GYPSY Reviews- Page 10

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 11:53am

but they arent facts...there is no link.

and try to keep pj from being bitchy.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 11:58am

Updated On: 3/28/08 at 11:58 AM

[moljul]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 12:11pm

My error. It was the Washington Post but here is the link you so desperately need.

"Well, she works, though," LuPone says. "She's played my parts. She grabbed the mantle. The Ethel mantle."


"People compared me to Ethel Merman," she says. "I have that voice. And when I did 'Anything Goes' " -- another Merman show -- "that was the big comparison. And then the two Ethel roles that have gone down the pike have gone to Bernadette."

The rest of the article as posted on this site

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 12:22pm

Just as she went to Sunday in the Park and greeted the cast backstage, I'd expect that Bernadette will pay a visit to Gypsy. She's the epitome of graciousness.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 12:34pm

You might have quoted the next question and her answer.

"[Have you e]ver been jealous of other people?"

"Jealous of their opportunities," she says. "Not of people. Of their opportunities. It's heartbreaking when you're sitting at home." Very quietly: "It's really -- a drag. But not jealous of anybody. Because I'm who I am. I'm not that person."

[moljul]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 12:43pm

PalJoey, My omission was not intentional. I was simply quoting the paragraphs that directly correlated with what I had stated- Patti felt Bernadette had been given her roles. I wouldn't have stated Patti was jealous because I don't know the woman or had a conversation with her about it. She has stated she is not and if that is true, then good for her. If I were solely interpreting this article, I would say there are at least some sort of negative feelings there, that she has been cheated out of "her roles". But that is my opinion. I only used the word "anymosity" (which I believe I am misspelling) because I was directly responding to someone who implied it was BETWEEN the two women, inferring both were involved. I was never trying to confirm either woman's feelings as I have no right or true ability to speak for either of them. As I have previously stated I was simply trying to clear up FACTS. Patti has stated publicly her "frustration" (at the very least) with Bernadette getting the big Merman roles. I know of no public forums in which Bernadette has said anything about Ms. LuPone. If I implied more, it was not my intention.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 12:57pm

It wasn't simply entitlement on Ms. LuPone's part, however. I'm going to be in trouble for not having a link the specific reports I'm remembering, but I've seen it in print that Sam Mendes WAS interested in Patti LuPone when his revival was being cast. It had been made clear in years past that Arthur Laurents would not give his approval or allow her anywhere near a New York production of "Gypsy" at that time, so Mendes had to look at other options.

It wasn't until that article posted in another thread yesterday that I've seen what Arthur Laurents said. In the interview he implies that it was always Bernadette and the revival was mounted with her in mind from the beginning. I've read several previous reports that suggest that's not true. It feels more like him trying to cover himself now that he and LuPone have made nice.

[moljul]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:02pm

H. Higgins, it is my understanding that in Laurents' head it was always Bernadette. When he approached Mendes about doing a revival (without yet mentioning the intended leading lady), Mendes asked With Patti LuPone? and Arthur said No, Bernadette Peters, to which Mendes responded, Is she really old enough? and Laurents apparently said She's older than you think! LOL

So I don't think Laurents in covering anything. His casting of Bernadette went all the way back to her December 1996 concert at Carnegie Hall when she closed the first act with Some People. Laurents ran up to Sondheim to say "She can do it, obviously she can do it" So that concert was Bernadette's audition and the plans for the revival started that night.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:04pm

Mendes wanted Patti for the Donmar Warehouse pre-Broadway production that never happened.

When that was scrapped, the Broadway revival was planned. THAT was when Bernadette came into the picture. But Mendes had wanted Patti for Donmar.

Arthur was actually very positive about the idea of Bernadette bringing "sex appeal" to Rose--until he saw how bad the production and her performance were. Then he turned on Mendes. He never really turned on Bernadette--he simply began giving her notes. Then he took credit for the improvement in her performance.

A nice old man he ain't. But he's as tough as his lizzardy skin.

Updated On: 3/28/08 at 01:04 PM

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:10pm

Well, at the end of the day, they are both fabulous. And they both got to play the role on Broadway.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:11pm

Thank you for the info, moljul and Joey!

