Patti LuPone - "I don't judge a part by its size..."

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 8:36pm

Patti has previously stated in her Ernie Manouse "innerVIEW" that she doesn't judge a part by its size...

And yet she constantly refers to her disregard of the opportunity of playing Evita's mother in the film version of 'Evita' because she would only have one line to sing in it...

Just an observation; I'm sure, like everything else she has done/said, this has been observed before. Apologies if it has. I just thought it was interesting! Lol

[Boq101]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 8:45pm

Well it's one thing to play fantine who is only in half of act one of les mis and another thing entirely to be asked to play a featured ensemble role in the show that she starred in on broadway and won a tony for.

[Bryan With A Why]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 8:53pm

Can we not think of any other mitigating factors in Patti's decision?

Nothing about the film being a post-"Sunset Blvd." Lloyd Webber project? Nor of the considerable attachment Patti must have felt to the material and the role, and the potential discomfort inherent in being involved outside of said role? Neither still of her international, nearly-iconic association with said role, which was publicly underminded with each re-boot of the film project (this following the tumultuous-at-best public drama she overcame to even keep the role in the first place)?

No? Okay, then Patti must be a size queen.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 8:57pm

Just throwing it out there, but she totally does.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 9:08pm

Well she took a supporting role in VERGE. Granted they did beef up the role specifically for her. Her agent did advise her not to accept the role, but Almodovar personally asked her to be in the production. Updated On: 1/7/11 at 09:08 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 1/7/11 at 9:53pm

There are GOOD small parts, and there are BAD or inconsequential small parts. A part's size does not always indicate its potential. Consider Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross- a very minor role that nonetheless was one of the best parts of the film.

Now consider Evita's mother.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 1:21pm

Oh, sure she does. All women do.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 1:27pm

What almost everyone else has said.

Being asked to play Evita's mother in the film of Evita had to be a slap in the face, given her near iconic association with the role. It's not like a decent supporting role- it's a very small cameo.

She's taken a number of supporting roles in her career- Fantine immediately springs to mind. That was a small role, but it was a good one- she got to sing one of the best songs in the show, die, then return for the finale.

[gvanover]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 1:57pm

While she might have her own bad rap about somethings, I truly believe she approaches every role as an "artist". Now, with that being said, she doesn't accept every role...big or little.

Plus, looking at the film version, it would of been a challenge for Patti, or any one, not to say how bad it was.

I'm guessing Patti wanted to remember EVITA as it was on stage and not spoil it with a mediocre, lackluster film.

[philly03]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 1:59pm

I was always under the impression that LuPone also took the role in Les Miserables because she was the first American to be asked to do a "leading" role in a Royal Shakespeare Company production.

And despite how small Fantine is, I believe it is sometimes considered the "leading actress" role, because of it's impact on the story, and I'm sure if you look at specifics it's the biggest female role in the show.


But I agree - LuPone getting asked to be Eva's mother was a huge slap in her face.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 2:09pm

Almost every role she's had in a film has been a featured (or smaller) role. I don't think it was the size of the role at all, but the fact that it felt like a slap in the face to her.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 2:09pm

And despite how small Fantine is, I believe it is sometimes considered the "leading actress" role, because of it's impact on the story, and I'm sure if you look at specifics it's the biggest female role in the show.

Actually, Cosette has the most stage time (but it's the worst of the female roles), Eponine sings the most, but Fantine has the biggest impact on the story.

[D2]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 2:16pm

Chita Rivera in the film "Chicago." 'nuff said.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 2:18pm

^ Yeah, but that cameo was written specifically for Chita.

[D2]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 2:21pm

So what?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 2:21pm

And Chita doesn't hate Kander & Ebb.


D2: I believe Patti herself can answer your "so what?"

"Someone’s going to write me a role and I’m not going to do it?”

Updated On: 1/8/11 at 02:21 PM

[Taryn]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 3:41pm

Not judging a part by its size means you judge it by its content. Not that you don't judge it.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 4:29pm

And people on this board crucified Jennifer Holliday as "sour grapes" for refusing a walk-on in Dreamgirls but Patti gets defended. Whatevs.

Most actors are incredibly insecure and can't handle things that don't serve their ego.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 4:31pm

No, Holliday got crucified because she was going around complaining that she wasn't offered the role of Effie...when she was in her 50's. She turned down the cameo because she still wanted to play Effie White.
Updated On: 1/8/11 at 04:31 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 4:35pm

^ Exactly.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 4:37pm

^^^
No, she wanted to play Deena's mom.

And Cosette doesn't have more stage time. Eponine does (inexplicably, since her character in the book is rather minor). That's why the character won the Tony.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 4:38pm

Knowing her professionalism and love for her art, I believed her when she said that.

Patti can accept or decline any role she wants to for any reason. She is a legend and has earned that right. Personally, I think she has made brilliant and varied choices. She has a valid reason for each one.

I admire her strength and attitude and willingness to speak her mind and stand up for herself and what she believes in.

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 5:02pm

does anyone know why she didnt take joanne in the recent company revival?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 8:54pm

If this message board were around during EVITA, Patti would be persona non grata with her EVITA problems, both vocally and with attendance. She would be relegated to the Donna Murphy/Amy Spanger/Karen Olivo pile.

She was afforded a pre-internet environment to be a hot mess during the run of EVITA.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 1/8/11 at 10:43pm

Agree with Bettyboy72. LuPone may be talented but she's also a bitch. It's funny how her memoirs recount how slighted she felt by certain people around her, yet when her career advanced she had no problems committing the same oppressive acts to others around her or other up and coming actors whose shoes LuPone was once in.