Review- Final Performance of Gypsy- Page 3

[cglaid]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 10:21pm

Leigh Ann was the third to last to come out. I think Nancy Renee Braun was second to last and then Boyd. They were out around 7:20 or so... maybe a tad later. The crowd had certainly died down by then.

What an amazing show. It was my seventh time seeing it and it was just fantastic. What a happy and excited crowd! The SRO section was insane. People kept trying to squeeze in and it was definitely tight. One of the ushers found me at the stage door and handed me an apple, saying he didn't know what to do with it, but thanked me for being so patient with him.

John McEnroe was in the audience as well.

[jv92]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 10:22pm

"Who knows , maybe she was "bitchy" because she caught someone trying to second act a show,,which basically is illegal.."

Hey, Charles Nelson Reilly second acted!

And for the record, I myself am a bitchy queen. I love them all.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 10:29pm

"Does anyone suspect that the filmer was filming for a tv version of the performance?? Or would they need more cameras for that??"

"it would be pretty boring with a one camera set up."

Not only would they need more cameras, but it would be very strange indeed if the one camera was in a box.

Thanks for the timing on the "Rose's Turn" ovation, viola13. Honestly, I almost feel for LuPone having to try to keep acting through an ovation that went on that long. OTOH, I'm sure if she wanted it to stop earlier, she could get that to happen. So I guess she doesn't mind.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 10:36pm

The ovation after "Rose's Turn" was timed backstage at 5 mins 17 secs.

Boyd Gaines had family and friends visiting backstage and they probably went directly to Angus' through the special door in his dressing room. (He endured the smell of beef throughout his run in this show, and burned scented candles to cover it, so he's certainly entitled to use that door to keep his elderly mother away from the huge crowd that was waiting outside the theater!)

It was certainly an afternoon to remember!

[Parks]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 10:43pm

Patti looked pretty unamused when the person in the audience screamed "Patti for president!". It seemed like they were almost mocking her.

Which balcony usher are we talking about? House left or right? The usher on house left wasn't too mean. When I was recording the curtain call, she tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Turn it off." but that was fine, I thought. Technically, I shouldn't have been recording it. Hopefully we aren't talking about her. I thought she was actually kind of funny at intermission. There was a long line for the men's room upstairs and she was trying to tell everyone that there is a bigger bathroom under the lobby. A man who was standing in line said, "I tried to go down--the lobby is PACKED!" and she said that it was UNDER the lobby, and he kept insisting that the lobby was too packed to even move through, to which she finally responded, "OK! So we had one bad experience." I laughed, but I doubt the guy who she was mocking found it to be very funny...

The performances today were wonderful--I noticed a real difference at the end of Everything's Coming Up Roses--VERY powerful. During the final part of The Strip, the audience cheered a lot at one point, and it looked like (from the balcony...) she was about to cry--and she was very grateful for the applause. Rose's Turn, which is always powerful, didn't seem much different/better than the other times I've seen the show. There were some differences in the beginning, but Patti always gives a great performance of that song--it's hard to make that scene any more intense, it seems.

Who loved the 3 ovations right after Herbie walked out that died within a few seconds? The first one (RIGHT after Boyd walks out the door--before he even has his final line and leaves the stage) had many people in the balcony laughing. It seemed so inappropriate--it was humorous.

My friend who I was with thought that the girl behind us was recording the first act... we'll see if that pops up anywhere.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 10:48pm

Parks, I thought I saw you there! I was talking with Brad and Angelina during intermission when you walked passed us.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 10:59pm

This production was a treasure. I am so glad to have seen it. Some of the best acting I've ever seen on the stage.

[BNN]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 11:04pm

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire performance, it was easily the best performance overall I've seen in my life. However, the yelling after Rose's Turn was somewhat annoying it seemed like people just wanted Patti's attention so they could tell all of their friends how great they are, and you could some irritation in her face. I noticed the camera in the box as well, and from what I heard from the random man next to me, PBS WAS actually filming, and they had been for the past 3 performances, so who knows.

