Gypsy last night- Page 2

[DAME]

Posted: 11/21/08 at 5:42pm

My prediction is that the show will make it through March. Christmas will have a box office boom and the last two weeks of its run will be very popular . Also.. at least three performances of the last week will be dedicated to the Great Performances taping. (And again.. this is based on my knowledge and rumors in my circles that I don't feel a need to explain or qualify to anyone).

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/21/08 at 6:03pm

yankee - I saw Pearce as Tulsa and thought he was fantastic. I enjoy him as Yonkers too. I am wondering if he covered all shows this week or if Matty got a chance to go on.


I REALLY really hope it gets filmed for Great Performances.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 11/21/08 at 6:23pm

I think Leigh Ann Larkin is dreadful.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/21/08 at 6:23pm

"Do you happen to know how much was she making per week (estimated) and how much of a pay cut did she agree to?"

Uh, no lol but if I did I certainly wouldn't post someone else's financial information on a message board even if it was a few years ago.

[TheatreLover76]

Posted: 11/21/08 at 7:44pm

"Do you happen to know how much was she making per week (estimated) and how much of a pay cut did she agree to?"

Uh, no lol but if I did I certainly wouldn't post someone else's financial information on a message board even if it was a few years ago. "

Well, even if you would, it's not something I would take seriously anyway, lol. This is just fun, chatting!

I have no idea what theatre actors make, let alone stars of broadway. I was just curious, as always with something I'm not familiar with.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 12:19am

Louise has many intentions throughout the show. Bored isn't one of them.

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 12:19am

yes!! Pearce was the fellas name who played Tulsa. I remember that name.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 1:45am

I went tonight (11/21) and Pearce went on as well. I prefer him as Yonkers, but he was okay as Tulsa. He def. didn't have a commanding stage presence or a powerful voice, but he did the part justice. Lupone was sick tonight, and you could tell she was struggling, but I think it only added to the manic nature of her character towards the end of the show. It was stellar to watch a true star perform even know I know she was feeling like sh*t. I thought Benanti was in top form tonight and gave a stellar performance. I really like Larkin in the role, and love her voice, but she seemed down tonight. I'm still surprised at how little she has to do in the show. What a nice job!

Any idea if Benanti is really in the cow costume during the dance numbers? I assumed she wasn't but maybe she really is?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 1:46am

Oh, and I forgot to mention, it was pretty packed tonight. There were a few scattered empty seats, but nothing horrible. The balcony was closed, but I don't see that as a death sentence. They went back to color playbills (they did stop, right?) so maybe their doing better, or gearing up for the holidays?

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 2:35am

I've always wondered if that was Laura in the cow costume too, and I think it is. When I sat front row once, I was able to sort of see inside the cow head when the mouth opened. It looked like she was rolling her eyes and making silly facial expressions while doing the "moo"s. And when the cow is offstage for a bit while the boys are doing the broadway dance, another woman took off the cow head so Laura could get some fresh air for a minute, I guess. And then they put the head back on. I'm trying so hard to remember it more clearly, but yeah, I'm pretty sure it's her in there.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 2:44am

Laura is NOT in the cow suit. She is sitting on a stool on the side of the stage mooing.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 9:40am

I went to the show Friday 11/21 as well. I agree on Patti, you could tell she was struggling, but she was great anyway.
Crazy at it seems, I thought the understudy for Baby June stole the show last night! That little one is something else. I can't believe they have been using her in that little balloon girl role. She had me cracking up and the people around me were rolling in the aisles as well , they couldnt stop talking about her. That is an amazing bunch of talent for a kid.

[TheatreLover76]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 11:02am

Has Patti been out of the show since it opened on broadway?

