THEATRE GOSSIP #562: The Really Outrageous Notes on a Scandal Thread

Old thread.

A few notes, honey...

So who wins leading Lady musical? Maryann Plunkett?

Ha good title OP.

Saw Illinoise tonight. My favorite show of the season. And the shortest!

What, no Trish Hawkins in the title? Someone hasn’t been paying attention, OP.

She is represented, r6.

But not by CAA

Oh no.

[quote]Lindsay Mendez has now missed SEVENTY TWO performances. Though she managed to make the Colbert taping. Huh.

I must say I thought they were fabulous on Colbert's show the other night. Made me want to see the show all over again.

She's only missed 72 performances.? That's nothing!

I really wish Elaine Stritch was still around and doing a show with Lindsay Mendes.

That would have whipped her in shape because Elaine would scream at people who missed performances

I would just scream right back.

Responding from the prior thread…..yes Tony voters get free tickets but they can reschedule if someone who is nominated is out.

Nice simple thread title, OP. Thank you.

Starting June 17 Redmayne and Rankin will cut back to 7 performances a week. Rankin will skip Wed matinees and Redmayne Mon eves. Understudies will fill in.

Ticket prices will drop for Wed matinees and Monday evenings! Now I may decide to see it!

wanna bet?

Anyone planning on seeing A/C?

Do we really think Merrily will sweep three acting awards? When was the last time that happened for either a musical or a play? Les Mis? Dreamgirls?

Les Miz only won 2 acting awards r20. The last time a show won 3 was Hamilton.

Merrily will get Best Actor definitely. PROBABLY best featured actor . I think Mendez will lose.

[quote] Lindsay Mendez has now missed SEVENTY TWO performances.

Where do you get this exact number?

[quote] Starting June 17 Redmayne and Rankin will cut back to 7 performances a week. Rankin will skip Wed matinees and Redmayne Mon eves. Understudies will fill in.

Tonys are Jun 16. This is shitty. Once again, screw the customer.

R23. Yup. So they've been able to handle 8 shows a week up until ...... THE TONY AWARDS! Now they need a break. Poor things.

Well, most people are still paying $500 a ticket

I too think Mendez will lose. I could definitely see the other two win…honestly, if she didn’t call out all the time, I do think it would have been a clean sweep.

Anyone know how many perfs Redmayne did in London?

I believe Redmayne did 8 shows a week in London but Jessie Buckley only played 7. All of the replacement Emcee and Sally's have done 7 shows per week.

Haven't they come up with a better way to conceal the mikes?

Mendez has missed 72 performances? WTF.

Also, let's not forget she won a Tony not too long ago. Is she already deserving of a second? NAH.

But at least this race is an exciting one!

It's just not that special a performance, especially compared with others who have played the role. She only smiled better. Miriam Shor was 200% more interesting, and nailed how [italic] smart [/italic] Mary is.

This year, Kecia is better, Shoshana is better, from what I've heard, Amber Iman was better, and Bebe is at least as good.

Only slightly more recent than Hamilton, but The Band's Visit also won three out of the four musical acting awards at the Tonys.

Yes but the much loved Tony Shaloub is not in Merrily.

Still think Lindsay will ride to the Tony on the Merrily wave .

Hear that Floyd Collins will be coming to the Beaumont soonish. I call that good news.

Palace Theater gets a rave in the NYT. Sorry, Ben.

Last week's grosses are posted.

Who’s fucking whom?

I'm seeing Merrily the week after the Tonys... should I expect all 3 to be out?

I imagine Groff at least will be there, spitting all over you.

Daniel and Jonathan each had a few (three?) consecutive scheduled absences. Other than that, they've both been on.

Eli Gelb, fucking everyone, R38.

Female, that is.

R29: One of the things I noticed about the National Theatre's Follies a few years ago was that I never saw a single head mic (or whatever they're called) on anyone in that big cast and only spotted one mic cord going down the back of the neck of a male dancer in the Loveland opening. I don't mind performers being miked (except everyone sounds like they're standing center stage when they might be stage right/left), but I hate seeing the damn things (especially those gumdrop one center forehead). If the National can hide the mics successfully why can't Broadway?

Certainly, those Death wigs could hide the mic. I saw Pimpernel in previews and and Miss Andreas slapped her forehead in an "I coulda had a V8" gesture and it resounded through the theater.

I remember sitting in the front row at the original Sunset Blvd and seeing a mic right smack in the middle of Glenn's forehead. At first I thought it was a mole.

[quote]At first I thought it was a mole.

It was.

She will Not be ignored.