I was Row M in the Orchestra and did see Scott Wittman who was chatting it up with Jon McEnroe (the tennis player?). I saw Sondheim earlier that day and told the usual "Thanks for existing" speech that he deserves, Arthur Laurents and Patti's husband were a bit in front of me on the aisle and I noticed Mo Rocca and Elizabeth Astley (I think thats her name, from Doyle's Company and Xanadu tour.) Certainly a performance to remember for the rest of my life despite being harassed for a camera I did not have by an usher who SWORE I had one. Whatever, the cast was great and I loved every second of it.

Finally, I'm so glad Lenora's leap during Broadway got recognition, it often goes unnoticed and it's HILARIOUS.

Yay theatre!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 11:13pm

BNN, I remember seeing Lenora do her little leap at least once before, but really anything she does cracks me up. she was also so sweet to my friend and me when we met her at the stage door in October; she took pictures and even invited Katie Micha and one of the little boys to be in the pic with me.

speaking of the babies, it was so sad to see them all crying during curtain call today, and watch Mama Patti hugging and kissing them all.

Updated On: 1/11/09 at 11:13 PM

[Glory]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 11:14pm

I was in the first row of the right box today. This performance was AMAZING. I am so glad I camped out for this ticket, I wouldn't do it for any other show. Gypsy holds a special space in my heart and the cast was on FIRE TONIGHT!! Patti's standing ovations were long lasting and the curtain call brought most of the cast members to tears. Patti's son brought her flowers which was adorable, and it was good to see Stephen and Arthur there too! Highlight of the night was Patti's last Rose's Turn which was the best I have ever seen it. And the 10 minute ovation that followed.

Oh and people started taking pictures and I have never seen so many ushers run from the shadows of the theatre with flashlights hahaha! They didn't stop anyone during curtain call so I took a few shots.

Definitely the most amazing night of theatre that I have experienced yet.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 11:16pm

The show was fantastic; ROSE'S TURN was amazing. Patti was better than ever and the whole experience was just brilliant. It's sad to see such a great revival of such an incredible show go too soon.

What was that camera in the box for?

[Tweed2]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 11:19pm

The cameraman this afternoon was filming a special on Arthur Laurents and was only getting footage of the curtain call for that piece. More interesting is the rumor today at the theater that the the man taking photos last night that so angered Patti she stopped the show until he was escorted out turned out to be a photographer who has been following her with her permission the last week or so because he is doing a big magazine spread on her. She didn't realize it until after he was thrown out! Egg on her face...!!!???

[BNN]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 11:23pm

The cameraman was filming audience reaction as well as bits of the performance though. They should just record every show and make everyone's lives so much easier, I'll volunteer to pay for it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 11:24pm

More interesting is the rumor today at the theater that the the man taking photos last night that so angered Patti she stopped the show until he was escorted out turned out to be a photographer who has been following her with her permission the last week or so because he is doing a big magazine spread on her. She didn't realize it until after he was thrown out! Egg on her face...!!!???

- Did you really make ANOTHER name to post this under? Effin trolls.

[singingbackup]

Posted: 1/11/09 at 11:24pm

Sorry to see it close, but i sure won't miss nearly every review of a performance, where the reviewer invariably mentions the ovation "Rose's Turn" usually gets and makes a comment such as "Patti was blowing kisses to the audience and embracing the applause and love from the audience." That's her CHARACTER doing that..."Rose's Turn" is done all in her head. Are you even paying attention?

(Sorry, but that's been bugging me since bww reviews from the first preview)



Updated On: 1/11/09 at 11:24 PM

[Rudy2]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 12:14am

Cat 2 - I completely agree about the lady usher in the balcony, blonde with glasses. I'd never been to the balcony before and I tried to use the stairs on the one side and she very rudely told me that downstairs access is only available on the other side. I can't even put into words how she said because I cannot make myself that rude. Who does these people think they are? Any of these ushers who they think they are doing God's work, they need a good foot up their asses.

