Who Sang The "Rose's Turn" Climax The Best?

[@MadameChristie]

No love for Angela Lansbury? Her entire Rose's Turn is fantastic.

[@trilbyforrest3062]

She's wonderful. I wish I had an opportunity to see her entire performance in the role. There's an extended clip that shows her taking bows after the song ends -- Angela brings the audience into her illusion, smiling and bowing in character to the rounds of applause Mama Rose imagines. I've never seen that before and it's stunning.

[@larrydirtybird]

Lansbury did the greatest Rose’s Turn ever. And of the women who have played Rose on Broadway, she is by far the greatest actor.

[@Jai137]

Her manic version of Rose's Turn really elevates it to a new level.

[@zeldacromwell7558]

She's my absolute favorite. The added physicality of the character with the choreography shows that Rose COULD have been a performer. I can't stop watching it

[@xoffender80]

She tackled that role like a true ACTOR.

[@DonaTarte]

Imelda really produces a gut wrenching performance throughout the entire show. She really captures the realisation after “mamas gotta go” and for a solid 10 seconds it feels like she’s the only person in the entire theatre. Truly phenomenal.

[@nstix2009xitsn]

DonaTarte Really?

[@tjcassidy2694]

She was a very welcome surprise. She never gets a chance to shine like that on screen.

[@robbey10]

She was really campy and overacted. No, subtlety whatsoever!

[@solarprogeny6736]

it's "let go"

[@solarprogeny6736]

​@@robbey10god forbid characters be campy in a musical comedy

[@adamtamburin2124]

If you watch Bernadette Peters' whole performance she almost looks afraid of herself. Her acting always takes her right to the top for me.

[@superp25]

Story has it, she was actually really sick that night. So even more props to her.

[@kenwall7484]

SHE was the best! Patty sucked when I saw her! Angela was a close second to Bernadette

[@GuadalupeGuacamole]

Her emotion, the voice, the finger waves...all of it Bernie🖤🖤🖤

[@aidanl2304]

Oh man, I have a soft spot for Bette Midler, but you are so right, Bernadette Peters took the cake!

[@richardmayora1289]

@@aidanl2304 She got only one good review....Ben Brantley's insane valentine. He should have been fired for his lack of objectivity Her voice was too small and Peters had NO idea that the character is funny. Her acting ability has always been limited and never more evident than in this role.

[@Sazaluvspink]

Chris' performance will always have a special place in my heart as its the first time I ever heard Rose's Turn, but Bernadette, Imelda, Liza and Patti take it for me, some damn talented ladies

[@chloeminh2366]

Chris was also the first time I heard Rose’s Turn and now I love Gypsy.

[@abbywareham9507]

AGREED OMG

[@octa_fan]

Exactly the same!

[@SymphonyBrahms]

I saw Lansbury as Madame Rose. She was fantastic in the role.

[@JosephJohnson-gu5fw]

There's something about Bernadette that gave me a sense of innocence to Rose. Like a child throwing a tantrum. Less of a nervous breakdown and more being lost in a temper tantrum.

[@jgregveneklasen2657]

I think you put your finger on why I don't like her performance - the character is absolutely NOT innocent; she's narcissistic, tasteless, manipulative, immoral and kinda pathetic. But not innocent.

[@richardmayora1289]

@@jgregveneklasen2657 Peters fans think they can rewrite a perfectly written role .... to accomdate her shortcomings. She was just awful.

[@sarahliskowich3076]

@@richardmayora1289 I adored her performance, regardless of how sick she was or reviews, Peters delivered a strong acting performance and some of the best vocals on this list. But, in the end, this is really going to come down to opinions so any criticisms either of us have likely won’t change the quality of the performance in the others eyes. Just wanted to add my opinion

[@katarasoto5897]

@@jgregveneklasen2657 he didn't say he thought Rose as innocent. He said that the performance of the actress gave him the sense of Rose having some innocence still

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Peters doesn't convince me. When I saw Lansbury in the role, she convinced me. So did LuPone. So did Midler.

[@fresser28]

Only Patti Lupone and especially Imelda Staunton understood Rose's desperate monstrousness. Most people view this song as a cry for validation and attention, and love it because it's a showstopper, but it's really just Rose admitting why she abused her children: because they were her proxies. It's still one of the most brilliant numbers in Broadway history.

