GYPSY Reviews — Page 10

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

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.

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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, 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.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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!

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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.

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

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.

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