Gaines, Benanti, Yazbek, Opel Confirmed for Encores Gypsy

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:04pm

Per Playbill:

"LuPone, who previously played the stage mother of all stage mothers at the Ravinia Festival, will be joined onstage by Boyd Gaines as Herbie, Laura Benanti as Louise, Leigh Ann Larkin as Dainty June, Tony Yazbeck as Tulsa, Alison Fraser as Tessie Tura, Nancy Opel as Mazeppa/Miss Cratchitt, Marilyn Caskey as Electra, Sami Gayle as Baby June, Emma Rowley as Baby Louise, Jim Bracchita as Uncle Jocko/Pastey, Bill Bateman as George/Mr. Goldstone/Bougeron-Cochon, Bill Raymond as Pop/Cigar and Brian Reddy as Weber/Phil."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/108491.html

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:06pm

Benanti as Louise = BRILLIANCE.

I cannot wait.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:07pm

Wow!

Can't wait. Looks like a great cast.

[Glory]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:08pm

OH MAN! LAURA AS LOUISE! I THINK I JUST DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN!

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:10pm

/sigh.

Oh, well, it's still Patti. I'll be there several times, including the first preview.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:11pm

Benanti and Yazbek are too old for those roles.
Talented, but too old.

[Dirty_Rotten_Guy]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:12pm

Oh my gosh. Laura Benanti as Louise?? Wow, I am SO MAD! I am leaving New York the day before GYPSY starts. I would kill to see her in this show!

Wow, this ruined my day.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:12pm

Laura's 26 or 27...she just looks a lot older on stage.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:18pm

Oh, OK.
Isn't the show gonna be ON a stage? Updated On: 6/1/07 at 02:18 PM

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:21pm

I mean, how the heck she's going to pull off "Little Lamb" (where Louise is what, 14?) I have no clue, but she's definitely the right age range to play the part.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:22pm

yay i'm so glad i have a ticket for this!

[mrmcfeely]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:27pm

Helluva cast! I can't wait for opening night.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:37pm

Laura might be the single handed most OVER rated person on broadway. What a shame. Went for a name as opposed to talent.

can't wait for Patti though!

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:41pm

Maybe if we're lucky Tina will u/s!

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:43pm

Tina Maddigan as Louise would be FIERCE.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:45pm

anybody besides boring...boring....boring Laura...maybe she will call out as much as she has in the past and her understudy can go on!
Updated On: 6/1/07 at 02:45 PM

[folkyboy]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:47pm

i think Laura has a beautiful beautiful voice. i just think her acting sucks

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:48pm

What a great cast! I love me some Tony Yazbeck.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 2:50pm

What a fabulous cast!

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 3:05pm

Benanti as Louise? I'm falling asleep in my seat already.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 3:06pm

Right beside ya, AC.

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 3:09pm

I'll bring the pillows if you bring the blankets.

[travismoser]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 3:11pm

Laura Benanti is about the same age Tammy Blanchard was when she played Louise in the most recent revival. I agree that Benanti looks much older and more poised on stage. She's definitely not my ideal Louise.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 3:12pm

well i think EVERYONE can agree Laura Benanti will be better than Tammy Blanchard!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 3:17pm

I would certainly NOT agree to that.
Blanchard is a fine actress and besides, Louise is not really a singing role, it's more acting and strutting.