Donna Murphy GYPSY

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Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 3:41am

Donna Murphy in the next annual revival of GYPSY

Discuss.

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

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 4:39am

No.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

There were 2 revivals of Gypsy in the 2000's I think this show shouldn't be revived at least before the year 2040 on Broadway.

I find it very dated, don't understand why people make such a big deal out of this show, both revivals had some of the biggest Broadway stars, Lupone even won the Tony for it. If both of the revivals were flops, why would a less known star sell more tickets than the other 2?

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

Updated On: 8/24/09 at 04:58 AM

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 5:09am

Putting aside the fact that another revival is unnecessary and may not sell well with a lesser name and considering Murphy's talent, what do you think of her as Rose?

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 5:13am

She fits the part I think.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 5:14am

Yes, the point of the thread was more to talk about Murphy as Rose rather than pitch for a new revival (which I agree is absolutely unnecessary, and the thought of another one would feel like beating a dead horse).

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

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 5:22am

Donna would be fine as the lead in Gypsy. I am not a fan of Donna or Bernardette(don't hate me), I think Patti is very talented though, but her bad reputation and on-stage meltdowns are big turn offs for me, but as a singer I think she's great.

I truly think we need to let Mamma Rose rest in peace for awhile!

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 9:34am

I don't think Gypsy is dated at all. Just because it's a period piece doesn't make it dated.

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 10:03am

I love Donna Murphy---but I'm a little sick of Gypsy. I do want to see her back on the stage soon, tho'.

#10

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 10:08am

The next Gypsy revival should be all-black. It would add a lot of interesting subtext, and give a ton of talented actors a shot at these roles (Tonya Pinkins, Hinton Battle, Idara Victor, Rogelio Douglas, Kenita R. Miller)

Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

#11

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 10:33am

As an actress Donna Murphy could no doubt handle Rose but based on her previous performances I don't think her singing voice is dynamic enough for Rose. Murphy is more of an introspective actress and Rose requires an actress/personality... like Merman, Lansbury. Peters, or Lupone. (Tyne Daly - a brilliant actress - went for the multi-layered performance and it worked...until she had to sing.)

Muscle, did you see either production of GYPSY?

Patti's performance on stage was probably as close as we will ever get to Merman in terms of sheer dynamism. Your statement that her "reputation and onstage meltdowns are big turn-offs" seems odd, since she has a reputation as one of the theatre's most dedicated and hardest working performers. Her one meltdown and the the 2nd last performance was totally justified.

The Peters production was perhaps hurt by the director's attempt to do it "differently" than previous productions, but the show ran 15 months and amid the mixed reviews there were quite a few raves. It way not have been a smash but was in no way an embarrassment.

While I agree that GYPSY should be rested now for 10-15 years, but like great operas our great musicals should be brought back at regular intervals, especially when there are stars out there who can do the shows justice.

I don't get what you mean when you say the show is "dated." In terms of a melding of book and score it remains a marvel of tight construction, and reveals all the creators at the very top of their game. That alone is why we have had 5 Broadway productions in the last 50 years, and probably will see revivals every 10-15 years. Few shows of its era hold up as well.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

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#12

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 10:42am

I agree with Piragua. The next revival of Gypsy belongs to Tonya Pinkins. That would be sublime. Also I agree with frontrowcentre, I think Gypspy is one of the most "perfect" nights of theatre. The show is long but it flies by with its beautiful music and engrossing story. I think it is a winner on most counts if you have a thrilling cast.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

Updated On: 8/24/09 at 10:42 AM

#13

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 10:51am

Tonya Pinkins was not up to the vocals of Caroline...she'd never make it through Gypsy.

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#14

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 11:20am

PiraguaGuy2, please be kidding.

Gypsy Rose Lee (and Rose, and June) are all real people. June Havoc is STILL alive.

This would be as appropriate as a gifted white actor playing Martin Luther King. No matter how well he plays the role it just would not fly.

#15

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 11:31am

Tonya Pinkins gave the performance of a lifetime in CAROLINE. Her vocals, voice cracking etc, had more to do with her characterization of Caroline rather than whether or not she could handle the score. She definitely could handle it. And she could definitely handle Mama Rose. She missed very few performances, correct?

#16

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 11:34am

She had the same vocal problems in House of Flowers...

