana as Auntie Mame and someone like Alfre Woodard as Vera Charles (Mame's best friend). Or Bernadette Peters as Vera Charles. Megan Mullally or Rae Dawn Chong or Erica Gimpel as Agnes the Gooch. It could be amazing.
Diana singing "We Need A Little Christmas" would be amazing.
Until then, here's Diana performing "If We Hold On Together."
