I can respect a lot of peoples' opinions with no problem, but this just bothers me:
"It's absolute proof that Bernadette doesn't even try."
The only proof I see in regards to Bernadette and trying is her refusing to be sidelined by a stomach bug in Annie Get Your Gun. Do I think it was wise, no, but she has an incredible sense just as Patti does of pleasing the crowd. AND she didn't have announcements made every time she had an issue of such sorts
But I won't compare them. I love Bernadette and Patti as people and performers. Both make incredible art and I am proud to have witnessed multiple performances by them.
I've read the post well and understand what you're saying. She doesn't try to take some of the typically used ways of understanding the character, but I'm sure that as she rehearses she produces full characters, such as evidenced by those that she has beautifully put together in the past. But I wouldn't say she doesn't try, I'm sure she does, just not as some would expect her to which is okay. She is dedicated and a true professional, just as Patti is.
I love both Bernadette and Patti, and have seen both of them in a few shows [including both productions of Gypsy]. While I certainly enjoy both of them, I connect much more with Patti as a performer. I think she's just completely open and honest, and I find her to be the better actor. honestly, though, I think it's apples and oranges.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
I believe Bernadette follows the Mary Dale school of acting - "Learn your lines and don't bump into the furniture." I've known plenty of actors who approached the work that way that turned in fine performances. Training, prep, the magic if, and all that other crap is fine, but some people just go out there and do it, and often times it works just fine.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
They are both immensely talented. While I might prefer Patti. I still like and respect Bernadette a lot. I hate how we are always pitting them against each other.
must be why she thanked all those people in her speech.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
BUT, there is one statement that really bothered me: "They had two completely different interpretations of Rose. Bernadette's was much more layered and subtle, but that doesn't mean Patti's is wrong. Patti's is more in-your-face and scary, but that doesn't mean Bernadette's is wrong."
Yes, they both had different interpretations, but in no way is Patti's performance as Rose not layered and subtle. Have you seen Patti in Gypsy? Because after seeing both I have found much more subtlety in Patti's version. It might not come from the big belting numbers in the first act ("Some People" and "Everything..."), but in her numbers with Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti she has discovered more layers in Rose than I would've thought she was capable of. And if by saying "in your face and scary" you mean that Patti can sing the score better, well I guess that is correct.
That was even more fun than criticizing Xanadu. It's amazing how much abuse gets heaped on you when you voice an opinion- especially one that goes against the herd. Imagine how many names I'd get called if I actually disagreed on a somewhat important issue.