[@debbabe2254]

The quintessential narcissistic mother.

[@richardmayora5310]

Apparently you did not see Tyne Daly. And you are wildly incorrect to assume what any of these performers "understood". I think they all know who Rose was and what this number is about, they just nuanced their performances differently . Staunton overdid the entire performance giving her nowhere to go.

[@richardmayora1289]

@@richardmayora5310 Agreed. Frankly if people did not see Delores Gray in the role we have nothing to talk about. She was ferocious and her Rose's Turn was a meltdown of epic proportions. She had the vocal power of Merman but with beautiful sound. And she was a Sherman tank with lots of charm like Daly.

[@xoffender80]

Angela got it, every bit of it. But you're right, Imelda was a force

[@ccdaly2561]

I landed on this video because of Angela and Imelda. They both slam into the song with every bit of emotion they have. Patti does too, but not the way they do.

[@alexi8741]

Patti won a Tony as Rose for a reason

[@Keith_Petersen_Actor]

...Tyne and Angela also won tony's and Bernadette and Ethel were nominated and Imelda won the Olivier award

[@adahkaplan8494]

She’s having an entire mental breakdown and I’m digging it

[@jlasf]

@@adahkaplan8494 Yes, I saw that live. It felt like she was having a psychotic breakdown, So raw. Exhausting even to watch. Don't know how she did it every night.

[@leighewinson9473]

I love Patti But not as Rose...

[@jlasf]

@Pennyless Her emphasis was emotional breakdown more than singing perfectly.

[@starrytay]

There's no reason for me to say any of this but i love Gypsy so what the heck. The best performances are the one's that you can barely stand to watch (in a good way). To me, this is basically a number that makes you understand that she is discovering something in front of you. Seeing her unravel and shout the "for me" parts is so important in this song. Those are the best one's to watch. It's so much more than the high belt and lyrics. Hearing it in her physical and vocal performance is crucial. Most of these women have got it on lock.

[@DaCoach68]

Great insight. It's much darker than people notice

[@stevemacchia5782]

But remember, she's finally showing what she's got. Not the time to lose it. The one's that end with strength and the sadness of us seeing the talent at such a late stage are the best. Imelda, Angela, even liza. Bernadette had it too.

[@elainecoughlin7757]

I agree with Imelda, Angela and especially Liza. Also thought Tyne Daly was amazing. Speaking of belters, I'd have loved to see this part played by Judy Garland in her prime!

[@undead.rising]

Correction - I liked Professor Umbridge the best!

[@bwaypunk]

Agreed

[@gerryu21220]

Indeed. I was quite surprised at how good she was!

[@db200508]

gerryu21220 sis was amazing!

[@pumpkin2084]

When there's Emelda, there always has to be one of these comments XD I truly love Emelda's peformance- her voice, her acting, everything. ...Maybe it's also because I'm a bit biased because I love her hahah

[@Gleeks-qe3lh]

Gotta love her

[@rachelthornton4442]

Do Book Of Mormon; which Elder McKinley did the “then find the box that’s gay and CRUSH IT!” line best.

[@MisterGolightly]

Omg I laughed SO hard at that part!!

[@katrinasmith357]

YESSSS

[@ilsemartinez9866]

jajaja

[@spheyuh]

Rachie And The Waves pLEASE

[@jacobelmahir7608]

Imma do a little review of each of the singers *Patti* - Hands down the best for me (no pun intended). Has the perfect mix of amazing acting and singing *Jamie* - Good singing and acting but orchestra was a bit too slow *Betty* - Best singer definitely but no acting at all which lessens the performance slightly *Ethel* - She's the OG so there has to be some credit although I'm not much of a fan of this version *Imelda* - Probably second best actor to Patti and amazing singing too *Hannah* - Amazing singing (probably second to Betty) and good acting too *Alice* - Normally amazing but too much vibrato and note holding that distracted the performance *Angela* - Completely different take on role that I admire. Performance and singing amazing as usual *Bette* - Icon for a reason. Entertaining performance and great singing *Laura* - Good acting and singing but maybe too much hold on For. Love orchestra leaving in background *Linda* - Good all round but not much acting *Caroline* - Great vocal acting (wish there was video though) and great singing *Tyne* - Amazing acting and great vocals too *Liza* - Same as Bette *Chita* - Music is too loud so limited hearing but singing is good (from what I hear) but not a fan of performance *Christina* - Very good acting and singing although a little too slow *Chris* - Great singing (especially considering he's a male) and very good acting *Bernadette* - Amazing singing and great performance/acting Although every performance was amazing and deserves to be admired for their talent I was being very nitpicky but everyone was great

