One Helluva Show: Gypsy! Zeitoujo Reviews...

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 10:58pm

Last night I had the pleause of getting to see “Gypsy” for my second time. There were no understudies, which was great. I was in Orchestra Row BB Seat 105, which were perfect seats.

As soon as the overture started I got so excited. My heart started beating so fast and I couldn’t wait for the show to start. Ms. LuPone never ceases to amaze me- honestly, she was perfect last night. Every number she was in brought the house down. The audience loved her and it seemed like everyone enjoyed her performance.

The last time I saw the show I didn’t really realize how amazing Laura Benanti truly was. After Patti, I would have to say that she was my favorite. During “Little Lamb” she was crying and I could see the tears running down her cheek. She truly gives a groundbreaking performance and I think she nailed the part.

Overall, the show was phenomenal. It truly was an honor to get to see the show again. I think that Ms. Lupone will be nominated for best actress as will the show for best revival. I can’t wait to see the show again… which will be very soon Last night was terrific, phenomenal, amazing, tear-jerking, dramatic, and overall singular.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 11:21pm

Glad you liked the show, Zeitoujo. I saw the show over my spring break and was amazed by everyone's performances, especially Patti Lupone, Laura Benanti, and Boyd Gaines. This is a show not to be missed! One of my favorites!

[JKlock]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 11:23pm

I couldn't agree more! I saw Saturday's matinee via student rush and got BB 101 and it was my first time seeing a performance of Gypsy. I was never a big fan of Patti LuPone but after seeing her as Rose, I discovered why people love her. She was absolutely fantastic in the role. There was an understudy on for Laura Benanti but she was amazing and I thought she fit the role perfectly (though I have no one to compare her to).And I was handed one of the apples during the Garden of Eden scene which was pretty cool. Without a doubt, I plan on seeing the show again and hopefully catch Laura as Louise next time :)

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 11:25pm

JKlock, who was on for Laura?

[JKlock]

Posted: 4/20/08 at 11:44pm

geez...making me get up and get the playbill...hehe :P just kidding! Jessica Rush

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 4/21/08 at 8:01am

=]

[fakemyway2thetop]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 1:34am

I apologize for posting this twice. I posted it on another thread, then realized this was actually the more appropriate place for it. (sorry for anyone who happens to be reading this a second time)

Couldn't help but toss in my 2 cents. Perhaps she had 2 bad nights because when I saw the show, I didn't understand many of the lyrics. Even ones that I thought I already knew!!! I don't think her Rose is Tony worthy but I'm very much aware that I'm in the minority here. I've somehow managed to avoid commenting too much on this production but I can't help but shout out my opinion. I think some of the actors were aloud to "explore" there way to performances that are so far over the top that, for me, the story is not being told the way in which it was written. For example, Leigh Ann Larkin's portayal of June, although one we haven't seen on broadway before(and sort of an interesting take on the part) doesn't exactly fit with the rest of the storyline and characters. With all the attitude, why would Mr. Granzinger want her? (my 2 cents...remember?) In a similar fashion, I find Ms. LuPone's Rose to be a little cartoonish and not connected with the other actors and I simply did not enjoy it...at all. At the end of Rose's turn, I felt like it was Patti LuPone taking a bow and reacting to the audience's response...not Rose's imagination. Also, why are tears streaming down Louise's face during the very innocent "Little Lamb". For me, the great thing about this moment in the story is that Louise is singing this song very innocently and the last line comes as a surprise to us. It's surprising because it's as if she asks the question ("I wonder how old I am.") before she even realizes she's asking it. Right?? She seemed to be emotionally ahead of the story. I'm not saying that I think it's their fault. I think it was Mr. Laurents' responsibility to reign in their performances to tell the story in the best way possible. AGAIN...just my opinion. It is amazing to me that Boyd Gaines manages to come across as a real guy as Herbie with all the scenery chewing going on around him. Also, did it bother anyone else that there was a real door in the hotel room but they had Louise mime opening a window to say something to someone outside?? I didn't get it. Sorry.

[Zeitoujo]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 10:27am

Agreed on the Louise mining open a window. But other than that I strongly disagree with your review.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 10:47am

I completely disagree that she was not imagining it. If you watch LuPone's eyes during her bows after ROSE'S TURN, she does not lock eyes with a single audience member. She looks between them, above them, around them. I'm sure she uses the noise to her advantage, as any actress would, but I had no doubt in my mind that she had no clue that we were there.

[fakemyway2thetop]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:28am

The night I saw the show, 3 gentlemen sitting 1 row in front of me and just a seat or 2 to the right all leapt to their feet after Rose's Turn. After the "leap" Ms. LuPone walked over directly in front of them, curtsied, looked down at them and blew them a kiss. She did not appear to be looking at imaginary people. As I said, I realize I'm very much in the minority here but I didn't get this production. And there were so many other things...like the puppeteer making "baaa baaa" noises as the lamb ran around the room.