I don't think she's retiring, but her Broadway appearances have been few and far between for the past 20 years.
I don't know her personally at all, but we have mutual friends, and I remember hearing that she had all but quit the idea of being a "Broadway lady" right after Phantom. (I'm not sure if there was anything about that particular show that "killed" it for her, but that's when she changed her mind. I DO know that she was offered the role of Christine right away... not the alternate, but the main performer... until she read in the papers, just like all of us, that they were trying to bring Mrs. Lloyd Webber in to do the part. She was a trooper and stuck with the show, even after being relegated to the "Matinee Christine." But after that, she bowed out of the limelight for a while.)
Her priorities had shifted, and family and home took precedence. I completely understand that decision. And I doubt if she regrets it for one minute.
She has managed to work steadily (whenever she wants to) in regional theatre... primarily Seattle, which is now her home.
As far as "Will we ever see Patti on Broadway again?"
Never say never.
But she's been away from home for 18 months now, and she's ready to go back now. Look for her to work locally for a while (one might guess). And if the right opportunity comes along (as with "Piazza"), I can only hope that she rides it right back into New York. And we can fall in love with her, just as we have before.
She will be missed... "until we meet again!"
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
