rOcKS @ 'Gypsy' (the first performance after the Tonys...)

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:39am

So I just got back and with all of the complaining going on over at ATC about the show, I have to say that it is probably the sharpest production of last season and features stunning performances from it's three leads, all worthy of the Tonys they recieved on Sunday.

I'm going to keep it relatively short as I am going back to see the show tomorrow afternoon but I will say the following:

On a personal note to prospective GYPSY ticket-buyers, do not sit in the balcony of the St. James...every seat is awful. Seriously.

On to the show.. Patti LuPone is fantastic (her entrance applause lasted a good minute and her applause after Rose's Turn seemed never-ending...) She obviously was a bit caught up in all of the energy the audience was feeding her and at times it did seem a little bit like the playbill should have read:

PATTI LuPONE..................PATTI LuPONE
instead of
ROSE........................PATTI LuPONE

But honestly, she gave a really smart, layered, gorgeously developed performance. I gave her a little leeway in her self-indulgence as she DID just win a Tony for her performance and she IS Patti LuPone...but truly, she played Rose in a way that I've never seen Rose played. I did not like her performance at City Center and thought it was very uninvolved, but this performance is anything but. It's like a totally different person playing the role. All things considered, she was really wonderful. And her Rose's Turn was emotional, powerful, and just brilliant. I will never forget her interpretation of the song.

Laura Benanti was very good. Definitely the best Gypsy I've ever seen although I actually liked her performance BETTER at City Center. She still deserved to win the Tony as this is arguably her best performance yet. She nailed the character development that I've never seen anyone nail during The Strip, though. It was really awe-inspiring.

I thought the best performance of the evening was Boyd Gaines'. He is playing Herbie with such conviction and strength that he makes what has always been a throwaway supporting role something really special. I had said I didn't think he deserved the Tony this year but I was proved wrong by his performance this evening.

Leigh Ann Larkin was very funny and effective although, like Benanti, I preferred her performance at City Center. Tony Yazbeck is the best Tulsa I've ever seen...he was really very good.

Besides that, there isn't much else to say about this production that hasn't already been said. I had many issues with the City Center production and many of it's performances, but this production is so incredibly crisp and fresh and invigorating while still harkening back to theater of yesteryear. It's the best new production to hit Broadway this season and it is a real must-see. Like I said, I'm going again tomorrow afternoon so I'll be sure to report back but I fell in love with GYPSY in a way that I never have before this evening. The audience was so into every single number and scene, the orchestra sounded phenomenal, and Arthur Laurents' incomparable direction was impeccably performed by what is arguably the best ensemble to ever grace this material. I have to agree with most critics in saying that this is probably the best production of GYPSY ever.

**** out of ****

[Just_John]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:58am

I was the first to stand up when Patti first entered and then my friends did it took a while for others to get up but eventually other people started to stand. The applause went on for so long that the kids on stage were giggling and Patti ended up turning around from Baby June and taking a bow which ended her entrance applause.
Laura Benanti got a holler during the two seconds that she makes her first appearance after the strobe light is used. Then in the very next scene when she's holding the alarm clock to wake everyone up she got a very long, loud round of applause. It made her cry, she couldn't stop wiping her tears. I was so happy for her. But about a minute into her applause an announcement went off saying "Ladies and Gentlemen." Which sounded like they wanted people to stop clapping for her, but the actors said that one of the crew members just made a boo-boo.

[DaintyJack]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 1:05am

Sorry- the first to stand for Patti were a line of middle aged homos house left.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 1:05am

I loved that Benanti cried. She's so humble and amazing...it just made me clap and cheer louder.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 1:22am

I was there too (first row)! It was my 5th time seeing this production and the cast was on fire tonight. It amazes me how the three of them give such varied and fresh preformances every time. Oh, does anyone know what was with the interuption during Laura's applause?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 10:25am

I don't know that was weird...if you're talking about the same thing I am?

It sounded like someone's mic was on or something and someone's voice boomed through the theater...it sounded like they said "ladies and gentlemen" but I might be making that up.

[SgtDonut]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 10:38am

I was there too! It was such an amazing show! The applause was crazy! Laura and Patti were so fantastic. Me and my aunt were like, is she crying? That part was happy because she was so happy too! I got my Playbill signed by Tony, Leigh Ann, Boyd, Laura, and Patti!! It's so cool!

[BillyE]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 10:56am

Thanks for the reports!
I wish I could have been there to celebrate as well.
Congrats to the cast, esp. Laura Benanti, the pride of Kinnelon, NJ!

[divarobbie2]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 12:53pm

Laura talks about being moved to tears during yesterday's Gypsy on her website.

LauraBenanti.com Updated On: 6/18/08 at 12:53 PM

[Sauja]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 2:39pm

I was also there, though I confess to being up in the balcony cause I can only afford better seats so often. The audience was amazing, and the performers delivered. I do actually agree that some folks were better when they were doing this at City Center (particularly Leigh Ann Larkin), but others have gotten even better (Ms. Patti, the remarkable Tony Yazbeck, and Allison Fraser). It's just so tight and so passionately performed. If last night's performance was a bit more celebration than show, I'm still ecstatic to have been there.

[caitlinette]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 3:25pm

Uh uh, I'm going to be sitting in the mezzanine...What's bad about those seats?

[SgtDonut]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 3:27pm

Mezz is great. It's a very small, intimate theatre.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 8:14pm

Today's matinee was impeccable.

This is what live theater is about. I was moved to tears four times during the show (during 'All I Need Is The Girl,' 'Little Lamb,' 'Everythings Coming Up Roses,' and 'Roses Turn')...this is an amazing production of an amazing show that truly MUST be seen.

Patti was even better this afternoon, Boyd really delivered, and Laura was absolutely perfect. Leigh Ann was better than last night, and Tony was just brilliant.

As I watched this production of GYPSY this afternoon, I realized how flawless this musical is. It's just a phenomenal production with some of the best performances in a musical in recent memory. BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!!


(PS: The OBCR is on sale at the theater!)

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 8:20pm

wait, when you say OBCR, do you mean the literal 1959 Original Broadway Cast Recording or...the cast recording from this production?

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 8:28pm

They are selling pre-orders for the Lupone revival recording and are giving the 5 song "Tony" sampler out with each pre-order.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/18/08 at 8:52pm

Oh sorry...i saw the CD and just assumed...I meant the revival recording but I guess it's not the entire recording.