Another American icon has entered immortality. Bea Arthur. What a funny lady. My sophomore year in high school the drama department did Mame. Of course, for those of us who were developing a taste for theatre, musical or dramatic, rushed to Tower Records to purchase a copy of the Broadway cast album. To listen to her delivery in the song "The Man in the Moon Is A Lady" was sheer comic genius; and she was 100 percent bitchy in "Bosom Buddies." She earned and deservedly won the Tony award for her portrayal of Vera Charles. I am glad that she got to re-create that role in the "LucyMame" version.And what can be said about her liberal "Maude Finley?" Sheer gem of a performance. But it is her role of "Dorothy Zbornak" in The Golden Girls that even my students enjoy. Truly the cast of that show was one fantastic ensemble. How she could keep a straight face during an infamous St. Olaf story or hearing about the lust antics of her roommate "Blanche Devereaux." It was great seeing her in small parts or cameos in films. Her timing and delivery of lines was pure genius. Lots of aspiring actors and actresses can learn from her as each scene she is in could be a master class. As composer/lyricist Jerry Herman said Ms. Arthur didn't have to utter a word- just a look would set you into gales of laughter. She will be missed and she will be loved for a long time thanks to syndication, repeats and DVDs!
"I have a universe shaking discovery for you! The man in the moon is a bitch!"
(from Mame)
