Well, I saw GYPSY

They did a profile of her and the show on CBS Sunday Morning today. I was so not impressed nor enticed to go see the show. As much as I enjoy her (usually), I just wasn't seeing 'Mama Rose' in her performance - I was seeing Audra.

Nevertheless, expect her to pick up a Tony for this. It's inevitable.

[quote]Nevertheless, expect her to pick up a Tony for this. It's inevitable.

Sure, Jan.

Aren't the theatre threads for this?

I agree, it will probably be inevitable.

And while Audra arguably earned her other Tonys, this one will be handed to her based on her history, and the stunning and brave element of a black Madame Rose.

It’s past time for a musicalization of the life of the brilliant Nipsey Russell.

Nicole Scherzinger just may steal that Tony from Audra's cold hands.

OP, we can only dream.

So, is this the new Theatre Gossip Thread?

I’ve seen Angela, Tyne, Patti, and Imelda Staunton. I enjoyed them all, but my favorite may just be Imelda, who knocked me out. Just terrific. We shall see with Audra, but I doubt she’ll win a Tony for this. She has not won every time she’s been nominated. She’s won 6, but lost 4 ( I think).

I think Audra's possibility of winning that 7th Tony will be affected by her missed, or not missed, performance track record.

I'm curious about her costumes and wigs. In most of the photos I've seen Audra seems to be costumed in fairly colorless dresses, even for Rose's Turn. Seems like a strange and unflattering choice (esp. for a woman of color) and a lost opportunity to me. Also, her wigs make her look grandmotherly.

Any thoughts from those who've seen the production?

[quote]It’s past time for a musicalization of the life of the brilliant Nipsey Russell.

I'm available!

I love Audra but to me it just seems so insane that they're blind casting a show about real Caucasians with POC and not like Hamilton where there was a thematic point to the casting. In this case it just seems ludicrous and gimmicky.

Kathy Brier? Isn't she folding clothes at Bloomingdales?

Audra is fantastic in "Gypsy." I loved it and everyone I know in real life has loved it. The only criticism I've seen is here...in what Andy Cohen calls a "vile pit of trollery."

[quote]Nicole Scherzinger just may steal that Tony from Audra's cold hands.

Yeah, she's the one who truly deserves it.

Her performance is great and the show is a smash hit in NYC despite her rightwing politics.

If Audra gets her 7th Tony, it'll be because theater folk are very leftwing and petty.

I don’t see Gypsy for a few weeks, but I did see Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard before the political fray. I ought it was an audacious performance, executed by someone who has a decent voice and looks good in a tiny black dress. It was not a great acting performance if you pay attention to things like dialogue, the story, the characters, or the setting. It was simply an actress playing a caricature to the music of a lame Andrew Lloyd Webber show.

There are plenty of people who lap that up uncritically. But it doesn’t mean that people who actually pay attention are “very leftwing (sic) and petty.”

r1 " I was so not impressed"

Please tell me you speak with vocal fry like Kim Kardashian when you speak.

r9 But have you seen Lavin in Gypsy? I have. Alas, I was around 14 years old and have no recollection of her performance.

Audra will not win the Tony. She may not even be nominated. It’s a very crowded field. And don’t forget about Idina who we haven’t seen yet. The person I went with didn’t like Audra’s performance either for what it’s worth and there is negative word on ATC and BWW so I’m not the only one..

OP = Barbra Streisand

Audra= right wing? So Disappointed.

JD “Viv” Vance says blacks have a lower IQ than whites.

I read that Broadway audiences at musicals today act like pre-teens yelling and screaming throughout the show - ANY show.

r22 Pay attention. It's NICOLE who's a MAGA.

Yes, r24. It’s awful. As for any show, they didn’t during Hills of California so some plays are safe.

[quote] .in what Andy Cohen calls a "vile pit of trollery."

Oh no, that vapid fame whoring wonk eyed cunt thinks we're vile. How will we ever LIVE??!?!?

[Quote] Nicole Scherzinger just may steal that Tony from Audra's cold hands.

I saw the new Sunset Blvd and it was absolutely boring shit. I have NEVER wanted to leave after a first act, but, had I not been with a group of friends, I would have done it here.

Unmitigated, stupid shit.

My neighbor, whose long theater history has made my trust his opinion, saw Audra and raved about it.

He said he’s never seen the acting better and he thought the head voice she added to some of the vocal moments were different but completely worked.

Excited to check it out in March

Yeah, gotta say, the only negative comments I'm hearing about Audra/Gypsy are on DL.

Today on "CBS Sunday Morning " Mo Rocca did a Behind the Scenes at Gypsy with Audra singing several songs. Sounded like she belonged at The Metropolitan Opera.

[quote]I read that Broadway audiences at musicals today act like pre-teens yelling and screaming throughout the show - ANY show.

I recently attended a performance of La Traviata. The omen behind us were whooping making that loud annoying noise as if they were at a rock concert.

If it was Michael Mayer's Disneyfied version of Traviata, it was perhaps a perfectly acceptable response, r32.

[quote] The omen behind us were whooping making that loud annoying noise as if they were at a rock concert.

His name is Legion.

[quote]JD “Viv” Vance says blacks have a lower IQ than whites.

And there are studies that say Asians have higher IQs than whites. But no one is bothered by it.

R13. Or it could just be casting arguably the best musical actress currently working in the American theatre in what most consider the greatest role for a mature actress in the musical canon and assuming audiences will be intelligent enough to realize she’s an actress playing a role and “Gypsy” is not a documentary. It’s not like the real Rose burst into song every ten minutes in real life. Opera audiences don’t seem to have the problem of literalism musical theatre queens on DL seem to have.

SPOILER ALERT: By the way, Edna Turnblad was not, in reality, a middle-aged man in drag.

99% of people who report their theater opinions online report that 99% of everything they see is "AMAZING!"

If a semi-popular actress is the lead that number goes even higher!

Mathematically, GYPSY is amazing!

[quote]In this case it just seems ludicrous and gimmicky.

How DARE you state the obvious!

Expect to hear, "It is advertised as a "Show Business FABLE", so black actors can play real life white people, just not the other way around!

[quote] Nicole Scherzinger just may steal that Tony from Audra's cold hands.

Nicole sings the songs well but it is otherwise just an OK performance. Mostly due to the bizarre reimagining that has drained it of life and color.

For what it’s worth, I loved Bernadette Peters in this role.

Ohmygawd, did you, r40?

I thought she was bizarrely awful. I didn't even like how she delivered "Sing OUT, Louise!" I'm not kidding.

Bernadette, Patti...they all made the role way too complex. Too much psychology.

Unfortunately I never saw Merman in the role (I did see Lansbury), but you can hear from the cast album that Ethel Merman made Momma Rose a terrifying character by being a bull in a china shop. Her Rose has NO self awareness. And that's how it should be. Rose is a very simple, one dimensional character, totally focused on her goal.

Actresses try to humanize the character, as a result "Rose's Turn", the whole ending of the play, lacks the impact it should have.

I have only seen clips of Audra's performance. It's awful. Ersatz operatic. That's NOT Rose.

Audra is of course no Linda Lavin.

R40 I liked her, too. She was a sexy Mama Rose. Can’t believe she lost the Tony to that fat girl.

Bernadette was way too "Method" and was feeling her way around every moment, while telegraphing all her "process" and hard work to the audience. I call this revival "Method Gypsy" and certainly the director was mostly to blame with his thumbprints all over every scene. This results in a very hammy outcome which most people think is really good acting. It ain't. Still, Bernadette aside, the rest of the cast was terrific!

^ Agreed.

