Barbara Streisand "re-writing" GYPSY

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Barbara Streisand "re-writing" GYPSY

Posted: 9/27/14 at 10:40pm

Barbara, you should be more particular about your use of language! "Re-Write" does not a good GYPSY make

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Barbra-Streisand-Shares-GYPSY-Movie-Update-We-Are-Re-Writing-Now-20140927

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/27/14 at 10:44pm

Well you have to adapt the libretto to film and there has never been a gypsy movie that has ever been able to do it correctly..so....go for it.

Gypsy is tricky, 'cause on stage it's perfect, but it'll need tweaking to make it workable for film. For example, just having Rose on an empty stage during "Rose's Turn" can be electric on stage, but terrible on film [as the first 2 film versions proved.] They need to make it into a film, not just a stage show on film.

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 12:04am

I'm assuming she means re-writing the current screenplay.

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 12:06am

I always just thought that they should put in on stage and then film it that way (not necessarily live, but on stage instead of environmental settings)

Anything regarding shows stated by this account is an attempt to convey opinion and not fact.

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 12:53am

Have it at, Barbra. Arthur's Golden Rule was always "He who dies last gets to rewrite."

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 12:56am

I've said this before, but the way I imagine Rose's Turn to be staged is that the theatre is full of people who are clapping, cheering etc.

At the end of the song they give her a standing ovation, she continues with the bows and then her daughter walks in/interrupting her while she is bowing, and the next cut shows an empty theatre.

Apparently this has been done for another movie (not Gypsy, if I recall correctly). But still, you can't perform Rose's Turn to a bare theatre - It would just suck the energy out of it.

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 1:11am

In space-no one can hear you scream---I'd do it out there.

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 1:47am

I'm sure she's refering to a rewrite of the screenplay. I'll bet they start toward the end of Rose's story, when she would seem a little bit more age appropriate, then flashback in hope of us forgiving the fact that she's seems a bit long of tooth to have two little girls.

#10

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 1:48am

^ I hadn't thought of that. Seems like a plausible way to cover up the age issue.

#11

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 2:16am

They could frame the entire film in a retirement home with the residents putting on a production of Gypsy. That could cover up the age issue.

#12

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 3:45am

I know people hate him on this board, but I thought Rob Marshall's concept of setting it up on stage with the numbers emerging from Rose's imagination in the style of CHICAGO would have worked beautifully for this particular show (it made no sense when he tried it with NINE).
Obviously Streisand is talking about rewriting the screenplay and getting it right. You'd have to be a real drama queen, and frankly not that smart, to get your panties in a twist thinking she means they are rewriting the show or something ridiculous like that.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#13

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 5:48am

"At the end of the song they give her a standing ovation, she continues with the bows and then her daughter walks in/interrupting her while she is bowing, and the next cut shows an empty theatre."

I like that a lot, and think it would work wonderfully on film. And hey, it's Barbra... I'd go see her do anything, right or wrong for the role, and I'd love every second!

Updated On: 9/28/14 at 05:48 AM

#14

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 4:17pm

That's how I always pictured "Rose's Turn" as well. Seems like such a given. I'm not sure why they never tried it in the other two film versions. I'd be a blast to have the first part of the song with her maybe even going into the audience and sitting on people's laps and being really bawdy and sexy.

The dialogue doesn't need a single word changed, since, I feel, it's perfect, but it'll need more than that to make a film version work. I always liked the idea of "You Gotta Get A Gimmick" being a montage showing Louise watching in the wings as each stripper performs their signature number for a house full of screaming men. Little things like that would really open it up and make it a little more exciting than just parking and barking.

#15

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 4:57pm

How funny! I always imagined "Roses Turn" to be like that on film. However, I'm not sure about watching Babs flirt with audience members...she's in her 70's. That would be pretty cringe-worthy

.

I also love the idea for "Gimmick".

They would need to cut "Little Lamb".

Dare I say it, they may even need to cut "Mr Goldstone."

I just feel that cutting these songs would help make the film move quicker and at a better pace.

#16

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 5:09pm

She's gonna put Rose's Turn on a goddamed TUGBOAT!

This needs to be stopped. Ended. Halted. Nipped in the bud. Discontinued. Terminated.

#17

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 5:14pm

Seriously...I think you must accept that Babs is doing this and you can't stop her. Do not let this grieve you.

Barbara Streisand

Updated On: 9/28/14 at 05:14 PM

#18

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 5:18pm

It opens with Rose's funeral with all the kids/ Louise together, remembering...

Updated On: 9/28/14 at 05:18 PM

#19

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 5:34pm

Streisand is indeed talking about a rewrite of the screenplay.

The initial screenwriter of the film was Julian Fellowes of DOWNTON ABBEY fame, but this summer the studio hired Richard LaGravenese (fresh off THE LAST FIVE YEARS and BEHIND THE CANDELABRA) to come in and do a new draft. That version is currently in process.

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 9/28/14 at 05:34 PM

#20

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 5:59pm

INT. Lobby of a VAUDEVILLE THEATER where UNCLE JOCKO is holding auditions.

ROSE listens intently and starts for door when she hears YOUNG LOUISE start to sing. ROSE catches a GLIMPSE OF HERSELF in a mirror in the lobby.

ROSE: Hello gorgeous. (Turns and rushes though the door and down the aisle of the theater) Sing out Louise!

#21

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 7:42pm

I wouldn't cry if Mr. Godlstone was cut. I don't even think Sondheim is a fan, 'cause, as he said, the punchline if the first line and the rest is just kinda...there.

I think "Little Lamb" is important for the Louise character, but I could see it being cut as well. If it stops the pace, cut it. After 2 relatively terrible film versions, maybe cutting a few bits will help.

And as for the tugboat suggestion, I actually see Rose belting the last note of "Some People" from the window of a train or a car as the camera flies up into the sky. Might be a nice Funny Girl homage.

#22

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 7:43pm

I LOVE that idea for Some People.

#23

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 7:48pm

Streisand has enough problems with folks' perception of her ego, she really can't write an homage to herself.

"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#24

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 8:07pm

I wish she would just dump this and do that BALLROOM movie she was threatening to do about a decade ago. A musical love story among older people? Why the hell not?

"No, no, no!!! Whaddya mean no close-up swooping out to a helicopter panorama shot on 'For meeeeeeee'? I know my audience! I don't care if it takes place in a theater! We get a drone and do the damned close-up to wide like I've always done it!"

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

#25

Barbara Streisand

Posted: 9/28/14 at 8:11pm

She was gonna do a Ballroom movie? That might be pretty great and age appropriate.

Still, I want a new Gypsy movie one way or another.

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