CONFIRMED: Audra McDonald-led GYPSY to begin previews Nov 2024 — Page 27

Is Bryan Cranston still rumored to be Herbie? I had heard this a while ago . But I am still hoping for the other rumored Cranston return in Damn Yankees. He did hint at this on Andy Cohen.

This is slightly off topic but about the digital marquees. If I remember correctly, and someone correct me if I’m wrong, doesn’t the Music Box have one side digital and one side normal/not digital? I wouldn’t mind that combo for the marquees if they have to be digital.


While I do hate them, I do like they give a slight preview of the show. I thought The Heart of Rock and Roll did a good job highlighting the characters, choreography, and a few scenes. But photographing was awful.

I was watching clips from the Live from Lincoln Center Passion the other day and it got me thinking about how nice a reunion would be with Cerveris and Audra.

Updated On: 7/2/24 at 12:24 AM

I'm honestly not too excited for this.

Audra's voice is so...thick. I don't hear it for Rose.

I’ve been wondering if they’ll use Laurents’ 2008 edits: cutting Mr. Kringelein and the “faux rape,” using the stuffed lamb, and cutting the “Small World” reprise.
The Staunton revival used all of these edits, and I wonder if it’s going to become commonplace now.

I’m a firm believer in the Small World reprise

As my grandmother would no doubt ask, "Who's Audra Gypsy? Is she a singer?"

I just watched her London Palladium concert on PBS and my excitement for this Gypsy, which was sky high, declined with every song she sang. Yes, her voice is as luscious and gorgeous as ever, but I'm having trouble imagining it fitting the Gypsy score and character. (Part of the trouble, I think, may have been the concert's musical direction which was for the most part so lethargic that it sucked the life out of most of the numbers she sang. I think the R&H selections fared best.) On the other hand, I keep thinking George C. Wolfe must have something surprising up his sleeve that will make this revival revelatory and amazing, so of course I'll be there.

It just reminds me of Sutton Foster in The Music Man. She was truly wonderful as Marian, but you really missed the soprano. Hearing her sing My White Knight, and Til There Was You, I kept thinking, I wish it was Kelli singing those songs. And everybody felt that way. I feel like people might have the same opinion with Audra. Except she needs to sound like a horn not a flute.

No, literally everybody thought this. I don’t know a single person who though her deep low alto belt was preferable to a soprano singing those beautiful songs.

I rather preferred her belt. I suppose not literally "everybody" thought this, and you probably should steer clear from hyperbole for the remainder of your time on this board :)

I watched "Lady Day" last night and it's true that we shouldn't underestimate Audra's ability to adjust her voice for a character. I do suspect we won't see this kind of transformation because Gypsy as a show has ALWAYS been grounded in the lead actress' personality and vocal style. And it's not like there is a distinctive 'Rose' character voice. Plus it's easy to 'act down' (as Audra did with Lady Day) than 'act up' (Eg. Audra is not going to have Patti's belt suddenly come from an acting trick). She obviously has the capability to tone down her vibrato if needed a little.

But we shouldn't underestimate Audra, OR the director George C Wolfe. Look at his musicals. Shuffle Along, Caroline, or Change, The Wild Party etc. - this is a man that very deeply, deeply understands the musicianship behind vocal performances and always turns out good performances with a high level of characterisation in them (same as Michael Greif).

Also, part of me wants Audra to keep some of her signature style. As I said, the show has ALWAYS been grounded in the personality and vocal style of the actress. The show and casting has always been so amazing because Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone sound nothing like each other. So every time it's a whole unique experience and character. Audra should not feel compelled to follow the mould.

This whole production is starting to feel a bit 'deja vu' to the Sam Mendes Bernadette Peters Gypsy. Get a hot director ('George C Wolfe' and cast against type ('Audra'. Meanwhile the vultures are circling in the background. Hopefully unlike Sam Mendes Gypsy production, Arthur Laurents' estate are not hovering in the background trying to stop creative choices (e.g. According to David Burtka who played Tulsa the Sam Mendes production we saw wasn't even the real thing. Sam Mendes had a number of choices that Arthur Laurents simply wouldn't allow, such as having Bernadette's face dripping with make-up during 'Rose's Turn'.

I don't care which magazine he writes for but I want to see Ben Brantley's take on this production. Another hallmark of all the previous recent revivals is what he said about Patti Lupone and Bernadette. I don't think I'm ready to listen to Jesse Green's take on this yet.

Updated On: 7/6/24 at 03:43 AM