GYPSY dress rehearsal- can anyone say when it is?- Page 2

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:08am

That was really, REALLY good. Like across the board... I've never seen a better cast.

I didn't feel like I was watching a dress rehearsal... they seem pretty much ready.

I think the guy beside me thought I was out of my mind, most of the show was spent with my mouth hanging open - I kept forgetting to CLAP I was so far into it.

Question though... spoiler... did they drop a scene? Does anybody who was there know what I'm talking about? Or am I crazy...

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:08am

I heard tonight from someone in attendance that Arthur Laurents decided to use a stuffed animal for Chowsie instead of a real dog.

Can anyone else who was there confirm this as true?

Updated On: 7/9/07 at 12:08 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:09am

How was Benanti!?!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:10am

Come on people, tell us!!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:11am

Benanti is the weak link. Better after she's an "adult", but still nothing special. As younger Louise, is trying way too hard to be "young" and it comes off disingenuous.

There was no program so I don't know all the names, but the biggest star to come out of the night (I'm not counting Patti here) is whoever plays Dainty June. Fabulous. Great singer, really really good actress. She brings a fresh perspective which I loved.

Boyd Gaines as Herbie was wonderful - my second favorite Herbie after Hadary. He really "gets it." From beginning to end.

Jim Bracchitta, who was in my production of GYPSY (1989 revival) is back again, this time as Uncle Jocko - what fun to see him.

The kids are all very good - Baby June is on pointe! - and the grown farmboys are hilarious, every single one. Tony Yazbeck is an okay Tulsa.

The strippers - Alison Fraser, who I've never liked in anything up till now, is f'ing perfection as Tessie Tura. Marilyn Caskey is underplayed genius as Electra. Nancy Opel brings nothing new nor special to Mazeppa, a bit of a disappointment, but she is very good as Miss Cratchitt.

Patti is PERFECT. Rose's Turn is an entire show in itself - and the final scene is played as I've never seen it - she's the first Rose I've seen to play it as it should be played. I don't want to spoil it for those who don't know the show, so I'll stop there. I will say that she got an immediate standing ovation after Rose's Turn. Standing, cheering, screaming, whistling, lengthy ovation.

Arthur Laurents walked out to make the pre-curtain speech, and was greeted with a lengthy standing ovation of his own. It was a very exciting evening, and I urge anyone who's considering buying a ticket to do so immediately. I'll be seeing it again.

Updated On: 7/9/07 at 12:11 AM

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:12am

Thanks Updated On: 7/9/07 at 12:12 AM

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:12am

Oh my God Rath, I could kill you and make it look like an accident.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:13am

Thank you, Lea!

Can you get more detail-y? What scene did they kinda cut? Just mention it's a spoiler so that people won't get pissy. I want to know everrry thing.

A guy I know knows the Dainty June, so I'm curious to know how she was. But how were Benanti, Gaines, and Patti?!

Updated On: 7/9/07 at 12:13 AM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:13am

Glad you enjoyed the show Rath!!

My excitement level went up about 100%!

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:13am

Benanti was fabulous, I seriously didn't recognize her when she came on in those braids - in a good way, she had this awkward, braid chewing sort of thing going on that was just adorable. She was really, really CUTE. I thought her Act II would be great and it was, but her Act I was really incredible too.

And Boyd - I've never really cared all that much about Herbie but he was just brilliant - I loved him to death. He's amazing. And he and Patti are FANTASTIC together.

Patti is... brilliant. I expected that though and she delivered.

The Dainty June - is a really different take from what I've seen and I've already forgotten the girl's name but she was great as well.

It was a stuffed dog. Stuffed lamb too.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:13am

Yes, both Chowsie and the lamb are stuffed.

Please don't anyone tell Ravi that I was in the front row and Patti sang two lines to me. One during Rose's Turn.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:15am

And my hatred towards those who will be seeing this show went up by 100%. My only hope is that the London rumors that the NY Times mentioned and that people on here have talked about are true.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:15am

Leigh Ann Larkin plays Dainty June.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:16am

Is the set VERY minimal? And how are the costumes?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:16am

ray, they definitely plan to take it to London, but no dates are set.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:18am

The set is not minimal at all - it's not a typical Encores production. It's a full production. The costumes are great.

Crista Moore was there. She really, really loved it.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:19am

Thanks for the news Rath! If it's any time after December then that will be my college graduation present. Guess Boyd Gaines won't be in London though One can't have it all.
Was the stripping scene really different as Benanti said?

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:19am

How was Benanti's strip scene? And was "Gimmick", overall, great?

[ahmelie]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:20am

Thank you so much!

Yay for London transfer, even if it just means a recording.

Though, my brother is going to London next summer with my dad, maybe I'll come over for a few days to go... "sight-seeing".

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:20am

When the production goes to London (most likely sometime in the spring,) LuPone will be the only person to transfer over with it.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:20am

The strip is a little different, not a lot.

Gimmick is very funny, overall, yes.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:23am

That's what I figured, Somethingwicked, I'm probably the only person who would see this production for Boyd Gaines as much as for LuPone, I just find him to be such an incredibly talented actor.
Oh well, spring in London it is for la LuPone.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:24am

Man, I know what I'm doing for the next 18 days until I'm going to see Gypsy, listening to my Ravinia bootleg over and over and over...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:26am

They even found a way to make the overture more exciting than usual - I wouldn't have thought that possible. It was very emotional.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:28am

^ Rath, Did you see Patti at Ravinia?

I am wondering how much her Rose grew with Laurent's direction.