New "Gypsy" very underwhelming

Just returned from the Sat. evening performance of "Gypsy". Let me preface all of this by saying I love the musical "Gypsy" and I love Patti LuPone. However, I do not love Patti Lupone IN "Gypsy". The production itself was all over the place and while it certainly had its good moments, for most of the show I was simply praying for the show to end quickly. For me, one of the biggest problems with this production was that all of the tactics that comprised Herbie and Rose's relationship seemed to be played at the audience instead of at one another. Boyd Gaines does a decent job, but truthfully his entire performance was forgettable. Laura Benanti was the standout tonight and I believe she deserves a Tony for her turn as Louise. She gave a first-class performance and had me from the moment she stepped onstage (and even with that ridiculous stuffed lamb). Tony Yazbeck is a great dancer, but lacked any kind of charisma. The three ladies playing Mazeppa, Tessie Tura, and Electra all did wonderful jobs and "You Gotta Get a Gimmick" was one of the highlights of the show for me.

Now, onto Mama Rose. Patti LuPone is a wonderful actress, but she brings absolutely nothing new to the role. Having seen many regional and collegiate productions in addition to the Broadway revival with Bernadette Peters, I kept waiting for Ms. LuPone to do something to distinguish herself, and she really didn't. Her "Rose's Turn" is very good, but she has to tone down her gesticulations and lean-backs because she seems to do one every ten seconds. I did enjoy the new interpretation of the ending, and I am pleased to see a new take on that.

Let me add that I sat next to a man who said he had seen the Broadway production with Patti (on Broadway, not at City Center), three times previously. So, obviously there are some who find it enthralling, but maybe I simply had too high hopes for this production. All in all, I think this revival is a big mistake and after this production, I don't think we'll see another Broadway incarnation for at least twenty years.

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CPD, is it on this statement: "I don't think we'll see another Broadway incarnation for at least twenty years," yes?

Bernadette is that you?

So, they are still using the stuffed lamb and the puppet? Boy was that a bad idea at City Center!

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If they ever do it again, it needs to be done with midgets.

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One reason for the toy lamb may be that a real one is not available. When I was Herbie in a local production, we could not find a real lamb or even a small adult lamb. We ended up using one of those dogs that look like a lamb. It was OK until the blasted aminal started barking at the orchestra.
It would be very interesting to know the reasoning behind using the toy lamb. Could Laura be allergic to real wool?

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I pretty much agree with everything the original poster said. Thank you for your honesty!

So even though the idea of the stuffed lamb might be "excrutiating," it is really more practical than having a real lamb. Besides, the lamb isn't even in the a major part of the show, so why go through the trouble with a real lamb?

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The show has not been trashed so far. There have been lots of raves on here and on ATC. Like any production, there will always be naysayers. The critical reviews are bound to be great.

"If they ever do it again, it needs to be done with midgets."

So you're saying it needs a twist?

Three words.

Anika.

Noni.

Rose.

(In x# of years, of course)

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Updated On: 3/16/08 at 10:36 PM

Anika Noni Rose as Louise...now.
Anika Noni Rose as Rose...later.
Anika Noni Rose as ANYONE...ANY TIME.

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I saw both the City Center production and have seen the Broadway production twice now, and both were magnificent achievements.

Patti's performance has only been honed, and fine tuned since the summer, and she makes a remarkable Rose. She is supported by a pitch perfect group of supporting players, in Laura Benanti, Boyd Gaines, Leigh Ann Larkin, and Tony Yazbeck. This is an *ideal* GYPSY cast, and this production is not to be missed.

Come to think of it, I would probably sit through a production starring Audra McDonald, with Noni Rose as Louise.

Unless Audra's Rose gave birth to Anika's Louise when she was two years old, that would never work.

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I think Bernadette Peters was sublime in the role and Lupone has got nothing on her in this show.

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