Patti as Bernie's replacement - an idea too good to happen?

Michael Portantiere is salivating at the tantalizing idea of Patti Lupone replacing Bernadette in GYPSY this spring. He refers to it in his latest column as "A Triumph Waiting To Happen". As someone who thought Bernadette did a great job but didn't quite pull it off to my satisfaction (she actually ACTED the part better than anyone I've ever seen in the part), I can't help but agree.

He knows it probably will never never happen. But what a delicious concept it is!
"We Want Pat-Tee! We Want Pat-Tee!"

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Updated On: 2/21/04 at 03:39 PM

Patti should have ORIGINATED the role of Rose in this production. However, Arthur Laurents has bitter hatred for Ms LuPone and vowed that she will never play the role while he's still alive.

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show will probably close with bernadette unless they get a MAJOR MAJOR name bigger then bernadette....... like bette midler or such....

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i would see either of them. i saw the show with maureen moore and i thought she was amazing.

So, of course Patti could do it. She has the whole brassy vulgar Merman-esque thing going on and could handle the score easily, but I always feel like hers would be an entire performance I can imagine in my head without seeing it. I mention Neuwirth because she certainly can act it and sing it, and might bring some unexpected things to the table. (The one I really would have liked to have seen tackle the role would have been Carol Burnett 20 years ago.)

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dolly why does arthur larents hate patti lupone???

Varla Jean Merman was born to play Mama Rose.

No leading musical stage performer has such a direct connection to the role.

Broadway Bulldog

Updated On: 2/22/04 at 08:43 PM

Come to think of it, Loretta Swit might make a fine Mama Rose. Don't you agree?

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