GYPSY To Close August 17, 2025- Page 6

[east side story]

Posted: 7/18/25 at 10:02pm

Blow Gabriel said: "Yes people didn’t like Suttons casting in Anything Goes at first. And then she shut all the naysayers up with the most breathtaking musical numbers where she danced her ass off, and then belted those notesout at the end of 8 minute dance numbers. Sutton was absolutely brilliant in the role."

What were your thoughts on that infamous first night audio from Sweeney a while back? 

[George in DC]

Posted: 7/18/25 at 10:02pm

Blow Gabriel said: "I don’t care if Patti didn’t like this new Gypsy or Audra’s performance. That opinion would be in line with probably most people. But her lying and sneeringwas totally out of line. Wagging her finger at Audra saying she should know better?? Patti, darling, Broadway is DONE with you. No matter how many times you say you’re done with Broadway, you knowdeep down inside, it’s the opposite and you’re just trying to save face and look like you’re going out when they still want you. Newsflash, you’re not wanted, and will never appear in a Broadway show ever again. Good riddance."

 

According to who. You? A pathetic troll with a wasted life trying to stir things up? Reply all you want, I will be blocking you.

Personally I loved Audra's performance but not as much as I did Ms LuPones. but that was probably due to the fact  their productions were not equal. I hope both of them return to Broadway soon.  I have not seen a production with either of them that has not thrilled me.

 

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/18/25 at 10:24pm

east side story said: "What were your thoughts on that infamous first night audio from Sweeney a while back?"

what are your thoughts on Jessie Buckley’s Olivier belonging to Sutton Foster?

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/18/25 at 10:35pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "There are only a few people I'd REALLY like to see as Rose on the Broadway stage. Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Scherzinger, Lady Gaga...that might be it. At least 10 years from now. (I doubt Gaga would ever commit to 7x a week for a sustained period of time, though.)

There are others I'd like to see in Gypsy, but let them do it regionally or in concert. Donna Murphy, Bonnie Milligan, Lindsay Mendez, SJB, Carmen Cusack, Da'vine Joy Randolph, Laurie Metcalf in a benefit reading where she just speaks the lyrics, etc.

Plenty of other roles for Sutton Foster to play that she's better suited for."

What about Leah Michelle?

[MorrisLACat]

Posted: 7/18/25 at 11:53pm

Off-Topic:

I wish "The Phantom of the Opera" returns to the newly refurbished Majestic. 

Not as a revival, but in its original form. <--- Wishful Thinking.  Ha!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 12:03am

MorrisLACat said: "Off-Topic:

I wish "The Phantom of the Opera" returns to the newly refurbished Majestic.

Not as a revival, but in its original form. <--- Wishful Thinking. Ha!"

Ha! NO!

Very much like GYPSY, this show needs a rest. 
 

 

 

 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 2:31am

Jarethan said: "poisonivy2 said: "For all the talk about Patti Lupone's "old-school" persona, she missed a lot of Evita shows. Julie Andrews missed a lot of My Fair Lady shows too.

The modern-day performer who truly does not miss shows (unless it's something really serious like covid, or pre-planned absences) is Aaron Tveit. Dude is an iron man."

Jonathan Groff too. I also read somewhere that —aside from some pre-scheduled vacation / movie promotion — Daniel Radcliffe never missed a performance. I do t know if that is true or not."

Lea Michele IIRC also rarely missed a performance of Funny Girl unless it was pre-planned. But she had an excellent alternate in Julie Benko.

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 6:53am

I posted my thoughts earlier in this thread. But folks complaining about the lights being on during the overture only saw it in previews since that was nixed by opening. So for all the criticisms of this production — many of which are completely valid — this isn’t one of them. (Not that having the lights down made that much of a difference considering that it felt underpowered.). 

[binau]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 6:57am

I agree it’s important to caveat that it was during previews only, but I personally will never, ever let anyone forget that they did that to us after some of us paid $500 for the privilege. Previews is not an excuse for incompetence. This is part of the legacy of the production now and for always. The show wasn’t presentable if they couldn’t start it properly, and it wasn’t just one performance. Do I get a discount? No. So neither will my opinion be discounted either. 

Updated On: 7/19/25 at 06:57 AM

[east side story]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 8:56am

Blow Gabriel said: "east side story said: "What were your thoughts on that infamous first night audio from Sweeney a while back?"

what are your thoughts on Jessie Buckley’s Olivier belonging to Sutton Foster?
"

Having seen both performances, the Oliviers got it right by a country mile.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 10:12am

Dreamboy3 said: "I posted my thoughts earlier in this thread. But folks complaining about the lights being on during the overture only saw it in previews since that was nixed by opening. So for all the criticisms of this production — many of which are completely valid — this isn’t one of them. (Not that having the lights down made that much of a difference considering that it felt underpowered.)."