[@fadhilramadhani1847]

Jacob El Mahir I still don't know how Bernie lost that Tony to freaking Tracy Turnblad

[@truediva2598]

I agree but would swap Patti and Imelda

[@kellyalves756]

I never knew Imelda Stanton could belt! 😃

[@finnwest4521]

Caroline's seems hella fast and upbeat which I love!

[@raverboyloki]

I agree with the Ethel, the O.G. M.R., my Grandmother saw her in that role, and told me when she entered the theater in the beginning of the show, unmiked you could hear her down at the Carnegie Deli fourteen blocks away. That was the gift of "The Merm", she was a powerhouse. I love the Bette version, however it's from a tour not a stage show, it loses something a little bit here. I am totally in for the rest of your choices!

[@iconicroses8515]

damn Chris was actually really good, But Bernadette is 100% My favourite, her acting is so phenomenal

[@trischandler9783]

I will maintain to my dying breath that Chris was the single best vocalist on that entire goddamn show. Lea, as good as she is (and as perfectly on-point as Rachel was as a character) wasn't even top-three.

[@tyshaunthomas4361]

Rank them

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Bernadette doesn't impress me. She was wrong for the role.

[@kidkrowtaylor]

Bernadette is HUGE!!! I love her so much

[@abdulrafay816]

I feel like for me Chirs Colfer gets some edge in terms of how his performance had diffrent circumstances and felt like he made the performance his own character's, and to relate the two different characters and perform convincingly is impressive

[@thekermitkid1992]

Imelda Staunton HANDS DOWN - though call me bias as I saw her in action, her whole performance was INCREDIBLE

[@stclsmith]

Agree - Imelda does it for me too especially if you watch her complete "Rose's Turn" - quite incredible.

[@richardmayora1289]

Staunton chewed the scenery. There was no modulation in her performance. Her singing was so bland.

[@maribeld84]

@@richardmayora1289 I think Bernadette was vocally the best, but Imelda's acing is the best.

[@richardmayora1289]

@@maribeld84 Peters' voice was too small. Betty Buckley and Delores Gray belted the hell out of the score and Staunton overacted and never gave herself any place to go. Her performance had no nuances because she was full force for the entire show.

[@victordunson719]

Absolutely

[@TheLorrephile]

Angela, of COURSE! I saw her do it in 1974 and wondered then how Ethel Merman could ever have had the acting chops to play the part. She didn't, of course. But hers was a different time. People forget that, since the original 1959 production never went to England, Angela Lansbury created the role of Mama Rose in the West End. Angela for ever!

[@paulwalsh8459]

Angela Lansbury is just a powerhouse, a proper star. I thought the Imelda clip was unfair as it was shorter than the others. Her and Patti are a joint second for me but there's about seven world class Roses there

[@warblerab2955]

Seeing Liza Minnelli sing this brings up an interesting question, what would her mother have done with the role?

[@kenwall7484]

She would have made it hers! Liza the looser didn't!

[@jgregveneklasen2657]

Gotten back at her mother, finally? :) She would have been terrifying, like LuPone, but more heartbreaking because of her natural vulnerability.

[@LFire12]

Judy would've torn the house down and broken every heart in it along the way.

[@taylordowning2533]

Judy would have been amazing!!! Why didn't Liza play her on Broadway?

[@travisgrant5608]

Probably non of us would have survived if Judy Garland had be able to play MOMMA ROSE. She would have brought the house down ... and I mean that literally ... the theater building would have cracked and crumbled! Can you even begin to imagine how she would have taken the world by storm in that roll! WOW!!!!! 💞👏💞🌹💞👏💞🌹💞👏💞🌹💞👏💞🌹

[@LeatherDaddyAndy]

Holy crap Angela Landsbury!

