AUDRA GYPSY Reviews- Page 18

[ImJustABroadwayBaby]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 7:50pm

SisterGeorge said: "About the people with tickets to canceled performances, I am so curiousto know
1. which show, if any, they went tosee instead ( maybe Maybe Happy Ending, I hope?)
2. how many will rebook Gypsy (I imagine the show's lost for good a lot of the out of town tourists, and probably fewer but definitely some impulsive ticket-buyers whowere swept up by the excitement ofthe the pre-show WOMand opening night reviews. That phenomenon just can't be recovered).

"
 

I am an out-of-town tourist from Los Angeles, who comes to New York City about three times a year for shows and pizza. I had tickets for the Christmas evening performance… with excellent seats at that 😩… I obviously have a very finite amount of time in the city since I am tethered to flight reservations departing from Philly. I extended my stay by one night and my final opportunity to see the show was today’s matinee on the 28th. I was on the shuttle to Times Square when I saw the update on social media 47 seconds after it got posted. It’s my two daughters, my husband, and my 70-year-old parents. 
 

I have to say: everyone at the box office was so nice, and I do hope that they treated kindly by patrons.

 

Because we only had about an hour’s notice for today’s cancellation, it was even more stressful because we didn’t want to waste our final slot to see a show. All other musicals were pretty much either sold out with not enough tickets to accommodate my party, or the cost of the tickets was exponentially too high. We ended up grabbing tickets for Eureka Day over at the Friedman and I gotta say, I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time! Fantastic performances and timely topic. The lemonade got even sweeter when they announced a cast. Talk back after the curtain call so that was a great surprise.

I am absolutely devastated that I didn’t get to see Gypsy which was my number one priority show that I wanted to see while in town for 6 days. But I can’t complain: we got in MHE, DBH, Suffs, Oh Mary, and The Outsiders, and, by happenstance, Eureka Day  

 

While manifesting that Gypsy would go on, I even said that it would be OK if we didn’t get to see Audra… I just wanted to be in The Room Where It Happens… I know, wrong show. 😉 I feel absolutely terrible for the cast because this must be very stressful for them too. These already expensive tickets are going to cost me more because now I have to probably spend another few thousand dollars to fly back before June (I realize I don’t HAVE TO and this is a very stupid first world problem… but Gypsy is a favorite and this cast is a dream). If you have tickets for tomorrow’s shows that are allegedly planned as scheduled, I wish you luck and please tell me it’s terrible and I missed nothing 😂

 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 8:01pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Also, completely unrelated to this specific situation:

I just learned that Audra's ex-husband, Peter Donovan, is the bass player for SUNSET BOULEVARD! He and his wife attended GYPSY's opening. Inviting your ex to your big opening night is, to me, a great measure of character."

Was it definitely him? The only photos I saw were of the Peter Donovan who's the master electrician at the Majestic, who attended with his wife:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/galleryphoto.php?photoid=2541832&personid=18777

(BroadwayWorld does seem to have lumped both Peter Donovans onto the same page, but this is Audra's ex-husband.)

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 8:34pm

AH! I was misinformed. Thanks, MemorableUserName.

[EmceeHammer]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 8:40pm

Menken Fan said: "Meanwhile, I really appreciated this analysis of the production from Peter Filichia

GYPSY: A TALE OF TWELVE TONYS"

Thanks for sharing this. This astutely sums up why this production blew me away. I will admit the first 20 minutes worried me because the tone and aesthetic is so different from every other production I’ve seen- less “fable” than docudrama, with no trace of the show biz satire that coats the early vaudeville scenes in irony. As this analysis makes clear, the grounded and sensitive approach from Audra and Wolfe is what makes the rest of the show such an emotional tour de force. As traditional as this production is on the surface level, it’s radical in its depth. 

[binau]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 9:15pm

Is it possible that Audra is doing 8 shows a week because she insisted? Eg on a podcast Eden said for Lempicka she was offered 7 from the beginning but chose 8 (a mistake as she was planning to soon go down to 7 had the show not closed and 6 after Tonys apparently because of the extreme vocal demands). 
 I could imagine Audra would not want to break tradition and be the first Rose that didn’t at least start with the ambition of 8 shows a week. I think she has enough power to have gone for 7 shows if she wanted. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 9:56pm

Audra can handle doing this role eight times a week. That's not the issue at the Majestic now. The issue is that there's an illness spreading there, and they didn't hire enough covers to keep the show afloat when something serious like this happens. Most of the roles have only one cover, and it's believed some of those covers are also out sick.

