GYPSY Previews — Page 14

BrodyFosse123 said: "I don’t think it’s just because everyone wants “a white woman belting” and can’t imagine a black woman as Rose. I thought of Tonya Pinkins multiple times during my performance - and in 15/20 years Cynthia would be thrilling! It’s more nuanced than that.

Geez, Louise. This ain’t the first time this multi-racial concept has been done. Leslie Uggams did this 10 years ago.

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Sally Durant Plummer said: "TheOnlyOne, I don’t disagree with the content of what you’re saying, but it does seem like you’re responding to criticism that isn’t there…

Saying “I didn’t get misogynoir from xy scene” isn’t the same thing as saying “that scene does not & cannot facilitate a conversation on misogynoir.” And while I appreciate hearing other perspectives on how some DO see a conversation about misogynoir in that scene, it shouldn’t be treated as gospel that it’s 100% clear in the production. The fact that one had to describe & explain how & why that scene was a critique on misogynoir kind of goes to show that it’s not self-evident in the scene as of now. But it’s early previews! Things are still being worked out and that sequence in particular has been called out for being very messy."



I hear what you're saying, but the original response said there was no room for it in the conversation. Please don't misconstrue what I said as if I didn't respond to criticism.



To be honest, saying a scene can't facilitate misogynoir is an excuse to downplay something happening right in front of our eyes. It doesnt matter how big or how small, how obvious or not it is to people. I hope they lean into these issues, and that people would educate themselves before they come into the space. The fact that so many people up voted someone who tried to tone polic a black women talking about black woman **** is a clear representation of all the things I've written. What they should be doing is listening. We don't have to agree but we'll be side eyeing as usual.

JasonC3 said: "Fascinating how some here think they get to control the terms of how others get to contribute to the conversation, but they themselves are not allowed to be questioned at all."

I guess contextually that depends on what they are questioned about. In reference to TheOnlyOne2's previous post, I don't think any of us who aren't a Black woman get to question how they interpret this material and production as presented. To me that seems the whole point, and as she said I too would "...hope they lean into these issues, and that people would educate themselves before they come into the space."

Updated On: 11/24/24 at 07:26 PM

Gypsy was a mixed experience for me. I desperately wanted to love it, especially given the show’s legendary status, but something felt off. It had all the right elements—great songs, strong performances—but it didn’t quite hit the emotional mark I was hoping for. I can’t pinpoint exactly what was missing, but I left the theater feeling like there was something more that should have connected. It wasn’t a bad show, but I wasn’t fully moved by it either.

Honestly, Pinkins - 10 years ago? maybe now? - would be thrilling. I just think McDonald is too regal. It's like Donna Murphy as Rose. I just don't think it quite connects? But I haven't seen it. Also, the sets are always going to look cheap for Gypsy. It's not that kind of show. It's about poor people trying to make it and being in poor settings. The production should not be that glamorous.

I would really like to see Erivo as Rose (and she’s almost 40 so that could happen at any time in the next 25 years). Or Da’vine Joy Randolph.

RippedMan said: "Also, the sets are always going to look cheap for Gypsy. It's not that kind of show. It's about poor people trying to make it and being in poor settings. The production should not be that glamorous."

Lol no. Just because the characters are poor does not mean the production design has to be ugly and incoherent. The issue is the pieces aren’t designed to speak in unison. And as I’ve said, I found even the wealthier settings like the producer’s office, Chinese restaurant and Louise’s apartment to be so out of place, they felt of a different show. The socioeconomic status of the characters have zero to do with putting a cohesive design on stage. And many-a musical has poor characters with sets people did not call ugly. What a silly thing to say.

BWAY Baby2 said: "The goal of the color blind casting- so prominent now in all sectors of show business- is to cast someone in a role who can act the role- regardless of their racial identity. Audra is not playing a BLACK woman- she is acting and singing a role as it is written- it is not a story about race and discrimination during the Burlesque era- so why would you expect it to be just because Audra was cast. Race is not broached in Gypsy- and in many shows- but many other subjects are explored. It is pointless to view every show through the lens of race just because a POC is playing that role."

Normally I would agree, except this isn't color blind casting. This production specifically is about race and the casting was done to explore that. So, Rose is black, Herbie is white, etc.

OhHiii said: "RippedMan said: "Also, the sets are always going to look cheap for Gypsy. It's not that kind of show. It's about poor people trying to make it and being in poor settings. The production should not be that glamorous."

Lol no. Just because the characters are poor does not mean the production design has to be ugly and incoherent. The issue is the pieces aren’t designed to speak in unison. And as I’ve said, I found even the wealthier settings like the producer’s office, Chinese restaurant and Louise’s apartment to be so out of place, they felt of a different show. The socioeconomic status of the characters have zero to do with putting a cohesive design on stage. And many-a musical has poor characters with sets people did not call ugly. What a silly thing to say."

Cool.

QueenAlice said: "It's Louise's dressing room and the set upstages the scene that plays on it."

Louise's opulent dressing room features a stunning portrait of Gypsy Rose Lee that contrasts with the "Look Rich, Feel Rich" billboard/mural that looms in the background during the (I think) Together, Wherever scene.

Louise is surrounded by a degree of luxury that Rose could only have dreamed of. I think the set design perfectly helps feed the disappointment, fury, and pathos that Audra unleashes in hersubsequent Rose's Turn.

Updated On: 11/25/24 at 11:47 AM

verywellthensigh said: "Why aren't people writing star vehicles for Audra? The only one who did seems to be Michael John LaChiusa."

That requires a star to be interested in developing a new work, which can take 5-10 years and probably also includes an off Broadway or out of town premiere, AND that person is saddled with the success of the material, rather than going into something knowing that the written material is there.

Even if the star is offered the role later in the development process, they have to actually want to do it. I know for a fact that Audra has been approached with original scores and she’s turned them down for one reason or another.

It is admirable when people like Idina Menzel want to put their creative capital behind developing a new musical, but that’s not everyone’s goal.