Gaines, Benanti, Yazbek, Opel Confirmed for Encores Gypsy- Page 3

[Dirty_Rotten_Guy]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 4:57pm

and i just wanted to add, its not her fault if she gets ailments and cant perform. its not like she gets paid for the performances she misses (or even if she does, itd be very little), so its not like she WANTS to be sick/injured and miss shows.
besides her injuries from INTO THE WOODS, she also had some vocal issues during THE WEDDING SINGER (at least thats what she told me).

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:00pm

FOAnatic, I don't think anyone is debating the merit of her absences. That isn't the issue at hand.

The bottom line is that Benanti has consistently proven to be a performer who cannot maintain a Broadway schedule show after show after show. While I know the seriousness of her injury and mistreatment that followed have been the cause for her poor attendance record, it doesn't diminish the fact that she can't show up because of it.

At some point, producers and investors go with reliability over talent. Though Benanti is not in short supply on the latter, she is clearly a liability. What reason would anyone have to take a chance on her when they know going into the deal that she has extenuating circumstances that prevent her from fully dedicating herself to the show they'd cast her in?

Though I'm sure she's gotten offers since the closing of "The Wedding Singer," let's not forget that she mysteriously dropped out of the one theatrical thing she has committed to since then (the D.C. production of "Songs For a New World.") That certainly doesn't help matters.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:03pm

They haven't started rehearsals and Benanti has already called in sick.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:03pm

What reason would anyone have to take a chance on her when they know going into the deal that she has extenuating circumstances that prevent her from fully dedicating herself to the show they'd cast her in?

While I know her past problems may cause producers to be wary. I don't believe that no one will take a chance on her after this. Especially since she finally recieved the correct treatment and is regaining her strength.

[istillbelieve24601]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:22pm

Hmm... interesting.

Laura Benanti is amazingly talented, but I'm not surprised she's crashing on Broadway. She's literally been doing extremely difficult roles since birth. Because of her talent, she was cast in hard, leading roles in all-adult community theatre as a teenager and I think that's caused her to burn-out.

I wish I could share with you guys the taping I have of a performance of her as Cinderella in a community production of Into the Woods, but I don't want to risk my privacy or the privacy of the other actors involved. She was only sixteen when she did the role, and it was stunning.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:38pm

I am thrilled about Tony Yazbeck (though I admit I had my fingers crossed for Jeffrey Schecter), but I'm even more thrilled about Nancy Opel. She's going to rock. Boyd Gaines is the perfect match for what is sure to be a fierce Rose by Patti.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:40pm

Straight from JRB, regarding Songs for a New World: "As for Benanti: in the event you missed the announcement, she had to bail out because of a very important screen test in Hollywood – she had an incredible opportunity and we sent her off with nothing but love and best wishes." Just throwing it out there; such an occurrence, in this case, was beyond her control. The argument for her is moot, 'cause the issue just won't be let go of; I do see both sides.

[glimpseofstocking]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 6:13pm

I think Benanti will make a decent Louise. She's certainly not my first choice.

I agree with Wanna Be A Foster, Nancy Opel is going to be amazing!

Gah, I'm so excited

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 6:19pm

iluvtheatretrash, weeks ago when Benanti was rumoured to play Louise you denied and said it absolutely wasn't true.

Wow, look who just lost credibility.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 7:40pm

istillbelieve, do you think most Broadway performers just showed up without some major talent that was recognized early on as well? She's way too young to be "burned out", work as a teenager or not. Lots of Broadway performers were doing work professionally as teenagers and are still going strong.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 8:01pm

This is just me, but this production seems like doomed to not happen. From what I've read, Patti LuPone and Arthur Laurents don't exactly have the best past. I know they're both consumate professionals and have decided to let bygones be bygones, but it's still seems kinda tense.

And, I don't know that much about her, but I can't help but think of Laura Benanti as that girl that gets sick or can't do the show for some reason or another. Obviously, she has to be doing something right to get a job like this...

I don't know, it all seems rather shaky.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 8:48pm

Theaterkid, you REALLY think this won't happen?

lol with the egos of LuPone and Laurents this WILL happen. It is no secret about their rocky past. But Laurents has forgiven her, and is finally letting her play the role now. It's a very big deal, and this will definitely happen.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 8:50pm

And, if it doesn't ljay, half of this board will have the nuclear meltdown of the century.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 8:53pm

Yes, I know I will. I have tickets, and have been waiting to see LuPone as Rose. A lot of money is being put into.
For those who missed her at Ravinia are really lucky this is happening. Her Rose will only grow and develop more with Laurent's direction.
Updated On: 6/1/07 at 08:53 PM

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 9:03pm

When is Tony Yazbek going to be leaving A Chorus Line?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 9:17pm

I don't know if he's actually forgiven her...I think it was more along the lines of he saw how good the reviews were in Chicago and decided that it could be one last triumph if he brought it to NY. The man's a million years old, afterall.

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 9:22pm

From what I've read, Patti LuPone and Arthur Laurents don't exactly have the best past

What happened in their past?

Her Rose will only grow and develop more with Laurent's direction.

Is he directing?

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 9:25pm

Is he directing?

Where have you been?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:12pm

Laurents is directing. Up until Patti's raved about performance at Ravinia, Laurents swore he would never let LuPone ever play Rose in a major production. Certainly not in New York or London. From what I understand, LuPone wanted to play Rose in the 1989 revival and Laurents refused to let her near his material. Tyne Daly ended up playing Rose and won a Tony for it. LuPone had been hoping for an opportunity to play Rose in the next revival, which ended up being headlined by Bernadette Peters. Laurents held a grudge against LuPone because, among other things, he was disgusted by her lack of diction -- which is one of her signature characteristics. I remember reading in an interview with Laurents a quote along the lines of, "She has no consonants!" When Laurents read the reviews of LuPone's Rose last summer at Rivinia, apparently he finally decided to give in to letting her perform the role in New York, under his direction.

Updated On: 6/1/07 at 10:12 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:15pm

LuPone was supposed to star in a play by Laurents. LuPone backed out (it was awful, apparently) and Laurents considered her the reason why it never went to Broadway. The old coot held a grudge all these years.

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:17pm

Woah, when did Marilyn Caskey leave Phantom? Also, are they any discount codes around? It's either a discount or sit in the mid-mezzanine, which I'm guessing is way far back.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:34pm

Even though LuPone and Laurents have had a shaky past, I don't see it affecting this show. It wasn't a clashing of personalities, it was all from a business stand point. If they've put it behind them I believe that they've put it behind them. I mean I don't see them having an argument about a bit of blocking and Laurents shouting "It's your fault Jolson failed, you flaky bitch!" It just seems unlikely.

Oh, and I'm not excited about Benanti. Love Opel and Gaines though.

The only thing that's gonna stop me from shooting myself during Little Lamb is that I'll not have seen Rose's Turn yet.

Updated On: 6/1/07 at 10:34 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:34pm

LaPone also has a reputation of not being exactly "supporting" of younger actresses.
And if you don't think there will be some clashes between LaPone and Laurents, (and even Laura) think again.
This could be an explosive production.
Gaines, on the other hand is a dream to work with.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:37pm

LaPone also has a reputation of not being exactly "supporting" of younger actresses.

Never heard anything like that, do tell.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:58pm

The actress who played Bett to Patti's Nancy in the OLIVER revival told me she was treated very badly by the Diva.
And being late or missing a rehearsal or show could lead her into a fit, (of course, that could be warrented)
maybe they are purposely setting up that Rose/Gypsy animosity.