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#76

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/23/12 at 8:56am

"It shows Garland at her worst, most pathetic and her lowest.
I chose not to remember her that way. I don't even want to think of her like this."

So there you have it. This show is not for someone who doesn't want to see the way Judy really was, but would prefer a glamorized version of her. Of course, if you don't want to see the REAL Judy at her worst, then you won't like this play. Simple.

#77

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/23/12 at 9:24am

This show is not for someone who doesn't want to see the way Judy really was, but would prefer a glamorized version of her. Of course, if you don't want to see the REAL Judy at her worst, then you won't like this play. Simple.

You've hit on the ultimate question, actually: Is someone at their worst who they really are?

Is Patash at your worst the way YOU truly are?

Is PalJoey at his worst the REAL PalJoey? (Don't answer that!)

Or would depicting you or me at our worst simply be reductive and sensationalistic, the kind of thing an "E! True Hollywood Story" does?

I don't think any of the people who have been wowed by Bennett's acting would go so far as to say the play depicts Garland as she "really was." My guess is that when I see it next week, I will simply see an opportunity for a tour de force performance.

This is not the first tabloid telling of Garland's life that claims to be the "REAL Judy Garland story." People have been doing that since she died. One of the recent major biographies quoted an unnamed mobster source as saying a drunken Garland sang "Over the Rainbow" once with a mouth full of semen after giving another mobster oral sex. The REAL Judy Garland? The story was reported without any verification and without identifying the single source. The point was to paint as depraved a portrait of her as possible.

So you'll have to forgive those of us who have read all the biographies and seen all the documentaries for casting a jaundiced eye toward this one.

We get so weary of people claiming they are depicting "the REAL Judy."

#78

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/23/12 at 9:31am

I just saw in the other thread on this show that oral sex also figures into this show.

That is my point.

#79

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/23/12 at 9:35am

yer 'avin' a laff......there's no such thing.

Updated On: 3/24/12 at 09:35 AM

#80

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/23/12 at 11:01am

That's all fine and dandy, PJ, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that Tracie's performance is fantastic. The play is not great, I will be the first (or 100th) to admit that. But her performance is not an imitation. It's an embodiment. And honestly it's the real reason to see the show. So whether you like the structure of the play or what it has to say about Judy, you should just allow yourself to sit back and zero in on a performance that may easily leave you an emotional mess. We shouldn't hold Tracie responsible for the play's faults. She didn't write it. But she is certainly doing everything in her power to make it as good as it can be, and that is the primary job of an actress, is it not?

#81

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Posted: 3/23/12 at 11:27am

Fair enough.

#82

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Posted: 3/23/12 at 9:56pm

playwright interview LINK.(on my OP)

#83

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/23/12 at 11:03pm

Oral sex? Ciro's isn't in London.

Well-well-well-what-do-you-think-of-that-I-have-nothing-here-to-pay-my-train-fare-with-only-large-bills-fives-and-sevens....

#84

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/23/12 at 11:49pm

Something i just read on theatermania. Sorta accurrate. imo.

http://upstage-downstage.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-you-should-avoid-end-of-rainbow-and.html

#85

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/23/12 at 11:53pm

Anita O'Day tells the real REAL Story.

http://youtu.be/KQbGoDPpcQg

#86

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 12:15am

Wonderful Anita O interview, Joey! (I love anita)

Maybe you shouldn't see the show It's not supposed to be REAL,

The very things that Anita talks about is conveyed in the show (at least to ME, anyway). That IN SPITE of all the troubles, when Traci belts out some of those numbers, the audience is transfixed to the "aura of Judy's greatness". You would probably disagree, but I'm just saying that's how I felt. Many have agreed on this thread that the actual play sucks...and it does. But there IS another "dimension". Hard to describe. You may be too sensitive to enjoy it. And I don't mean that in a bad way...

#87

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 9:37am

I was struck by how badly written the piece is. It's hackwork, pedestrian, tawdry and trashy. The acting left much to be desired as well.

The star gives a committed, intense performance, but I just don't think she captures the essence of Garland. She had some good moments: the interview scene, the business with the mike. I too found her to sound more like Hepburn. The flailing ams are overdone, and as a whole, the whole performance is overwrought. The musical numbers also fell far short of the mark.

What she fails to capture is the pathos, the humanity of this woman, and most of all, the intangible qualities that made Garland the great performer she was. That transcends voice and gestures. Admittedly, those are not qualities easily conveyed, but in plays about Piaf, Marlene, and Tallulah, actresses were able to do it.

Incidentally, I would say Looped was much better than this. Far more enjoyable, too.

