So Who was the Photographer Ejected by Patti from "Gypsy"?

[LansburyLuPone]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 10:57am

Has anybody managed to unearth whodunit? Who was the photographer that Patti LuPone so gloriously threw out of "Gypsy"?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 10:59am

No idea...but I thought I remembered a poster that was there specifically stating that NO ONE actually left the theater...they just told Patti that they had.

I could be mistaken.

[LansburyLuPone]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 11:03am

Something tells me that the idiot really did get thrown out. I love it the way Patti took a stand on this!

[yeah]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 11:14am

I don't know, I'm torn on this outburst.

Yes, it's exciting and fun to witness; however, let the people who paid $100 a seat to deal with it. She's getting paid THOUSANDS a week to do what she loves. I mean, yes, it's rude. Yes, this person ignored the announcement; however, I know plenty of actors, myself included, who have been photographed while on stage and it's not all that distracting.

As obnoxious as it is, her behavior wasn't very professional.

Just my two cents.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 11:38am

Yeah, you might not find a photo flash to be distracting, but I do. Everyone's eyes are different, please remember that. I had retinal surgery about a year ago and since then a strobe presents serious problems for me. My entire field of vision becomes distorted drastically and the strobe sequence in GYPSY was absolutely painful for me to look at.

Now I'm not saying that Patti LuPone has had the kind of surgery I had, but I am pointing out that no two sets of eyes are identical. It's very possible that the photo flash presented real visual problems for her.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 12:41pm

First, I've only read one person on any theatre chat board or listserv who saw a flash. Otherwise, six or seven people who were there have said there was no flash.

Second, I've heard it was a reporter from either New York or The New Yorker, and that Patti knew he was there and had given permission for photos to be taken during the performance. Then, it would seem, she forgot.

Whether that second is true, who knows? But at this point, I'd be pretty sure there was no flash.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 12:44pm

I do not buy the reporter story.

[piperlacyboo]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 12:47pm

my friend who lives for this stuff said that there was no flash, but that apparently there was an amber light that the camera used to focus that kept going off.

i still think the funniest part was that the whole thing was bootlegged. how dare you, bootlegger! :p

[gnosis404]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 12:50pm

I don't buy the reporter story either. First of all, if there was any press, the entire cast would've been warned the day of the show. I would assume that knowing Patti Lupone's reputation, they would've reminded her that someone was supposed to be in the audience taking those pictures.

And a person does not have to be taking flash photos for it to be distracting to the actors on stage. There is nothing more annoying than trying to perform and catching in your peripherals someone in the front row with their camera out taking pictures of the show. Even without a flash, there is that little orange light that comes on just before the picture is taken and it is distracting, and inconsiderate to the people on stage.

Trust me, the people who were watching Gypsy that evening got more than their 100 dollars worth for that performance.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 12:52pm

"I do not buy the reporter story."

If the reporter story is true, what's odd is that it hasn't been written about yet in any media accounts.

I've heard that the story will be published in a few weeks. Perhaps the reporter and the magazine have been staying quiet till that time.

If no story is published and we hear no more, then we can assume the story isn't true.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 2:02pm

And I would figure that's why you see signs in the lobbies that say strobe lighting will be used during the performance for someone like Dollypop. A lot of people are light sensitive.

I would figure that the person was distracting those around him or at least next to him. The outburst was a bit intense. I have read posts about this and some think she shouldn't have broken the 4th wall. Well actually, that audience member kind of broke it for her. I am really kind of on her side with this. She and her castmates are up there doing their job. We in the audience may not see the flash but they can see us and what we are doing. Something like flash photograghy, I am sure, would be something to break their concentration. She sounds like she had just had enough. I would assume she has had to endure this for the whole run and just broke. She probably figured, it is the end of the run so I am going to address this. And it's Patti. She's a diva and can get away with it! Just my random thoughts.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 2:18pm

just wanted to share... but when the miss saigon tour was here in san diego a while back... someone decided to take several flash pictures during the finale when chris was holding kim... it was REALLY REALLY annoying! i don't know how the actors felt but the audience was certainly annoyed... so i wouldn't blame Patti Lupone for doing what she did...

[HollyImposter]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 2:38pm

They don't have the photography rule because of the distraction crap. A lot of distractions can occur when you're an actor, and a part of the learning process is finding ways to fight through the distractions. There are no excuses in the performing world.

They have it because they don't want people showing pictures of the production without reaping the benefits themselves. That's why it's bootlegging.

If flashes were so damaging, they wouldn't be on cameras and if you're a performer, you better get new eyes or a new job.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 2:46pm

The reporter worked for New York Magazine and was given permission to take pictures. The cast was told there would be a photographer in the orchestra. Patti was under the impression that the photographer had left at intermission, and when she saw the focus light on the camera go off a few times she got pissed and threw a fit. The photographer was ejected, and paid some money since they were not able to get all the pictures they were given permission to get for their article, as well as compensation for Patti's behavior if they promise not to bad mouth her. New York Magazine even ran a story about this, but failed to mention it was their photographer, and made it sound like it was just some rude audience member. Patti is now being fined by Actors Equity for her outburst, which went against some stipulation in her contract, and will have a hard time finding work again after the producer, and others, basically cut ties with her for her odd, rude, diva-like behavior during the entire run.

[yeah]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 2:47pm

I agree 100% HollyImposter.

If an audience member becomes ill in the middle of a performance, would it be acceptable for Patti (or another actor) to start screaming like a lunatic for being distracted?

Yes, taking pictures and getting sick are totally different, but, as an actor, you're supposed to focus and work through it. That's what I've learned from all of my teachers. The audience isn't there, you're to pay no attention to them.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 2:52pm

Patti won't EVER have a problem finding work.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 2:58pm

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/01/patti_lupone_gives_em_hell_on.html

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:25pm

Patti said in a recent interview that she believes this will be her last big role for a while.

[christeap]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:35pm

FlyingMonkey - where did you get your information?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:38pm

his ass.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:45pm

If Patti said that, I am sure lots of people on this site would know.

[jv92]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:52pm

FlyingMonkey...

And monkeys can fly too! Seriously, that was one of the biggest pieces of bull**** I've read in a while.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:56pm

What was posted above is correct. The photographer was a professional and Patti was mistaken as to them being where they were at that time. I'm not sure about fines by Equity, however the rest of it is true.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:58pm

You know, I don't blame Patti. When I saw Legally Blonde on April 26th someone was taking pictures throughout the whole show and I was livid, I got even more annoyed when the flashes continued through the second act and the performers/ushers didn't do anything!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 4:05pm

The story is a obvious lie and the people repeating it are trolls

Jordan--you ought to be ashamed of yourself

FlyingMonkey--as Mrs Anna sings, Shall I tell you what i think of you?