[binau]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 10:12pm

I know, this was a follow on to a couple pages back re: longer-term absence risk not now. I personally don’t know if Audra can sustain 8 shows a week for months on end with the way she sings the score and her historical attendance record. She might do I certainly would not fault her if she couldn’t. 

[Mskuphantm]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 10:30pm

I don't think any of this comes down to lack of standbys or understudies in the cast.   The sickness that has been going around has been...rough.   even when I had covid pre vaccine I was out around 10 days, more so from exhaustion and severe headcold..this new sickness going around is def more headcold, coughing,sneezing grossness.   Even if this production had multiple understudies per role, there is no question in my mind that most if not the whole company would be out to perform.  And let us not blame it all on Audra, nor should we blame it on any one person.   Let's say the principal role actors were ready to go on today, but all of the company and understudies were sick. How could that honestly go on?  Or if backstage dressers were sick how could they go on.   I honestly would rather they cancel last minute, to even at least get a refund than watch a show that is not up to par, or with roles not matching what was put on originally.    Hopefully all are feeling better, and the show can resume soon.  Now as far as Audra's singing can go on no where when I was saw the show did it sound like straining...she sounded like she did in 110 in the Shade, which in itself was  a different placement than legit, but still in her range, and this vocal styling she is doing in this show sounds  divine. 

Updated On: 12/28/24 at 10:30 PM

[joevitus]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 10:57pm

Mskuphantm said: "I don't think any of this comes down to lack of standbys or understudies in the cast. The sickness that has been going around has been...rough. even when I had covid pre vaccine I was out around 10 days,more so fromexhaustion and severe headcold..this new sickness going around is def more headcold, coughing,sneezing grossness. Even if this production had multiple understudies per role, there is no question in my mind that most if not the whole company would be out to perform. And let us not blame it all on Audra, nor should weblame it on any one person. Let's say the principal role actors were ready to go on today, but all of the company and understudies were sick. How could that honestly go on? Or if backstage dressers were sick how could they go on. I honestly would rather they cancel last minute, to even at least get a refund than watch a show that is not up to par, or with roles not matching what was put on originally. Hopefully all are feeling better, and the show can resume soon. Now as far as Audra's singing can go on no where when I was saw the show did it sound like straining...she sounded like she did in 110 in the Shade, which in itself was a different placement than legit, but still in her range, and this vocal styling she is doing in this show sounds divine."

I really like her recording of 110 in the Shade. But what I've heard of her Rose...I don't like. 

[Strange Lupone]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 11:26pm

joevitus said: "Mskuphantm said: "I don't think any of this comes down to lack of standbys or understudies in the cast. The sickness that has been going around has been...rough. even when I had covid pre vaccine I was out around 10 days,more so fromexhaustion and severe headcold..this new sickness going around is def more headcold, coughing,sneezing grossness. Even if this production had multiple understudies per role, there is no question in my mind that most if not the whole company would be out to perform. And let us not blame it all on Audra, nor should weblame it on any one person. Let's say the principal role actors were ready to go on today, but all of the company and understudies were sick. How could that honestly go on? Or if backstage dressers were sick how could they go on. I honestly would rather they cancel last minute, to even at least get a refund than watch a show that is not up to par, or with roles not matching what was put on originally. Hopefully all are feeling better, and the show can resume soon. Now as far as Audra's singing can go on no where when I was saw the show did it sound like straining...she sounded like she did in 110 in the Shade, which in itself was a different placement than legit, but still in her range, and this vocal styling she is doing in this show sounds divine."

I really like her recording of 110 in the Shade. But what I've heard of her Rose...I don't like."


 

I was on the edge of my seat waiting to get if you liked the snippets of what you’ve heard. Anyone else?


 

 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 11:31pm

Just to reiterate: these are, in fact, real people you’re talking about who can see the crazy assumptions and accusations you’re throwing around.

I realize this is a long-standing message board, and message boards like this are based around a certain amount of speculation and cattiness, but getting your pitchforks out for a production that’s prioritizing their cast and crew’s health over profit is… perhaps misplaced energy.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 11:42pm

There's no question this was mishandled but I don't think it was an intentional decision to deceive people. I think they truly were hoping each day that they could go on and then it didn't happen.

