Patti LuPone On Vacay.....

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#0

Posted: 5/17/06 at 10:26pm

According to Miss Patti's official website, she will be vacationing the week of June 19-26. (www.pattilupone.net)
from Roman in Austin, Texas... the official Patti LuPone FANatic

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)

[logan0215]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#1

Posted: 5/17/06 at 10:42pm

So in effect, this will shift the entire cast into vacation?

I had heard something about that Patti's u/s plays violin, therefore pushing out Manoel who's u/s plays claranet and so on and so fourth, therefore completely changing the orchestrations for the week of her vacation.

That would be interesting to see.

[Just_John]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#2

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:03pm

I thought the understudies didnt know how to play instrument and someone else played it offstage if they did'nt know it.

[ElphabaRose]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#3

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:08pm

If anyone knows if logan is right, please let me know, that would definitely merit a return visit.

Whatever happened to class?

[Katurian2]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#4

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:08pm

THe last time Patt's understudy went on, the show was a mess. She couldn't play tub and idn't know blocking

"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck

[RentBoy86]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#5

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:13pm

I would imagine so. It's a lot for anyone to take on. You can't really be trained in how to act and play a musical instrument and sing sondheim at the same time.

[30/90 Playout]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#6

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:14pm

I saw the show with Benjamin Eakeley in for Ben Magnuson and Elisa Winter played the cello offstage. The tuba would just be dropped or they would using a recording. No other cast members would have instruments "switched"

[RentBoy86]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#7

Posted: 5/17/06 at 11:17pm

Did he "mime" the cello or did he not hold anything?

[somethingwicked]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#8

Posted: 5/18/06 at 6:26am

Didn't someone post a rumor here recently that Judy Kaye was stepping as Lovett during Lupone's vacation?

PS Don't be so hard on Dorothy Stanley... she went on at the last possible minute and was barely rehearsed. Under better cirumcstances, I am sure she would have been much better.

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

[bwaysinger]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#9

Posted: 5/18/06 at 7:53am

That's the company's fault for not rehearsing their understudies properly. I don't know what the current Broadway contract states but there's a set amount of hours allowed WEEKLY for rehearsals and put-ins. They should see to it that their cast can perform this show with difficult instrument/cast combos.

[karen24]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#10

Posted: 5/18/06 at 8:07am

I just saw this last Friday night, and Benjamin Eakeley was in for Ben Magnuson. He didn't "mime" playing anything or play any other instruments; he just acted and sang. They had the notice in the Playbill that Elisa Winter would be playing cello, but I didn't really notice if she was completely offstage or just in the background.
I realized after I got home, though, and read the Playbill more closely, that the show would have had quite a different feel to it if both Anthony and Johanna were playing cello. I might have to try to go back and see it on a day when Ben M. is in!

Maggie-the-schnoodle

[Michael Bennett]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#11

Posted: 5/18/06 at 8:54am

If Judy Kaye steps in for LuPone, as is the rumour, she will no doubt be learning LuPone's orchestra track as well, so my guess is the show would play "as is" in her absence.

[30/90 Playout]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#12

Posted: 5/18/06 at 3:05pm

For those of you who know the set. Elisa sat offstage, stage right (left for audience) between the wings and the stage. Ben Eakeley looked kind of off when he would just sit there, the only one not playing an instrument, but the show flowed very very well.

The tuba is not an essential part of the show AT ALL. I believe that it was just thrown in for laughs, and the show would go along fine without it.

[Michael Bennett]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#13

Posted: 5/18/06 at 3:42pm

I agree that the tuba is not absolutely necessary, but it is worth noting that LuPone doesn't just play it for comic effect. She plays it in other parts of the show too, including the Judge's version of "Johanna" and it does add a nice sound to the overall orchestrations.

[ljay889]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#14

Posted: 5/18/06 at 3:46pm

Tuba and the bass are very similar instruments. So didn't they once say if LuPone is out, the tuba parts will just be played on the bass?

[logan0215]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#15

Posted: 5/18/06 at 8:34pm

Well it seems as if Judy Kaye is confirmed to cover the part (in what aspect, it is not listed) for Patti's vacation.

So this raises two questions, will she be learning the tuba parts for the vacation? And moreover, will she be learning them to take over Patti's part after contract renewal July 2nd?

[Yankeefan007]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#16

Posted: 5/18/06 at 8:45pm

Judy WILL be learning the tuba and all of Patti's instruments. She is also doing a 2 week stint in August when Patti does Gypsy.

[somethingwicked]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#17

Posted: 5/18/06 at 8:46pm

In her interview with Broadway.com, Kaye said...

"I have to go and start learning the tuba and everything," Kaye told Broadway.com. "I'm going to try not to screw anybody else up! I've played Mrs. Lovett three times [in previous productions], so I'm not afraid of her at all. I love her desperately."

I am confused about your second question, but if you mean will she be subbing in while Patti does "Gypsy" in August then yes, she will. If you mean will she replace Patti when Patti leaves... the production wont be open long enough to replace Patti. It is understood (or at least highly assumed) that they are going to get all the main actors to extend and close the production with the full cast before Doyle's "Company" arrives in late fall/ early winter.

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

[logan0215]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#18

Posted: 5/18/06 at 8:51pm

Everyone is bringing up the Gypsy thing as needing a cover, but does that confirm the fact that Patti is renewing past July 2nd?

That was my question, I hadn't seen broadway.com's interview and the others which seem to confirm her for staying past that point.

[somethingwicked]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#19

Posted: 5/18/06 at 9:04pm

She says in the interview:

After her June stint, Kaye is also expected to return to Sweeney Todd in August, presumably when LuPone is away at Chicago's Ravinia Festival doing Gypsy (which runs August 11 through August 13). "I do two weeks in August," Kaye said. "I don't know which weeks they are."

So looks like Patti has renewed.

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

[broadwayboy430]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#20

Posted: 5/18/06 at 9:13pm

Am I the only one who find's it hysterical (I know this is old) that a feisty dame like Patti Lupone plays TUBA. I mean, when did she find time to do this? Oh right, she's PATTI LUPONE ,I mean God. Just the word, TUBA, oh haha. Okay, I'm done.

[WickedGeek28]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#21

Posted: 5/18/06 at 9:21pm

She said she joined her HS marching band bc the guys were hot. Leave it to Eva Duarte . . . .

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird

[logan0215]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#22

Posted: 5/18/06 at 9:28pm

That and she said she looked for the instrument she would look the most ridiculous playing and chose the tuba, so learning the part was not that difficult for her.

[BobbyBubby]

re: Patti LuPone On Vacay.....#23

Posted: 5/18/06 at 9:59pm

Just an FYI, Lupone's STANDBY is theatre legend Dorothy Stanley. She has been in tons of shows, and is quite good. Perhaps she just didn't have the proper rehearsal time. Didn't she go on for Lupone quite early on the run?