[@kylewelcher6885]

I saw her in Gypsy twice and she was a heartstopper. She knew how to suck all the juice out of every great lyric and line.

[@tearoses9940]

And I thought her playing Mrs. Lovett was surprising! Her performance here just blew me away!

[@victordunson719]

Thank you 🙏

[@LFire12]

Yes! Stunning!

[@distortedfeatures]

My favorite actress of all time.

[@MisterGolightly]

It's back! Copyright issues, but Mama's got the stuff

[@perfectlyimperfect6631]

Mister Golightly YAAS

[@perfectlyimperfect6631]

Mister Golightly TBH, I've been longing for more Selena videos and skipping these videos

[@OliverHeikkinen]

Who striked it?

[@MisterGolightly]

Ethel :)

[@tumelomogashoa6710]

Imelda made it so believable. All though the others did it really well, but I found myself almost crying for the dear. Same with Angela, you feel their pain and end up going crazy for them at the end. shucks, props 👏🏾

[@danielblair9535]

Honestly Imelda is such a dark horse to me, she's easily up in the same league as Bette and Patti, I can't pick between those 3

[@BungusMan]

can we just say how good Chris Colfer’s was for a minute🥺‼️by far one of my favorites other than Bernadette

[@MissQuietRelxation]

Out of these I’d say Bernadette and Chris - Bernadette because she’s just phenomenal but she’s the right person to play the role - a woman who’s on the wrong side of “young” - and that experience of life lends itself to the performance. However my favourite performance of this song of all time is Chris’S purely because he’s a male doing a song written for a woman and he’s sooo young but has the perfect emotion in it - he broke my heart with the performance which is what this song should do 💕

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Bernadette doesn't impress me as Madame Rose. She was wrong for the role.

[@lawrencecheramie1573]

Bernadette brings us to a point of Rose's desperate view where she's almost in tears in the end.A truly special performance

[@rjenyawd]

I would killlll to see Angela's complete performance. She was also the first one I ever heard take the ending of "some people" up. The clips of her that exist are just amazing. It's her, Ethel, Bernadette, and Patti for me. Liza was surprisingly un Liza-y for this clip too. I liked it!

[@violetta7853]

Imelda. Absolutely. Even Sondheim himself said she was the best Mama Rose he ever saw

[@safiya1710]

He wanted to say LuPone

[@LFire12]

@@safiya1710 It's Sondheim. If he'd wanted to say LuPone he would've said it. He calls 'em as he see's 'em.

[@safiya1710]

@@LFire12 It's a joke, love. Of course Sondheim knows better because he is Sondheim.

[@paulwalsh8459]

She was unreal

[@robertray6041]

Imelda played it as a mad scene. Which of course it was. Very lucky to see her live. The way the madness actually built through the show.

[@mehmehmeh6130]

I looooveeeee Imelda's rendition and this part can't even touch the toe of what she could bring to the audience

[@jono3872]

Imelda will always be my favourite mama Rose! Side note she was also amazing in Sweeney Todd and Follies, she sure loves Sondheim 😂

[@jgregveneklasen2657]

Oooh, what did she do in Follies?

[@lc1715]

She's said in interviews that she's not particularly interested in musicals outside of Sondheim.

[@cmcguire7901]

@@lc1715 lol that’s a mood that I often relate to, non Sondheim musicals rarely do it for me

[@geoffarcher6085]

@@lc1715 She was going to play Dolly! in the West End but didn't because of Covid. She still may after she completes filming of The Crown next year.

[@paulamiles9559]

Also she created the role of the Baker's wife in West End production of Into the woods.

[@undead.rising]

I liked Hannah Rose the best - I loved the fullness of her "me!"s the best! And it was just as passionate even though she didn't spit out the words like other singers here have done.

[@Topempopest]

I wish you could include Bette's clip from the movie, the set and her costume are the cherry on top of her performance

[@MarinosHell]

Some songs are so difficult that every sigle one singing them have to be exceptionnal, in order to tempt it. It was one of those rare time were every performances was exceptionnal.