R13 this is what I see many people find tiresome. It's a matter of what you feel you are telling. I you want to tell the story of Gypsy Rose Lee then you have to take into account that she was a real person and her mother was too. Changing the ethnicity seems like a stunt and therefore can be a turn off. I also don't really care to see a white retelling of Selena either. nothing to do with race. But sometimes you go to a biopic to see a true recount of every ethnicity's plight at the time

Team Tyne.

Please stop calling her 'Mama Rose.'

I've always hated that.

[quote]R13 it just seems so insane that they're blind casting a show about real Caucasians with POC and not like Hamilton where there was a thematic point to the casting. In this case it just seems ludicrous

Most modern audience members have no idea the show is based on a real family, and have never heard of Gypsy Rose Lee.

So, there’s no conflict.

R50 was producer casting Julia Roberts as Ms Harriet Tubman.

I saw Gypsy his weekend along with Sunset Blvd. No comparison. Sunset is the far better show in these versions. Gypsy is a better show in general, but this production is fair at best. Audra is a great actress and acts the part, even while singing. But I've seen Lupone (the undisputed champ in my mind), Tyne, and the Bette Midler tv version as well as the 1962 movie. (Bette was also great). Audra is simply not a fit for this role. And I love her. The cast is weak and the series of striptease scenes leading up to the finale are completely forgettable. The woman playing Gypsy is a complete miss and a complete miscast. The sets are boring. Bursteinn is servicable. The pacing is sluggish compared to Lupone's triumph in the late 2000s.

As for Sunset, I thoght it was nothing short of brilliant. The staging and creativity off the charts. The performances are across the board great, especially the lead guy. Nicole brought down the house. Ok, she's less of an actress but the production and her execution on the big songs were incredible. I want to see that one again. And she should lead the pack for the Tony. I am as much of a "center left liberal"as anyone but her politics are her politics and that has nothing to do with her perforance. C'mon! I don't have to agree with her to respect her talents.

[quote]Most modern audience members have no idea the show is based on a real family, and have never heard of Gypsy Rose Lee.

That's not true.

Even the Playbill they're holding explains who Gypsy Rose Lee was.

[quote] [R50] was producer casting Julia Roberts as Ms Harriet Tubman.

Harriet Tubman is taught about in schools, and has children’s books written about her. Modern people have experience with her.

Not so for Lee, and her even more obscure, C Level actress sister June Havoc.

[quote]Please stop calling her 'Mama Rose.'

[quote]I've always hated that.

[quote]—Arthur Laurents

You're long dead, so we can easily override your wishes.

And even when you were alive you were incredibly mean, so no one cared much what you hated.

At least people are being fairly open about their values. When approaching one of the great roles of all time a from a psychological angle is a described as a bad thing and Bette Midler’s universally panned histrionic Rose is “great,” it’s easy to see why these viewers are going crazy for Sunset Boulevard.

[quote] I am as much of a "center left liberal"as anyone

Don’t shock us all, r52.

For those describing Gypsy's strip transformation in this new revival into something akin to Josephine Baker, what exactly do you mean? Does she wear a skirt of oversized bananas? What else is Josephine Baker-like that you'd recognize?

[quote] or even Sutton

wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy

Bernadette was amazing in the role, but her performance went over the head of most basic bitches that drool only for ham.

Please stop pretending that ANYONE knows or cares that Rose and Gypsy were real people. In fact, the ONLY thing we know about them are how they are portrayed in the musical.

Having a Black Rose is really about having Audra sing Rose. Amazing how some people still are so fixated on race in America that we look to that as if it's what defined Rose. No one cares about her age, height, hair, and weight--only the fact that it was okay when a white actress played her,

Thrilled by the Lupone Rose, I came home from that extraordinary theatre performance and watched the Midler GYPSY. Wow what a laughable letdown.

Black Rose is a problem but a Filipina, Hawaiian, Ukrainian, Russian Norma Desmond is a-ok!!

[quote] Thrilled by the Lupone Rose, I came home from that extraordinary theatre performance and watched the Midler GYPSY. Wow what a laughable letdown

Look! I make big eyes when I'm angry, happy, surprised, sad, sexy...

[quote]Please stop calling her 'Mama Rose.'

How do you feel about Mother Abbess being called "Mother Superior," Art?

[quote]Having a Black Rose is really about having Audra sing Rose. Amazing how some people still are so fixated on race in America that we look to that as if it's what defined Rose. No one cares about her age, height, hair, and weight--only the fact that it was okay when a white actress played her

Let's try casting a white woman as Billie Holliday or Eartha Kitt or Josephine Baker or Dinah Washington and see what happens...

The color of those ladies' skin was very much a part of their stories and their careers, r65.

R67 It makes no difference.

As R36 wrote: " assuming audiences will be intelligent enough to realize she’s an actress playing a role and “Gypsy” is not a documentary. It’s not like the real Rose burst into song every ten minutes in real life. Opera audiences don’t seem to have the problem of literalism musical theatre queens on DL seem to have."

If you are going to allow a Black Rose Hovick then there should be no problem with a white Josephine Baker. Audiences should be sophisticated enough to accept that.

It's the theatre, it's fantasy. It's all good.

Screw fidelity to history. Right?

[quote]If you are going to allow a Black Rose Hovick then there should be no problem with a white Josephine Baker.

Josephine had to go to Paris to be a star *because* of her skin color, r68. You just keep digging yourself deeper.

[quote]r68 = Screw fidelity to history. Right?

It's amusing that you think the book to GYPSY is actual "history".

No one objected when Rose was played by someone from Astoria, even though Rose Hovick was German. There was no issue with a British Rose. No issue with an Irish Rose. No issue with two Italian Roses.

[quote] Let's try casting a white woman as Billie Holliday or Eartha Kitt or Josephine Baker or Dinah Washington and see what happens...

False equivalence-- We all knew who those people were. They are STILL in the collective consciousness.

No one remembers who Gypsy Rose Lee was, let alone Mama. No one cares. We're going to see a show with Audra in it.

[quote] No one objected when Rose was played by someone from Astoria, even though Rose Hovick was German. There was no issue with a British Rose. No issue with an Irish Rose. No issue with two Italian Roses.

Because white is all that matters to the racists

[quote]Josephine had to go to Paris to be a star *because* of her skin color, [R68].

A sophisticated audience does not see skin color.

We know that a black woman would not have been able to play the Orpheum Circuit and become a major burlesque star in the 1930s but we are asked to suspend belief for this version of "Gypsy". Correct?

[quote]It's amusing that you think the book to GYPSY is actual "history".

No musicals are. Therefore a white Eartha Kitt would be perfectly fine.

I've never seen Merman, but of all the Roses I've seen, Tyne Daly was the best. Acted the hell out of it rather than "performing" it as many have. Rose doesn't need a great voice, and Tyne was better than 'good enough.' She was believable.

[bold]Everyone's[/bold] mileage may vary.

[quote] We know that a black woman would not have been able to play the Orpheum Circuit and become a major burlesque star in the 1930s but we are asked to suspend belief for this version of "Gypsy". Correct?

Actually, I would say about 5% of the audience knows that and less than 1% cares.

[quote]r68 = Let's try casting a white woman as Billie Holliday or Eartha Kitt or Josephine Baker or Dinah Washington and see what happens...

How would a white woman relate to the segregated venues and hotels of the era? By the way...it's Holiday.

[quote] No musicals are. Therefore a white Eartha Kitt would be perfectly fine.

When someone creates a musical about Eartha Kitt, we'll see what audiences feel 65 years after its premiere.

We could have brought anyone into this show: Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul. Audra is what Las Vegas is all about! She's dazzling, she's exciting, and very, very sexy!

[quote]How would a white woman relate to the segregated venues and hotels of the era?

We're supposed to suspend belief and see the actress as a black woman, no matter the race of the actress playing the role. Duh.

