Jodi Benson and daughter will lead GYPSY in Florida

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/22/23 at 3:30pm

From Jodi’s Facebook

SURPRISE!!!
Exciting announcement! 
Hey friends, I’m so thrilled to share the stage once again with our talented daughter, Delaney Bensonin the classic Broadway musical “Gypsy” as the incredible mother daughter team of Rose & Louise. 

Join us March 17 & 18 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall 
13350 FSW Parkway 
Fort Myers, FL 33919

Go to link in my bio for tickets

I’m so honored & excited to perform with Delaney! She is going to be brilliant as Louise. 
It has been over 20 years since I have done a fully staged book musical & I can’t believe I get a chance in my career to play this iconic character. I’ll give her my all!! 
We hope you can join us for this magical weekend!

 

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/22/23 at 3:55pm

Interesting. Jodi  Benson is not one of the first names that comes to mind for Rose. I'll be very curious to hear thoughts of anyone who sees it. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/22/23 at 5:32pm

I thought Jodi Benson was a devout Chistian. How will she deal with the strippers and some of the dialogue in the burlesque scenes?

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 1/22/23 at 10:05pm

I'm sure the Disney (and religious) zealots in FL will flock to this show, but Benson is a big meh for me.

Her extreme religious views prevent me from watching anything does.

[The Rural Juror]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 10:47am

I'd be interested to hear reports on how she does with this. I've always thought that she would be an unexpected but potentially great choice for Next to Normal.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 10:59am

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "I'm sure the Disney (and religious) zealots in FL will flock to this show, but Benson is a big meh for me.

Her extreme religious views prevent me from watching anything does."

I am not attempting to try to change your mind by sharing this, but Jodi was interviewed about this recently and I just found it something worth a read for anyone. As a Christian and someone on an LGTBQ spectrum (still on my journey), this topic and concern are not unfamiliar to me... so I have appreciated more empathetic words and thoughts from celebrities and performers, as opposed to those who straight-up condemn LGBTQIA+ and are religious, etc. it's a dense conversation and idea that I won't get into too much here...

Full interview is here, but the excerpt is below:

Your faith is a part of your life, work and book. Do you have a message for LGBTQ fans who may have a complicated relationship with organized religion?

Yeah, I’m gonna say I do too. (Laughs.) I have a complicated relationship with organized religion, too. It’s interesting – first of all, let’s just be really honest, I did not want to write this book. You’ll see that on the very first page, never in a million years did I want to write a book. Tyndale came to me and I said, “No, absolutely not. Hell will have to freeze over. Literally, no way, and I’m definitely not going with a publishing company who publishes Bibles. I’m not doing that. This is not a Christian book.”

What happened next?

They said, “How about we try a different way to approach this?” So we did. This is not a book that’s pen to paper. This is me talking into a microphone and then it’s just transcribed. That’s why when it reads like I’m talking to you, it’s because I am. I am sharing the stories verbally.

When I saw the first rough draft I still said, “No, I’m done. Thank you so much, but no … This is just not my comfort zone at all.” Then the publisher said, “What if you collect 24 little stories – it’s not an autobiography, it’s not a memoir, it’s not in chronological order – and you shine the light on other people to say thank you? Especially your private stories about Howard, that will be lost forever if you don’t share them.” That’s what got me.

What are your hopes for the book?

I want this book to be inclusive. I don’t want anyone to pick it up and go, “Oh, it’s Christian. I’m not a Christian. I guess I shouldn’t read it.” Or “oh, I hate Disney. Should I pick this book up?” My plan was to share stories where everyone would feel included, where no one would pick it up and have their feelings hurt.