[@hellobluebird52]

Actually thought Angela touched the emotional pitch of the character without losing the intensity of the song, I know she doesn't have the biggest voice but she was the only one I actually felt sorry for on the for me's

[@ACinemafanatic]

Thank you she is Rose everyone else I couldn’t really relate or feel sorry for when they play her that’s why Angela was a phenomenal actress and there is a tone of class to her portrayal of rose while also the desperation and tragedy of it

[@truediva2598]

Chris and Imelda are the best with Liza and Bette in second although Bette’s version in the show is far better than in her clip

[@jfk4864]

OMG! What a delight to see these ladies interpret this ending! Applause all around!!! LuPone, Peters, Angela Lansbury, Merman, Chita, Tyne Daly, Colfer!!! More! Encore!! Encore!!!

[@rachel_elizabeth3152]

Bette Midler no question. I saw her on broadway over the summer in “ Hello, Dolly” and she was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G 👏🏻

[@johnsax1445]

Imelda Staunton: She nailed it as she did as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd

[@carmeloalfano6963]

Imelda !! For pure emotion ...I saw her sing this live at the Savoy theatre..wasn’t a dry eye in the house ! What an unbelievable performance. Btw Angela Lansbury also was mind blowing.

[@debra13]

I saw her twice there the last time I was in London- I would have gone 10 times. She was amazing. Really got it. I would have loved to see Angela.

[@coravaneyk]

Chris Colfer's performance will always be my favourite!!! He really made the performance fit his own character, and it was just really well done!!

[@cammyisntdoingokay]

I came to check if the Glee version was here. I'm not disappointed.

[@vampireknox]

I always love Bernadette belting that last note with an "Ee" sound instead of an "ay". Woman's got pipes!

[@tofutti642]

I love Bette, Patti, Liza, Ethyl...but Bernadette Peters has to be my favorite for this one. Stunning. Made me actually cry.

[@kallen868]

I got to see Gypsy pre-Broadway in Boston. I went alone and aTyne Daly nailed it. I went back and treated a friend to the next matinee. ✌️💖👏

[@yourfriendizzy3136]

I love how Imelda Staunton voice broke when she was saying “for me” but when she turned around it was strong.

[@lua1777]

1. Patti LuPone 2. Bernadette Peters 3. Chris Colfer

[@elliethiel6191]

Chris was\ is my fave😍 I just love how he sings it and watching the Glee episode the placement of that song was perfect 😍🎶🎵🎼

[@jarak9595]

I'm for Tyne Daley 's performance. Saw the whole show 3 or 4 times and second acted another 6 or more! And I have Chris Colfer on dvd from when it aired -awesome!

[@johnsax1445]

Bernadette, just something about her intensity gives me chills!

[@ztramsey93]

Imelda Staunton gets an Honorable mention because she did the damn thing! Go girl!

[@ccdaly2561]

The answer is Angela, though massive respect to every Rose. I'm so happy I found this video. I had no idea Alice Ripley or Betty Buckley had done it. And I've never heard of Laura Heatherington but damn, that was great for someone I usually think would be too young for it *edit* Also cannot overstate the brilliance of Angela's psychotic cartoon character moments. It's one of her ultimate shining things and has gotten her four Tonys (Mame, Gypsy, Dear World, Sweeney Todd)

[@ACinemafanatic]

She really made rose so sympathetic to me she doesn’t get enough credit tbh I didn’t like pattis rose cause of how unlikeable she made rose

[@Mona07452]

Ethel, Imelda, Patti, Liza and the wonderful Tyne Daly, who I was lucky enough to see on stage. My sense of the role and Mama Rose's anger/pain will always be tied to Rosalind Russell's film performance, which blew me away at the tender age of 10. ❤

[@niloofarnikoobin2182]

2:36 am and I've been listening to 10 minutes straight of screaming "for me!" Very deep.

[@90nickgaby]

Patti lupone hands down acts it the best, Betty Buckley and Hannah Rose had the best technique I think, Alice ripleys had too much vibrato, Bette Midler is just an amazing performer, Tyne Daly was just lost in her performance so great. I was also surprised at how well Imelda Staunton did. And Jesus Christ Bernadette Peters. What a legend. Sorry about the lengthy comment I was typing and watching at the same time.