R80, I fine with a white Billie Holliday. I say, bring it on!!

I thought you were being willfully obtuse, r80. I see now that the cause is severe retardation.

R82 No, the obtuse one is you. And you sound like a bigot.

Romeo and Juliet is likely based on a true story. Must it only have Italians cast in it?

[quote]And you sound like a bigot.

Such projection, r83.

I do think it's funny that any "Asian" is fine for the King and I, for example. The King need not be played by a Thai male. Anyone with slanty eyes is fine

[quote]Romeo and Juliet is likely based on a true story. Must it only have Italians cast in it?

Absolutely not.

Any race or ethnicity or do. Black people playing the role of the Veronese in the 14th century is perfectly fine.

Same for a white version of "A Raison in the Sun".

[quote] Same for a white version of "A Raison in the Sun".

Actually, I'm all for such colorblind casting. In fact, an Asian American cast was set to star in a major production, and that would have been great. Sadly, it was cancelled.

Interesting, in other countries, they use their own ethnicities in all the American shows, of course. A white, Asian, Latino, etc cast works just fine.

r87 - Why is a play dealing directly with the black experience always your go-to for white casting?

[quote] Absolutely not. Any race or ethnicity or do. Black people playing the role of the Veronese in the 14th century is perfectly fine.

Your sarcasm is funny. So such a racial purist, how many Romeo and Juliets have you seen in your lifetime with only Italians in the cast? Were they really aged 13 and 15?

If not, you must have hated every one for not being as true-to-life as it must be.

Actually, for the modern age, Romeo and Juliet played by Black and White actors makes perfect sense.

Always silly when people demand that musicals, yes, musicals-- where people burst out into song and dance spontaneously--be, detail by detail, exactly like real life.

The Theatre Gossip threads devolve faster and faster with each thread.

R92 Exactly. We need a white "Ain't Misbehavin' ".

R94, sure, why not? Fats didn't just want black people to sing his songs

I once saw a mixed cast The WIZ at a grade school. It was great

Just admit you're old and racist, r94.

The bigot at R97 is against color blind casting and she's calling ME a racist!

[quote]r98 = The bigot at [R97] is against color blind casting and she's calling ME a racist!

Where have I said I was against color blind casting?

I suppose the klan granny purists clotting up this thread would turn down tickets to Japan’s 4-hour stage version of GONE WITH THE WIND ??

Hogwash.

No Lesley Ann and Pernell, r100? Forget about it.

[quote] [R13] this is what I see many people find tiresome. It's a matter of what you feel you are telling. I you want to tell the story of Gypsy Rose Lee then you have to take into account that she was a real person and her mother was too.

At this point, it is just a showbiz myth. People alive today don't remember any of the people who may have inspired the musical "Gypsy." It is a story that can be effectively told without reference to any specific culture. Of all the criticism of the new production, objections to changing the ethnicity of Rose and Gypsy is the most absurd, and I've only seen comment on it at DL.

[quote]r47 If you want to tell the story of Gypsy Rose Lee then you have to take into account that she was a real person and her mother was too.

Yeah, well, the REAL Mama Rose was a carpet munching lezzie loo - you don’t seem fired up that the musical changes THAT.

So much for authenticity.

She sounds totally miscast singing Rose’s Turn.

Well, she has the most smoothly melodious voice I’ve heard do the part. I’m not sure that’s necessarily a bad thing.

That audio clip at r104 is fabulous!

The problem is not that she is black. The problem is the she can’t sing the role.

I can’t credit the argument that people see Gypsy because they are interested in learning about a historical figure and therefore casting a Black person is somehow inauthentic.

[quote]The problem is not that she is black. The problem is the she can’t sing the role.

She can absolutely sing the role, r107, some may not like the results though.

The mixed comments of this Gypsy during the preview period are pretty much the same as they were for the Mendes Gypsy. IT'S THRILLING! IT SUCKS! BERNADETTE IS PHENOMINAL! BERNADETTE IS MISCAST! SHE'S BRILLIANT! SHE SUCKS! I can't wait to read the reviews Friday morning.

[quote]The mixed comments of this Gypsy during the preview period are pretty much the same as they were for the Mendes Gypsy.

And Audra isn't even sick.

R104, I’m actually excited hearing her sing Rose’s Turn, her desperation is apparent. Wow, acted amazingly!

[Quote] The problem is not that she is black.

That is the only problem for Mr Rose’s-only-pertinent-characteristic-is-that-she’s-white.

R113- ???

Did they change "Tulsa" to "Harlem?"

There's a concept in theater called "suspending disbelief". Those of us in the audience are supposed to let go of the notion that the people on stage are actors - instead, we're supposed to believe (for the duration of the play) that they are the real characters of the story, living out the real situation being depicted by the drama, no matter how their size, shape, age, or indeed color vary from the description that the drama uses for them. Anyone who has seen the Wagner opera Tristan and Isolde knows that the plot involves a 16 year old Celtic princess abducted by a handsome vassal to bring to his king so that he can marry her. She is supposed to be so beautiful that strangers fall in love with her at sight. Unfortunately, the vocal demands of the role are such, that the singers who usually portray her are in their 40s or older, and usually 250 pounds or heavier. Does that mean that the opera is a flop? No, it does not. Nor does having a black actress play Rose render Gypsy unviewable. Audra will still have to "sell" the role. But she doesn't have to change skin color to do so.

Why would they, r115?

Who said she did? He skin color isn’t what is wrong with her performance. I would’ve watched Nell Carter. I’d watch Heather Headley or even the too old Lillias White. Someone who can sing and act it.

Her skin.color

[quote]How would a white woman relate to the segregated venues and hotels of the era? By the way...it's Holiday.

How would a black Rose relate to the segregated venues and hotels of the era? Certainly not the way she does in this show.

How very DARE you R116! I’ll have you know I’m not an ounce over 3 pounds!

Actually...

I think Audra sounds like an opera singer. She doesn't have the grit, grime and scrappiness needed for Mama Rose. I am not excited about this production.

By the way, I saw Tyne Daley as Rose many years ago. I also saw Idina Menzel in 'Redwood,' at La Jolla Playhouse earlier this year. It opens on Broadway in the spring. She's good, but I'm not sure Idina can beat Nicole since 'Sunset Blvd' is a much more demanding role.

I smell Tony.

Apologize but only ever saw her in ‘’Annie’’ movie and she was just wonderful. I believe she was grand marshall in 2024 rose parade.

I think operas do suffer from the mismatch between the performers and the characters. Perhaps some people can “suspend disbelief,” but I’ve never been successful at that. I just focus on the singing.

[quote]r125 Apologize but only ever saw her in ‘’Annie’’ movie

That was little Quvenzhané Wallis, @sshole.

They don’t all look alike, you know!

Wrong movie.

Reviews coming out. USA Today and NJ.com call it a “performance for the ages.” Not what I saw.

Here she is...

The critics are raving that her performance is "triumphant."

(Audra kind of looks like Mo'Nique playing Precious' mother, Mary, in the still below.)

[quote]the show is a smash hit in NYC

Hardly, there are always tickets available and not just on Nikki's numerous days off.

[quote]I smell Tony.

Please describe his smell.

Like Chipotle?

Both the Times & Washington Post are raving this revival.

The 'New York Post' HATED it!

R136, no it didn't, It didn't like the production but was fine with Audra. Seems to be the only naysayer

Kathy Bates looks younger now than in that "Annie" poster 25 years ago.

R137 yes, it did NOT like Audra, especially her singing.

[quote]Imagine another Styne tune, "Don't Rain On My Parade," being sung like "Casta Diva," and you get some idea.