I think in the long term though people aren't going to be thinking about this when it comes to Tony noms, etc.... I think it's one of those stories that is big in the moment but will be forgotten once performances resume. Still sucks for the people who had tickets for this week though....

Updated On: 12/29/24 at 11:42 PM

[Mskuphantm]

Posted: 12/28/24 at 11:59pm

joevitus said: "Mskuphantm said: "I don't think any of this comes down to lack of standbys or understudies in the cast. The sickness that has been going around has been...rough. even when I had covid pre vaccine I was out around 10 days,more so fromexhaustion and severe headcold..this new sickness going around is def more headcold, coughing,sneezing grossness. Even if this production had multiple understudies per role, there is no question in my mind that most if not the whole company would be out to perform. And let us not blame it all on Audra, nor should weblame it on any one person. Let's say the principal role actors were ready to go on today, but all of the company and understudies were sick. How could that honestly go on? Or if backstage dressers were sick how could they go on. I honestly would rather they cancel last minute, to even at least get a refund than watch a show that is not up to par, or with roles not matching what was put on originally. Hopefully all are feeling better, and the show can resume soon. Now as far as Audra's singing can go on no where when I was saw the show did it sound like straining...she sounded like she did in 110 in the Shade, which in itself was a different placement than legit, but still in her range, and this vocal styling she is doing in this show sounds divine."

I really like her recording of 110 in the Shade. But what I've heard of her Rose...I don't like."

I am not talking in comparison to the recording of 110 I. The Shade, only Live performances of both.  She sounds like Lizzie in her vocal placement and vocal longetiviriy in both roles here.  If you are judging off of cast recording of 110 or audience recording aka bootleg than yes you won't hear what we have heard live.

 

[binau]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 1:50am

I think it’s an over simplification and self-congratulation to suggest the production is ‘prioritising health over profit’. I would suggest that the reason why there are so many last minute cancellations is they are trying to prioritise keeping the cash they have collected, scrambling to see if they can work behind the scenes to be able to put on the performance and then releasing it back at the last minute only when they realise they just can’t do it. 

If the production was not prioritising their profits they would have invested more to prevent this situation from occurring or cancelling well in advance. 

I’m not blaming anyone or suggesting they should do anything differently - but let’s not pretend this is virtuous producing. Or suggest that people who are unhappy with this situation are somehow suggesting they want to force sick cast to perform on stage. 
 

 

[Penna2]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 2:48am

Completely unrelated to this production and the illness issue but thought I would share this. If any of you are of a mind, please read Gypsy's memoir. It's a great read in and of itself but also seeing how the book was molded into the musical. Obviously, it's more Gypsy than Rose driven and shows what an amazing life she led because of and in spite of her mother. 

What was even more fascinating was how Gypsy worked with Fanny Brice in a small walk-on from which she was fired. In later years, she and Fanny became close friends working in the Ziegfeld Follies together. Fanny didn't remember the scene or Gypsy from that time, but Gypsy remembered the song Fanny sang in the show and helped Fanny win a lawsuit. I thought what a great show could be made from that part of the book - Gypsy and Funny Girl on the Road.

Gypsy was fortunate enough to be involved in the creation of the show "Gypsy." I wonder if they ever thought when they were on the road, they would be the subjects of two major Broadway shows.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 4:28am

Presumably every stakeholder ... creatives, audiences, performers, et al ... want the show to go on as soon as is safely possible.  You'd try to avoid an approach to cancellations that unnecessarily preempts that possibility.

[joevitus]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 5:47am

Mskuphantm said: "joevitus said: "Mskuphantm said: "I don't think any of this comes down to lack of standbys or understudies in the cast. The sickness that has been going around has been...rough. even when I had covid pre vaccine I was out around 10 days,more so fromexhaustion and severe headcold..this new sickness going around is def more headcold, coughing,sneezing grossness. Even if this production had multiple understudies per role, there is no question in my mind that most if not the whole company would be out to perform. And let us not blame it all on Audra, nor should weblame it on any one person. Let's say the principal role actors were ready to go on today, but all of the company and understudies were sick. How could that honestly go on? Or if backstage dressers were sick how could they go on. I honestly would rather they cancel last minute, to even at least get a refund than watch a show that is not up to par, or with roles not matching what was put on originally. Hopefully all are feeling better, and the show can resume soon. Now as far as Audra's singing can go on no where when I was saw the show did it sound like straining...she sounded like she did in 110 in the Shade, which in itself was a different placement than legit, but still in her range, and this vocal styling she is doing in this show sounds divine."

