Patti - diva?- Page 3

[moljul]

Posted: 5/23/07 at 11:53am

Boy From Ohio,

You don't have to worry about Bernadette. She has the reputation of always being very kind, sweet and accommodating. The exact opposite of the negative Diva impression. The only way I could see her cancelling out of something would be if she was extremely ill. She is a consumate professional and always follows through on her obligations.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/23/07 at 12:23pm

"Due to a lack of information and communication with Ms. LuPone regarding this event, she was unaware of what was to occur post-performance for premium ticket holders, thus causing a severe scheduling conflict."


See, Deena, I told you.

[Glitter]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 1:56pm

Everyone is using the word "diva" incorrectly....I think you all mean "Prima Donna".

Diva only refers to talent/dedication/discipline, not off-stage behaviour.

[Musical Director]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:25pm

I really don't understand all of this diva business. I have been working as a conductor in musical theatre for 35 years. I have been lucky enough in my career spending two years working with Angela Lansbury in SWEENEY TODD. There was never any diva behavior from her in any way. Always nice and considerate of all who worked with her. Anyone of those people would have done anything for her, because of the way she treated people. A real lady! She would greet fans in her dressing room after a performance if they had written to her in advance. I also spent 10 months with Patti in ANYTHING GOES. It was probably to most unhappy company I have ever been a part of. Patti and I got along famously, but that was not the case with most people. She was not a company member, and treated people like minions. Lots of screaming and drama. I think that behavior is uncalled for. When Patti left the company to go and do LOFE GOES ON, the producers brought Leslie Uggams in and the whole climate changed. All of a sudden people were getting along and were happy. She is fabulous! She knew everybody's name at her put in rehearsal. A real person!!! C hristine Ebersole is also a sweetheart, as is Ann Miller, Donna McKechnie, Judy Kaye, Jean Simmons, Millicent Martin, Rebecca Luker, and most of the people I have worked with. Just be a human being and treat people the way you would like to be treated. It's called respect.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 2:54pm

The term DIVA has gotten a bad rap. As far as I'm concerned, a DIVA is someone who could fall in a puddle of mud, and still go out on stage and give a brilliant performance. One of our leads in Tannhauser was the very definition of a DIVA. She was singing her guts out and the costume was falling apart during the number. She just kept singing and tossing aside pieces that were coming off. She finished the number, walked calmly off the stage and said, "I don't think this costume is going to work." She could have had a HUGE hissy fit, but she didn't. She was utterly gracious and kind.

It's only since VH1 did those Diva concerts that people have been equating DIVA with BITCH.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 4:48pm

Damn, now I'm in a bad mood.

Can someone please tell us a good Patti LuPone story?

And I think Diva should be kept as an opera term, it's where it belongs. Maria Callas was a diva. I really don't think that J. Lo can be put in the same category as her.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 4:58pm

You heard who the first person that Patti told she was cast as Gloria Swanson in 'a new musical called 'Sunset Blvd.'" was?



And the situation surrounding the "announcment"?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 5:02pm

A good Patti story? She signed my Noises Off and Evita Playbills after Sweeney Todd....made my day.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 5:15pm

ahmelie, every time I saw Sweeney, Patti could not have been more gracious and accomodating to everone there.

[loveplays]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 5:18pm

I met Patti once after sweeny and she was very nice we chatted for close to ten minutes. I think she is a wonderful person everyone has their bad days. Give her a break....we love you Patti

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 5:25pm

I never met Patti personally, but my dad told me that when he met her after Sweeney she seemed to be in a hurry, but signed everything she was asked to... I have always heard/thought of her as a reasonable person... so... yeah...

[Musical Director]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 6:25pm

She is great to her fans....and she should be. Why can't she be nice to her colleagues?

[The Boy From Ohio]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 6:32pm

Thanks, Moljol. I'm confused about what stevie-Y2 is talking about. I didn't compare him/her to Bernadette. I was simply asking if any other B-way Diva's(i.e. Bernadette) had a problem with this..not showing for a meet and greet. Sorry if I caused confusion. BTW never met Patti so no comment, but hopefully I can comment about Bernadette very soon.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 7:34pm

"Why can't she be nice to her colleagues? "

The worst thing that happened on Mahagonny at the LA Oprea was an announcement from the stage manager after the places call, saying, “Patti is in her place, where is everyone else.”

She was nothing but gracious

[moljul]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:05pm

Boy from OH, I look forward to your review of Bernadette's concert and your meeting with her.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:10pm

You heard who the first person that Patti told she was cast as Gloria Swanson in 'a new musical called 'Sunset Blvd.'" was?

And the situation surrounding the "announcment"?

Oh yes, but tell it again!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:14pm

Does she actually respond to the email's or is it her assistant?

[neelyohara]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:17pm

"You heard who the first person that Patti told she was cast as Gloria Swanson in 'a new musical called 'Sunset Blvd.'" was?

And the situation surrounding the "announcment"?"

I don't think I've heard this one, oddly enough. Do tell!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:18pm

It was in the bathroom of the Queen Mary Show Bar in Studio City. I was in full, high drag, and Patti had been enjoying her cocktails. She bluts out that she'll be playing the role of Norma Desmond in a new musical version of Sunset Blvd.

Years later, we talked about it, and she told me, "That was actually my first time telling any one!"

When I worked with her on Mahagonny, she drug me around to everyone saying, "This was the drag queen I told you about!" and right after we took <<<<<<<<<< that picture, she told me, "I'll NEVER forget you!".

Good times.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:20pm

I'm jealous!

I love that even when she's piss drunk she's still got the memeory of an elephant.

[neelyohara]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:22pm

That is brilliant. (And such a cute photo of you and Patti, too!)

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:26pm

That is too funny.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:40pm

At the time, all I could think of was, "Man, she's hammered. A MUSICAL version of Sunset Blvd?!"

[ahmelie]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:50pm

Haha! That's so hysterical!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/24/07 at 8:55pm

My favorite was backstage at Mahagonny, when she was running me around. She throws me in front of some guy (it's dark backstage) and yelled, "Warren this is the drag queen I told you about" and then she ran off. I shook the guys hand and started chatting with him, and then I realized I was talking to Warren Beatty.