[27416]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 11:13am

Coffee, are you related to this girl? She is a cute, little dancer, but, her voice could use a lot of work. Also, I was sitting up in the mezzanine last night, and, as I recall, the aisles remained clear throughout the entire performance.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 11:38am

27416...NO no relation. Cant speak for the mezzanine, but in the orchestra where I was sitting, they were certainly cracking up...
of course I dont have your "trained ear"..so I couldnt possibly speak to her voice as well as you can.
I was simply making the point that she stood out to me. That seemed to have been the feeling around me as well.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 1:55pm

I was there Thursday night and Patti seemed fine - on fire throughout so whatever she has must have hit her after that performance. (Boyd sounded a bit husky at times, like he was just getting over a cold but it didn't mar his performance at all.)

The u/s Tulsa (Pearce Wegener) was fine but nothing dazzling. My folks saw Tony in that role a few weeks back and said about the same thing about him. Really, only one Tulsa I have ever seen really dazzled with his dancing and made something of the character in other scenes: Jeff Lillico at Shaw Festival 3 years ago.)

I suspect Pearce had a lot of friends/fans in the audience Thursday night because he got quite an ovation.

Speaking of ovations I was surprised how effusive the audience was on a mid-week performance. The orch was fairly full (I was Row F on the aisle and there we e 4 empty seats across from me in the centre section. Unclaimed house seats?) And a few empty seats at the extreme sides. I didn't know the balcony was closed but the electricity from the roar that greeted the overture onwards was astounding.

I have a few minor quibbles about some of the supporting performances - What is going on with Miss Elektra? Her from-beyond-the-grave performance killed some of her usual laugh lines! - But overall a first rate production. Different from others I have seen but a great play can only be enhanced by different performances. There was nothing wildly out of place.

I miss the Kringelien scene (though it was seamlessly cut) and still think Rose's "Small World" reprise would be worth the extra 90 seconds. But neither cut diminishes the show.

I don't get the complaints about Patti's diction. I understood every word. Her acting performance was sensational, and if she did scoop a few notes, well so does Merman on occasion. The performance is completely valid. (That said Tyne Daly was a superb actress and gave Rose more warmth but she really didn't have the voice for this score.)

In any other season GYPSY would have won the Tony for Best Revival but having seen both shows this week, I too would give the award to SOUTH PACIFIC but the lead is by the smallest of margins...a photo finish, really. Both were * * * * * out of 5.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 2:45pm

I, too, saw the show last night, Friday, and I missed Sami Gayle in the role as Baby June yet she went on as Baby Louise?. What was that whole switch about? The balloon girl was Baby June and the performance aspect was pretty good, but I wasn't impressed with the voice, either.
Updated On: 11/22/08 at 02:45 PM

[bottleofwhite]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 2:57pm

C'mon...let's give credit where credit is due! Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero was amazing. Had I not read she was the understudy, I would have thought she had been playing the part for the past 9 months. Was that the first time she ever understudied Baby June? If yes, that's shocking...she was sensational. Talk about owning the stage... I was quite impressed! Her dancing and singing were both delightful but I was most amazed with her facial expressions and body language. I was sold after the first adorable smile!!
The show was great...having a terrible cold or not...Patti was fabulous!! I hope to see it again before March.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 3:25pm

Wait, so Sami Gayle went on as Baby Louise? Interesting...
And what's with all of the love for Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero all of a sudden? I mean, I don't doubt her talent, but... really? I never heard of someone going to see the show just for a Baby June. The audience probably just thought she was cute. Every time I see the show, the audience is in awe of Miss Sami Gayle. So adorable and what a great dancer that little one is.

Thanks for clearing up that Laura isn't really in the cow costume, CarolynaGirl. How do you know that she's on a stool backstage though?

