Patti LuPone: A Memoir (spoiler alert) — Page 6

I am a big fan of Miss Patti but I am having a problem with the book's tone, for lack of a better word. Maybe its the distance from the events or the perfunct-oriousness of detail but this very much sounds like an "as told to" autobiography. "and then this happened and then I went there and oh I learned this from that ( and frankly she keeps repeating the learning). I've been rereading "If Chins Could Kill- Confessions of a B Movie Actor "by Bruce Campbell and the contrast is striking. He interviewed a lot of his frineds from his days in Michigan who were part of the "Evil Dead" experiences and I feel like I know these guys and the truly insane experince of making the 1st and subsequent films together. ( there is other stuff too but i'm just using an example) She mentions people by name but I never get a sense of who they are to her and her career. Still, it's got some interesting bits ( her grandfather's murder, her appearance in "1941") that it is certainly an interesting read.

Just picked up my copy from the library an hour ago. Read the Prologue and will continue reading tonight after I get back from the theater. Can't wait.

---

PitPro, I am too. Just got to:

"Sticks and stones sister. Here, have a Valium"!

I love all of the pictures and how they are placed throughout the book.

---

YOU try and interrupt Patti LuPone during a recording session to say, "Excuse me? Miss LuPone? That was NOT in the audio script!"

---

Is there some beef between Rebecca Caine and LuPone? On Wednesday, Caine tweeted this:

"How maaarvelous Patti LuPone has now added fiction writing to her long list of accomplishments."

There's nothing about Caine in the memoir, so I guess it was just something about Les Mis that was fictional. Any ideas?



Rebecca Caine's twitter

---

I am on disc 6 of the audiobook and I must admit, the diction is starting to wear on me. She doesn't talk like that in interviews or on stage. I have no idea where the odd over enunciation is coming from. It does sound forced, angry and a little odd.

However, I like the book a lot. I think Patti is the same as any actor-very insecure and emotional. It's a cruel business.

Most creative folks are like this. Patti is just being open about it. I appreciate her honesty. She doesn't strike me as entitled, she strikes me a dedicated actress who simply seeks a basic level of respect. If she doesn't get that, then you better watch out. She is pretty clearly loyal to anyone who bestows her with kindness and respect.

She's clearly very sensitive and deeply appreciative of those who gave her breaks. She is very upfront that she's gotten more bad reviews than good ones and she's very aware that she's not beautiful and could stand to lose a few pounds. I like her liberal use of F@#k.

Her authenticity is refreshing. I love that she just wants actors to feel safe and respected. She puts her money where her mouth is by doing projects she believed in for very little money if she believed in the work.

To be perfectly honest, I like Patti more after reading the book.

---

I think that's a great, honest, sensitive response, Bettyboy.

Bettyboy, I was wondering how non-fans of Patti would react to her memoir since I (obviously a fan) found it to be very humanizing. I was especially surprised and touched by how ready she was to admit to being afraid (especially during Juilliard).

---

I didn't think she was too shabby before the 80s, either. Other than my avatar/user pic, this picture of her and Kevin was probably my favorite b&w shot in the book and she was beautiful.

---

Updated On: 9/25/10 at 12:35 AM

My guess has always been that she just didn't look like anyone else, and maybe not necessarily in a good way. Wasn't the standard of beauty a little more blonde and a little more All-American in the 70s? I definitely think that if 23 year old Patti LuPone was going into the business now, she'd be considered gorgeous, because her look is more in line with 2010's idea of sexy. (I wasn't alive in the 1970s, though, so I might be totally off base)

I have a friend who is also a big Patti fan and walked by her once outside of the Eugene O'Neill when she was starring in Sweeney. My friend realized what had just happened and only recognized Patti because of her nose, but she definitely said it'd be easy to walk right past her on the street and never know. Maybe she was also shorter than everyone expected.

---

Patti definitely has her own look-gorgeous in the way Gia Carangi was. Not cookie cutter for the 70s or 80s, but a woman who was unique in her decidedly Italian beauty.

---

"Is there some beef between Rebecca Caine and LuPone? On Wednesday, Caine tweeted this:

'How maaarvelous Patti LuPone has now added fiction writing to her long list of accomplishments.'"

Anyone know what's going on with this?

^ that's true, but for some reason that's not what I think she's referring to. That comment feels a little catty, for some reason.

---