AUDRA GYPSY Reviews — Page 33

OharaFosseWolfe888 said: "

To not like Audra's soprano, in the role is one thing. To not like it is based on only hearingwhite women do it (and belt differently..Bernadette aside), is definitely a bias. To suggest Tonya or Heather, is to negate what makes Audra, Audra. Arguing what the role requires is BS if you have seen the performance.To say it is not THEE BEST ACTED and performed Rose's Turn, ever is simply untrue. Art is subjective, but facts are definitely facts. These are Black ass facts.



Apparently "black ass facts" is just saying whatever stupid thing pops into your head. Learn the difference between fact and opinion.

OharaFosseWolfe888 said: "Man of color....? See that's half of the isse..We are talking about BLACK people! Not just, people of color, maybe you didn't get the memo, especially after the last election. Black folks don't want to be linked in with "people of color", we are Black and proudly so. They not the same thing. None of the people on this board, will ever admit to unconscious bias so its a mute argument, and yet Black folks, and other co-conspirators against yt supremacy in ALL forms, who give a damn about the american theatre persists by calling out the racism on this board.

To not like Audra's soprano, in the role is one thing. To not like it is based on only hearingwhite women do it (and belt differently..Bernadette aside), is definitely a bias. To suggest Tonya or Heather, is to negate what makes Audra, Audra. Arguing what the role requires is BS if you have seen the performance.To say it is not THEE BEST ACTED and performed Rose's Turn, ever is simply untrue. Art is subjective, but facts are definitely facts. These are Black ass facts.

All people of color, and including Black folks can assimilate to white ideals. Saying y'all are men of color means little in the context of this Black revival of Gypsy."

Oh dear! Once again, I've struck a nerve and caused someone to have a massive mental breakdown on a public internet forum.

So glad to know I have not lost my touch!!!

Chiiile, y'all are funny af...noticing no Black people disagreed. At least not openly. Noticing the 7 likes lol. Many of you lack a level of reading comprehension. All caps was for passionate emphasis not yelling. I did not say not liking her soprano was racist. In fact I said that alone is fine. What I did say was, there is certainly unconscious bias (on this board in particular) with her performance because it is different, from every other white woman iteration. A heavy piece of that bias from y'alls comments are about her being a soprano and not singing it the way "it's supposed to be sung" when in fact, she literal is. I think it is fair to say, if you are not Black (even if you are) and don't like her earth shattering take there's a good 98.123% percent chance you have some bias in that regard. And that my friends is critical race theory and psychology 101. Sorry the statement upset, maybe you should do some shadow work ;)

If you not Black, it's not a Black ass fact for you lol...seems obvious...you couldn't possibly understand. Black people set the standard for art, culture, invention, what is popular and what is actually popular in this country. That too is a proven fact. White supremacy either steals, dilutes and replicates or tries to destroy it. It is in the dna of the american fabric, didn't make the rules just live here. The fact that this revival is even possible stands in defiance of so much of it. And the main reason that it exist... Audra Ann McDonald-Swenson

Audra is (objectively...keep ya whitey tighties on lol) giving the best acting performance of Rose's Turn ever. That is a Black ass fact. If that bother's you or you disagree, in the words of Tessie Tura (read with the brilliant line reading Lesli gives) "Tough Titty".

DAME said: "CarlosAlberto said: "
Oh dear! Once again, I've struck a nerve and caused someone to have a massive mental breakdown on a public internet forum.

So glad to know I have not lost my touch!!!

"

Your a legend and I bow down to you."

Takes one to know one. Hussy Power!!! Luv you!

And here you are.

OharaFosseWolfe888, if it was Kelli O'Hara or Marin Mazzie on that stage right now how do you think people would be talking about their performances?

Updated On: 5/16/25 at 02:43 AM

It really is astonishing how quick it’s become to accuse people of racism where there is none. None of the criticisms I’ve seen have said they don’t enjoy this production because Audra is black. I personally didn’t enjoy the production because the physical production was drab, Louise was entirely miscast and I found Audra’s voice wholly wrong for the character she’s playing. Nothing to do with past actresses who performed the role. Many people had the same misgivings for Katrina Lenk in Company in that her voice didn’t sit in the music in a satisfying way for people. Was that racism? It’s absurd. Yes, racism is real and alive as ever, but to say that someone is buying a ticket for over $100 to see a production they know is lead by a black woman before even walking in the door and then not enjoying it for one reason or another automatically makes them racially biased?

Get. A. Grip.

Audra's Rose was my favorite performance of the season. That said, I don't see the less-than-favorable reactions as surprising or disturbing at all. I think I think Georgeanddot2 said perfectly what I've felt from the start of previews: "I sense an unwillingness to engage with Audra's performance on its own terms." I don't mean to claim that's the case for every person who disliked her interpretation - I can see why her voice and vibe don't work for some.

I also think some people get a kick out of saying they've seen a (now unseeable) "best" or "unmatchable" or "definitive" interpretation of a role and feel that their bragging rights are challenged when a new, different, critically lauded and presently seeable/accessible portrayal comes along. Happens all the time with legendary musical theatre roles. Forecasting some unfavorable, prickly pushback to this perspective, but I think it's true (again, not for everyone who disliked it - but some). 10-15 years from now when the next Rose comes along, certain people who favor Audra will be doing the same thing.

