What Do You Think of Gypsy?

I saw Gypsy like a month ago and I absolutely loved it! I was so upset that it didn't receive any awards at the Tony's, especially with Bernadette's unforgettable performance! Did you think it was because of Bernadette's illness that the critics didn't give her the best reviews? If you saw Gypsy, what did you think of it? Personally, I thought she was outstanding! I thought her performance was so unique, people are like "Well she's no Ethel Merman!" But it's not fair, because she's not Ethel, she's Bernadette! Anyways, she was great in my opinion and I was upset that she didn't get Best Acress! If you saw the show, what did you think?

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Updated On: 6/29/03 at 08:19 PM

I understand what they mean, but I disagree. I think it's ok for an actor/actress to put a little bit of their personality into the character, as long as it fits the character. She made Rose more sexier, and that's why she is so unique from all other Roses. But yeah, David Burtka was awesome, but I loved Tammy as Gypsy, she was great!

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Updated On: 6/29/03 at 08:24 PM

Yeah me too! She was so great in it! I personally thought her performance was more believable than the older Judy! I met her and Bernadette after the show, but Tammy was such a nice person!

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I agree. She nailed even more than the older Judy.
I also adore Kate Reinders, John Dossett, and especially ensemble member/ Gypsy-Louise understudy Julie Martell. Julie is fabulous!

I keep rambling. Sorry. I always post my messages and then read them, ha. In answer to the first post, I think that Peters' illness did affect her chances.

The whole cast was great in Gypsy......Your right little Heather Tepe was wonderful. We were talking to her by the stage door. She is very sweet and a real natural....

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Folks, Let me say upfront that I haven't seen Bernadette's Gypsy except her abreviated "Rose's Turn" on the Tony's. I generallyadore her, after all she lives in my near neighborhood, but I stil think she's miscast. No one is addressing the fact of the character Rose. Rose is hard and cynical and determined from the moment of her entrance. Her thick veneer which has protected her through many years of vaudeville is cracked at the climax of "Rose's Turn." The problem with casting Bernadette is that her stage persona has always been one of being vulnerable. From "Dames At Sea" onward, even "Into the Woods." This is also why she was miscast as Annie Oakley, and failed to make the role her own, as Reba did when she succeeeded Bernadette. That being said, there are those of you who have seen this "Gypsy" and think she is terrific, and you're entitled to your opinion. It's casting against type. Some of agree it works and some of us differ on that point. To those of you who must see it, see it and enjoy it. It's one of the best conceived musicals in the cannon, which is why its hard to fail at "Gypsy" even in amatuer productions. So see "Gypsy" if and love it Some of us would rather spend our theatre dollars on another show. That's what makes Broadway a broad way.

Yours for a better Broadway! The Bulldog.

Ok, personally I STONGLY disagree with your opinions Bulldog. Especially when you were criticizing her past performances, esp when she did Annie Oakley. Who got Best Actress that year? Damn, you got issues buddy! Finally, her portrayal as Rose is absolutely incredible no matter what you say! You say you love her, but you're like totally making fun of every show she's ever done! You either like her or you don't. I'm sorry I'm being strong about this, but I feel that you're totally crossing the line here!

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Updated On: 6/30/03 at 12:06 AM

LOL don't feel bad, everyone (for the most part) disagrees with Bulldog's opinions. But he does have a right to them, and they should be respected (and disagreed with in a discussable manner). If he was posting that on her fan site he would be crossing a line, but not really here. Sorry.

I love the show (see icon pic), but hasn't this discussion been run into the ground already? It might be beneficial for new users to check old topics before bringing them up again. Chalk it up to me being in a bad mood (I hate summer when it's sticky out), but this board hasn't been operating very long and we're already repeating conversations.

Since I'm here, Bernadette is amazing in the role (she should have won the Tony). And may I ask how the "Best Rose" poll went? I know a bunch of us sent PM's to vote. What was the turn out...seemed Bette was in a high position from the posts?

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Updated On: 6/30/03 at 12:26 AM

Bulldog, did you see GYPSY? If so, was it recently? When I saw it, Bernadette was hard and determined from start to finish, even after Rose's Turn. She not cynical though. (I didn't find Tyne Daly cynical either.) This is not your "standard Bernadette Peters performance" by any means. Reading about Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in the papers today, someone noted that Tracy bent his various roles to himself. Many big stars do that. Bernadette has in the past, but this time I think she is really playing her very different concept of Rose not a variation on herself.

Amen Magruder!

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