So, all of that considered, Arthur Laurents wanted Bernadette Peters for the revival and that's all well and good. My argument that Ms. LuPone of course had the right to have some negative feelings about the revival situation still stands. I realize it's "part of the business", but that doesn't mean that actors who have performance opportunities taken away from them don't feel it. Mendes wanted her. So it's a natural, human reaction to be upset when a major Broadway revival with said director was mounted around someone else.

That's all I'm saying. Peace.

[moljul]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:13pm

PalJoey, I disagree. The planned Broadway revival did intend to start out in London but always with Bernadette. That idea got scrapped and they came directly to Broadway. Its always been Bernadette.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:20pm

Patti and Arthur discussed the feud recently right here

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/stage/ny-ffpat5619665mar23,0,3700066.story

Patti thought she had it. She received a letter that she wasn't approved. Arthur said he promised Bernadette.

PalJoey seems absolutely correct though. Mendes wanted her for Donmar.

[moljul]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:26pm

Here is one link to the revival that was scheduled to open in London first. Then things changed. If you go to google and search in the 2001 years, you'll see several articles relating the fact that it is now scheduled for Broadway instead of London, etc.
Link

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:37pm

Blah, blah, blah. You can google yourself into a stupor for all I care. She shoulda played it then, but all that matters is she's playing it NOW!

And playing the HELL out of it.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 1:39pm

Agreed. And she has a great chance of winning the Tony.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:04pm

Sorry to interrupt this interesting discussion. I have just read this entire thread and am thrilled with the mostly ecstatic reviews and positive comments. I am glad I purchased my ticket yesterday for May 1st (it is an excellent Orchestra seat). I feel certain that the houses will sell out in the near future. Having seen all of the Broadway Roses, beginning with Ethel Merman, I am coming full circle to see Patti LuPone. I can't wait.

Incidentally, I was disappointed in the Peters GYPSY--it was the only production that I saw just once.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:19pm

moljul, thank you for saying what I wanted to say. I agree with you 100%.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:19pm

We're all looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Gypsy!

And tell us some of your memories of Merman...

I'd be particularly interested to hear what you have to say on the topic that Patti was dinged on: Was she playing Merman or was she playing Rose?

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:30pm

Moljul and Elphaba, can't there be a mutual respect and admiration for both women playing the same role? I am just as big of a fan of Bernadette as I am Patti and while I recognize their unique qualities that they bring to the role, I also appreciate them as well. It doesn't always have to be one OR the other.

(my two cents)

Viva la GYPSY!

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:35pm

Of course there can be. I personally am not a LuPone fan, but I never said you can't be a fan of both. I know lots of people who are.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:37pm

Exactly, GYPSY.

I take so much flak for my love of the Mendes revival and Bernadette's performance. Granted, I saw it late in the run so Laurents' "changes" may be justified. I have nothing to compare it to. But, when I saw it Bernadette was in fine form. She was a more human Rose. More vulnerable. So her breakdown literally hurt me. It was truly amazing.

LuPone is a much stronger Rose. More intimidating. She plows through her lines, but not in a bad way. Moreso as to create Rose as a woman who keeps talking so that no one can interrupt her. Patti's Rose is someone you don't want to mess with and when she goes down...it's uncomfortable to see this once strong woman be "put in her place" so-to-speak.

Bernadette's Rose was one of those "sweet to your face" stage mothers who you didn't want to turn your back on. Patti's Rose you don't want to get within a mile of.

Two different interpretations, but equally wonderful to watch.

I still believe Bernadette deserved the TONY. At least for the performance I saw.

Updated On: 3/28/08 at 02:37 PM

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:45pm

Regardless, the Tony is assuredly Patti's.

"A Catered Affair"'s weak word-of-mouth out of town doesn't make Prince's chances any better, and they owe her for the Sweeney snub anyway.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:46pm

I spoke on this before but I've been a Gypsy fanatic since the original in 1959. I saw LuPone last year at Encores! and have a ticket for June 6th. If she's improved since then, I can't imagine the roof staying put very long at the St. James. HOWEVER, having said that, sorry, NO ONE, NO ONE, NO ONE will ever surpass Merman vocally in that show. This is NOT meant as criticism of LuPone (obviously). I will say that you had to see Merman in person to get the whole effect -- and, as times goes on, there are relatively few of us who can say we saw Merman in her prime. Okay, go ahead and shoot me.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 2:49pm

I respect your opinion fully, ED. And I agree that no one will surpass Merman's vocals.

But I do believe the critics are right that LuPone is the closest we will get to Merman in the role.