Just thought I'd share - today at Gypsy about a minute before the show started the announcer came over and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Patti LuPone is not feeling well today. However, she knows the meaning of "the show must go on" and that is what will happen today." (Not exact wording, but you catch my drift.)
She still kicked ass though. She sounded amazing, though at times you could clearly tell she was sick. She was coughing a lot and sounded pretty nasly when she spoke. Still, she did not let it get to her performance and gave everything 150%. I really respect her; at curtain she looked so accomplish.
Just thought it was interesting and I should share!
Leading Actor Joined: 3/22/05
Ha. I wonder why they said anything at all. Pretty amusing anecdote. Thanks for sharing.
Updated On: 2/15/14 at 09:15 PM
Ah, I was really expecting you to say that she was out. Good on her for going on anyway.
Maybe she ate too much live lobster.
Good for her for going on and giving it her all!!!
Featured Actor Joined: 3/25/08
damn you Patti... you fierce bitch.
Laura was coughing a lot too. Must be something going around backstage there.
It was amusing hearing everyone hold their breath after "Patti LuPone is not feeling well today".
DAMN! I was really hoping this was a notice of Lenora Nemetz going on for the first time.
There's something bad going around all over though. I just got sick too (and performed last night oMg Im LyK tEh PaTti)
I don't love Patty as a preformor but that is one classy move. I give her all the credit in the world.
LuPone is a trouper and real Broadway pro... no doubt about it.
But you also have to factor in that her name is above the title so if she doesn't show up EVERYONE is entitled to a refund.
Good for her! I don't wanna think about the angry mob that would attack Lenora Nemetz.
Who else gets that announcement before a show?
It comes with Divadom.
"But you also have to factor in that her name is above the title so if she doesn't show up EVERYONE is entitled to a refund."
Above the title? Hell, her name is pretty much in the title.
Lol, seriously.
I would be disappointed after that announcement if all she did was cough. With that kind of fanfare, you'd think they were anticipating she might have to rush offstage to vomit.
That was really nice of her to still perform. Way to go Patti!
Excellent observation, Priest.
That's our girl! Typical LuPone, good for her!
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
I know that in opera, sometimes when a singer is not up to par, there will be an announcement prior to the beginning, something to the effect of, "Although Mme. ***** is indisposed this evening, she has graciously agreed to sing the role of ***** as scheduled and begs your indulgence." I haven't heard of this being done for a performer in a Broadway show before and applaud Ms. Lupone for going on. Patti on an off-night is better than 99 percent of everyone else at his/her best, IMO.
I find that a bit odd. Like walking into an audition and saying "I'm sorry, I'm a little sick today" before you perform odd. You know, why announce it? Just go on and be fierce anyway.
Did she come out of the stage door...did she take pics???
Just kidding :-p
Patti to her illness: "Haha, you got LuPwned"
...sorry I couldn't resist
anyway way to go Ms. Patti! What a trooper.
Though I wonder how long the thought of infecting other castmembers vs just letting Nemetz have her moment went through her head.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I would LOVE to be able to pull up the comments people made when mere mortal Bernadette Peters coughed her way through the show. The double standard around here would be staggering if we hadn't seen it displayed so often.
That's awesome that she still went on and nailed it.
And at least she has till Tuesday night to get better!
So true, Joe, so true.
EDIT: I need to learn how to type sometime soon.
Swing Joined: 1/12/06
I knew it..I was at Saturday night's performance. I figurd she wasn't feeling well. Yes she's still amazing and gave it her all for Rose's Turn, but you could tell she was holding back to save it all for that. You could tell she wasn't feeling all that well. Even with that she is so amazing.
I applaud any actor that goes on when not feeling well. I can only imagine how tough that is. However, I think Patti's ego would not let her go on without the announcement since she knew she was not at her best. I have seen a couple of performers go on with colds and such and no announcement has ever been made. I think a performer needs to trust the audience to be able to tell if someone is coughing or has a sore throat and cannot reach the notes they normally do. It's part of the live theatre experience. Otherwise, we would just go see movies.
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