GYPSY Previews — Page 22

Rudin did this for many of his productions. Ticket buyers would get email alerts reminding them to be there early.

To answer your "what did you expect her to sound like?" comment, I expected that the director and star would have sat down before she accepted the role, and had a conversation about whether or not she'd be able to belt these well known songs without her usual legit soprano voice. Perhaps they would arrange for her to work with a vocal coach. I've heard Audra belt before, but it's never for an entire song, and you can even hear it in some lines of her Rose's Turn.

As many have mentioned, these songs have been sung a certain way for many years for a reason. When Audra was announced to play this role, I heard this "will she belt?" question over and over again - many hoped that she'd decided to belt, and it was the #1 question after the first preview.

I, for one am very disappointed and have no interest hearing her sing these songs this way. While I know that she will act the role to perfection, I know that I won't survive the evening listening to these musical theatre classics sung in a legit manner. It obviously wasn't a concern for the director and all those Audra die hard fans. I'm glad that they can enjoy it.

Dolly80 said: "joevitus said: "Dolly80 said: "Damn this was bad.
The ugliest set I’ve ever seen on Broadway.

A lead who cant sing the score.

Everything about this revival is misjudged. I really hope they don’t get away with it when reviews come out."

From her performance of Rose's Turn that we all listened to when the show was first announced, I'd agree she doesn't have the "right" voice for this role, but to say Audra McDonald"can't sing the score" is absurd beyond words."

It's really not at all actually. she's not above criticism just because she has some Tony awards.

She's a star, and a brilliant actress and singer- but this score is not a good fit for her voice. She can belt to a certain point and then it suddenly turns into a soprano voice. It's jarring and not how this should be sung.

Also the overture playing while people walk in and chat is just terrible. It's like the director has no respect for the material."

No, it's absurd. That the score "is not a good fit for her voice" (I'd agree) is vastly different than saying she "can't sing the score." One is a fair argument based on personal taste. The other is...well...an absurdity.

pagereynolds said: "Maybe the director didn't want her to belt. Maybe he prefer she have her own interpretation of the role."

It's kinda irrelevant whether the choice was intentional or not (I'm assuming it was) or who is responsible for the choice. The question is whether one thinks the songs are well-served that way or not. And as others have said, this is just going to be one of those personal opinions about which there will be a sharp division among fans of the show--and among fans of McDonald.

Updated On: 12/13/24 at 03:05 PM

^ This is it, in a nutshell.

I've stayed off this page since the first preview to get a grasp of what others are experiencing. I'm genuinely glad that many people are enjoying it, some experiencing either Audra or Gypsy for the first time. With that said the "what did you expect, it's Audra's voice!" criticisms have all been rather callow.

There is along list of Roses who had a specific voice who managed to transpose their register in a manner effective for the part. Audra, at least at the first preview, failed. And from what I've read on this page, she has not managed to correct this and might be hurting her gorgeous instrument in the process. No one is saying she isn't acting the hell out of the book: that she had on day one. The vocal demands simply do not seem to sit right with her voice.

I'm coming back after opening and hope this becomes a colossal achievement. I want Audra to succeed, but there may be limitations on even the best of Broadway stars.

Audra is the rare actress that meets unrealistic expectations in almost everything that she does, from Lizzie, to Josie, to Bess, and Billie and a lot in between. She didn't here.

I'm coming back and hope that I'm proven wrong.

EDIT: When writing this, I was reminded of how ****ing good her Josie was in Moon for the Misbegotten. Damn, I wished that would have transferred! And, but for Covid, we would have gotten her Blanche. Hopefully that's still in the cards.

Updated On: 12/11/24 at 04:12 PM

Bette's Turban said: "Why didn’t the last three Gypsy’s have this problem ? Scott Rudin would have had this figured out."

TRUTH! There is no excuse.

Still gathering my thoughts, but a lot of it worked. Some of it, however, did not.

• The trumpet solo during the fully lit overture did not thrill like it can.
• Tulsa could not handle the vocals of the role, despite having not a lot to do vocally, as written.
• The choreography does not land. If you’re going to not use the original, at least come up with something wonderful in its place. Dance numbers looked like everyone was in week two of rehearsals, and still working out the movements. But that is unlikely this late in previews. A lot of it felt stagnant or almost lifeless.
• I have never seen a performance from Burstein that I felt was less-than, but wow did he make himself totally unremarkable with his acting choices. Audra elevates his work in their scenes together.
• The Strip, simply put, does not land.

I will say the end of Act I was absolutely THRILLING, and McDonald’s best work in the show.

Dolly80 said: "she cannot sing the score as written and intended to be performed. Deal with it."

She may not be able to sing the score as intended, but that in no way means "she cannot sing the score." Deal with it.

chernjam said: "Papi2013 said: "Maybe they should include the words 8pm sharpin their ads. Rudin did this with Dolly. He also used the no latecomers admittedthing. Just something to encourage people to get in line before 7:50. You would get a email advising you to allow time to get through security and settle in. He made it work."

With the renovations and everything done to the Majestic (which unless I've missed it, haven't really heard anyone comment on them...) I'm really surprised to see this. As awful as the St. James Theatre is in terms of leg space, bathrooms, etc. I was pleasantly surprised when I wen to see Sunset a few weeks ago the lines going in were organized, the doors opened 45 minutes before curtain and we were in the theatre relatively quickly. Had gotten there early knowing that lines for restrooms and such, but the front of house staff couldn't have been more organized, friendlyand professional (and this was during previews). I even joked that they must've imported them with the Brits that came with the cast."

Sunset also advises that the production starts promptly at the stated time and that there is no late seating. I’ve now seen that production multiple times and it has never started earlier than 10 minutes late, and even after the doors are shut, they always let in a few stragglers.

Robbie2 said: "DaveyG said: "It is truly shocking that the house lights are still up during the Overture. Blasphemy."



That's being changed by tomorrow night!"

Can they change Joy Woods by tomorrow night? Just sayin’….

Updated On: 12/12/24 at 10:31 PM