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Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audience members out of St. James

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#1

Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audience members out of St. James

Posted: 1/11/09 at 2:38am

During the January 10, 10AM performance of GYPSY at the St. James Theater, ensemble member Bill Raymond (Pop, Cigar) suddenly turned to the conductor and yelled "STOP!" until the orchestra stopped playing.

He then exclaimed that he spotted someone in the audience taking flash pictures and that they had been taking pictures at least three times during the show. He demanded that that person and their companions be removed and then Mr. Raymond stated that he wouldn't continue his performance until the guilty party vacated the theater.

Mr. Raymond was then fired.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#5

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 2:50am

It's a commentary saying that if anyone other than a "name" or actor in a leading role had stopped the show for the same reason Patti LuPone did, they would have been fired.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#6

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 2:52am

The first clue that this is fake should be the performance time. 10am? Riiight lol

Anyway, you hit the nail right on the head. If anyone other than Patti pulled a stunt like that they'd be gone.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#14

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 12:35pm

Didn't Patrick Stewart have disciplinary actions filed against him with Equity for speaking out about the producers during curtain call when he was doing The Ride Down Mt. Morgan?

I don't think she should be fired, but there does need to be some sort of action taken. If a performer is concerned about an audience member it is their job to alert stage management who will then handle it by contacting the front of house staff. Now most likely we will never find out whether the chain of command was followed unless somebody on Gypsy's SM team is on here or they issue a statement regarding this behavior, which most likely the powers that be are going to ignore as they so often do when it comes to their diva stars.
#15

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 12:36pm

Even if the show wasn't closing, Patti would not have even gotten her wrist slapped.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE what Patti did. It's the house manager's responsibility to make sure that the audience members are not disobeying rules, and if management is not doing its job, then by all means performers, GO GET 'EM!

I just WISH that ensemble members would have the gusto to do what Patti, Richard Griffiths, and other leading role actors have done. But I certainly understand why they don't.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#16

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 1:52pm

A whole other thread on it though?
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2
#18

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 2:20pm

Wish all you want.

Patti won't get fired.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2
#20

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 2:31pm

Yes, because she makes them so much money.

Hell, I think people would buy more tickets just for the chance of seeing her go off.

Chill out.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2
#21

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 3:58pm

When I saw Hello Dolly, Pearl Bailey stopped the show during a production number asking that whoever was taking pictures to stop as it was dangerous to the actors (they had to go over a theater apron). The crowd cheered & the performance resumed. The picture taking stopped.
Poster Emeritus
#22

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 4:03pm

People go because it's GYPSY. Not for Patti.
2008: Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5 May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime November 29- Dreamgirls, December 25- Billy Elliot, December 30- Finian's Rainbow, 2010: January 9- Bye Bye Birdie, January 16- Memphis February 17- The Phantom of The Opera, February 18- God of Carnage, March 7- Billy Elliot, March 31- American Idiot
#23

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 4:04pm

Well....Patti couldn't have been making them TOO much money as they closed early! If they were raking it in, they'd still have 6 more weeks of performances.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#25

re: Ensemble member Bill Raymond stops GYPSY and orders picture-taking audi

Posted: 1/11/09 at 4:11pm

I think that's true of any revival of this show. It's all about Rose. Has to be.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

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