Esparza333 Reviews Gypsy

[esparza 333]

Posted: 12/26/08 at 10:23am

I was very anxious to get down to the St. James Theatre before January 11th to see this stunning show and these performances. So on Christmas eve I came down to the theatre after eating at the Legendary Sardi's, waiting for the iconic overture to start. From the moment the overture starts Gypsy is a mesmerizing show.

The show is so beautifully written with such hilarious, breathtaking and powerful moments. Arthur Laurent's book is a true masterpiece and his direction was great. The score is as everyone knows one of the finest in the theatre and was sung to perfection by all of the cast.

Patti Lupone was absolutely phenomenal. She rips the stage apart with her stunning acting and is compelling in her dramatic scenes and hilarious in her comic scenes. Her dialogue delivery is superb and her moments on stage with Laura and Boyd are nothing short of captivating. Her voice is so powerful and brilliant live that chills and goosebumps are the most common feeling when she sings. Some People is amazing and is done with ease and Everythings Coming Up Roses blows the roof off the theatre but it is Rose's Turn where Patti pours everything into every word and explodes into the spotlight one last time.

Laura Benanti is stunning from the beginning to the end. Her Louise at the beginning is innocent, awkward and is portrayed beautifully. Her Little Lamb gives you chills and is so heartbreaking. Her mannerisms are flawless as Louise in the beginning. Her Mama Gets Married with Leigh Ann is superb and they have great chemistry. But it is The Strip that has the most captivating and breathtaking transformation ever seen on stage. She has captured it so wonderfully as lyric by lyric Louise voice get louder, her mannerisms are most grand and her presence dominates the theatre. Her voice soars during this. She becomes glamourous, powerful, magnetic and her scenes with Patti as said before blow the roof of the theatre.

Boyd Gaines is astonishing as Herbie. He takes the Character and gives it power humanity and makes it gripping to watch. His chemistry with Patti and Laura is superb especially in the delightful Together, Wherever we Go. His voice is strong when needed and his scenes with Patti in act two are so intense and are a great example of what happens when two phenomenal actors share the stage. He plays Herbie better than probably anyone has and the audience is actually sad when he leaves.

Leigh Ann Larkin is excellent in her scenes and creates a lovely portrait of Dainty June. Tony Yazbeck is a superb dancer and is wonderful when he is onstage with Laura. Allison Fraser, Marilyn Caskey, and Lenora Nemetz bring the house down with the hilarious You Gotta Have a Gimmick. `

The sets were serviceable but your eyes were never staring at them in wonder. The costumes were great during The Strip especially. The lighting was okay but the strobe light effect used to to transfer the Baby June and Louise to Dainty June and older Louise was phenomenal.

So on the whole I think this is a masterpiece of theatre and has three iconic and phenomenal performances and If you haven't seen it yet try to get tickets fast because this one experience 50 years from now you will be so thankful to have had. I have not seen South Pacific but I know this revival is everything it is because of the performances and these three will go down as some of the greatest performances seen.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 12/26/08 at 10:26am

Glad you liked it!

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 12/26/08 at 10:51am

I agree with you entirely. It's been nearly a month since I saw the show and I still can't get over the power on that stage.