@bigjonisback: You don’t understand the theater very well. Stritch was never a star or performer of Merman’s stature (although she was her standby, and later did the National Tour of CALL ME MADAM.). Stritch originated very few musicals of significance and while she did more straight plays than Merman, again, she was not the creator but standby or matinee cast. This show, wonderful to watch, and painful at times, is an open wound at times. But a lot of the pain is self inflicted due to her drinking, big mouth and stupidity. Yes, she was widowed, but so are many women. She would complain about being in a play where the producer inserted s clause about her boozing as if she had that right because she was a “star”. Yes, she was a delight on 30 ROCK, but she was a minor star, a supporting player.

@@johnpickford4222This comment is partly true and partly obnoxiously stupid.

Although your comment isn't very truthful because of Ethel's success, popularity, and stronger singing ability, i see what you mean; Elaine wasn't a strong singer but didn't need to be because you more than knew what she was singing about which many pretty-sounding singers put on the backburner to be a good singer while sacrificing the creative and interpretive part of singing a song. Stritch was a wonderful actress that stood in her own way and even though a success on her own, she thought she was entitled to more than what she was willing to give like being professional and agreeable or even likeable. I prefer Stritch's singing over Ethel's belting any day because Stritch is more authentic than showboating.