Patti LuPone Gypsy ovations

[binau]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:48am

For those who have been to a couple of Gypsy performances, how often does Patti get an ovation for "Rose's Turn?"

For those who have seen both Bernadette and Patti, which had a warmer response?

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 3:13am

I think Patti's performance had much more power and drive to it. After that last note in "Rose's Turn," I was just... blown away. I was speechless. I saw her only twice so far and once, people standing were scattered throughout the house. The second time, everybody (at least in the orchestra) stood up, wildly cheering for her until Laura Benanti entered on stage.

As for Bernadette, her performance in general was brilliant but her Rose's Turn just wasn't as breathtaking as Patti's.

But that's my opinion.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 3:22am

I caught the show on May 27th.
After "Rose'S Turn", I can remember ALMOST everyone jumping to their feet, applauding, cheering, yipping, yahooing, whistling. It was bonkers, but it was brilliant all at once. There was an older couple seated behind me. The gentleman turned to his wife as Patti was blowing her kisses and 'taking it in' as it's noted, and asked, "Is this for real? Is this scripted?" I *still* remember that reaction - The beauty of live theatre. A mish-mash of engaged audience and electrifying perforer.

[BroadwayBelle2]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:05pm

"Rose's Turn" is one of the highlights of the show especially the way Patti Performs it is amazing! The audience just goes wild.

[DrewBill]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:56pm

I've seen the show twice -- the first time, early in the run, there were multiple standing ovations, including one after "Rose's Turn."

However, the second time I saw the show in mid-October, there were no standing ovations until Patti came out for her curtain call. Both performances were wonderful -- I really don't know why the second audience didn't stand.

[jennyish]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:03pm

During previews, the ovation was instant.

Over the summer, not everyone stood at once.

Mid-October, there was no standing ovation until curtain call.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:05pm

When I saw Gypsy at City Center, Patti received a standing ovation after 'Rose's Turn'. On Broadway, however, they remained seated. That being said, the applause was thunderous and just went on and on. But the mostly elderly matinee audience simply didn't stand until the curtain call.

Between my respective visits to this revival and that of 2003, the reaction to Patti's 'Rose's Turn' was much louder, longer, and more enthusiastic. (But I also found Bernadette's 'Rose's Turn' to be incredible.)

[legally_popular]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:09pm

Both times I saw it over the summer there were standing ovations after Rose's Turn.

In September there were only a couple scattered people standing. And in November, I don't remember seeing anyone standing.

But all times there were ovations during curtain call.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:36pm

Random:
I revisited the show on Saturday and I love how LuPone now whispers the whole "Here she is boys, here she is world, etc" and then EXPLODES.

And there was no standing ovation after Rose's Turn. However, when I saw it in both April and August there were. This show has just gotten better and better over the course of the run.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:07pm

I've seen the show several times, and it seems the usual response is a standing ovation from the orchestra.
However, the last time I saw the show, the Friday Patti was sick (21st), there was no standing ovation after Rose's Turn. But the audience made up for it when she came out for the curtain call.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:09pm

"I revisited the show on Saturday and I love how LuPone now whispers the whole "Here she is boys, here she is world, etc" and then EXPLODES."

I love how she does that too! I didn't expect it at all. I revisited the show a couple weeks ago after not having seen it for over 2 months, and there were quite a few surprises. The show and performances are definitely getting better and better.

[TheatreLover76]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:19pm

I saw LuPone in Gypsy, I think, 4 times since it opened in March, and I do remember that the ovations subsided as well - meaning in October when I saw it last, no one stood up in the orchastra section where I was, and I was in the very last rows in the back. However, in July when I saw it too, she "gestured" in character, as in "come on, I think I need an ovation for that" sort of thing, and maybe a few in a couple rows stood (again, I was in orch.) But I did remember noticing how it subsided from March.