#88

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 12:57pm

I'm not being nasty for saying this but I think this show will close early. Bennett will get a nomination, as did Valerie Harper. NYers will not gravitate towards this tawdry affair. It's far too slight and seedy to catch on. It doesn't add anything to the Garland legend. In fact, it doesn't even show her humanity. Even addicts have tenderness and warmth and certainly Judy had that. I think we get a glimpse of it her final scene with the gay pianist .

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

Updated On: 3/26/12 at 12:57 PM

#89

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 1:00pm

why do you think that is so Bettyboy72, when it got rave reviews in UK/Australia/Minneapolis?

Updated On: 3/26/12 at 01:00 PM

#90

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 1:27pm

I don't know. When I saw it people were raving about it. People leapt to their feet as soon as the curtain went down.

It's def. not a good play, and I think all the qualms found in Bennett's performance might have to do with the material. She's not really given any moments to just be her normal self. Granted I think the last few minutes of the show are pretty beautiful with her just in a spotlight answering the question by the radio guy. It was nice to see her just stripped down and normal.

Did anyone else find the set strange? I was in the balcony, and the tops of the walls and the chandelier are like "topped." It's kind of strange, no?

#91

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 1:47pm

I didn't notice that

Updated On: 3/25/12 at 01:47 PM

#92

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 2:02pm

I think people (audiences) are just really getting wrapped up in seeing *anything* that resembles "Judy" and her "legend". Especially those people that weren't even alive when she was. To them it's probably the next "best thing" and that's what they are responding to while those that were alive and got to experience the real thing know better. Just my two cents.

#93

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 2:17pm

I was on the uptown bus last night and a woman had a Playbill from the show. Another woman asked her how it was.
She said "It was great, but don't sit too close or you'll know it really isn't her".

#94

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Posted: 3/24/12 at 2:24pm

I guess I'm of the generation - or maybe it's just because I'm not the "typical" gay man in that sense - that doesn't regard her as a legend. I know her how most people know her which is through Wizard of Oz and that's about it. I haven't seen any of her other movies, heard her albums, etc. So I was entertained. Was it accurate? I don't know. I don't think any of us know the real story, so who is to say? Do I wish it was better written? Yes. Do I wish they could have found a good actor in the male lead? Yes.

#95

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 2:28pm

deleted

Updated On: 3/25/12 at 02:28 PM

#96

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 2:30pm

Saw the show this past week. Surprised it made it to Broadway. Terrible writing and I agree with some of the posters about Bennett's speaking voice. Kept wondering if that's how she really talks or was she trying to impersonate Garland? At any rate it was very distracting....sounded like an older Katherine Hepburn with a British accent. My friend and I just shrugged our shoulders at the standing ovation at the end. I get that Bennett throws her heart and soul into her performance, but that's not enough to make this play worthy of being on Broadway. Glad we had discounted tix.

"Be a Fountain, Not a Drain." --Rex Hudler

#97

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 2:31pm

RippedMan...I respect your post. And I totally get it. I was only a year old when Judy died and like you I only knew her from THE WIZARD OF OZ. I knew nothing else about her...that is until I came out and I started meeting "older" guys who knew more about her and "schooled" me on her and her legend. I'm talking movies, books and recordings and then I truly got to appreciate her and her immense talent, voice, legend, etc.

She was amazing and I was truly gyped because I was born too late!

#98

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/24/12 at 10:31pm

Interesting little tidbit (from Traci interview)), for those that might be interested:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/18/judy-garland-drama-coming-to-broadway/

#99

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/25/12 at 3:16am

What's the appeal of this play? Does it give any insight about Judy Garland? Does it give people a chance to wallow in the end of Judy Garland's life? Does it give people a chance to feel superior to Judy Garland? Does it give people a chance to compare their life to Judy Garland's life and feel a kinship?

Why would fans go to see the play? Do they enjoy watching a car wreck? Why go see a play about someone they like at a low point in her life? Why not stay home and watch a Judy Garland movie or listen to a album (CD)?

Traci Bennett says the play is about the price of fame. Yawn! Seen or read that a hundred times. What a cliche!

#100

Just back from END OF THE RAINBOW!

Posted: 3/25/12 at 3:39am

It's fun to watch.
no.
no.
no.
no.
Because we love the music, and we like to see new shows.
No.
It also has a lot of laughs and poignancy, too.
Because, everyone has low points. And she rose many times from the low points.
Because we love LIVE theater and seeing actresses we haven't seen before. We HAVE listened to the CDs and DVDs at home.
Agree - it IS a cliche, and could be a better written play, but the performance is exciting to watch. (Not to everyone, evidently..to each his own)

Answered. (I assume you've seen it?). OK.

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