#17

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 4:19pm

"Muscle, did you see either production of GYPSY?"

I saw Lupone's LIVE on Bway.

And watched Bernardette Peters at the Tonys but I didn't enjoy her work.

"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one". -Felicia Finley-

#18

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 5:13pm

Muscle, how do you think that GYPSY is "dated"? It's a timeless story, the role of a lifetime, and a thrill to watch. Even both films (poorly done movies they are) manage to still draw you into the story and reveal the brilliance of Robbins, Styne, Sondheim, and Laurents' work. And what a score!

I don't know that Donna Murphy would be able to sing the score 8 times a week for a long run, but then again, if Tyne Daly did it...
Murphy is one of the most talented actresses I have seen on stage. I really do think that seeing her live is a privilege, and what she does while she's up there, the way she commands the stage, morphing into a new person, and so meticulously creating a character is exactly why she is so right to play Rose. I can only imagine the way she'd approach the character! The way she would treat each song like a monologue and stop the show with each number!
What's great about Murphy is that she's as comfortable with comedy as she is with drama, and as she proved in the Encores! FOLLIES production, she can easily handle both in the same performance. Also, I don't think it's fair at all to compare her to Tyne Daly, really? Murphy's vocals in SHOWING OFF, PASSION, WONDERFUL TOWN, FOLLIES, and LOVEMUSIK are nothing short of thrilling. She's an actress first, but her singing voice is beautiful and she knows how to use it.
I'd love to see her in GYPSY, she should do it for Reprise! in LA.

"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"

#19

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/24/09 at 6:07pm

Perhaps the next production of GYPSY could be partially performed in Spanish--with or without supertitles.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

#20

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/25/09 at 12:21am

While Gypsy's revivals have haunted BW for the past 35 years (four revivals and counting) Donna Murphy would be an exquisite Rose, i.e. lots of vocal heft, compelling thesping of the first degree and collaboration with her costars that could thrill audiences. That said, there is no way that "Gypsy" should be revived on BW for at least a generation. The last two less-than-stellar revivals are ample proof that this musical needs a rest right now, regardless of its accomplishments. If producers continue to slog in past glories, they'll cheapen the artistry that is the compelling component of "Gypsy". We'll just get one half-baked star shot after another. Leave well enough alone.

#21

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/25/09 at 12:48am

I agree, I think the next Gypsy revival should be a black cast. This show can be color blind cast even if it is based on real people, it's called a musical fable, which means it's not a biopic.

#22

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/25/09 at 1:42am

I couldn't agree more, fgreene. Donna Murphy could be a fascinating Mama Rose and I would love to see her back on a stage. I'm still insanely jealous of anyone who has seen Encores! Follies.

But, please, no more Gypsy revivals for a while. And, please, no black, green, purple or Spanish versions, either.

'Try not to have a good time...this is supposed to be educational.' - Lucy Van Pelt

#23

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/25/09 at 2:04am

^^ I saw Donna Murphy in "Passion", "Wonderful Town", "LoveMusik" and the Encores "Follies". She was terrific in all but most glorious in "Follies" and I feel lucky to have seen it. A Broadway transfer was begged by this showstopper but it wasn't meant to be. Still, Murphy was spot-on and displayed every one of her many theatrical talents to their best advantage. Some day Mama Rose maybe....right now, still and always a supreme musical actress.

#24

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/25/09 at 6:35am

Can you see me turning green with envy, fgreene? :)

'Try not to have a good time...this is supposed to be educational.' - Lucy Van Pelt

Updated On: 8/25/09 at 06:35 AM

#25

re: Donna Murphy GYPSY

Posted: 8/25/09 at 6:55am

frontrow, (and sorry for the delayed response) but that argument was made the last time someone suggested an all-black Gypsy. While the story of Gypsy is based on those real people, the fact of the matter is that the characters have come into their own, seperate from the real people they were based on. Many major aspects of the show are compltely fictionalized anyway, and other aspects of their lives are never spoken of in the show. Seeing as many people who aren't up on their theatre history going to see the show wouldn't realize that Louise, June and Rose were real people, I doubt it would cause a huge problem to change their race, especially when it would add so much to the story.

EDIT: And yes, I realize it's hard to take me seriously discussing race considering my Cousin Skeeter avatar.

Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

Updated On: 8/25/09 at 06:55 AM

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