AUDRA GYPSY Reviews- Page 24

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/7/25 at 2:32pm

FANtomFollies said: "This was low on my list of complaints but I haven't seen anyone else mention it - I found it odd that during the Chinese restaurant scene the waitress was played by one of the white ensemble members. I don't understand why they didn't have Lili Thomas play her since I think she has nothing else to do in Act 1. I know in the past the part was always played by a white actress, presumably because there were no Asian cast members, but if you have someone in the cast who is, I don't understand the decision anymore."

 

Well for one reason, Mazeppa was almost certainly designated as a Principal role by AEA --- so she would not be permitted to be used as an "extra" in other scenes.

Also (and more importantly) -- "she strips....she don't do no scenes", so screw, ya slob!

 

[Malinda5000]

Posted: 2/7/25 at 4:26pm

FANtomFollies said: "I saw this last night. I went in with low expectations and somehow was still extremely disappointed. What a tacky, cheap and messy production this was. The sets, costumes and lighting were all hideous and didn't feel period-specific at all. There were also many sound issues especially at the beginning with Uncle Jocko - I think his big collar kept hitting his mic, not sure why there are major sound issues this far into the run. I have no idea why this production insisted on adding boring extended dance breaks that just ruined the pacing of the show. The show is long enough we don't need to extend it!

I agreed with almost everything negative that has been said about the production but I feel alone in my opinion that Jordan Tyson was horrible. It was the most deranged, over-the-top caricature of Baby June I have ever seen or heard. I felt the same way about the 3 strippers, where it feels like we are at a point where every new production of Gypsy must have more and more deranged and crazier performances from June and the strippers. Now that I think of it, the entire production lacked subtlety except for Joy Woods and Danny Burstein, whose performances were so small they barely registered.

This production actually really reminded me of the recent Sweeney Todd revival where it felt like there was no director. Every performance and design choice seems to be in it's own world with no consistent vision or point of view. I left really feeling nothing, including from Audra. I think she has all the ingredients for a great Rose (and I actually loved 90% of her vocals)but the production just sabotaged her at every turn."

Now tell us how you REALLY feel!!!!

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 2/8/25 at 4:49pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f4C7m49TJA

[The8re phan]

Posted: 2/8/25 at 5:29pm

Finally got around to seeing this one --- HUGE fan of both Audra and Danny (to be clear,  I'm regular size, just really admire both of their work.....)

Good performances, especially from Joy Woods.  Best book ever written, and one of the best overtures you can ever hear live.  Decent sets.  However, the show as a whole really is a major disappointment.  The sum of its parts really don't add up to what you'd expect, and count me in as one that's left wondering why this revival was even necessary.  

I love Audra, but think she's much better suited for Desiree´ in Night Music than she is as Rose.

[DanS3]

Posted: 2/8/25 at 6:39pm

I don’t understand the hate on this board for this show? I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought Audra McDonald was amazing. But I have never seen her live and I’ve never seen this show before. So I did not go in with any expectations. 
 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 2/8/25 at 6:51pm

Audra is now my favorite Rose after seeing Gypsy on five separate (3 Bway, 2 Regional) occasions.  I think it's a Tony winning performance. She literally gave me goosebumps.

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/8/25 at 8:03pm

DanS3 said: "I don’t understand the hate on this board for this show? I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought Audra McDonald was amazing. But I have never seen her live and I’ve never seen this show before. So I did not go in with anyexpectations.
"

People are voicing their opinions so I just want to understand the use of the word “Hate”? I also wasn’t a fan of this production am I now considered part of the “Hate” group?

[DanS3]

Posted: 2/8/25 at 9:08pm

Huss417 said: "DanS3 said: "I don’t understand the hate on this board for this show? I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought Audra McDonald was amazing. But I have never seen her live and I’ve never seen this show before. So I did not go in with anyexpectations.
"

People are voicing their opinions so I just want to understand the use of the word “Hate”? I also wasn’t a fan of this production am I now considered part of the “Hate” group?"

Hate was probably too strong of a word. Dislike is more like it.  And yes everyone is entitled to their opinions, of course. 

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 2/9/25 at 3:55pm

DanS3 said: "I don’t understand the hate on this board for this show? I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought Audra McDonald was amazing. But I have never seen her live and I’ve never seen this show before. So I did not go in with anyexpectations.
"

Different people and different tastes. I personally think the current production of Sunset Blvd is the best thing I've seen in at least a decade, but there are many other people that can't stand it. That's what makes theater (and life) interesting :)

[soxboy22]

Posted: 2/10/25 at 9:21am

 Audra McDonald will not appear in performances June 30 through July 6.

From Gypsybway.com

[bear88]

Posted: 2/10/25 at 8:08pm

Gathering recommendations (I tend to be biased towards being closer, even if off to the side, but it depends on the show):

- front orchestra, but pretty far to the side

- further back in the orchestra, either a bit to the side or in the center

- mezzanine, second or third row, on the side

For this version of Gypsy, is there a spot to choose or avoid? Is house right or house left preferable if I am on the side?