Thanks, [R136], for posting that review. I never thought I would agree with anything written in the NY Post, but this review of GYPSY nails exactly how I felt. And unlike some others in this thread, I've actually SEEN the production, not just the clips. The review also mentions the incredible transformation of Louise into Gypsy Rose Lee, which others have disputed. In spite of the bad direction and choreography, the actress Joy Woods goes from being a forgettable schlump into a beautiful woman, and you never saw it coming. In other productions, like the one with Laura Benanti, Louise looks like a beautiful woman stuck inside some bad costumes, so it is no surprise when she blossoms into a star.

The review identifies Audra's weird accent as a southern drawl, even though Rose Hovick was from Seattle. And as others have mentioned, Audra, in her demeanor and bad costumes, looks more like Grandmama Rose. The chintzy sets don't help either.

Finally, all the botched classic moments - like the aging of the newsboy or Louise joining Tulsa in his big number - make this production seem not quite right. As the review suggests, the blame falls in the lap of George Wolfe.

R139, the NY Post reviewer also says: "Joining their esteemed ranks, McDonald undeniably makes Rose her own, as her predecessors all did, with a thoughtful portrayal. In demeanor, her Mama is unusually soft and vulnerable, with eyes that well up long before the climactic finale, “Rose’s Turn.”

Sounds pretty positive

Sounds pretty mixed to me.

Mixed, but certainly not "hate"

Totally agree, r142. I did not mean mixed as a pejorative. I think mixed is often the most interesting type of review.

For the past 2-3 years I find my take on shows most aligns with Johnny Oleksinski (sp?) of The NY Post.

R144, Johnny O has chimed in

Here's a link to all the reviews - and they all love Audra.

[quote] The 'New York Post' HATED it!

Who cares about the Post?!!!

R140- that’s not positive. Says she’s soft and cries too soon.

R148, it says she makes Rose her own…a thoughtful portrayal. She makes Rose unusually soft and vulnerable.

These sound like positive attributes to me

[quote]She makes Rose unusually soft and vulnerable

Much like Kay Medford.

Beanie made the role of Fanny her own too. Neither of them can sing it.

We liked it. So did The Guardian.

[quote]it says she makes Rose her own…a thoughtful portrayal. She makes Rose unusually soft and vulnerable. These sound like positive attributes to me

What it means is that she doesn't understand the role.

The real Rose Hovick did use the vulnerable, helpless woman shtick to get what she wanted. It was all calculating.

21 positive reviews, 1 mixed, 1 negative (NY Post). Yeah, Audra has no clue how to play the role.

[Quote] What it means is that she doesn't understand the role.

And you do?

There’s isn’t just one way to play Rose. She’s a full human being, not just a terror 24 hours a day. I was surprised that Lupone was able to amplify gentle moments. Audra took the character even further—showing her as a driven, but vulnerable woman. It all makes the show more real

R152 "Stephen Sondheim's much-adored musical"? Huh?

[quote]that’s not positive. Says she’s soft and cries too soon.

They say that about you too, R148.

R158, don’t encourage him. He’ll claim he will play Rose in the next revival

[Quote] 21 positive reviews, 1 mixed, 1 negative (NY Post).

What do THEY know???!! Only I know the truth!!!

R150, that’s hilarious

[quote]showing her as a driven, but vulnerable woman. It all makes the show more real

Rose uses vulnerability as a ploy, r156.

Regardless of what the critics say, she was not good at the performance I saw.. Her singing was bad. I wanted to love her obviously. That’s why I spent the money.

R160- have you ever disliked something that got good reviews?

I actually don’t believe the OP/R163 even saw the show. Their criticism is so broad (“her singing was bad”, “she was bad”) that it’s laughable.

Audra is giving a fantastic performance.

OP/R163 sounds like a Nicole Scherzinger Stan or rep.

[quote]Hardly, there are always tickets available and not just on Nikki's numerous days off.

R132 Last week SUNSET grossed $1.9 million.

The 5th highest-grossing show, after perennial/seasonal favorites WICKED ($2.8 million), THE LION KING ($2.4 million), HAMILTON ($2.1 million), and ELF ($2 million).

Since opening in late October, SUNSET has consistently grossed above $1.5 million.

And you're trying to tell us it's not a smash hit?

He didn't say it wasn't a hit, he said there are usually seats available.

Here's a hint for you non-theatre people. There are always house seats in reserve every day for those on the production who are guaranteed the right to purchase house seats. Of course, they're not always used every day and will go sale when the box office opens. They may be outrageously expensive, they may not be, depending on the current market. I've seen many big hits in London in recent years by simply going to the box office of a supposedly sold out hit on the morning of the day I want to attend. Recently took in Andrew Scott's Uncle Vanya, Paul Mescal in Streetcar and James Norton in A Little Life and didn't even pay outrageous sums for them. I'd do it with Broadway shows but there's never anything I want to see that much.

Let this be the last 'Gypsy' revival for at least the next 25-30 years.

So, Sutton won't get to do it?

Speak for yourself. This is the longest gap between Gypsy revivals on Broadway. It’s remarkable easy just not to go to productions you don’t want to see.

Laura Benanti played Louise/Gypsy opposite Lupone and won a Tony. I am sure she will want to play Rose.

And she definitely should.

Dear God, not *another* damn soprano!

I love morons like R9 who haven’t even seen it pontificating about a performance he hasn’t seen.

Well, since he wasn't opining about her performance, but her history of Tony nominations, r175, I think his pontification may have some merit.

[quote] Dear God, not *another* damn soprano!

There is only room for one soprano on soprano island!

[Quote] have you ever disliked something that got good reviews?

Actually Sunset Blvd this season.

[quote]Let this be the last 'Gypsy' revival for at least the next 25-30 years.

That should work out perfectly for me.

I liked it. It was good and loud.

R180. TOO Loud

[quote]Speak for yourself. This is the longest gap between Gypsy revivals on Broadway. It’s remarkable easy just not to go to productions you don’t want to see.

Longest gap ? Only by one year. It's right about 'on schedule' for revivals. There's an old 'rule of thumb' that revivals should happen every 15 years on average, if they happen at all. Not sooner. Of course that rule is often broken, and it even happened when Lupone's reveal happened just five years after Peters (and it was said that was deliberate to get everyone to forget Peters' fiasco). Here's how the original / revivals have rolled out for 'Gypsy' in the past 60 years:

1959 Original / Merman

1974 Revival / Lansbury (15 years)

1989 Revival / Daly (15 years)

2003 Revival / Peters (14 years)

2008 Revival / :Lupone (5 years)

2024 Revival / McDonald (16 years)

As for 'Sunset Boulevard', the original was in 1994. A revival should have happened in 2009, and then again today (2024). However, ALW waited until 2017 for his first revival, which made it just seven years ago from today's revival.

Well, I saw Night Clit

R182, from the current Sunset revival, I know this show never needs another

Well, it appears next season we'll be getting Jamie Lloyd's Evita so there is another.....

R185, I actually saw the first version of Jamie Lloyd's EVITA at Regents Park in London. It was a fantastic reshaping with a more vulnerable Evita. (And yes, she wore a black nightgown and had blood all over by the end).

Evita is just a stronger show than Sunset. Half of Sunset drags and the current production amplifies those draggy moments.

Leslie Uggams says Arthur Laurents really wanted to see a Black Rose.

Imagine. There are Dataloungers who are more uptight than Arthur Laurents.

Gypsy canceled tonight....That's ONE.

R189. Gypsy was canceled last night. No performance was scheduled tonite. Next performance will be Christmas night. Maybe.

R6 It's going to be a close race.

It will all be riding on Audra's performance record.

R192 I love you!

Have they said if they’re making an OBC of gypsy?

Being the star she is, I'd think Audra's Madam Rose will be recored.

