New Out feature on Patti LuPone

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 2:10pm

Some points in her upcoming memoir are briefly touched on and apparently she's on the outs with Arthur Laurents again.

http://www.out.com/detail.asp?page=1&id=27249

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 2:26pm

Really?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 2:49pm

What a fantastic article...makes me even more excited about Patti's memoirs...and hopefully the eventual transfer of Gypsy to London.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 2:57pm

Interesting article and as always I love LuPone's candor. Though frankly I'm glad Nunn didn't call her back - despite what she or the reporter thinks, Desiree Armfeldt really is not an ideal role for LuPone...

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 3:05pm

What a fabulous article...on Patti's part and on the writer's. Really endearing and superbly written. I found myself getting emotional hearing about those roles that "could have been" for Patti. I always assumed there was probably a sort of rivalry between Patti and Bernadette and this article basically seals the deal.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 3:38pm

There definitely seems to be that vibe, though I don't know if it extends to any 'personal' animosity between them.

LuPone very much wanted to create the title role in the Weissler's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (even doing a one night concert version with Peter Gallagher as a sort of audition for it) and was of course passed over for Peters for that one too.

So odd that two entirely different women could be vying for so many of the same roles.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 3:43pm

I also find it very strange that these two women have been up for the same roles. They are so incredibly different vocally, physically, and as performers. I guess Sondheim took a liking to both of them and they were in constant consideration for his shows. But then to add Annie Get Your Gun on top of that? I feel like comparing Peters and LuPone is like comparing Kelli O'Hara and Idina Menzel...we would never in a million years consider them for the same parts.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 4:00pm

you say that now, Barbie, but just wait twenty five years when both women are up for the 75th anniversary productions of MAME, DOLLY and SUNSET BOULEVARD...

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 4:03pm

Haha that's true, maybe when actresses reach a certain age their differences start to dissipate. And don't forget the umpteenth revival of GYPSY.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 4:13pm

Can't wait for the book. Since my budget these days does not call for buying new books, I just put it on hold at the library. I am number 1 on the list when it arrives.

MB, I agree with you. I don't think she is right for the part of Madame Armfeldt. It read as if he were kind of sucking up to her. And he had been drinking... :)

Updated On: 8/16/10 at 04:13 PM

[moljul]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 4:38pm

Whatever rivalry (professional or personal) with Bernadette Peters seems solely fueled from Ms. Lupone's end as I don't recall Bernadette ever mentioning any competiion or lost roles to Patti or quite simply ever mentioning Patti in any public forum. Patti's constant comments about all the roles she lost to Bernadette just continually seems like "sour grapes" to me.

[haddaddy3]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 5:22pm

I remember reading on this board from someone who saw one of the recent Sondheim birthday celebrations that they were holding hands at one point voluntarily. This doesn't necessaeily mean very much, but I remember thinking (or hoping) when I read it that perhaps the rivalry is not personal (if LuPone even thinks of it as one). I love them both, and I feel sorry for Patti to an extent, but I certainly don't think her career has been a lamentable one.

[Brick]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 5:27pm

I doubt it's too personal. Speaking for myself, there are many people of whom I at times get jealous or to whom I lose a job and while I may bitch about it, I don't hold it against them personally, at the end of the day.

That said, can you imagine someone continually getting the big, major roles for which you're perfect? The years between ANNIE and GYPSY must have been rough. It's amazing there isn't true animosity from Patti's end.

[binau]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 5:32pm

I read somewhere that LuPone also auditioned to replace Bernadette in SUNDAY, and didn't get it. I didn't realise there were so many other roles.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 5:35pm

I don't really feel any animosity coming from Patti LuPone's side. Yes, some sour grapes maybe, but I think she and Bernadette Peters are both professional actresses who understand that these things do happen. Casting them as professional enemies just seems like fun for us more than fact.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 5:41pm

No, I think she actually hates her. In fact, I'm kind of surprised she doesn't just refer to her as "That Peters woman."

[Brick]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 5:45pm

theaterkid1015, I think you're absolutely right.

And yes, Patti was up for SUNDAY as Bernadette's replacement. As she tells it, she knew she was in trouble when Sondheim came walking down the aisle toward the stage, yelling, "I don't want any belting!"

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 5:45pm

Wow. People think I can't let things go. Patti seems like an injustice collector of the first order! Kevin Kline was what, almost 40 years ago? Maybe it's time to let it go.

And she makes people drive drunk. That was a really weird article.
Updated On: 8/16/10 at 05:45 PM

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 5:49pm

PRS, I usually feel that way about Mickey Rapkin. I appreciate him writing so much about theater and theater people recently, but something about his stories often feels...strange to me.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 6:10pm

Typical Patti LuPone to make the reporter drive behind her in a separate car!

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 6:13pm

It makes me sad that she didn't get drunk enough to sing karaoke at the gas station.

[James885]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 7:20pm

Yeah, I don't think there's any real hostility between Patti and Bernadette. Both are professionals who have been in show business long enough to know the ins and outs and the ups and downs. I think some of the fans of both actresses like to pit them against each other.

It's interesting that she and Arthur Laurents aren't seeing eye to eye anymore.

Updated On: 8/16/10 at 07:20 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 9:22pm

It's a little sad to hear about Patti and Laurents not speaking again. But Arthur really does live up to his reputation.

[jv92]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:51pm

I happen to think Arthur Laurents is a very nice, generous, bitchy, but funny, old fellow. But it's no surprise that he and LuPone had a falling out. Hopefully they can work things out.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/16/10 at 10:54pm

I didn't realize there was such a firm timeline on getting Gypsy to London that Patti doing a pilot messed that up. I would ask if this meant he was also mad at Laura Benanti for doing the same pilot, but he did make that comment that "they" only want him and Patti to do the show in London.