GYPSY in London plans scrapped because of Brantley??

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:12pm

Please tell me this isn't true.

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1434697


Rath, do you know anything??

[americanboy99]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:44pm

I love how they have gotten so mad at him when many agree with him.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:45pm

That was just one poster's question. Nothing was specific or validated.

A few years ago a bunch of us posted a thread about Kevin Bacon starring in a revival of FOOTLOOSE and everyone believed us.

Don't believe everything posted on message boards.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:49pm

I agreed with Brantley yet again. *ducks*

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 2:55pm

"I hope that nelly little ***** is happy."

lmao

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 3:02pm

The poster never asked it as a question. He flat out said he heard the plans were scrapped because of Brantley.

I never said I believed it, I just hoped it wasn't true.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 3:08pm

I've never seen so many queens fight like they do on ATC.

Are there ANY female posters on that board?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 3:10pm

The expression "Word is..." doesn't even mean "I heard..."

Plus, Scott Rudin is too much of an individualist to base a decision like this on a second-rate imitation of Frank Rich.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 3:22pm

ETA: Nevermind!

Updated On: 7/17/07 at 03:22 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 3:30pm

If anything, Brantley didn't kill it, the fact that they can't even sell tickets at $25 did.
Updated On: 7/17/07 at 03:30 PM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 3:31pm

There is a fundamental question that still hangs--

What influence does the New York Times have on London theatre-goers? I'd say about as much as the Times of London has on New Yorkers.

[dchesnutny]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:05pm

brantley may not have the ability to "make" a show with a good review, but he still certainly has the ability to help "break" a show with a bad review. Transfers to/from London included.

frankly, his reviews are lousy -- he's a third-rate theatre critic trying to be frank rich.

but regardless, i didn't think it was scott rudin bringing 'gypsy' to london, but another producer, tom viertel. check out this "london theatre buzz" listing:

http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821184684118&title=Patti+LuPone+Brings+Her+Gypsy+to+London%3F%3F%3F

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:08pm

There are talks going on AS WE SPEAK between City Center, Arthur Laurents and a major Broadway Producer about a Broadway transfer...

[dchesnutny]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:21pm

GREAT NEWS.

thanks Thesbijean for the insight.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:22pm

This post has to do with the power of the NY Times theatre critic, not about GYPSY specifically.
I spoke to the late Dennis Healey, one of the stars of the 1987 London production of FOLLIES, when he was appearing at the old Roundabout Theatre. I mentioned to him how much I loved the show and he told me that because of Frank Rich's negative review of the London FOLLIES, its probable transfer to Broadway was cancelled because the producers were afraid it would not be successful in NYC. I don't think Brantly is as powerful as Frank Rich was, so maybe the London Transfer of GYPSY will occur.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:23pm

I'm not sure when they would be planning to do it, but again, the talks are happening, and hopefully good news will be on the horizon...

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:26pm

If they want a Broadway transfer they should wait until Benanti finishes filming "Eli Stone."

Since she's recieved some of the most positive notices.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:31pm

But you do have to keep in mind that Patti is as much of a star over there as she is here and London hasn't had a revival of "Gypsy" in ages. Quite possibly not since Angela Lansbury's production.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:33pm

The NY Times has power to make or to kill a London-to-NY transfer, but NY-to-UK is not the case--unless for some peculiar reason the ny reviews are published there as the official reviews. West End managements would and do read the NYC reviews (and not just the Times) but, like New York producers, trust their own instincts--unless the local press has torpedoed the work.

The London press would need to come here and review Gypsy and publish the reviews in their own papers in the UK to affect a transfer one way or another.

Quick--name the main first string London drama critics.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:35pm

Curiosity question:

Did Dolores Grey replace Angela in the London GYPSY?

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:37pm

If they want a Broadway transfer they should wait until Benanti finishes filming "Eli Stone."

I agree. Is the show picked up?

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:55pm

My God, I can't believe the royal bitchiness on ATC!

It makes us look like Up With People.

[Theatrical Landladies]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:56pm

Dollypop, Dolores Grey did replace Angela Lansbury in London. I had the poster up till a couple of years ago. Bet she would have been fab. Saw her in FOLLIES in the 80's and she still had it then!

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 4:57pm

Dollypop: To the best of my knowledge, Angela Lansbury stayed with the London GYPSY for its entire run at the Picadilly Theatre. I saw Lansbury there in July of 1973--she was wonderful. Incidentally, she gave a more subtle take on "Roses Turn" in London than she did on Broadway, where she hammered it home with a vengeance. I preferred her London version--I don't think it has to be a total all out mad scene. The lyrics do their job. Just my opinion.

Edit: Theatrical Landladies--I stand corrected. I hadn't realized that Dolores Grey took over the part. Yes, I think she would have been wonderful. And I, too, saw her in the London FOLLIES where she was great.

Updated On: 7/17/07 at 04:57 PM

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 5:55pm

Brantley isn't a terrible critic, but he has no ear for music. He shouldn't be reviewing musicals.