Updated On: 2/10/25 at 08:08 PM

[Melissa25]

Posted: 2/10/25 at 11:44pm

bear88: For this version of Gypsy, is there a spot to choose or avoid? Is house right or house left preferable if I am on the side?
 

Audra walks into the left side of the orchestra and down the left orchestra aisle saying Sing Out Louise at the top of the show. It was very exciting to see her walk right by. If you are in M1 - M19, she will walk right in front of you and turn left. So my vote is for the left side.

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 2/11/25 at 8:07am

bear88 said: "Gathering recommendations (I tend to be biased towards being closer, even if off to the side, but it depends on the show):

- front orchestra, but pretty far to the side

- further back in the orchestra, either a bit to the side or in the center

- mezzanine, second or third row, on the side

For this version ofGypsy, is there a spot to choose or avoid? Is house right or house left preferable if I am on the side?"

I think sitting in the center is a good idea. The staging has a passarelle and Audra sings her act closing numbers in the center. Since she is in front of the orchestra she is very very close to the audience. For that reason I would choose further back and more to the center than closer and to the side

[CJRochester]

Posted: 2/11/25 at 1:39pm

I sat in G-10, middle of the orchestra right section. I thought it was perfect. I had a clear view of everything and was close enough to see facial expressions. 

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 2/11/25 at 5:39pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "I’m really fascinated by the amount of posters who think “All I Need is the Girl” doesn’t work in this production. Kevin Csolak is almost overwhelmingly charismatic in that song (if not technically the strongest singer) and it got the next biggest round of applause after Rose’s two numbers both times I saw it. Maybe because I’m not a Gypsy purist, but I thought it was dynamite and danced to perfection."

It's not that the moment itself doesn't work - it does, Kevin is sensational. But the cuts made to the number throw off how effective the *later* scenes are. Without a strong focus on Louise falling in love with Tulsa, the later scenes are emotionally undercut and don't support Audra's journey as Rose as they should.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 2/11/25 at 8:23pm

I thought it was quite obvious that Louise was falling in love with Tulsa. She sat there staring at him the whole  time. I don't know how you can get more obvious than that!

[bear88]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 2:57am

CJRochester said: "I sat in G-10, middle of the orchestra right section. I thought it was perfect. I had a clear view of everything and was close enough to see facial expressions."

Everyone seems to have liked their seats. Prices for seats  in the front section of the orchestra along the sides are decidedly cheaper ($139 with the discount for midweek performances). What’s the disadvantage of being there? And how close is too close?

Updated On: 2/12/25 at 02:57 AM

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 5:51am

kdogg36 said: "I thought it was quite obvious that Louise was falling in love with Tulsa. She sat there staring at him the whole time. I don't know how you can get more obvious than that!"

It wasn't just a matter of showing she is falling for him. In the original staging/choreography, it becomes clear she wants to be the girl in the act that Tulsa has created. When we find out he eloped with June, we understand how devastating that would be for Louise in a way that Rose knows nothing about. The current revival is missing this and so many other layers so for many it's falling flat.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 7:13am

bear88 said: "CJRochester said: "I sat in G-10, middle of the orchestra right section. I thought it was perfect. I had a clear view of everything and was close enough to see facial expressions."

Everyone seems to have liked their seats. Prices for seats in the front section of the orchestra along the sides are decidedly cheaper ($139 with the discount for midweek performances). What’s the disadvantage of being there? And how close is too close?"

I was in the right side, front row. Maybe four or five seats in? Fantastic view and thrilling to be up so close.

[Undest]

Posted: 2/12/25 at 8:51am

thanks for this

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 10:04am

Saw it yesterday matinee- and it was thrilling- Audra was fantastic- a force of nature- loved every second- I cannot understand how anyone could be critical of Audra's voice or her take on Rose- she was fabulous!!!!!

Updated On: 2/13/25 at 10:04 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 11:57am

Based on a now-removed Instagram post (so it may be inaccurate somehow), it looks like Tryphena Wade will be making her Rose debut on February 22nd. She’ll also be performing on the 23rd.

[UnderstudiesAndStandbys]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 4:20pm

This is now confirmed -- Tryphena Wade will be making her standby Rose debut on Feb 22nd matinee, also performing that evening and on Feb 23rd!

[pagereynolds]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 5:32pm

UnderstudiesAndStandbys said: "This is now confirmed -- Tryphena Wade will be making her standby Rose debut on Feb 22nd matinee, also performing that evening and on Feb 23rd!"

Thanks for posting this. I picked up a ticket for the 22nd. Always love to see new takes on Rose

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/13/25 at 5:38pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "Based on a now-removed Instagram post (so it may be inaccurate somehow), it looks like Tryphena Wade will be making her Rose debut on February 22nd. She’ll also be performing on the 23rd."

Should be a cheap ticket to get. Congratulations to Wade!