With regards to Bernadette, it was almost the same thing too. I also have to say that I did notice that when either BP or PL entered in the beginning by saying "Sing Out Louise," there were times where there was thunderous applause and times where there was barely any noise and both actresses went right into the show without stopping for that "entrance applause" as I would call it. I guess it depends on the audience.

Not to change the topic here, but what is the etiquette on an ovation nowadays anyway? I remember reading in the history books or watching films or whathaveyou, and the "ovation" really meant something back then. Nowadays, is it fair to say its more of an obligation to react to a performer's work, a friendly gesture, what? I know it's an expression of emotion of a particular performance that moved you, but isn't almost "fake" or done out of "obligation" nowadays? Again, don't mean to go off topic...just a thought. I definately think it has lost a great deal of meaning...you don't really feel it anymore... I think...

[BNN]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:39pm

There is always a big argument over standing ovations, people feel they've been so worn-out and overused that they don't mean anything. I, however, will stand when I feel clapping is too little to show my appreciation for the hard work onstage and the performance presented.

There are certainly many instances were people feel the need to stand to show that they are a big fan, or they deserve to, Sondheim has a great quote about this but I can't recall it at the moment.

I've seen Gypsy twice, the first time there was an immediate standing ovation (If I could have flown around the St. James to show my appreciation I would have) but the second time I saw it in August there was a big applause but no one stood.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:51pm

I remember there already was a big thread about standing ovations here before, so I don’t want to repeat everything in this thread again. It’s more of a reaction for me. I never stand just because I feel “obligated” or because everyone else stands. I only stand to show my appreciation if I feel the show/performances deserved it.

In this case, Patti and the cast certainly deserve it. I always jump to my feet during curtain call as soon as Laura and Boyd come out.

I can’t even imagine how long the applause is going to be during the last performance. I think there will be ovations for Patti’s entrance, as well as Boyd’s and Laura’s, and undoubtedly after Rose’s Turn and for curtain call.

Updated On: 12/3/08 at 02:51 PM

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:55pm

Patti got a standing ovation when I saw the show. But I wasn't a part of it. I was in the front row and just stayed in my seat. I think she's awful.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 2:59pm

How can someone NOT jump on his feet, after THAT incredible performance, is beyond me !!!

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 3:05pm

When i saw the show in August, it was a long thunderous standing ovation for "Rose' Turn." Not everyone stood but I would say a 1/3 of the audience did. And it sounded like the theater was going to come down!

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 4:05pm

I saw the show on November 23, and her performance has definitely evolved from when I saw it back in July. Though I think she's brilliant, I still say the real stand-out performer is Laura Benanti. I love the incredible sweetness she has in Act 1, and how it slowly disappears throughout the course of the show. Brilliant.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 4:17pm

I always want to give Boyd entrance applause, but no one else ever claps, and I don't want to be the awkward person clapping.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 4:19pm

Both times I saw the show, a brave few have given Boyd entrance applause. It's always so awkward. People will clap, and then the rest of the audience will half-heartedly join in, not knowing what they're actually clapping for.

[jennyish]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 4:24pm

Heh, I've started the Boyd entrance applause before.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 4:33pm

Second that ^

[fflagg]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 4:40pm

How about for a New Years resolution that you all stop with the obsessive posts about Patti LuPone? She is a B-level Bway baby and always will be.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 4:51pm

Wow.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 5:01pm

I've seen this production four times...

The first time I saw it was the performance after she won the Tony. Standing ovation on entry, partial standing O after EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES, and an immediate standing O after ROSE'S TURN.

The second time, she got wild applause at her entrance and a standing O after ROSE'S TURN.

The third time, she got polite entrance applause and wild applause but no standing O after ROSE'S TURN.

The fourth time she got extended entrance applause and an immediate standing O after ROSE'S TURN.

It's funny 'cause when I saw it at City Center (which I thought was extremely stale) everyone went insane after ROSE'S TURN, cheering and whooping. And I was totally underwhelmed. Even her least up-to-par performance at the St. James, however was leagues better and didn't get a standing O.