Everythings Coming Up Roses- Brava Bernadette! — Page 2

Her take (or, more likely, her and Sam Mendes' take) was absolutely different; I think the people who disliked Bernadette are generally people who are intimately familiar with other versions of the character (I'd love to hear opinions to the contrary, though).


Krisjoseph;
My experience at this production of Gypsy was a sad one. What I saw was a performer whom I adore struggle vocally and sound like she was giving line readings. I also saw a physical production that made the peice a world I did not want to sit thru. The whole thing was bland. GYPSY- BLAND! That is just WRONG.

TheatreMafia, I still don't understand how you could say that you like Bernadette Peters and then turn around a backstab her.
I still can't believe you are judging one weak performance - if that - and totally throwing her entire performance of Gypsy down the drain. OK she has had a bad day or two.

"and sound like she was giving line readings" come on - she is not a broadway baby. Very disrespectful to the legendary that's Bernadette Peters .

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I saw GYPSY at the end of November. The overall production was very good, but not great. But Bernadette was incredible. She had (as always) immense stage presence and gave a performance that combined superb comic timing with raw emotional power and - the element that often distinguishes a great performance from merely a good performance - pathos. Vocally she was stunning - and Rose's Turn was simply spine-tingling.

With Ms. Peters carrying the show, I believe it could extend its run. Without her though I am not so sure.

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Bernadette was incredible in this production, and I plan on seeing her again. I was a little skeptical about her take on Rose when I first heard she was going to do the role, and I did see it in Previews, and Bernadette was NOT in top form. Then I decided to see it again in July, and she was INCREDIBLE.

Theatremafia, I really can't see how you could say that Bernadette sounded like she was giving line readings....her rendition of Rose was the most beautifully acted, three-dimensional interpretation of Rose, I have ever seen. Granted, I had not seen Merman, or Lansbury - but I do have all the recordings, and judging by renditions of musical numbers alone, Bernadette emotes so much passion, drive, and really makes Mama Rose a character that can be related to, and almost pitiable. Should we feel sorry for Rose? I am not sure about that - but Bernadette definitely makes her a person, in addition to being a force to be reckoned with.

As for her vocal capabilities - I am not going to get into that again, as I have done this in another thread - But Bernadette is fine vocally. I mean, I REALLY prefer Bernadette over all the other actresses who have portrayed Rose....based from the recordings, Merman was SHARP, off tempo a LOT of the time, and you can even hear her snap her fingers during "Some People" if you listen closely during the whole "I had a dream, papa" sequence, not to add that I can't stand her shrill annoying voice. Lansbury on the London recording, just sang the whole score too low, so much so that I can sing all of Rose's songs with ease, and to me, that really takes away from the excitement, and thrills that you get listening to these songs. I ACTUALLY liked Tyne Daly's acting and vocals equally. I really don't have a problem with her recording. It's one of my favorites. The last time I saw Bernadette in Gypsy, she was in top vocal form, and she is on the recording as well. Thank GOD for the faster tempos in this production. It gives all of Rose's big numbers a new life, and really represents the urgency in her big numbers such as "Some People" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses".

I think people who have issues with Bernadette are really stuck on what their conceptions of what Rose should be, whether it be more Merman-esque or whatever the situation may be. I think people who have not seen Gypsy should go see it, and go in cleared of all pre-conceptions, and just go for the ride. You'll really enjoy the show and Bernadette's performance much better, and enjoy it for what it is......a masterpiece.


Cheers,
The Balladeer

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Updated On: 2/5/04 at 09:40 AM

Thank you, alter. I think you said it best.

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yawn. get a new schtick. it's getting really old.

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"I think people who have issues with Bernadette are really stuck on what their conceptions of what Rose should be, whether it be more Merman-esque or whatever the situation may be. I think people who have not seen Gypsy should go see it, and go in cleared of all pre-conceptions, and just go for the ride. You'll really enjoy the show and Bernadette's performance much better, and enjoy it for what it is......a masterpiece."

Balladeer, I am not stuck on any pre-conception of what Rose should be. Again; what I saw was a beloved performer of mine clear her throat constantly, elongate her lines, and have no relatioship whatsover with any other person on tha stage. And the production was boring. I am glad you enjoyed it and had a good experience. But please stop with that excuse of the "pre-conceptions". It is not the case. ( at least with me). And by the way; I second acted it again just a few weeks ago... and she has not gotten any better.

Updated On: 2/5/04 at 11:57 AM

So has boxoffice picked up?

I don't let myself be swayed by reviews. Reviewers are not gods and everyone has a different opinion. If I think I will like something, I go see it. Have a mind of your own.

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Hey Mami,
Is that Celia Cruz? And by the way; is there any recording of Gypsy in Spanish? I know ithas been done... but I wonder if they ever recorded it.