For those of us who loved her performance, I think it's enough that we loved it and that it was very positively reviewed. Again, really don't think it's that surprising or off-putting that other people disliked it. And as for the Kelli comment... No one can say for sure, but I think her portrayal would get a similar reaction - some love, some dislike, and a lot of comparison.

Updated On: 5/16/25 at 08:18 AM

Georgeanddot2 said: "To be clear, for a lot of people on here, I don't think racism stood in the way of them enjoying this revival or Audra's performance. But there is a real conversation to be had here surrounding expectations. I think a lot of you have had a really hard time leaving baggage at the door for this production. Audra is not Patti or Bernadette or Ethel or Angela or Tyne, obviously. She brings her own thing to the role, thankfully. It's theatre. I don't expect or want to see the same thing over and over again. I sense an unwillingness to engage with Audra's performance on it's own terms. And then yeah there's also quite a lot of obviously racially motivated hate happening here, where I sense that Audra is not being allowed into a certain elite "diva club.""

Thank you for this. A sensible response one can actually engage with. I agree with you Georgeanddot2. As someone who studies critical race theory and also works on broadway and in the theatre in general I absolutely agree with you that there is a real convo to be had around expectations. Particularly with older white theatre goers who have seen multiple Roses. The unwillingness to engage with Audra's performance on it's own terms. Yes, that. Whether one wants to admit it or not, her being Black is a part of those terms. Her being a soprano is second to that. Unwillingness to engage with her performance without taking into account who she is and what the production is ( I have seen MUCH white mediocrity lauded on these boards) and the baggage brought in from ONLY white women previously, I agree with. And I would go one step further, to say that is what I mean by unconscious bias. Which to be CLEAR to y'all on the boards, is not racism. Folks on this board don't know what the definition is, or being willfully obtuse and conflating it with racism. Of course one can't readily admit it might have a hand in their opinions, cause its UNCONSCIOUS. Doesn't mean it isn't true.

Early comments during previews said Rose is now a Black church lady with a southern accent. Now, that **** was racist. Different from an unconscious bias that doesn't allow for actual engagement. Hella racist things get said on this board all the time, i'm not saying that in totality. However I agree, there is a lot of racially motivated hate here as well. Exactly that about being allowed into a certain "divas club", where by the american theatre and the tonys own standard she has already surpassed ALL of those white ladies before she ever took on this role. That is simply an immutable fact. Not a Black ass fact lol.

Thankful you were able to see what happens and speak on it. I do not understand why ppl just blatantly defend their non-Black opinions when you could just consider the perspective of Black folks and move differently? Calling me insane and crazy...don't you see how that reinforces racial stereotypes when Black people call out bias and racism? Having a mental breakdown? Over white folks and "men of color" opinions of Black excellence, never L.O.L. You don't my ancestors or the souls that stand behind me to speak to you so honestly and freely like that, but if I were I would watch the name calling and the like, I respectfully ask you to stop.

Also if you haven't seen the show recently, I would suggest you go back. It is so much deeper and richer than in the winter. She will keep excavating the soul of that character until closing.

Also side note, super proud of Joy Woods, her growth in this role is other worldly! I don't think I have seen a performance grow this much over the course of 7 months ever in a show. It's like acting onstage with the greatest living stage actor has positive effects on a young actors chops, go figure!

Updated On: 5/16/25 at 01:07 PM

SmokeyLady said: "TotallyEffed said: "For me the best comparison is Sutton Foster in The Music Man. One of our best performers cast in a role that just simply didn’t allow her voice to soar. Talented as they both as, their voice types were fighting against their performances the whole show.It’s hard not to imagine if Kelli had been cast instead of Sutton or Heather instead of Audra. Their voices would have fit the scores like a glove."

This is exactly what came to mind for me when I saw this veryrecently. Just not a good fit. And it is just a poorly conceived production. The rest of what is being written on this thread about critical race theory and racism and all theother attacks at peoplle that just did not like it .. is just a lot of blah blah blah. Someone has too much time on their hands. It just wasn't good. It is not that deep. Lordy."

Not one mention of possible unconscious bias. L.O.L Keep proving me right. Honey, I'm responding right now during break from a workshop rehearsal for a show you will undoubtedly pay to see next season...bwahahaha. I can multi-task.

To say it's not that deep is to minimize Black excellence in our art form. You all have such keyboard courage. I guarantee you wouldn't say half the things you say on this board to Audra or George in their face. I know you wouldn't say to a Black person in their face, it's not that deep... Lordy that lol. It gives me great joy, to light y'all up like this, because most responses are dismissive and not engaging which further lets me know...well you know....

Updated On: 5/16/25 at 02:11 PM

Do take into consideration that some here have the ulterior motive (mods included) to support a likely proven Trump supporter at the cost of Audra.

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Do take into consideration that some here have the ulterior motive (mods included) to support a likely proven Trump supporter at the cost of Audra."

Oh right, the likely Trump supporter, who albeit belts two songs in her show very well, has "meh" comedic timing, and essentially giving a caricature performance of herself to some degree but couldn't act her way out of a wet paper bag standing next to either of the women in her category across 44th street. Much less the one who has 6 Tonys in every acting category. You right, totally forgot about that. But don't call that racism or bias, the yt elders and daddy queens will FLIP round here.

Updated On: 5/16/25 at 02:28 PM