Those were really big, important issues to me. So it’s kind of crazy, because you’ve got me and my faith, which is my foundation and it just comes out in various ways as I’m talking, but it’s not a Christian book. So here we have this Bible-publishing company, coming to me to share my stories, but my friends are [“RuPaul’s Drag Race” entertainer] Nina West. My friends are in the LGBTQ+ community. They’re drag queens. My friends are Jewish, my friends are New Age Buddhists, you know? (Laughs.) I think it’s been, for Tyndale and for my team, quite an interesting adventure. I just want people to feel included and to not have anyone’s feelings get hurt. That’s my hope and prayer for my little bitty book.

[Lola Getz2]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 11:11am

Only 2 performances? What are the chances of a transfer?

[MCfan2]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 11:14am

@Dollypop -- Roz Russell was also a devout Christian, so ... 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 5:41pm

jacobsnchz14 said: "BenjaminNicholas2 said: "I'm sure the Disney (and religious) zealots in FL will flock to this show, but Benson is a big meh for me.

Her extreme religious views prevent me from watching anything does."

I am not attempting to try to change your mind by sharing this, but Jodi was interviewed about this recently and I just found it something worth a read for anyone. As a Christian and someone on an LGTBQ spectrum (still on my journey), this topic and concern are not unfamiliar to me... so I have appreciated more empathetic words and thoughts from celebrities and performers, as opposed to those who straight-up condemn LGBTQIA+ and are religious, etc.it's a dense conversation and idea that I won't get into too much here...

Full interview is here, but the excerpt is below:

Your faith is a part of your life, work and book. Do you have a message for LGBTQ fans who may have a complicated relationship with organized religion?

Yeah, I’m gonna say I do too. (Laughs.) I have a complicated relationship with organized religion, too. It’s interesting – first of all, let’s just be really honest, I did not want to write this book. You’ll see that on the very first page, never in a million years did I want to write a book. Tyndale came to me and I said, “No, absolutely not. Hell will have to freeze over. Literally, no way, and I’m definitely not going with a publishing company who publishes Bibles. I’m not doing that. This is not a Christian book.”

What happened next?

They said, “How about we try a different way to approach this?” So we did. This is not a book that’s pen to paper. This is me talking into a microphone and then it’s just transcribed. That’s why when it reads like I’m talking to you, it’s because I am. I am sharing the stories verbally.

When I saw the first rough draft I still said, “No, I’m done. Thank you so much, but no … This is just not my comfort zone at all.” Then the publisher said, “What if you collect 24 little stories – it’s not an autobiography, it’s not a memoir, it’s not in chronological order – and you shine the light on other people to say thank you? Especially your private stories about Howard, that will be lost forever if you don’t share them.” That’s what got me.

What are your hopes for the book?

I want this book to be inclusive. I don’t want anyone to pick it up and go, “Oh, it’s Christian. I’m not a Christian. I guess I shouldn’t read it.” Or “oh, I hate Disney. Should I pick this book up?” My plan was to share stories where everyone would feel included, where no one would pick it up and have their feelings hurt.

Those were really big, important issues to me. So it’s kind of crazy, because you’ve got me and my faith, which is my foundation and it just comes out in various ways as I’m talking, but it’s not a Christian book. So here we have this Bible-publishing company, coming to me to share my stories, but my friends are [“RuPaul’s Drag Race” entertainer]Nina West. My friends are in the LGBTQ+ community. They’re drag queens. My friends are Jewish, my friends are New Age Buddhists, you know? (Laughs.) I think it’s been, for Tyndale and for my team, quite an interesting adventure. I just want people to feel included and to not have anyone’s feelings get hurt. That’s my hope and prayer for my little bitty book."

I'm Jewish and I read the book last year and was pleasantly surprised. She goes into quite a bit of detail about her theater career and her personal life. She does address her faith too but not in any kind of preachy way. 

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 6:14pm

Lola Getz2 said: "Only 2 performances? What are the chances of a transfer?"

Transferring? It's a two night production from a regional symphony and state college in Florida. Fun, sure -- but pre-Broadway it ain't.

[Impeach2017]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 7:03pm

I'm sure there are nice people in every hate group.  Anyway, it's too bad JoAnne Worley had to drop out.