[@marilynmichaels8358]

YOU ARE SMART.

[@josie-nv6ft]

Thank you for including Chris Colfer

[@kimberlyrose984]

Holy Sh$t! Imelda and Angela were scary, egotistical and terrifying! Patty is also, without a doubt incredibly gifted with bringing the right emotions to the song. Bernadette brought a little twist to it, almost as if she was finally admitting it to herself. Others sang it beautifully but the song isn’t just about singing flawlessly, it needs to show the motivations behind Rose’s actions. I felt only Imelda, Patty Bernadette and Angela hit that perfectly.

[@cuzdanOLA]

Linda Lavin wins the sweepstakes "for me" but you really should have included Rosalind Russell's film version just to make it a bit more interesting.

[@elihauser1840]

omg i’ve never seen this liza clip-astonishing

[@BWAY62]

I saw La lupone at Encores. A 15 minute standing ovavtion. Going to see my 1st Sweet Charity tonite at Reprise 2.0. So excited!!!!

[@RobyyJUsmile]

It’s Imelda for me. I also saw Ria Jones play this role in Manchester recently and she was stunning. Bernadette is a knockout too, and Betty’s vocal delivery is flawless!

[@northstar9able]

I love many.. Bernadette.. Patti.. Liza .. Imelda ..... but Angela really captured, exposed and revealed the very traumatic emotional depth the character requires in that moment of her reality... left me gasping ... simply brilliant ! ;)

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Angela was brilliant in the role.

[@chaiserasheed5783]

Daly, Lupone, Lansbury and Staunton best capture the energy of the meltdown at best, because they really nailed Rose's resentment and sense of entitlement to praise over seemingly making sacrifices. Midler (played in context in the movie) gave it a touch of delusion as if Rose believed she was giving a show in that moment. Peters delivered similar energy, but also played up Rose's vulnerability.

[@BELTERFAN]

For meee Patti takes the crown and Angela comes in second place. Liza would have been a great Rose

[@kenwall7484]

Patti sucked when I saw her! Maybe she was off that night! She is a hateful Bitch in real life!!

[@tobyfinney768]

@@kenwall7484 I feel like no one really sees how horrible she is as a person bc she’s talented, like yes she has an outstanding voice but most fan encounters I’ve heard have been horrible.

[@am_small]

Laura Hetherington takes the cake for me. I just love productions where after that big number, all of the music drops out and there's no longer a button for applause and it keeps the tension.

[@maryluvglee]

Chris 😍

[@PeaceFan1]

Angela was My Fave followed by Ethel Merman!! Angela.. a True LEGEND!!!! xoxoxoxo .. the others were just Screaming!!

[@aliciaballesteros-mitchell1059]

ive never heard it before now, but im absolutely in love with Imelda's version!

[@stclsmith]

Have you seen Imelda doing the whole number (it's on KZbin somewhere)? There is nothing quite line it.

[@williamroden8495]

Mister Golightly, I love it when you bring us performances from people we have seen in different genres of entertainment. It is a true delight to get a notification from you!!! Strange how I can love Imelda Staunton soooooo much, while absolutely despising Delores Umbridge from HARRY POTTER.

[@showtunestarpower]

Ethel Merman. All of these ladies brought something wonderful to the role - but it's Ethel Merman for me. It's a show business crime that her performance of this number was never recorded.

[@warblerab2955]

It is on the cast recording.

[@kenwall7484]

She was the STAR!

[@GuadalupeGuacamole]

No one’s voice has ever been or will be more Broadway than Merman. Long live Queen Ethel. 🖤🖤🖤

[@clifftownsend3027]

Of course, it was! I have the record myself.

[@richardmayora1289]

But Merman was no actress.

[@mekoman1]

A big thank you Mr G, by far the best musical number ever written, and what a great compilation you have here, hard to pick a fave, saw La Merm, Tyne, Bernadette, and Patti on Broadway, such a great role!!!!

[@mekoman1]

Still have to say Merman belted it the best!

