So, what's next for Patti's GYPSY?

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:19pm

By all reports, Patti had the artistic triumph of her recent career at Ravinia.
As of today, Arthur Laurents is still alive and breathing.

What's the next step?


Yet another rave

Updated On: 8/13/06 at 01:19 PM

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:27pm

On Fridays night performance of Gypsy I sat next to a man who claimed to be Patti's agent, which after speaking to him I believed. He was blown away by her perfomance. We spoke a bit,,I m sure he didnt need my advice, but I suggested he get in touch with the people from the Donmar Warehouse in London,, they did the recent critically acclaimed procuction of GUYS AND DOLLS which is still running in London. It sounded like a good fit to me!

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:47pm

MasterLcZ --- My God, from your post it sounds like you're actually advocating the "removal" of Mr. Laurents.

What exactly do you mean by "the next step?"

Updated On: 8/13/06 at 01:47 PM

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:50pm

Find out where he lives, I guess.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:52pm

From all reports - just find a rock and look under it.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:01pm

No, no, best2bars! I'm a humanitarian and would never advocate the "removal" of Mr. Laurents in that way.

I was thinking more like... sending over five hot blonde studs to surprise him and before he knew what was happening, give him such unimagined bodily pleasure that he melts in a pool of post-coital delight and thus suffiently lubricated and dazed, signs a release form that would enable Patti to perform GYPSY in New York. It's importrant that one of the studs be a lawyer to notarize the said document.

"Oh ...Daddy...do that...again...please..."

"Arthur...I will..... but first...sign here..."

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:09pm

Well, Mr. Laurents does still have the final say in any major revival of the show, which would include a production in London.

What is more interesting to speculate is whether he will actually go see LuPone in GYPSY this weekend after the reviews. That is probably the only way he would be swayed, though I think his vendetta against her has never had anything to do with her talent.

The Donmar is awfully small for a revival of GYPSY. They would have to do it in a major West End house. They are definitely over do for a revival of the show in London, but is LuPone enough of a name to sell seats? GYPSY has never been hugely popular with mainstream audiences.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:18pm

Good points, MB, and thanks for clarifying, MasterLcZ!

...Although I should add that you painted a vivid scenario in my mind that I'd rather have been left "untapped."

I can just picture Laurents lurking off to the sides... showing up in hooded brown robes, like a Jawa hiding in the bushes.

(I've been working on Star Wars too long.)

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:34pm

Michael Bennet, I think Lupone is a big enough name to sell seats. Lots of people know her from Sunset Boulevard.

I think a major revival of Gypsy would probably sell seats anyway. Why are people discussing having Patti come to London? Is this just speculation or is it on the cards? I personally would love to see her, but I think there's a number of British actresses who could do an awesome job on a revival as well.

Hmmmm...

By the way, does anyone know what the Donmar is planning for their next musical?

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:44pm

London was merely a suggestion since a broadway revival was so recently done, and after seeing Patti at ravinia it would be a shame if she didnt do a major production of it somewhere. Yes the Donmar Warehouse is a small venue, I was simply suggesting that they would be a good choice to produce a revival. They were behind GUYs and Dolls which is presently running at the Picadilly Theater, which also starred an american, Jane Krakowski.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:57pm

I just can't imagine why Mr. Laurents would want to continue holding such a bitter and petty grudge against LuPone. I wish he would consider anti-depressents so he could take the edge off of his emotional baggage.

[pattifan2]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 3:15pm

I really do hope that Patti's will be the Rose to prompt the West End revival that's been long overdue. I loved the Mendes/Peters production but LuPone is much better known to London audiences.

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 5:57pm

Ummm...I'm not sure that Patti is better known that Bernadette. I'm pretty sure that in general Peters has a bigger crowd pull.

I would love to see Lupone though, she is a genius! Love her in the Sweeney concert - "Stripes, perhaps!"

Yeh, I don't think the Donmar is really the right production company for it. G&D was decidedly unspectacular. I enjoyed it (hated Ewan McGregor - a shame as I love his film work) and loved Jane and Jenna, but thought that it might have benefitted from being a bit spruced up when it hit the West End. Considering they cranked up the ticket prices by about 2-fold!

[bjivie2]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 9:42pm

Sorry, someone remind me what the grudge is?

[alterego]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 10:00pm

I would love to see her do it in Australia! I'm sure he couldn't care less about a production here (as long as he gets his royalty cheques!).

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 10:22pm

Anyone willing to fill us in about the 'grudge'?

::stares at b12b and MB::

Updated On: 8/13/06 at 10:22 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 10:34pm

The grudge he has is very well known. Not just people like MB, Margo, and Bestbars know it. He was recently asked if he was looking foward to this production with Patti and he said "NO! She begged me to play it in 1989 but I cast Tyne Daly." So I wonder if he will EVEN see this production.

You can find the full details of the grudge in the review thread for this concert.

I wish she could do the show in Philly or something after this, which would be amazing.

I just wish Laurents wasn't such a dickhead.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 10:36pm

ljay, I was only joking about b12b and MB, lol.

Thanks so muc for the info. I'll look into it.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:08am

Does anyone know what are the specific restrictions Laurents has put on GYPSY regarding Patti?

Updated On: 8/14/06 at 08:08 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:33am

Laurents didn't want Patti to do it because she bowed out of a show of his, prior to it reaching Broadway. The show turned out to be a flop. Laurents has complete casting approval, which is why she's never been in it. Frankly, I'm surprised he let it go through to begin with.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:39am

Thanks, YankeeFan, I did know that...but I want to know the SPECIFIC restrictions. Are they limited to just "No New York Performances" or does this Pattiban encompass other things: No broadcast rights via TV , closed circut or radio? If it is "No New York" could Patti perform GYPSY in New Jersey or Williamstown...or does the Laurents decree cover the entire east coast and or Eastern Time Zones?
Are there language restrictions? Could Patti legally perform GYPSY in New York if she sung it in Aramic or Swahili?

Updated On: 8/14/06 at 08:39 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:46am

I believe (don't hold me to it) it's every professionally done production.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:46am

A NJ production is unlikely because Papermill did Gypsy a few years ago with Betty Buckley and Deborah Gibson.