[bwayrox]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 3:26pm

I had heard on another thread last week or so that Baby June's understudy, Jaclyn, was going to be playing the part on November 21st. I am sorry I wasn't able to get tickets. A friend of mine was there last night and loved her performance. According to my friend, her performance was stellar...best Baby June ever! Sorry I missed it

[Diva3]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 4:19pm

I had tickets last night for Gypsy...and I must say I disagree with any negative responses to last night's performance...First of all, yes Patti was not feeling well, but she was still Great...I have to be honest as far as the understudy for Tulsa, he didn't impress me to much..and being a professional in the business as I am for many years...his energy and stamina just weren't there 100%..his dancing and vocals were pretty decent...as far as the switch of Baby June, all I can say is Thank Goodness..how can anyone who is familiar with theatre make a statement about last night's Baby June..which was in fact Jaclyn Taylor...The role of Baby June is an extreme asset to the storyline of the show..and Jacyln Taylor made the role alive and real as ever..she was truly fabulous in every way shape and form...that young lady stole the kids portion of the show..although all the children in Gypsy are very talented in different ways...Jaclyn stood out...Her dance technique was flawless, her vocals were totally ON pitch and her beauty and stage presenced shined like no other who played that role...and lastly the response from the audience was bigger than ever..so yes please give credit where it is due..I hope to see the show again before March!

[philly03]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 7:12pm

I saw the show last weekend on the 16th (after the complication with ATOTC! ). I'm pretty sure it was a near-sell-out performance,...I only went up to the mezz, and I'm going to guess the balcony was closed though because I couldn't find how to get up there! The mezz was atleast 80% full, and of course the orchestra was full.

Although I'm sure GYPSY has a hard time selling during the week. Both times I've gone on the weekend (Sat. mat. & obviously last Sunday) and a large portion of the people in attendance are either Senior Citizens or big LuPone fans. Now I can see going back to a show 2 or 3 times, but I'm sure most of LuPone's fans aren't going back 83748374 times (maybe I'm wrong!), and I'm going to assume that the older portion of the audience would naturally go on the weekend. Who knows if it'll last until March 1, but I would think they'd make an effort to or not move it up that much? I could actually see a holiday boost for this show, unlike many people who said (and keep saying) that 13 and ATOTC would be able to thrive in the holidays. This has 3 Tony Awards, an intriguing topic to some, and on top of it has lasted what 4+decades now?!

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 9:46pm

The response from the audience? lol The loud response from the audience specifically came from a group of people who were there just to see the Baby June understudy. At the stage door, a HUGE group of her family and friends flooded the area, so that pretty much explains it. I'll be happy when Sami Gayle is back in her role and Tony Yasbeck returns from On the Town.

"Wait, so Sami Gayle went on as Baby Louise? Interesting...
And what's with all of the love for Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero all of a sudden? I mean, I don't doubt her talent, but... really? I never heard of someone going to see the show just for a Baby June. The audience probably just thought she was cute. Every time I see the show, the audience is in awe of Miss Sami Gayle. So adorable and what a great dancer that little one is.

Thanks for clearing up that Laura isn't really in the cow costume, CarolynaGirl. How do you know that she's on a stool backstage though? "

Right. Sami Gayle was Baby Louise. All I thought when I read the insert was "wtf is this about?" lol
Andy Richardson who was in the show as one of the child newsboys until the end of August gave me a backstage tour once, and I asked him if Laura was in the cow suit or not when I saw the prop backstage and he told me she wasn't and that she just sits on a stool and moos.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 10:03pm

"The response from the audience? lol The loud response from the audience specifically came from a group of people who were there just to see the Baby June understudy. At the stage door, a HUGE group of her family and friends flooded the area, so that pretty much explains it. I'll be happy when Sami Gayle is back in her role and Tony Yasbeck returns from On the Town."

And apparently a lot of those family and friends are now members on BWW, haha.

Do you know who is in the cow suit then? And I wonder why Leigh Ann stopped jumping on the cow and "riding" it off-stage after the song.
(LOL, Sorry for all the questions about something so silly, I've just always been curious.)

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 11/22/08 at 10:07pm

^no idea who's in the cow suit.

I do remember being at a performance, and I don't know if Leigh Anne didn't jump far enough onto the back of the cow or what, but it took the cow 5 minutes (an embellishment, but it took a really long time) to walk off-stage....