[@ccassbarker]

Imelda Staunton truly gave me chills

[@AnyahEMB]

Angela Landsbury. I love watching so many excellent performances together like this.

[@pjb2773]

There's two parts to this performance, the acting and the belting. I prefer Angela Lansbury's interpretation of the role.

[@johnraymondbarker4]

Many terrific performances, but I have a clear favorite -- Imelda Staunton. Gives me chills everytime. :)

[@BWAY62]

All of them slay it. No contest Mr. GOLIGHTLY

[@TheWerequat]

Flying in the face of almost everyone here, Tyne Daly. I've seen many, many productions of Gypsy, as well as performed in several pit orchestras for it, and Tyne brought grade a crazy to the role. This was never about a nervous breakdown, it was about full goose nuts, and the path to that point. She was the only one who terrified me in the role

[@BrianKavanagh123]

Caroline O'Connor without a doubt. Chilling performance.

[@kristoferwilson6593]

Considering this song is a mental breakdown set to music my favorite is lupone but imelda and Bernadette are close seconds for me

[@batekush8135]

I loved Patti’s because of her big personality, she fit the stage mom role really well and was able to show all the emotion and breakdown in this song. Love her I also applaud Imelda Staunton because her acting was very good as Rose, but i feel like she needed to let go more and Bette Midler, because , i mean she was amazing

[@jaysanchez5951]

Each one was amazing, but Patti has to be hands down, my favorite out of all the other ones.

[@tearoses9940]

“For me” doesn’t even sound like words anymore Also I have no favorite here (all are great in their own respect!) but dang, Angela’s actually scared me a bit toward the end!

[@aarontakesbroadway]

You forgot Rosalind Russel/Lisa Kirk from ‘Gypsy’ the 1962 movie adaptation

[@katherinkeegan8601]

Agreed! Most of these women did a great job, but to me Rosalind will always be Rose. When I compare Bette with Rosalind, Rosalind wind hands down.

[@clifftownsend3027]

Yes, Rosalind Russell was fabulous! But she's great in everything she did.

[@PBLE20]

Saw Imelda in the West End. Out of this world!!!!!! This tiny little powerhouse brought down the house. Almost a 15 minute ovation for this song! Never saw Ms. Lupone, but this video is amazing. I just love good talent! I wish we had more musical theatre nowadays. Correction: more GOOD musical theatre nowadays.

[@Ms.HistoryBuff433]

I just watched her performance streaming from Amazon. Amazing!

[@burleq]

I have seen -to quote Chris Lavoie- eleventy billion Roses over the years, and of the professionals I saw, nobody brought Rose roaring into my consciousness like Tyne Daly. Best performance of the best book musical - she's m'fave. And a number of truly magnificent portrayals on the community theatre circuits. We are a nation with talent by golly!

[@leftymlb]

Tyne Daly is underrated. She's sensational.

[@treesny]

Agreed. I saw her, Lansbury (in London) and LuPone live on stage, and while all were riveting, Tyne Daly gave the most complete performance of the role I've seen.

[@richardmayora1289]

@@treesny I would not say that Tyne Daly was underrated at all. She received sensational reviews and so many honors. I saw her three times and she and LuPone acted the role the best, hands down.

[@raff723]

leftymlb. Agree. Her performance was outstanding. I actually thought her high note was in Everything's Coming Up Roses. The monomania and desperation sent a chill down my spine. I had never conceived the character in that way before.

[@dhank6933]

saw Tyne at The Kennedy Center before she hit Broadway she was amazing and after watching this I would have to say she was the BEST

[@cruzelliot2987]

Angela Lansbury delivers a performance that at first seems antique at first view in this context. I implore reviewing her character’s bio and viewing again. ❤

[@ACinemafanatic]

She is the best rose she started the whole mental breakdown of roses turn and if you listen to the whole performance you can’t help but feel bad for her. Many actresses who played rose kinda do to much and don’t add nuance to the role and kinda make rose unlikeable

[@saturos3093]

Imelda Staunton is the chaotic good we needed but didnt deserve

[@cliftondancy2037]

I wish there was a recording of Joann Worley. I saw her live in Kansas City and she was amazing. Of this list, I've always loved Tyne Daley. She really embodies the whole character of Rose.