That said, it was THE most incredible, spectacular night. I could not be more happy I went. It was everything I hoped for. It was more than just a performance of the show - it was a downright celebration of the cast, the show, the fans and in particular the lady of the evening.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 12:17am

The roses that were thrown were supplied by the people (me and the rest in the front row center) who camped out for the student rush tickets. We bought like 6 dozen, separated them, de-thorned the ones that needed it then gave them out to whoever wanted them during intermission to be thrown at curtain call. It was beautiful, and Patti got teary. And I loved watching them all pick up our flowers to keep. Laura sent out pizza to all the campers who were already there before the end of the saturday evening show....and Patti came out to ask if we were crazy and seemed truly touched when told that "she was worth it."
Everyone on stage was either giggly or teary-eyed when they first appeared - both Sami Gayle and Katie Micha were practically sobbing while Patti was standing in front of them waiting for the applause to die down. And when the audience applauded Laura she had to wipe her face several times before even turning off the bell..
I had the privlege to sit front row center, and the show was fantastic and the cast were definitely having extra fun with their roles. The only thing that was a little annoying was when Patti was trying to get everyone to calm down after Rose's Turn so that the show could continue and Laura could start clapping. People started yelling out like it was the end of the show, and it was beyond obvious that she was thoroughly unamused...someone yelled "President Patti" - not President Rose - and Patti had the most irritated look on her face.
And, yes, the standing O after Rose's Turn was EXTREMELY LONG - felt like at least 5. My arms were in pain once we finally sat down. I loved it when Patti kneeled on the floor or did something of the sort ~ I can't remember exactly.
Defyingravity11, who are you again - I was the one with 'the list'=) And hello to any of the other "campers" I shared many, many hours on the side of 44th street with!

*i tried to post pics I took of the curtain call, but they aren't showing. i'll try again later. Updated On: 1/12/09 at 12:17 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 12:23am

What an amazing journey it's been from Arthur Laurents vowing that Patti would never play the part in New York, to her triumphant performances at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, to the death of Arthur's longtime partner, Tom, and his deathbed request that Arthur forgive Patti and direct her in the show in New York, to the summer performances at City Center Encores, to the opening on Broadway and now its inevitable closing.

Those of us who were lucky enough to have seen it may never again see its like. Those of us who were lucky enough to see it multiple times will never forget the flashes of fire and brilliance, not only from Patti but also from Laura and Boyd and Tony and Leigh Ann and Lenora and the strippers and the rest of the cast.

"I had a dream..."

[Rudy2]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 12:29am

^ That rose stuff was very sweet of you all. Wonderful idea. She deserved them. That's so sweet that Laura bought pizza for you guys. You are all very dedicated - I could never wait that long, especially in the cold. Good for you. That was so nice of Patti to acknowledge you - actually, for all that wait, it was the least she could do. :)

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 12:37am

15 hours!!! It was brutal! But there isn't one of us who'd say it wasn't worth it! =)

[HBBrock]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 12:45am

Today was my first time seeing Patti and/or Gypsy.....what an experience....she is INCREDIBLE.

[pattilupuppy]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 12:51am

Paljoey your post touched my heart....

this was such an incredible day... i can barely speak

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 1:21am

I was the one who wore the sleeping bag :)

[Gene Kelly Jr.]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 2:10am

It was the most amazing day of my life. Standing in the cold for 7 hours was completely worth it. The performances were explosive and it was almost perfect. I was so mortified when the guy sitting next to me yelled "Lets do the show again at my place!" and then his partner yelled "Patti for President!" I was so embarrassed by these two guys. They were also screaming "Give us more! We want more!" She gave our section the nastiest look I could imagine. Besides the two clowns next to me, the day was flawless. I am still at a loss for words. It was AMAZING!!!

[hopkinssets]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 2:57am

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. I'M GLAD IT'S GONE