R165- I absolutely did see the show. I think she may have just had a bad show that night. I was way up in the rafters but that shouldn’t affect her intonation. Some People was ragged and out of tune.

R169- not gonna happen.

Merman's Rose's Turn on the OBC is the single greatest track on any Broadway cast album.

R178- so there you go. A bunch of raves didn’t affect your opinion. Same with me. Reviews hadn’t even come out when I saw it.

They shouldn’t.

Well, I saw your pussy.

[quote]Have they said if they’re making an OBC of gypsy?

Do they call it an "O"BC if it's a revival?

But is Audra more a Sally or Phyllis?

Audra is 100% a Sally.

Merman was a big Broadway star, had been in a few shows, then came Gypsy. A musical lore now says was written for her. Merrick got the property, wanted it as a show for Merman, hired the talent.No matter the show, Jule ‘Styne said it was easy to write for Merman, give her a big note to begin on, a big note to end on and you’re home free. For any fan of the show, get the memoir the show is based on …. it almost reads like a script for the musical. As if Laurents just had to follow along and build for where songs would fit in. No matter lore about the music and book, both represent the apex of musical theatre. Lyrics by a young Sondheim only added to the perfection of the show.

Saw it four times, two times standing to watch Merman come in, ushered by two aides, the back of the house, take in the scene, then walk down house right, “Sing out, Louise, sing out.” Broadway’s star had arrived. Creating the role of Madam Rose, there was none of this current hoo-hah and drama about Rose this and Rose that. There were words, Merman said them, she didn’t “act” them, she wasn’t an actress, she just plowed along for her big number to end act one and end act two. She planted her feet on stage and sang to the back of the house. She knew how to work a stage! In the finale she sang out, Rose as a star. Terrific Merman number. The audience applauded and as written Rose finishes her song and hears applause and begins taking bows to her imaginary audience, as the actual house thunders on with appreciation. All the Roses since do it that way, it works, with not a lot of platitudes laid on it. Then Louise enters, show ends.

The show ran, closed. Later, came a film, time passing, a revival and the property as Holy Writ took wings. Make of that what you will.

In any production I see, I miss the strobe lighting effect for the “growing up” of the kids/chorus/Newsboys. And the strippers? My Tessie Tura should really be older, wisened, jaded and looking like she has been around the block; Electra I like to see as young, sweet and experienced, Mazappa brash and ballsy. The three make a good visual.

Come Tony time Ms. McDonald nd Ms. Scherzinger iwill be toe to toe. Tough call. Not a lock for either.

A link would be helpful. I agree that Merman communicates gutsiness. Basically most of the song was shouted at the top of her lungs, so there wasn't much communication of the complexity of Rose's personality. However, undoubtedly every single person in the theater would have heard every word, and that is important. She is dreadfully sharp by the last note of the song, but overall, I'd still give it an A for clarity and gustiness. Rosalind Russell was a much better actress than Merman, so the lead up to Rose's turn (and the aftermath) was very moving in the film version, but of course, she couldn't really sing, so the song was dubbed. Somewhere on youtube there is a compendium of different versions of Rose's turn by different singers/ actresses. It's very instructive to watch it.

[quote]Come Tony time Ms. McDonald nd Ms. Scherzinger iwill be toe to toe. Tough call. Not a lock for either.

Maybe whoever has the least absences should win.

Or the nicest toes.

There is really no equivalence in what they are doing. Scherzinger is posing and creating moments of surprising vocal effects and audacious poses. McDonald is creating a character from the text, her experience and talent, and the director’s vision. Both approaches win Tonys, but there is no world in which these two performers are doing the same thing.

Gypsy canceled again...that's TWO

R210. Please show some grace.

[quote]Maybe whoever has the least absences should win.

Oh, dear. If you're comparing two things, you use the comparative, not the superlative. And when describing things that can be counted, the adjective is FEWER, not LESS/LEAST.

I heard it's like a gritty drama, like A Raisin' In The Sun or some shit with some songs. Who wants to go see a bunch of poor people taaalking?

Matinee today canceled.

[quote] Matinee today canceled.

The Audracity!

I feel for those Christmastime crowds visiting from outside NY who'd been looking forward to seeing "Gypsy" for months. I also know a sick company cannot deliver the excellent show I saw.

OP, I love Kathy Brier, but WTF ever made you think of her as Rose, of all people????

Didn't Kathy Brier join Hairspray as a Tracy standby when the original standby wasn't cutting it.

Do you really think there are people "who have been looking forward to seeing GYPSY for MONTHS!" Lol...Oh, that is so Datalounge.

All the tix were bought last week by New Yorkers panicked about finding things to do with their relatives.

[quote] Do you really think there are people "who have been looking forward to seeing GYPSY for MONTHS!

Audra fans definitely have

Friend has tickets for tonight. Hope it's not canceled. Audra has been out more than once claiming an illness.

R205- I predict Jasmine Amy Rogers will beat both

R205- Ethel Merman did 12 Broadway shows before Gypsy and was already a major star.

Isn't having Rose sing badly a character choice for an egomaniac mother of talented children?

Would you expect Ethyl Gumm to sing as well as Judy? Lorna?

Or is Rose's Turn a time to pity the character because she was an overlooked talent who lived vicariously through her children because Fanny Brice was a greater talent? Oh, "Vo dee oh doe"..

I was wondering about audiences being able to suspend disbelief easily enough to accept a black Mama Rose having white daughters. Well. I see they solved that by mounting this production as an 'All Black Gypsy'. The characters, based on a real-life white family, have all mysteriously turned Negro. This isn't color blind casting. It's blackwashing. It's wrong. Stupidly wrong.

[quote] I was wondering about audiences being able to suspend disbelief easily enough to accept a black Mama Rose having white daughters.

Audiences seems to have moved more forward that you have. No one cares

Your only post, r224?

[quote] The characters, based on a real-life white family, have all mysteriously turned Negro.

The west has certainly done the opposite with its depictions of Jesus

Kathy Brier did take over as standby for Tracy in Hairspray. At the same time, she booked a small role in OLTL. She was so good that they expanded her role and she became the most popular actress on the show. Meanwhile, she took over as Tracy and became the hardest working actress in New York. It was really impressive. As for Gypsy, Kathy is the right age and has the right voice for it. She also would’ve been a good Fanny in Funny Girl.

[quote] The characters, based on a real-life white family, have all mysteriously turned Negro.

Eldergays like you are so pathetic. Who still uses “Negro” like it’s 1952?!

R224, that's already been settled. Leslie Uggams -- Tony winner for Arthur Laurent's "Hallelujah Baby" -- has said that LAURENTS always wanted to mount "Gypsy" with a Black Mama Rose and had discussed it at length with her.

Today's (Thursday, 26th) matinee has been canceled due to Audra's illness. Poor planning, limited understudies . Audra calling for grace from Broadway audiences this holiday season.

[quote] Poor planning, limited understudies .

NO ONE is going to see her understudy

Patti's now available....

[quote] As for Gypsy, Kathy is the right age and has the right voice for it.

Maybe, but I still don't know what ever made you think of Kathy Brier as an option for GYPSY. Especially since the show never has been done and never will be done on Broadway without a MAJOR star in the lead.

I'm a major STAR!!

Kathy Brier Rose

R227 Did you hurt yourself? That's quite a stretch!

R229 WHOOSH!

R234- I’m just saying she’d be better in the role.

Well, R239, I actually agree with that. But there are a lot of people who'd be better in the role that Audra but would never be cast in a Broadway production because they're not stars.

Tonite's performance has been canceled.

I bet they will cancel this show through New Years! Can't push them too hard and fast, else they will all relapse and they will be even worse... especially, with no understudies.