[@GleePotter8468]

Chris colfer of course

[@jd3422]

There are definitely some formidably talented women who played that role. My biggest surprise was Betty Buckley, as I didn't know she had played Rose. Angela Lansbury was terrific - no surprise there. She and Bernadette Peters are long-time interpreters of Sondheim's talent. I would not be able to choose one person who did it "best." With this much talent on display, just enjoy it all and appreciate the nuances without having to label one of them as "best."

[@girlishgamer1]

Patti: Best one. She acted this song as well it was sung with the right amount of belting and mental breakdown. Ethel Merman may have originated the role, but Patti Lupone perfected it. AKA How to win a tony 101. Jamie: A bit too slow since she was singing along with the orchestra and needed a bit more of a belt. Betty: Great singing but a bit not enough for the acting. Ethel: The originator and of course an excellent performance as usual. Imelda: Really captured the mental breakdown, just wow! Another case of perfection almost a tie with Patti for me (No pun intended). Hannah: Amazing belting, but really a bit too overdone on the acting. Alice: Really did a one-trick with those notes at the end, and didn't really capture the breakdown. Angela: Amazing performance but a bit too fast for the breakdown. Bette: The belting just wow! And great transition into the breakdown. Laura: Little overdone on the holdout. Linda: Little bit of a slip up there and a bit flat on the notes and acting. Caroline: Swift on the breakdown but amazing belting. Tyne: A bit off with the timing but still good could've done better with the end. Liza: Now that's great belting and acting. Just on the same level as Bette. Chita: Lady where's the effort? Christina: A bit too slow. Chris: Now that's an impressive male take on it. Bernadette: Powerful and well-acted as well. My overall winners: Patti, Imelda, Ethel, Bette, and Bernadette. But Patti takes the #1 spot for just perfecting the role.

[@nealmatzkin3532]

It is hard to judge this number by the last few bars. The portrayal is the end point of a character development. It did seem like some of these were concert performances as apart of the show which divorces the song from any developed character. Is this a song of strength and determination. I am no fan of Bernadette but I was most taken by her and Angela Lansbury's performances where the sense of her hurt, disappointment, and even desperation showed through

[@Richard-ec1yt]

Patti, Angela, Bernadette x

[@Shahrdad]

Nobody can compete w the Force of Nature that was Ethel. Her once in a century powerhouse of a voice captured the ambitions and frustrations of Rose in a way that nobody has done since. And when she sings everything coming up roses, she sounds as if she’s ready to sob. There are lots of other Roses that I love, but Ethel stands alone

[@jamesspangler9093]

Patti and Imelda. It’s really hard to separate the singing from the acting, and both of these women do both. They are heartbreaking. Consolation prize to Bernadette, but didn’t really like her Rose. Just my personal preference.

[@kidkrowtaylor]

Patti LuPone is huge! She just made the role her own and belted the hell out of everyone's butts.

[@marcyschnitzer5851]

Hard to tell when you can't see Ethel Merman, but her sound has amazing energy. I'd say Ethel Merman, Patti LuPone (OMG!), and Angela Lansbury. The "For Me!'s rang desperate, fiery, and true for all.

[@vbplayer50]

If you can perform this song. You win. How can you pick which is best? They all had their own take on it. All brilliant.

[@jacksonkamiska]

Patti by far

[@kenwall7484]

She's a nasty pig in real life

[@ucpham4067]

@@kenwall7484 i see what you're doing... come to every corner of this comment box and put some little hate on Patti, well,one performance you've seen doesn't make her a bad revival of Rose, she got a tony for it! and, second, I assumed you never had faced her in real life, and neither did I. that makes us two individuals who don't know anything about her. don't put harsh words on someone you don't know, cause it comes with karma! i'm not on anyone's side, and just want to have a relaxing time with good music, and maybe you should, too

[@PhilAlumb]

Truly....BARBRA should've done this in her Mature Prime (her 40s to early 50s) It would've been..Iconic.💯

[@orion8835]

Merman,Lansbury, Lupone and Staunton were the most suitable/ convincing IMO..

[@yolandadelazerda207]

Each performance was a GEM!!