Gypsy Matinee Accident, and They Broke Character Too!

[LoveIsCompany]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 2:12am

I never had anything substantial to post on the site, but here we go. I was lucky enough to see Gypsy today, my last day of my vacation. We had front mezzanine and it was a truly incredible show. I never thought I would see Patti Lupone somewhat break character, but she did during the matinee, along with Boyd Gaines, and Laura Benanti. During "Together, Wherever We Go", the choreography includes throwing silver plates and juggling them with one another. At one point, each of them throws two of them up and kinda shrugs their shoulders and let them fall wherever. It happened so fast that I couldn't tell whose plate it was, but one of the plates somehow bounced off the stage and hit a poor girl in the front row. I think it hit her in the face, but couldn't really tell, but the three onstage instantly froze, and almost began to laugh out of what I can only guess was shock/discomfort. Boyd then walked forward and asked for the plate, and the young lady stood up and handed it to him as he apologized. Both Lupone and Benanti looked shocked that it actually happened, and they stopped the song and recollected themselves to begin. At the curtain call, I'm pretty sure I saw Laura ask the girl if she was okay and smiled, so I can only assume the girl responded that she was. Never thought I would see the day that Lupone would semi-break character! Anyways, I really recommend the show, and especially sitting in the front mezz!!!

Updated On: 5/11/08 at 02:12 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 2:27am

Wow. that is pretty crazy. Kind of funny..I hope the girl was okay.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 2:32am

I knew something was going to happen with those plates one of these days. They need to do it further up stage.

[LoveIsCompany]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 2:38am

My friend laughed, but then we realized it actually hit her. It was funny once Boyd made her stand up and give it back to him, but there were a few seconds when it was pretty scary since we couldn't see where it had hit her besides the general face area. I was wondering if it had happened before because the three onstage looked way shocked and didn't know what to do?

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 2:44am

WOW...so pretty much anything will fall on people's heads (even props)!

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 3:13am

Apparently, the girl was Julia Roberts.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 3:15am

Updated On: 5/6/09 at 03:15 AM

[LoveIsCompany]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 3:24am

Actually, Julia Roberts was sitting right below us in the orchestra... didn't know that until after the fact. Sigh.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 3:31am

Freaky! The break in character was probably due to the actors thinking of the liability...and of course, concern for the girl, first of all.
This is probably the worst circumstance a theater actor wants to find themselves in, for sure. Hope they take CATSNY advice!

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 3:34am

Wait. it really WAS Juila Roberts?

[LoveIsCompany]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 3:37am

I was convinced it was her.. wasn't it?! I thought she was mid orchestra...

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 3:40am

You mean the one who took the plate...??? No kidding, or are you just jiving?!

[LoveIsCompany]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 4:00am

No Julia Roberts was mid-orchestra (at least I believe it was her), and the plate getter was in the front row, a separate person entirely.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 4:28am

I bet they probably would have much preferred it was Julia, since she probably would not sue...but then, it might have leaked to the press, and it would, nevertheless, be bad publicity for the show.

[LoveIsCompany]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 4:38am

I doubt the girl would sue because she stayed in her seat and I noticed her during the standing ovation when Benanti asked if she was okay (or at least I think thats what she asked). Plus she got up and gave Gaines the plate when the audience was clapping and she wasn't crying or whatever so I don't know. I just read in the other thread about the accident regarding the vent, and with the vent they escorted that person out so I guess it wasn't all that serious since the plate girl wasn't escorted out after the accident...?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 8:40am

Patti LuPone breaking character? In a Broadway musical? The nerve!

The true question is... when DOESN'T Patti LuPone break character?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 8:45am

When DOESN'T BrodyFosse123 act like a big douche?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 9:01am

I guess the popular consensus answer to both questions is:

ALWAYS!

[jagfkb]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 9:09am

I had a slightly similar experience about a week after the opening. My friend and I were sitting in the front row, and when the plates fell, I think it was Laura's plate, one rolled right up to the side of the stage and was on the verge of tipping over into the area where we were. Patti then rushed over and picked up the plate! theatre experience I'll never forget!

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 9:34am

I hope the girl is okay as well!

[osage08]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 10:02am

Am I the only one who wishes that she got hit in the face by flying silverwear during Gypsy? That would be some story!

I did get the apple during the strip scene. Guess that counts for something!

[Lefou]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 11:43am

Well I can safely answer that it was one of my very close friends who was hit in the eye with the plate in the front row...She had called me right after to tell me she had gotten front row rush tickets and a plate to the face by Patti LuPone...It was very nice of Laura Benanti who, during curtain call went to the bottom of the stage and asked her if she was alright. My friend said it was the highlight of the evening!

And she was not hurt, but is happy she has a battle scar to prove it!

[Lefou]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 11:44am

Its funny you mentioned the apple bit! Because the girls who were handing them out made a point to wind up and pretend to throw them at my friend who got hit with the plate...It was quite the evening I hear!

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 12:06pm

Sorry, I misunderstood my friend who told me the story. It wasn't Julia Roberts.

[LoveIsCompany]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 6:19pm

Thank you Lefou for the update, we were worried about her!