GYPSY to close on Broadway on May 30 - — Page 3

bway1564: i'm really glad you enjoyed it. i really had hoped when i saw it originally that she would bring something amazingly different to the role - i just left wanting so much more. i'll give you this: it was a week after she had that kickin upper respiratory infection a year ago, and missed A LOT of performances before that. But she was tired, seemingly bored, and underacted. I was really sad. A friend of mine who saw it about a month later - post Tonys - also said she left a lot be desired. Damn shame. I had heard however, that she matured greatly with the role, and that makes me happy. I just wish I was a witness.

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does anyone know if the discount will still work or if it will be revoked?

I highly enjoyed Bernadette's performance. But, being so young, I have no other Rose to compare her's to. But I have to admit I love Lansbury's recording, key changes and all. Her "Rose's Turn" is the best. Her "Some People" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses" are excellent as well.

Hugh Grant? I assume you mean Hugh Jackman? lol

Well I've never seen another production of Gypsy (other than Bette's tv movie). I couldn't sit through the original movie. Watching Rossalind Russell playing Rose was like watching a drag-queen. :[ Loved her in other films though. But I still knew about the story before seeing this production.
I am 22 years old, so in a sense I guess I'm sort of part of the younger generation. It's sad to think that teens (and even people my age) only attend theatre for the person in the lead, and if they don't know what a show is about before they see it, they don't bother to research it or see the show and learn. Just because they are not advertising the details of the show, is no excuse not to know what it's about. Gypsy has been performed on stage countless times, and has had 2 movies.
Good to know you all know Wicked has something to do with the Wizard of Oz. Why don't you all try reading the book or simply attending the show if you want to know about more people in the story, rather then complaining that it's not advertised enough.

I totally get where you're coming from about how it was advertised; and you're right. But anyone who knows theatre knows the story of Gypsy (well, most people anyway). The story does not need to be advertised in that case.

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You wouldn't consider it a turkey? Well when I call something a turkey I am going from purely a financial stand point. And let me see... very seldom was the house full, advertising must have cost a fortune, you got a star salary to pay, and a star director salary to pay........ huge cast,,, two closing notices....
Now sure there are turkeys that have had shorter runs, ( Oh brother, Moose murders). But I bet you.. when the final numbers come out... this show will be considered a turkey.

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Updated On: 4/26/04 at 11:05 AM

Actually I am familiar ith the numbers for the Tyne Daly production and it was no Turkey. The show only lost money once Linda Lavin took over. Angelas was also not a turkey. Not a money maker,,, but not a financial lost.

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You are wrong. The Tyne Daly revival made lots of money on the road before NY but was a critical and financial success on the road as well as broadway. The show did not move to a smaller theater in NY. Tyne Daly left and Linda Lavin got horrible reviews. They had planned to take the show with Tyne to London but the political situation at the time was considered to much of a risk and the producers opted not to. The show was then brought back for a very limited engagement with Tyne to the Marquis theater. If Tyne had stayed with the original production for a longer period it would have made even more money. The show always played at a minimum of 90% attendance at the St James theater and had more of a event status about it.
You are right.. Lansburys version was always considered a touring production . But even with that the numbers were much higher ( considering the year and value of money at the time). But Lansburys was also met with unanimous crittical acclaim and considered by the creators to be their favorite.
The current revival of Gypsy has been on a constant struggle. And so many may disagree... but I also believe the internet and how fast we can spread word now had something to do with it.

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Updated On: 4/26/04 at 11:55 AM

on an off note - has anyone else seen Tyne Daly's one woman show a few years back? I want to say that it was called "Mystery School" but I'm not sure if that's right or not. Anywho.. It (or should I say SHE) was incredible. She played 5 different characters and only changed her manner and a few props in the blackouts between scenes - her monologues were wonderful and she acted the s**t out of it! Tyne Daly - you Rock!

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Just an out of town tryout would have helped this production so much. It seems Sam Mendes really uses his preview performances to complete the show instead of having it pretty much in place by the first preview. If they had been able to make all the changes (and there were major changes during previews), the show would not have been battered so much in the beginning. Those who went to the preview performances clearly did not like seeing a show that was still a work in progress. Opening cold on Broadway was a poor decision.