The mind boggles at how much money is being lost over at GYPSY. An extremely unfortunate situation, no matter how you look at it.

I wonder if they all have Covid?

Tragic. They will miss the Holiday tourist rush. Box office is dead in January and February.

Life happens and then we march on. Illness spreading through the cast is unfortunate but what can you do?

Is any other Broadway having these problems and having to cancel? Or, is this the only one?

The Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Gypsy has canceled three performances this week due to illnesses within the cast and crew, including its star, Audra McDonald. Public health experts link the cancellations to a seasonal surge in flu, COVID, and RSV cases. FOX 5's Richard Giacovas has the story.

I sure would hate to be working in their Box Office right now. Ugh!

Today marks the 5th cancelled performance.

They say they have lost over $1,000,000 on cancellations, so far... I guess that is what insurance is for.

And I do wonder if they have any sort of insurance policy that will at least partly bail them out.

Why don't they just call Patti whose show just closed and ask her to pitch in for one night?

Shows NEVER closed back in the day unless it was by some unforeseen huge circumstance. What happened to the show must go on? Call Tyne, Betty, Bernadette or Linda if you have to as well.

And they wonder why Broadway is plummeting.

Why the fuck do these producers open in the dead of winter where illness thrives?

Audra is pushing her voice to places it's never been. It's not hard to imagine her losing it during a cold or flu.

This show will close before Easter....

I predict Audra will return before she's fully recovered, and her voice will never properly heal.

This show is cursed!

I've done it before and I'll do it again!

Retired! Rested! Ready!

[quote]I predict Audra will return before she's fully recovered, and her voice will never properly heal.

She has always said she would never perform under those circumstances, but the pressure to do so must be immense.

Here's Barbra's big chance to play Rose...she can step on that stage and blow the roof off the Majestic.

Or maybe they should call in Queen Latifah if they wish to keep an all-black cast ? Hell, call in Diana Ross to play Rose !

Wasn’t there another film adaptation in the works with Melissa McCarthy a few years ago?

r248 Second time I've seen it referred to as "Stephen Sondheim's 'Gypsy.'" No one attributes a musical solely to the lyricist. Oscar Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music"?

We can refer to Stevie Nicks' "Gypsy."

Gypsy?

Gypsy?

Stevie Nicks should go on! Where's Lea Michele?

Calling Janet Hubert!

[quote]Where's Lea Michele?

shitting on a wig, of course!

[quote] Oscar Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music"?

I have heard that reference more than a few times in my life.

Well, no one else has, R270. Not unless the discussion was specifically about the lyricist. (In the cast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Hammerstein didn't write the book.)

[quote]The Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Gypsy has canceled three performances this week due to illnesses within the cast and crew, including its star, Audra McDonald.

WTF?

Arthur Laurents...Book

Jerome Robbins...Director

Jule Styne..............Music

Sondheim..............Lyrics

Sorry, I meant "in the case of THE SOUND OF MUSIC...."

Does anyone know how long Audra is contracted for to do the show ? I imagine until a week or two after the Tonys in June, and if she wins - they will extend through Labor Day (or so) to reap the rewards from the win and capture the summer tourists. But this is all just speculation on my part - does anyone know for certain ?

R262 Yes, there was a Melissa McCarthy movie project announced by director Amy Sherman Paladino once it was officially announced the Streisand film was not happening (2020?) and it was up for grabs. Not sure how ASP ended up with it, but she said she was developing it with McCarthy to star (I don't think McCarthy ever commented on it) and then....(drumroll, please)...it went nowhere. Honestly, I think McCarthy would've made a great Rose on stage than on film - she could've been another Tyne Daly.

Can McCarthy sing?

R274

Even before the recent cancellations, I can’t see it playing till Tony time… History really is in kind to the longevity of a run of gypsy

I saw Patti towards the end of her run in Gypsy and she seemed tired, especially her voice. But, she still croaked out those tunes. It is a hard show to do eight times a week, especially for Momma Rose.

R276 She did a great duet with Streisand on "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" on Streisand's last 'Partners' album in 2016.

Tickets are still on sale for two shows, today. I wonder when those will be coming down??

Saw Patti early in the run and she was fantastic. Saw her again very late in the run and she was hamming it up. Of course, the majority of the audience loved it. Boyd's performance had also gotten bigger but Benanti's did not and she was the real standout that night.

Uh oh! Gypsy tickets have been taken off sale for both performances today.

R282. Resuming tomorrow.

They must really be sick. I bet it is covid and they are all in quarantine.

"Performances for Gypsy will resume as scheduled on Sunday, December 29. Due to continued illness within the company, our 2 PM matinee and 8 PM performances today have been cancelled. Please check with your point of purchase to exchange or refund your tickets."

Ridiculous.

Have Patti and Bernadette, the Gypsies face off. They could take turns singing respective songs from the musical and at the end the audience gets to vote on who they thought did the best job.

[quote]Even before the recent cancellations, I can’t see it playing till Tony time… History really is in kind to the longevity of a run of gypsy

If this GYPSY does play till Tony time, that would only be a six to seven month run. Do you really not think it will last that long? My guess is along the lines of what R274 wrote, that the show will run through Tony nominations time at least, and then assuming at least Audra is nominated will extend with her for a few months thereafter.

I watched Xanadu starring Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly (in his last film appearance) and Michael Beck. Olivia met her future husband, Matt Lattanzi, while shooting the movie. He plays “young Danny McGuire” (Gene Kelly) and was a dancer in the film. Originally released on August 8, 1980 in the US. The movie was a commercial and critical failure though the original motion picture soundtrack was a double-platinum success in the US, Europe and Australia. Olivia Newton-John scored 3 international hit singles from the soundtrack; Magic (Billboard #1), Xanadu (Billboard #8), Suddenly (Billboard #20). ELO scored hits with I’m Alive (Billboard #16), All Over The World (Billboard #13)).

^^ Um, wrong thread? You must go to the Olivia Hussey thread, dear for interest, dear.

R288 Honey you don’t know your Olivia’s. Lay off of the sauce!

[quote] [R288] Honey you don’t know your Olivia’s. Lay off of the sauce!

R288 You are right! I am so glad someone noticed. I was wondering if anyone would. Thank you for making my day! Happy New Year to you, darlin! Back to my holiday 'sauce'.

I bet when Audra gets back into the show, she may have some different interpretations for 'Roses Turn'.

"Why did I do it?

What did it get me?"

I sure would love to be watching Rose's return when it happens. God Bless Audra and the whole cast and crew of that show! I hope it survives for a cast album.

As I said earlier, I believe this will run through Tony season (June), as will 'Sunset Blvd'. Should Audra and GYPSY win their respective Tonys, then they will extend through September (at least), maybe October. In that case, with Nicole and 'SB' losing, they will close shortly after the Tonys (by July 4). Should Nicole / SB win in June, expect the show to run until September and 'Gypsy' will close by July 4.

The following is highly unlikely, but...

If either show wins without their leading lady, I expect the show will continue on through September, but the leading lady will be replaced by July 4 (no sense of her continuing and being embarassed by her loss).

If either show loses but their leading lady wins, I expect the show will continue until the end of July.

Again, I doubt either of the last two scenarios will happen, as each show is dependent on their leading lady. It's the whole she-bang winning or losing. But stranger things have happened.

Something else to consider...

After six Tony wins, Audra may have it written in her contract (by now) that she doesn't want to be the leading actress when the show closes (this is a clause that some actors and actresses earn over the years). So if the producers are considering closing on a certain date, they will have to let Audra know and allow her to make a press announcement that she's leaving the show (usually a few weeks before). They replace her with another actress, and shortly after - 'the closing' notice is announced, letting it look like ticket sales dropped once the new actress took over. (This supposedly happened with 'Victor / Victoria' when Raquel Welch replaced Julie Andrews - though Welch later said she was told when they offered her the role that the show would be closing a few weeks after she was to take over).