I don't know... I paid full price to see this during previews when the house lights were up during the overture. I think my disappointment and criticism of that is completely valid regardless of the fact that it was previews. I am glad they corrected it before opening, but it was still a huge blunder that never should have happened at any performance IMO.

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 11:20am

binau said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "For what it’s worth, Audramissed twenty performances between the December first preview and hervacation in June. I have no doubt that people would still be pissed if she went on knowingshe wasn’t able to give100%. Damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t.God forbid she get sick or rundown, while carrying the entire production on her back (as so many claim). She can’t even agree to an alternate without being criticized for it. People were far too eager to tell on themselves with their reactions to this production…not that any of them are introspective enough to see that.

binau - Theirony of several paragraphs complaining about “toxicity” (most of them having nothing to do with the actual show in question, just noise around it egged on from outsiders, people online, and you) with barely a point that isn’t unnecessarily harsh and toxic in nature…We get it, you didn’t like this production. We got it the first fifteentimes you posted about it on this board. Still going on about “Patti being cancelled” when that has not a damn thing to do with this show is ridiculous. Move on, or at least stay on topic.You yourself sound just as“toxic” as those you’re pointing fingers at.

“Sacrificing your quality of life” was a choice you were not obligated to make, and one no sane person wouldever do.It’s even sillierthat it was donefor a first preview before finding out howexactly the production was “breaking the mold” in the first place. Younot being happy with the end result does not make the entire production a “marketing scam”. Talk about melodramatic. Simply make smarter decisions, and try learning some descriptive buzzwords beyond “toxic”. Six times in a single post is something else. 😵‍💫"

1. This thread is like a post-mortem of the show, so I am summarising my thoughts and yes if you read my posts you will see that I'm not saying anything too much new, just wrapping it up in one post. What's the deal? So what? Are people only meant to post "ohhh sorry to see it go" or post new thoughts? I really don't understand the complaint. God forbid I spend time clearly articulating and summarising my thoughts in a way that clearly also shows my passion for theatre and these issues. Is that not the purpose of this board?

2. RE: Toxic. I don't currently have another word in my vocabulary that describes some of these problems. Do you have another word I can use to describe people unfairly trying to destroy the career of Nicole and Patti instead of toxic? Toxic seems to fit best to me. And I strongly reject the idea that calling out toxicity makes me toxic. Someone needs to stand up and call out this behaviour (the treatment of Rachel Z is also an example of something I'd describe as Toxic).

I also think absolutely every single point I said was on topic. It was speaking about the production of Gypsy and the fanfare/reaction to it. I accept and agree that in many ways the latter has nothing to do with the show. But it's still part of the overall experience of being a fan and I'm just commenting on it. The whole events around this were also highly unusual and something I've never seen before to this degree and scale. I really don't understand your point, do I ignore it? I don't want to ignore it. So I chose not to.

Almost every production of Gypsy or at least recently such as the Bernadette/Sam Mendes and Patti/Laurents Gypsy have had their own story and saga. The Audra Gypsy is no less and this is part of the theatre history books or at least collective knowledge.

3. RE: Sacrificing my quality of life and whether I'm 'sane'. I don't claim for a second to be 'sane'. Did I ever suggest I was sane? I think I have a borderline addiction for theatre and I don't really have a choice unless I goto theatre-holics anonymous or something.It's extremely important to me and my life, above most other things.

Of course I accept in reality if I blow $500 on a first previewthat's on me in literal terms. However, at the same time I have never been to a first preview in my life (and I have been to many) that couldn't do something as simple as get everyone into the theatre in time and start the Overture in darkness. That was amateur. And it cost $500, which is not good value. So I think it's well within my right to express my disappointment about this. Do you think it's good value or ethical for producers to charge $500 for this? On Broadway and in New York City, which has the highest standards of musical theatre of anywhere in the world,I don't personally think so.

4. RE: Me being melodramatic. I think I have posted here for long enough and people know me well enough to realise that I love to be a bit over the top sometimes - gurls this is theatre do we not want to be theatrical?I am passionate about theatre and I do try to to entertain and be playful a little (thanks Bwaygurl2, denali.fireand Dame for appreciation). So people don't have to take everything I say literally. The reason I describe it as a 'marketing scam' is because it was hyped up in the marketing and interviews and chatter and yet I don't think they delivered the goods. That's all. I know it was not literally a scam they probably tried their best, but it wasn't good enough for me.

5. RE: Audra's absences, I agree it's absolutely a damned if you do damned if you don't situation. And there has been very few instances of people suggesting Audra has phoned in a performance or had vocal problems live (seriously I can only think of a couple of comments, and I guess some of the Tony vocal issues). Which is very respectful. I believe Audra is a consummate professional and would not simply call out lightly. She knows the entire show is riding on her shoulders. However, the job isn't just to give an excellent performance it's also to run a marathon and it's not for everyone. It's not even about blame it just is what it is - sometimes people can run this marathon, sometimes they can't. Unfortunately for Audra, she appears to be struggling a little running the marathon right now.

