Gypsy- Page 4

[Eileen2]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 1:23am

No, about 10:30 someone from City Center came out and said nobody's left in the dressing room area.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 1:24am

I didn't mean that, but out of anyone I would have expected absolute perfection from her. She was absolutely amazing.

Oh, I know. I just find it funny that she did that.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 1:24am

And of course there always has to be a debbie downer. Someone posted this on ATC...

I think some people are going wayyyyy overboard in praise of Patti. It's a solid,lovely performance, but she is NOT the definitive Rose, if there even IS such a thing. I've seen Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daley,Linda Lavin,Bernadette Peters, Vicky Moss, and now Patti. She's not better than any of them,(well, she is better than Vicky) but she does nail the pathos,the humor, and the determination all the others have, but in her own way. But don't get the impression you're going to be seeing the only Rose you'll ever need to see ever again. Not the case.
HOWEVER, the performances of Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti WILL make you sit up and take notice. Benanti is a lovely surprise. Her Louise just sort of sneaks up on you and then bangs you right between the eyes when you don't expect it. Hers is the one true journey is this production;at the end, it really is about Louise and not her mother, as any good production of Gypsy should be. Mama Rose is the showy part, Louise is the emotional center. And Boyd Gaines just gets Herbie soooo right; everything registers on that hangdog face, when he finally walks out, you can imagine him sobbing in the alleyway.

[BJC899]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 1:24am

Exactly, that's what boggled everyones mind. She has always been polite and quick about coming out at the stage door.

The two security people who work for the theater came out and said that no one is left upstairs. They said they "think she left".

It didn't really get me too upset (except it had been an hour) because her performance will be remembered forever.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 1:33am

Yeah, I'm going to instantly disregard that ATC review.

:)

[courtnyj]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 1:38am

Hey even the naysayer at ATC didn't post a negative review, just not a glowing rave.

Doesn't matter anyway. I'm still going back at least two more times. Even if I can't really afford it.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 2:43am

I just got home. I haven't read the entire thread yet, but I'll catch up in the morning.

The production is spectacular! Laura Benanti is absolutely breathtaking. Boyd Gaines is the best Herbie I've seen. Patti does quite the job of tearing up the stage as "Grandma Rose."

If this were to transfer to Broadway, Benanti and Gaines would easily win Tonys for their performances.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 4:11am

Just got back, too!

Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti, and Boyd Gaines are SUPERB!! AMAZING!!! LuPone made choices I haven't seen others take with this role, and she makes them work above and beyond well. It's perfection. The perfect Mama Rose.

Laura Benanti's performance was a shocker. I had only seen her in the INTO THE WOODS revival. As I sat in the second row, I was able to see things others couldn't. During "Little Lamb" she cried. Real tears. Very subtle and powerful. She stole the show, for me, right underneath Patti.

Patti was jaw-dropped. Standing O after Rose's Turn...BUT the number that most impressed me by her was "Everything's Coming Up Roses." I-N-T-E-N-S-E. WOW!! Enthusiastic applause was sustained for a minute or so at the beginning of intermission after the house lights had already gone up. She took that song in a direction never before taken. Brilliant.

As for the show itself - I never realized how strong the book was. It's probably one of the strongest books for musicals there is. And the music compliments it perfectly. I have an entire new appreciation for it.

And finally the direction - WOW! I *loved* this concept. **SPOILER**: During Rose's Turn a single "Rose" marquee lowers and shines. At the tail end, after Gypsy leaves, Rose follows, turns back to the stage, the marquee lights up partially, then flickers back off as she exits. BRILLIANT.

The words to describe this production are "brilliant" and "perfection."

It's very late so I will have to put more clear thoughts together later.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 4:14am

I believe you were sitting directly in front of me, Capn.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 4:24am

Were you in CC 114 or something like that? Sitting on the aisle next to the man with two canes?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 4:27am

I was in CC 110, more toward the center.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 4:34am

Ah OK you weren't directly behind me then. I was in the row in front of you on the aisle on the right.

[stella985]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 9:03am

Someone was asking about Sondheim being there last night, and I'm pretty sure he was sitting in something like row E in the center orchestra. Either that or it was just some guy who really looked like him.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 9:16am

He wasn't there. But Arthur Laurents sat on the aisle in Row E.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 9:17am

Can it be next Monday, please?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 9:23am

What an incredible evening!

I'd seen Patti in the Ravinnia production last summer, but under Laurents' direction, she's even BETTER than she was then!

"Everything's Coming Up Roses" literally left me speechless. My lower lip was quivering but no sounds were coming out of my throat when I tried to answer someone's question.

"Rose's Turn" is probably the most gut-wrenching moment I've ever seen on stage.

The rest of the cast is exceptional. I was most impressed with Boyd Gaines. He's so much different from the actor who charmed me in SHE LOVES ME. He does more singing than the fellow who played the part at Ravinnia--and Boyd has a very nice singing voice.