Interesting, r293. I've never heard of such a clause. Any more examples besides Raquel?

R294 A friend of mine at that time who was in a musical back in the late 90s / early 2000s first told me about it. I can't remember the musical or the leading actress, but I recall I wanted tickets (even though it got so-so reviews). He told me the targeted date the show was closing though hadn't been announced, and then the earlier date when the actress was leaving, which would be announced in the coming days. He then told me who was replacing her for the final weeks. I told him that was odd - why not just close when the star left ? He explained to me she had this clause in her contract that her name would not be on the marquee when the show closes. I never did get tix because I couldn't make it while the 'star' was still in the show those few remaining weeks. Sure enough, it all played out like he said it would.

Then I came across the old interview with Welch shortly after, which backed up what he had told me.

R294. Betty Buckley in Song and Dance although it closed earlier than producers told her it would.

R293 This is typical. I remember when Bernadette Peters played in 'Annie Get Your Gun'. She got her Tony Award and then quit the show. She was replaced by Reba McEntire and several others before the show eventually closed.

R297

Wasn’t her contract up? She didn’t just quit did she?

Bernadette stayed with Annie Get Your Gun for 15 months after she won the Tony. Cheryl Ladd stepped in until Reba could take over.

Cheryl Ladd was incredible (I saw her in January, during a bad snowstorm). Why she never did more Broadway musicals is a mystery.

R292- Actually, Stranger things WILL happen.

BTW, the friend who told me about this (see 295) was also the friend who was part of the cast of 'Sunset Boulevard' during its original run on B'way. In the spring of 1996, I had mentioned to him I wanted to see the show that summer (Buckley was in it) and he could get me house seats (not free). He's the one who told me to wait a while, because a 'big name' was in negotiations to replace Buckley in September. He wouldn't say who, but promised I would want to see this 'star'. Then in July, he told me it wasn't happening, that I should go see Buckley (I did in August, about a week before she left) because ALW was having trouble finding a new actress since he had spent so much time with the 'big star' who turned it down because she wanted more money than he was offering her. He then told me the big star was none other than Cher. (Sure enough, in an interview years later, Cher confirmed she was in talks to take over the role back in 1996, but ALW was 'cheap' and 'couldn't afford her' ). Damn! This guy knew his stuff. Unfortunately. around 2010 he left NYC to move to London with his BF, and I've lost touch with him.

Fuck. Cher in SUNSET BOULEVARD would've been epic. Probably impossible to get her on Broadway now but I wish she'd do it for us, the ones out here in the dark. She should've done the MASK musical.

There was a MASK musical ?

[quote] Fuck. Cher in SUNSET BOULEVARD would've been epic. Probably impossible to get her on Broadway now

There’s always the movie adaptation. At least Cher would be a more legitimate choice than, say, uh … oh, never mind.

[quote]There’s always the movie adaptation

[quote]This is typical. I remember when Bernadette Peters played in 'Annie Get Your Gun'. She got her Tony Award and then quit the show. She was replaced by Reba McEntire and several others before the show eventually closed.

But that's a complete different situation from what's being discussed here. Can't you see the obvious difference?

Barring the obvious exceptions of Chicago and Cabaret, that overhauled Annie Get Your Gun revival had one of the longest runs for a musical revival in recent decades: 35 previews and 1045 performances over 2 years and 7 months (Feb 1999-Sept 2001), closing just before 9/11.

Peters did the out of town at the Kennedy Center, plus the Broadway run from February 1999-September 2000, except for a two week vacation where Annie was played by Susan Lucci. Cheryl Ladd played Annie from September 2000-January 2001, then Reba did six months from Jan-June 2001, and finally Crystal Bernard closed the show. There were multiple Franks too: Tom Wopat (who left when Bernadette did in September 2000 and returned to close the show with Bernard), Brent Barrett (who did Reba's run), and Patrick Cassidy (who did Cheryl's run).

In addition to the rewriting and restructuring of the book, which saw further revision when the cuts from the national tour were put into the Broadway production, the vocal arrangements and orchestrations for this revival were completely overhauled to suit Peters' voice and style.

I really enjoyed them opening with There's no Business like Show Business, introducing the cast, etc. I think it improved the flow of the show.

A LITTLE INTERESTING TRIVIA:

Supposedly, one of the main reasons why Kathie Lee Gifford decided to leave the hit morning TV show "Live With Regis and Kathie Lee" after15years when her contract expired at the end of July, 2000 was because she was one of two finalists (Ladd was the other one) to replace Peters in AGYG in September, 2000. It fell through because ABC wouldn't give her the time off from the show (she was asking for September - December, the beginning of the new season). Gifford had been the replacement suggestion by her very good friend John McDaniel, who was the musical director of the revival. He asked her if she was interested at a Holiday party in December, 1999 and she eagerly said "YES!" It was her dream to star in a B'way musical, and she loved the new revival.

It was said she was in talks with McDaniel and the producers in January 2000, just months before her new ABC contract was to begin negotiations. It was later said she asked ABC and producer Michael Gelman for the time off (she was willing to do the Monday and Tuesday shows since she didn't have performances on Sunday and Monday nights), so all she needed was Wed-Friday off for four months. She was willing to give up other 'perks' in her new contract if they worked with her on this. They told her a definitive 'no' ; she would have to work around her daily schedule if she wanted to do the Broadway show.

That's when she announced she was leaving the show when the current season ended (end of July, 2000). Regis knew she had decided to leave (all because of 'AGYG') but she took Gelman and ABC by surprise when she made the live announcement that February morning. She later said in interviews that being tied to the show didn't leave her any time to do other 'projects' she really wanted to do since ABC wouldn't give her extended time off, and even missed out twice on starring in a B'way musical, but never said which ones (it was rumored the first time was when ALW asked her to replace a vacationing Glenn Close in 'Sunset Boulevard' in March 1995, and ABC said 'no' to those few weeks off). She officially said she found it hard to do both a night-time job (she had filled in for Carol Burnett for two weeks in a Sondheim revue) and do morning TV, so she was leaving to concentrate on eventually doing a Broadway musical.

With her leaving the show at the end of July, she was still not able to do 'AGYG' because rehearsals for the replacement cast began in June - and she was still doing the talk show in June and July. That's when AGYG decided to go with Cheryl Ladd, the other finalist. When she left, KLG vowed she would never work for ABC again - that's how furious she was about losing out on AGYG.

Sure enough, her friend Barbara Walters wanted her to replace Meredith Vieria on 'The View' when MV left after the 2005-06 season, and KLG wouldn't do it. She asked her again when Rosie left in May, 2007 and again, KLG said 'no'. A year later, she took the job at NBC to cohost the competition, 'Today'.

Kathie Lee was also rumored as a possible sub for Julie once a week in Victor/Victoria. Based on the attached clip, she ain't bad.

Yes R303. The book was by Anna Hamilton-Phelan, the movie's screenwriter. The wonderful rock score was written by Barry Mann and the late Cynthia Weil. I think that now that Cynthia is dead it will never happen which is sad. They wrote some good songs for the Cher character too. I played Rocky in three workshops. Ask me anything.

That last post is for R304

r308- I saw Peters, Lucci, and Reba and I could swear that Reba was before Lucci.

KLG at r311 is great!

R310 I love all of that dish. Thanks for sharing. How sad that she never did get to Broadway

[quote]r312 = Ask me anything

Does the pope shit in the woods?

Why is it taking so long for another Annie Get Your Gun revival? We're overdue!