Someone on Reddit (thank you Bwaygurl2 for suggesting it does indeed seem locked now, very strange) speculated that Audra might actually have some vocal damage and is potentially trying to ride it out, hence the Montego alternate and an early closure. This doesn't sound impossible to imagine. I hope Audra is ok and does not put her voice at risk."


dear god

soneone please wake me up when its over

 

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 11:20am

To me most shows sound so quiet and distant. Just saw the beauty and the beast tour here and thought the same thing. Whatever they did at sunset should be studied. The orchestra sounded so good. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 11:35am

RippedMan said: "To me most shows sound so quiet and distant. Just saw the beauty and the beast tour here and thought the same thing. Whatever they did at sunset should be studied. The orchestra sounded so good."

I thought the Merrily We Roll Along revival also had excellent sound mixing. 

[The8re phan]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 11:41am

poisonivy2 said: "I thought the Merrily We Roll Along revival also had excellent sound mixing."

Yes, this....... the Merrily Overture was pure euphoria

[Huss417]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 12:12pm

Dreamboy3 said: "I posted my thoughts earlier in this thread. But folks complaining about the lights being on during the overture only saw it in previews since that was nixed by opening. So for all the criticisms of this production — many of which are completely valid — this isn’t one of them. (Not that having the lights down made that much of a difference considering that it felt underpowered.)."

When I saw the show a few months ago the overture started and I could barely hear it. I thought this wasn’t a good sign. I  would say the orchestra was about 2 minutes into the overture and then all of a sudden the speakers were turned on. Was disappointing.

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 12:25pm

I thought the sound for Cabaret was amazing.  By far better than both times I saw sunset.  The last revival of sunset sounded amazing  with that huge orchestra so this new production, I didn’t think the sound was anything to write home about. 

Updated On: 7/19/25 at 12:25 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 1:37pm

I think with Sunset it's the orchestrations that sounded great. Too often Broadway orchestras go for that brassy sound. The Sunset orchestra seemed to use more strings.

[Huss417]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 2:05pm

Blow Gabriel said: "I thought the sound for Cabaret was amazing. By far better than both times I saw sunset. The last revival of sunset sounded amazingwith that huge orchestra so this new production, I didn’t think the sound was anything to write home about."

Sunset had one of the best sound design I have ever heard. But then again you couldn’t follow the plot so I assumed you would also have an issue with the sound and anything else to do with this production.

You were tiresome in the Boop threads and now I see that will continue even  with a name change or changes going forward. Just beyond bizarre.

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 2:13pm

Huss, I am not mrshowbiz.  I don’t know who that is, but it ain’t me. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 2:28pm

poisonivy2 said: "I think with Sunset it's the orchestrations that sounded great. Too often Broadway orchestras go for that brassy sound. The Sunset orchestra seemed to use more strings."

Sunset had 6 strings + bass & guitar in a 19-piece orchestra. Those strings were heavily augmented by synths, and it's a careful balance of orchestration, keyboard programming, and sound design to make that sound as great and natural as it did. An extremely impressive collaboration. IMHO, it sounded just as good as the Close concert revival, which had a 40-piece orchestra.

Gypsy had 8 strings + bass & harp in a 26-piece orchestra with no synths. IMHO, the sound of its orchestra - and the show in general - paled in comparison to other revivals of Gypsy and other collaborations between Andy Einhorn & Scott Lehrer (Carousel, Hello Dolly).

Updated On: 7/19/25 at 02:28 PM

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 2:43pm

Oh my goodness really? Open your ears.  Even just listening back to clips online of both productions, by no way does the Nicole revival sound nearly as full or lush as the Glenn revival.  This was even more stark being in the theater, being hit with the wall of sound at the Palace in 2017, which does not exist currently at the st James. 

Updated On: 7/19/25 at 02:43 PM

[binau]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 3:03pm

Well, I saw both and I have to agree that the most recent Sunset had the more overwhelming sound from the orchestra. They managed to create that deafening wall of sweeping orchestra you might hear on headphones in a theatre - I admit likely through a lot of amplification and maybe synths but it didn’t sound artificial. Still, it was thrilling. 

[Blow Gabriel]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 3:45pm

You people can’t be serious. open your ears. 
 

 

[east side story]

Posted: 7/19/25 at 3:51pm

Gabriel sure is blowing, huh?

The sound design in Lloyd’s SUNSET BLVD is exquisite. The first time I saw this production, I too described it as a wall of sound. I could barely hear the orchestra at Audra’s Gypsy, similar to the last Sweeney Todd. When I sat down at the Majestic back in December, and heard the orchestra start that legendary overture, not only was I pissed about the lights being up, but the audience still taking their time to be seated while having full-throated conversations to combat the orchestra interrupting their chatter. It was maddening, but even after everyone settled after about two long minutes, you could still barely hear the orchestra, and I was in the third row of the orchestra!