Let Her Entertain You: the LuPone-Gypsy Story

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 11:49am

Interesting no-holds-barred piece by Jesse Green in tomorrow's Times in anticipation of the LuPone-Laurents Gypsy.

Green and LuPone doesn't shy away from the many controversies throughout her career (her hatred of Evita and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the feud with Arthur Laurens that she claims she never knew about, and, among other tidbits, how her contract stipulates she has final say over hiring stage management, as well as her desire to play Janice on The Sopranos).

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/theater/08gree.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Updated On: 7/7/07 at 11:49 AM

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 11:52am

"her let’s-get-serious glasses" Oh, God, I'm already in love with this article and I'm not even that big of a LuPone fan!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 11:53am

I just saw this on ATC and read it. It's a bit too E True Hollywood story for my taste but it's quite an interesting read.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:00pm

This is my favorite part:

“ ‘Evita’ was the worst experience of my life,” she said. “I was screaming my way through a part that could only have been written by a man who hates women. And I had no support from the producers, who wanted a star performance onstage but treated me as an unknown backstage. It was like Beirut, and I fought like a banshee.”

Oh La Lupone, how I adore thee!

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:13pm

It was not the Ravinia performance that softened Mr. Laurents toward Ms. LuPone; he didn’t see it.

UMM. I love how there were people here claiming they sat by Laurents at one of the Ravinia performances.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:13pm

That was a very good article. When is LuPone going to write the book about her life?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:18pm

I'm sorry EVITA was a difficult behind-the-scenes experience for her, but it's interesting how she doesn't balance out that statement with some sort of gratitude - that's the show/role that made her.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:20pm

Well, she has said lovely things about some of the people involved- Mandy Patinkin, Hal Prince. That's good enough.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:27pm

I love her. I just love her.

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:30pm

What a fantastic article. The "Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool" made me laugh.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:44pm

I freaking love this woman. I love how he ended the piece with her riding the golf cart "manically" in the wrong direction.

“'Isn’t this fun!' she shouted into the night, cackling and careening as the security guard tried to point her in the right direction. 'But where the hell am I going?'”

Updated On: 7/7/07 at 12:44 PM

[Wicked63]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:53pm

A very good friend of mine was house manager at the Adelphi while 'Sunset' was there. He told me he would quake with fear when summoned to her dressing room. He also said the dressing room corridors and backstage areas would empty into ghost towns as she made her way around. You gotta love a diva like her! I love her Heatwave album

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 12:55pm

"You gotta love a diva like her!"

uh...no you don't.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:00pm

That was a great piece. It was well crafted and honest, and avoiding creating a caricature.

I personally enjoy Patti's work, even though I see the flaws clearly. I've had the opportunity to speak with her a couple of times and each time she was so warm and so generous with her time.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:11pm

So when will there be a musical/book/movie on her life? She's such a great person!

[morosco]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 1:20pm

“ ‘Evita’ was the worst experience of my life,” she said. ...I had no support from the producers, who wanted a star performance onstage but treated me as an unknown backstage. "

Now I have a new perspective when I listen to her on the recording sing "I'm not a second rate queen getting kicks with a crown."

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 3:42pm

jesse Green is a wonderful writer.

And who knew the reason Arthur softened was a [spoiler comin' up]...


DEATHBED REQUEST FROM ARTHUR'S SAINTLY LOVER OF 51 YEARS?!?

Or was it Tom's final revenge on the man who had loved him or tormented him for 51 years?

TOM: Arthur, I have one last request for you...

ARTHUR: What, Tom, what? Anything you ask, I'll do anything--anything!

TOM: Anything?

ARTHUR: Anything!

TOM (Gasping his last breaths): Let... Patti... play...

ARTHUR: No, Tom, no, ask me anything but THAT!!!

TOM (Rising out of the bed and clutching Arthur with both hands: ROOOOOSE!!!

ARTHUR (Pushing Tom back down on the bed): NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

(Phone rings.)

ARTHUR (Miserably): Yes, hello, who is this calling?

WOMAN'S VOICE: Hiya, Doll! It's me, Patti--is he dead yet? Did he ask ya?

(BLACKOUT.)

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 3:42pm

"So when will there be a musical/book/movie on her life? She's such a great person!"

Well, if there's a musical, she'll probably be very annoyed if she's not asked to star in it.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 3:46pm

Can Leslie Kritzer play young Patti?!?!?!

[bevsilly]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 3:46pm

She should balance out every statement she makes. Just like I do. I NEVER say something negative with out adding something positive. I NEVER say anything snarky without saying somthing sincere. I NEVER obesses about show without pointing out faults and shortcomings. Why can't everyone be as perfect as I am in my head?

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 3:49pm

Wow, you really ARE perfect... but also kind of a bitch

(see.. balance!)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 3:50pm

Why do I inspire such obsession?

I wish I had the career to go along with it!

[My Oh My]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 4:12pm

I love her soooo much.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 4:25pm

Does anyone think she would consider taking over the part of the Drowsy Chaperone in "The Drowsy Chaperone"? I think she would be superb in that! from RC in Austin, Texas.. the official Patti LuPone FANatic

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 4:31pm

Not gonna happen. I only wish we could see her as Joanne, but after this year, another revival of Company is probably a long time coming!