Really Stupid Question.... (GYPSY related..)

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 4:56pm

In YOU GOTTA GET A GIMMICK, does Mazeppa play the trumpet? Or is it the trumpet player from the orchestra playing it, while she fakes it. In any production/movie did the Mazeppa play it?

I feel stupid asking this, but I am curious.

Thanks.
Updated On: 3/26/06 at 04:56 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 5:17pm

The actress playing Mazeppa usually does her own playing in the productions I've seen. After all, she's supposed to be a pretty mediocre trumpeter and the more wrong notes she hits the funnier it is.

[rosekwbp]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 5:31pm

In the Bernadette Peters revival I know that Mazeppa played her own trumpet.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 6:13pm

In every production I have seen, Mazeppa plays her own trumpet. And the more clams, the better.

The reason this bit exists in the show is that the original Mazeppa, Faith Dane, had been a real stripper and played the trumpet during her act. She truly did "bump it with a trumpet" and Sondheim/Styne used it for the song.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 6:14pm

Awesome. Thanks for the answers.

I think it's better she plays it, like Margo said, she's suppose to be a mediocre trumpeter.


And wow, thanks for that bit on Faith Dane, Phil. That's very interesting. Updated On: 3/26/06 at 06:14 PM

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 6:15pm

Did Bernadette play it in Hey Mr. Producer when she was Mazeppa in the number?

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 6:41pm

I believe she did.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 6:42pm

awesome. Personally, I love "You Gotta Get A Gimmick" and the last revival really did a fabulous job. The Strippers were one of the many highlights of the show!

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 8:12pm

yea bernadette played it but she played it as a bugle i believe.... only changing the notes with her air not by using the keys, if i remember.

[moljul]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 9:18pm

You are correct. She didn't touch any of the instrument keys. Of course she had other things to worry about like hiking up her black floor length gown so she could play through her legs.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 2:08pm

Needless to say, hitting one or two of the notes is all that's needed.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 2:12pm

No she wasn't like Patti playing the Tuba in Sweeney ( you know only playing three notes, she actually hits alot of notes.