R316 She never got to 'star' in a show over the past 24 years as she planned, but she did write the music (or contribute to the music) on some shows. I believe one musical she wrote ("People Under the Bridge" ?) made it briefly to B'way (or maybe 'off-Broadway). I think KLG would've made a great 'Annie Oakley'. Not sure about 'Norma Desmond', though.

Supposedly, Susan Lucci also wanted a reduced schedule from ABC's "All My Children" when she took the role for a short while, and they said no to her, too. But the writers and producers were able to accommodate her (her scenes were shorter and they were able to shoot all her scenes to accommodate her schedule without ABC knowing).

R318 Because Audra McDonald is currently doing 'Gypsy' and she can't do both at the same time. Then again, Ariana DeBose may be available...

[quote] Again, I doubt either of the last two scenarios will happen, as each show is dependent on their leading lady. It's the whole she-bang winning or losing. But stranger things have happened.

"Sunset Blvd" does not hang on Nicole's shoulders. I could see them replacing her if she doesn't win but the show still has strong box office.

Kathie Lee Gifford IS Madame Rose!

Joy Woods IS Dolly Tate!

[quote]She never got to 'star' in a show over the past 24 years as she planned, but she did write the music (or contribute to the music) on some shows. I believe one musical she wrote ("People Under the Bridge" ?) made it briefly to B'way (or maybe 'off-Broadway). I think KLG would've made a great 'Annie Oakley'. Not sure about 'Norma Desmond', though.

Ahem. Book, lyrics and music by KLG.

Produced by DL fave Betsy DeVos

Kathie Lee Gifford’s musical was titled, “Scandalous.” It can be found happily ensconced on the wall of Jo Allen.

Next up, please God, Audra in A Little Music.

R321 The show still has strong box office with her in it. She hasn't taken extended time off yet to see what her absence does to the box office (ask Glenn Close / Karen Mason how that turned out in March, 1995 when Close took off a few weeks for vacation).

It seems the 3:00 matinee is on today for a completely SOLD OUT crowd. I assume standing room is also sold out. I wonder if Audra will do a pre-show curtain speech to 'gather the troops' in case things go array. History is being made this afternoon.

KLG's "Under The Bridge" is the musical I was thinking of, which opened 20 years ago off-Broadway, in January 2005. It never made it to Broadway the following season, though I believe it got decent reviews.

So far the only absentee cast member is BABY LOUISE!

R319- there is a history of actors doing a soap and Broadway at the same time. Tonya Pinkins did it. Kathy Brier did it and she was the front burner plot line.

[quote]So far the only absentee cast member is BABY LOUISE!

Is she teething?

[quote] in case things go array.

Oh, [italic]dear.[/italic]

[Quote] "Sunset Blvd" does not hang on Nicole's shoulders. I could see them replacing her if she doesn't win but the show still has strong box office.

The show really drags in the scene without Nicole. I doubt it would last long without her

[quote]I really enjoyed them opening with There's no Business like Show Business, introducing the cast, etc. I think it improved the flow of the show.

FWIW, I thought that was one of the worst of many unfortunate decisions made in regard to that unfortunate production.

R310, that is some really interesting info I'd never heard before. But though I wouldn't say Kathie Lee is untalented, I think she probably would have been all wrong for both ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and SUNSET BLVD., so maybe it's just as well that neither of those shows happened for her.

Just think...if only ABC gave in to KLG for a lousy four months, she would've stayed with the show - and spare us the shrew we now have on the show named Kelly Ripa for the past 25 seasons.

This may be a stretch, but I could actually see DL's favorite actress Bonnie Franklin in the role of Annie Oakley in 'Annie Get Your Gun' back in 1999-01 (she could play 'Annie Romano Oakley') and even as 'Mama Rose' in 'Gypsy' (opposite Mackenzie Phillips ???) replacing Tyne Daly in 1990. Something tells me she'd have been much better than Linda Lavin.

[quote]Something tells me she'd have been much better than Linda Lavin

Fuck you, r338.

Oh dear, I guess Linda’s not available to step in for an ailing Audra…

We jinxed Lavin, didn't we ?

Gypsy added two shows on Jan 1st and there are plenty of great seats available. Will they sell out?

Those aren’t added shows, r342.

Yes they are, they weren't on the schedule yesterday, else why are there so many empty seats!

You probably were only looking at Telecharge’s December page. See link below, dated from September.

I just checked Telecharge and there are alot of empty seats for Gypsy on Wed, Thurs and Fri. But that's not unusual this time of year.

[quote]I just checked Telecharge and there are alot of empty seats for Gypsy on Wed, Thurs and Fri. But that's not unusual this time of year.

Maybe not for later in January or February, but this is the week that contains New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in the middle of the week, so all those empty seats sounds like a bad sign to me.

R347 Agreed. This week is the second week filled with tourists - they don't head home until the weekend. Plus, this week's sales still reflect the 'pre-sale' before the reviews came out a week or so ago. Maybe sales slowed down when (mixed) word-of-mouth came out during previews ?

Let's face it, we're all Gypsy'd out. Personally, I don't want to see it without the original direction and choreography because it's perfect and can't be improved upon. I thought the Mendes production was a mess then Laurents and Patti gave us one last great production. I've had sufficient.

I have no doubt the GYPSY box office will continue to struggle as buyers will be wary of whether or not Audra will be appearing or if there will even be a performance.

R349, I'm with you. After this Audra performance, I don't need to see Gypsy ever again in my life. As an Audra fan, she's the last performance I'd care about. There's no other diva I care to see in the role.

R349 r351 the problem is that only works for older people. You have memories of LuPone and Bernadette (some of you Tyne and Lansbury)

I’m 37 and have never seen Gypsy before, so this is my first one.

Do I wish I had seen Patti when I was 21 or Bernadette when I was 16? Of course! Did I have the means to do so? No.

So this is my first production. In 10 years, there will be a new generation of theatre gays who missed this production and THAT revival will be their first Gypsy as well

R349, I thought the Laurents/ LuPone production was overdirected AND overacted. He really was a terrible director, and in that show, her weird mannerisms were on full display, whether or not they had anything to do with the character Rose Hovick.

And yes, R352, thanks for that important reminder to some of the prissy eldergays here that not EVERYONE is as old as they and therefore did not have the opportunity to see previous productions of GYPSY.

I loved Lupone's Rose. I sat really close and she blew me away with the quiet nuances and humor--something I never expected from her.

While eldergays think Gypsy is a classic. I doubt anyone else cares

R354, from all reports, and also based on some bootleg video and audio recordings, LuPone's performance as Rose varied greatly from one show to another. When I saw her, I thought the was just relying on her weird mannerisms and quirks rather than having tried to build a character.

Lupone was great yet thoroughly unsurprising. And when you're the 4th revival Rose, you can't be unsurprising.

R357. Patti should have tried showing her panties. Worked for meeeeeeeeee

We still have a Sutton Foster revival of Gypsy to look forward to. Hang in there.

[quote] In 10 years, there will be a new generation of theatre gays who missed this production and THAT revival will be their first Gypsy as well

Picture it: The St. James Theater in 2035. The Broadway revival starring Cynthia Erivo as Mama Rose, Jonathan Bailey as Herbie, and Chappell Roan making her Broadway debut as 'Miss Gypsy Rose Lee'. The producers replace 'Let Me Entertain You' with 'Pink Pony Club'. The new generation of theatre gays sell-out the box-office.

Don't quit your day job, r360,

R361 You know what a day job is ? Or any job. for that matter ?

Thanks for proving my point, r362!

Every time someone uses "alot" as a word (it isn't), Audra cancels a performance of "Gypsy"!

Meryl would’ve been great as Mama Rose 10 years ago in a new movie adaptation. I had no idea she could belt like that until watching her in The Prom.

Box office gold r359 - with Hugh Jackman as Rose.