Musto on LuPone

[LEStheatreGuy]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 3:36pm

Speaking of breakdowns, Patti LuPone is having one every night in Gypsy, and the result is so breathtaking it could turn a gay man into a lesbian. I should know—I've spent most of my adult life watching Gypsy and cheering on everyone in it, including the cow (and I don't mean Mama Rose). I've seen Gypsy in New Jersey, in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and with someone from Cagney & Lacey. Of course, this one seemed cursed—and not just because everyone loved it at Encores except the one person that matters, Ben Brantley. In previews, the air vent was falling and a curtain was bopping an actress on the head. But by last week, the mechanics had been oiled and the result, if at times overemphatic, was kicking so much ass even Brantley had to admit that "Mama's got the stuff." (By the way, that Cagney lady, Tyne Daly, ebulliently told a friend of mine on a bus the other day: "I knew six months ago she'd get raves and he'd eat his words!")

This time around, Dainty June is refreshingly played as a completely bitter bitch, the three strippers are magnificent grotesques, and they've gotten the first straight Tulsa in history. And LuPone! She rips into the part as if eating a live lobster. With her slash of a mouth surrounded by that Hirschfeld-drawing face and askew curls, she's a driven, sexy, playful, monstrous Rose—and crazier than a loon at the climax. I could do without the new ending that follows, but at least it shows once again that this is an attempt to breathe life into Gypsy, not just take it out of mothballs. (Another footnote: Marc Jacobs went to see the show with a hairy, hot Brazilian who works in advertising. "Ciao," said LuPone backstage, thinking the hottie was Italian. Same difference.)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 5:38pm

Thanks, LESsy!

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 5:41pm

hilarious.

and on the money.

so Tyne has seen the show?

[bertandrew2]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 5:43pm

"She rips into the part as if eating a live lobster."

I think that is a perfect description of how Lupone plays Mama Rose.

[logan0215]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 8:26pm

So, Tyne takes the bus?

And are Marc Jacobs and Jason Preston done-so?

Gotta love Musto and his bike.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 8:31pm

You're blinded by your insane Patti-hatred, BertAndrew/ADirector.

Musto means that as a compliment.

[bertandrew2]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 8:33pm

All I said is that its a perfect description.

[sally1112]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 8:34pm

^^^ How else could that comment be taken?

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 8:37pm

And he's so hell-bent that he's found the need to post that same quote in 3 different threads.

I don't know about you, but I get the point...I got it weeks ago.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 8:38pm

Tulsa should NEVER be straight.
Oh wait, I did see John Travolta play it at Club Bene Dinner Theatre.
Oh wait.
He praises LuPone than calls her an idiot at the end.
Well they say Merman wasn't too bright either.
Updated On: 4/3/08 at 08:38 PM

[ahmelie]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 8:41pm

Tchau (pronounced the same as "Ciao") is a form of goodbye in Portuguese.

ETA: I just had to mention that, so that no one would think that Patti wasn't perfect.

Updated On: 4/3/08 at 08:41 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 9:36pm

Tulsa should NEVER be straight.

Huh? Just because you rather him be gay?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/3/08 at 9:44pm

Growing up, Tulsa was every gay boy's dream role.
Right after "Dream Curley"
I was just trying to be funny.