The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
To be clear: you do not need to be a member of Equity to work on an Equity contract. She will still have dues deducted from her pay and will even have benefit payments made.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
I love Mia. This sounds great. I won’t go unless my ticket is free. I just can’t support LuPone after giving up her Equity card, walking away from the dues that help so many get healthcare and more. The arrogance of it all - and so insulting to so many performers who have supported her for so long. It just rubbed me the completely wrong way, and I think her coming back and now paying dues when convenient for her is just another slap in the face of the union.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
I’m not the world’s biggest Patti fan, but I’ve always been entertained by her and her frankness as an individual. However, this just smacks of hypocrisy.
First, she’s giving up her Equity card and never coming back to Broadway because the audiences are dumb, according to her. Then, she says maybe she’ll do a play off-Broadway at NYTW where audiences actually appreciate the work. Now, she’s coming back to Broadway (albeit, in a play, but still: Broadway).
She just seems to say things as they pop into her head without the actual conviction she says them with. Entertaining, for sure, but come on.
Or, this more or less sounds like she needs a Broadway paycheck.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
The only part of this that makes me nervous is O'Brien at the helm.
I was hopeful her recent comments about her frustrations with Bway would precede her in appearing in an Off Bway play by an exciting new playwright and directed by somebody new and exciting. Thought that could be a fun Act 3 to her career.
Very exciting but hopefully this is better than The Anarchist. Crazy that Debra Winger made her Broadway debut in that stinker. Has anyone seen this play regionally? I’m from Iowa so it being set in Iowa already peaked me interest, I guess Jen Silverman went to University of Iowa.
This is a swell showcase for two actresses but it's mostly a nothing of a play. The production at Steppenwolf was really enjoyable but I can't say I've thought about it for a moment since. Also. This play is written for women in their mid-50s, this casting changes the meaning significantly.
Patti is a walking contradiction at this point and will say anything to get a rise out of people.
The pair of them together sounds great on paper but the play sounds thin. Patti –– like Audra –– doesn't sell to the masses when she isn't singing, so that's a lot of burden on Farrow. We shall see!
Probably the most exciting part of this (for me) is that it marks the playwright's Broadway debut! I've been a fan of their work for a long time and would definitely recommend looking into their other work (COLLECTIVE RAGE, THE MOORS, WITCH) if you're so inclined.
(Disclaimer -- I also work for Concord [Samuel French]. BUT I'd be hyping this playwright even if that weren't the case.)
((Also excited for Queens LuPone and Farrow together.))
The set for “Oh, Mary” can be put together in an hour so if they wanted to, I see no reason that couldn’t start previews almost immediately after Akimbo vacates and play for 10 weeks.
iluvtheatertrash said: "I love Mia. This sounds great. I won’t go unless my ticket is free. I just can’t support LuPone after giving up her Equity card, walking away from the dues that help so many get healthcare and more. The arrogance of it all - and so insulting to so many performers who have supported her for so long. It just rubbed me the completely wrong way, and I think her coming back and now paying dues when convenient for her is just another slap in the face of the union."
I won't see this show unless I can get into it for free seems like the sort of principled half measure Patti LuPone would go for. I'm fed up with Equity and am done with Broadway! Unless...
Mmm. Not sure why all the Patti hate. We are literally talking top tier greatest Broadway actor of all time status alongside people like Lansbury and Bernadette. I guess people seem to have an issue with her arrogance or feeling like she is beyond ‘paying her dues’ but at this point I think her arrogance is warranted and she is beyond the literal paying of her dues. This is not just some equity actor - this is Patti LuPone. She can do what she wants! And it’s part of her personality now. It’s the stritch succession.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
binau said: "Mmm. Not sure why all the Patti hate. We are literally talking top tier greatest Broadway actor of all time status alongside people like Lansbury and Bernadette. I guess people seem to have an issue with her arrogance or feeling like she is beyond ‘paying her dues’ but at this point I think her arrogance is warranted and she is beyond the literal paying of her dues. This is not just some equity actor - this is Patti LuPone. She can do what she wants! And it’s part of her personality now. It’s the stritch succession."
You can call out of LuPone for her weird union dispute and still appreciate her as a great performer. Two things can be true at once.
For example, I'm genuinely excited to see Mia Farrow on Broadway, but am a little disappointed a LuPone play called The Roommate doesn't costar Aubrey Plaza.
binau said: "Mmm. Not sure why all the Patti hate. We are literally talking top tier greatest Broadway actor of all time status alongside people like Lansbury and Bernadette. I guess people seem to have an issue with her arrogance or feeling like she is beyond ‘paying her dues’ but at this point I think her arrogance is warranted and she is beyond the literal paying of her dues. This is not just some equity actor - this is Patti LuPone. She can do what she wants! And it’s part of her personality now. It’s the stritch succession."
Even if her arrogance is warranted (on principle, this seems like a slippery slope to me) as you suggest and "she can do what she wants!" doesn't necessarily mean it is appealing or will be perceived in a favorable light. Basic humility always has some value.
I'm glad she'll be on stage again, but this is a very slight play.
C'mon people. She never gave up her equity card. I'm hoping there is a special "take as many pictures of Patti as you want during a performance" night. Don't tell Madame LuPone and let the fur fly!