What did you think of Bernadette Peters in the role?

My Rose-archy (Broadway edition) goes like this:

1. Ethel Merman
2. Tyne Daly / Patti LuPone (tie)
3. Bernadette Peters
4. Angela Lansbury

Now, factoring out performances I've only heard on record (Merman and Lansbury), that leaves Daly and LuPone tied for my favorite, for different reasons. Of the two, Ms. LuPone probably has a slight edge, since I've seen her now thrice (and still consider the Ravinia production, directed by Lonny Price, to be the overall best of the three, although her performance on Broadway is certainly more nuanced than it was in Chicago).

Daly, though, stands out in my memory for one reason: she scared the hell out of me in the scene at the train station. Just took in June's leaving, spied Louise and tore the shit out of the song...desperation, menace, ambition, anger, all there and all firing at once. It was the best performance of "Everything's Coming Up Roses" I've seen to this day.

Now, Bernadette Peters. I had a couple of friends in this show and wound up seeing it three times during the run as well. By the last time, I had definitely come to like her performance, and I think it took shedding some baggage on my part that mired my estimation of her in previous roles. One thing absolutely right about that production: it was the first time I believed that she and Herbie were gettin' it on. I believed them as a couple. And you have to believe they're having pretty great sex, or there's really no reason for Herbie to stick around.

Best Rose not on Broadway? I've seen a bunch, but I'm biased here: Pam Myers when we did the show in 2001. Hands down, made me cry every night.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I never got to see Tyne in the part, but I've heard exactly what you described. Saw SITPWG today after having seen it in London and just got out from Passing Strange. Gotta love regular biz trips to NYC.