I really like her recording of 110 in the Shade. But what I've heard of her Rose...I don't like."

I am not talking in comparison to the recording of 110 I. The Shade, only Live performances of both. She sounds like Lizzie in her vocal placement and vocal longetiviriy in both roles here. If you are judging off of cast recording of 110 or audience recording aka bootlegthan yes you won't hear what we have heard live.

"

Yes, I accpet this. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 5:48am

Penna2 said: "Completely unrelated to this production and the illness issuebut thought I would share this. If any of you are of a mind, please read Gypsy's memoir. It's a great read in and of itself but also seeing how the book was molded into the musical. Obviously, it's more Gypsy than Rose driven and shows what an amazing life she led because of and in spite of her mother.

What was even more fascinating was how Gypsy worked with Fanny Brice in a small walk-on from which she was fired. In later years, she and Fanny became close friends working in the Ziegfeld Follies together. Fanny didn't remember the scene or Gypsy from that time, but Gypsy remembered the song Fanny sang in theshow and helped Fanny win a lawsuit.I thought what a great show could be made from that part of the book - Gypsy and Funny Girl on the Road.

Gypsy was fortunate enough to be involved in the creation of the show "Gypsy." I wonder if they ever thought when they were on the road, they would be the subjects of two major Broadway shows."

It's a fun read, but let's be clear: it is not the "true story." Gypsy herself admitted as much. 

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 8:51am

binau said: "Is it possible that Audra is doing 8 shows a week because she insisted? Eg on a podcast Eden said for Lempicka she was offered 7 from the beginning but chose 8 (a mistake as she was planning to soon go down to 7 had the show not closed and 6 after Tonys apparently because of the extreme vocal demands)"

 

that wasnt the only mistake

they either needed to apply autotune directly to Edens mic or lower the obscenely high keys of a couple of her songs

 

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 9:06am

binau said: "I think it’s an over simplification and self-congratulation to suggest the production is ‘prioritising health over profit’. I would suggest that the reason why there are so many last minute cancellations is they are trying to prioritise keeping the cash they have collected, scrambling to see if they can work behind the scenes to be able to put on the performance and then releasing it back at the last minute only when they realise they just can’t do it.

 

what you have analyzed here is the most likely scenario



If the production was not prioritising their profits they would have invested more to prevent this situation from occurring or cancelling well in advance.

I’m not blaming anyone or suggesting they should do anything differently - but let’s not pretend this is virtuous producing.”

 

agreed

and while it is true that producers cant possibly gird themselves against all possible illness scenarios the fact that this

keeps

happening

proves they have yet to learn their lesson

after all

as others have pointed out

gypsy is not the first production where this has occurred

it just happens to be the most recent and high profile one

 

Updated On: 12/29/24 at 09:06 AM

[mshalo18]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 10:02am

Safe to say that the shows are a go today- they’ve been hyping it up on the local news all morning. 

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 10:08am

No rush tickets even offered on Telecharge, but you can sit in the rear mezz for $94.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 10:38am

mshalo18 said: "Safe to say that the shows are a go today- they’ve been hyping it up on the local news all morning."

I'll still hold out until 3pm when the curtain actually goes up

 Reminder that yesterday they were selling tickets up to 12:30 before cancelling just an hour prior to curtain.

[A.J.]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 12:02pm

Probably reading into it too much, but this morning show segment seems to infer the plan is to cancel when Audra is out: “McDonald is such a huge star, there is no alternate.”

https://youtu.be/ykAyGj2jOhU?si=gm63mpSwWd1hP8g0

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/29/24 at 12:16pm

A.J. said: "Probably reading into it too much, but this morning show segment seems to inferthe plan is to cancel whenAudra is out: “McDonaldis such a huge star, there is no alternate.”

https://youtu.be/ykAyGj2jOhU?si=gm63mpSwWd1hP8g0"

while that's definitely possible down the road, I don't think the producers were so willing to cancel 7 performances during their highest sales week of the year. I do think most people would have stayed if Tryphena went on. The show lost a ton of money this week.