And the three strippers? They're absolutely sensational. The gal who plays Electra does so as though she's had too many electric shock treatments. I've never seen the part played so effectively before.

RUN AND SEE THIS PRODUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Arleenco]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 10:09am

Sondheim was indeed in attendance last night. He walked in right before curtain and sat ALL the way in the back of center orchestra, last row to the right, two seats neatly tucked away near the exit. The people sitting next to me saw him come in - I remember at the last Sweeney Todd when everyone was looking and the teenage girls were crying, so my first though was right, "Sondheim's here!" No one bothered him at all (would they dare? LOL). I did get Arthur Laurents' autograph at stage door - just had to thank him for bringing this wonderful production to life again.

[Arleenco]

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

Sorry! Glitch in the system.
Updated On: 7/10/07 at 10:10 AM

[WaltSummersPI]

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

I can't even begin. Easily the must-see theatre event of the year. I'm STILL teary thinking about it.

I was in the third row as well... tons of BWWers out there last night :)

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 10:24am

AMAZING, tho the production isnt ready to open quite yet. The music cues were off, particularly awkward in some places like "Mr. Goldstone."

Patti WAS Rose. Only Tyne was as good an actress in this part (I didnt see Lansbury or Merm.) Patti knows exactly who this woman is, and that is key to making Rose work as a woman we care about instead of a monster we dont. She was sexy, smart, funny, vulnerable and ferocious when she needed to be. Only Buckley gave me chills vocally, until Patti. Her timing is IMPECCABLE! Even with some flubbed lines and off cues, she is living the life of this woman onstage, which makes her vocals even more impressive. There is not one wasted line in either book or lyric. The dialogue that we all know so well, is completely new and fresh (it is the best book ever written for a musical.) "Everything's Comin' Up Roses" was a revelation. The closing moments of Act One are stunning...I was speechless as well.

Rose's Turn, astounding and everything it should be, but it's the following scene that stunned me and is the PERFECT way to leave their world.

Gaines was wonderful, as I expected him to be...he is such a fine actor (I remember him on One Day At A Time!) and he has so much chemistry with Patti! Only Hadary and Daly had this kind of energy between them...look for the dark exits from their scenes together, they walk off hand in hand. They are really in love.

Benanti was a big and nice surprise for me. I was unhappy with her casting, and only let it go when I heard that Patti requested her. She was wonderful, tho she reads too old for Louise the teenager, to be sure, her Little Lamb was perhaps the best I've seen...it was touching and beautifully sung. She was sufficiently gawky (perhaps a bit overplayed) and made the transition wonderfully to the confident Gypsy. Again, she and Patti have chemistry. She conveys her adoration of Rose, and the revulsion during "...Roses" is palpable...there is so much tension from all three actors during that scene and number...I cant say anymore.

The other standouts of a fine cast were Dainty June, played very differently than I've seen before...it worked wonderfully for me.

Also, Marilyn Caskey, who as Electra was so funny she almost stopped the show. She was subtle, yet broad at the same time...so wonderful, though she stole focus from Fraser and Opel, who couldnt compete during "...Gimmick." Fraser was fine in the dressing room scene, and Opel was wonderful as Miss Cratchitt, however.

There ARE some timing issues to work out, and the kids could all use more rehearsal. I was terrified during the transition scene that one of the young newsboys was going to either collapse or dance right off the stage. (Some of that was intentional, however.)

Such a great night!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 10:31am

To put it to rest, this production is not eligible for Tony Awards unless it moves to a broadway house, like Chicago did...that is not planned or likely since there was a revival so recently.

She will likely win another Olivier Award in London, however.

It may be interesting to see Patti win all of the precurser awards, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, etc...and not be eligibile for the big one, just a year after losing all of the precurser awards to Christine Ebersole, who wasnt eligible for the Tony that year.

[Calvin]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 10:48am

All you people there and you didn't even say hi! Except for Walt, of course.

I believe Sondheim was indeed there last night. I'm pretty sure I saw him at the very back of the house, in those couple of chairs that don't even make up a full row. But it was quite a distance away, so my contacts might not have been working right.

eta: Oops! I didn't see Arleenco's post, but thanks for confirming what I thought!

Updated On: 7/10/07 at 10:48 AM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 10:50am

I didnt know anyone else was there, except Dollypop.

I sat center stage, first row of the Grand Tier...I believe it was the best view in the house....hee.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 10:52am

Doodle, thanks for your well written and thought out review. I have never been this excited for a show before in recent memory. I am seriously considering buying another ticket for the weekend I'm in NYC in a couple of weeks. Hoping that the powers that be decide this cast deserves a recording!!

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 11:00am

I'd agree that I need a cast recording - Patti's vocals are exquisite, and wonderfully acted to the score.

Also, kudos to the audience for being relatively quiet during the overture last night. Made me happy!