Imagine a tony award season with

Christine Ebersole- Grey gardens Glenn Close-Sunset Boulevard Tyne Daly- Gypsy Bette Midler- Hello Dolly Victoria Clark- Light in the piazza

WHo wins?

Christine or Tyne.

The Band's Visit acting wins were mostly ridiculous. You had a Lead actor who didn't sing one song and a featured actor who basically did nothing.

Hush now r51

[quote]You could have subbed in an understudy for Mendez and I wouldn’t have noticed the difference...

Well, I did see the understudy... TWICE! By my reckoning, she's done the part at least 50 times, and I DEFINITELY noticed the difference. If Mendez is out, ask to change your tickets to a different night. At those prices, you deserve the A Cast.

[quote]WHo wins?

The theatergoers.

[quote]WHo wins?

Whoever sold the most tickets.

Are there awards for worst performance in a musical or play, worst director, worst score, worst set, etc? A theatrical Razzies.

I wonder if she like it...

[quote]A theatrical Razzies.

I think that would be Forbidden Broadway.

R37 wow, 'Gatsby' must be critic-proof.

Since opening last month, it has grossed consistently over $1 million.

Just last week, it was $1.279 million.

All this despite negative reviews and no Tony nods except for its costumes.

Simply word of mouth.

Good for them!

Beautiful…

For that matter, R59, the bottom hasn't fallen out yet for Cabaret.

R53 - Agree. The understudy was pretty amateurish - drama school acting.

R13 Once

They will have to bring in a name to play the Emcee and maybe even Sally come August. Are Billy Porter and Jinx Monsoon available?

Having seen MOTHER PLAY last night I can't imagine Jessica Lange won't get that Tony. I really wasn't expecting such an all-out bravura performance of so many colors and no vanity. The play is indeed a bit of a hot mess at times, and at other times incredibly moving and genuinely funny, but the three performances totally carry it.

I've pretty much given up on Broadway but really glad I saw this, especially for Lange, who wrings every moment for all its worth, and seems to understand this woman far more than she ever got Amanda Wingfield, Blanche duBois or Mary Tyrone.

[quote]Are Billy Porter and Jinx Monsoon available?

Oh, probably.

I'm longing to see Billy Porter in a revival of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.

As Big Mama.

Maybe it's time for a revival of Dancing In Ohio?

And this time they can pronounce it the way Tuptim does:

Dancing in O-hee-O

[quote] They will have to bring in a name to play the Emcee and maybe even Sally come August. Are Billy Porter and Jinx Monsoon available?

Unfortunately, Ms. Monsoon will be bringing her special brand of "Maude's annual talent show episode" delights to the Pasadena Playhouse this coming season. Playing Reno Sweeney (not Moonface Martin as would be expected.) What did Los Angeles ever do to deserve this?

This is pretty funny

Donna McKechnie was the only one who didn't acknowledge Glinda when she came out for her curtain call.

Yeah, that checks out.

Is Donna known to be ungracious? Also, why doesn’t she really bow? She just touches her shoulder.

Talk about having a chip on your shoulder. Maybe just acknowledge that you Lempeople took way too many creative liberties with the story and maybe the choreography wasn't so good and maybe the lead actress just couldn't sing for shit.

This production of Cabaret is an exercise in class consciousness. Tickets are expensive. Stars are involved. The experience is unique and exclusive. It emphasizes political awareness against right-wing movements. And lots of alcohol is easily available and can be delivered to your seat.

This is catnip for a segment of New York theater audiences. Especially the ones who are all over their partners before and during the show and think it!: hilarious to dance onstage with proto-Nazis.

Donna is 81 years old so she gets a pass for not doing a deep bow in what looks like a heavy costume and wig. Maybe she didn't stop and wave because she didn't want to hold up the curtain call. She's a pro and not ungracious and I'll bet she's got a better attendance record than that Merrily chick.

Disagree about Lange. Character was a series of cliches and she has used those acting tools in other characters, especially in American Horror Story. I'm team Paulson.

Now THAT’s defying gravity!

Hey MCC! Ever hear of the term "sound designer"? Because The Lonely Few desperately needed one.

[quote]This is catnip for a segment of New York theater audiences. Especially the ones who are all over their partners before and during the show and think it!: hilarious to dance onstage with proto-Nazis.

Sounds a whole lot more fun than " Beetlejuice." This is MY type of show!

Agree with r65. She was incredible.

I think Paulson will win, but Lange can act circles around her.

BREAKING THE STORY is now 80 long minutes instead of 85.

How does such a short play manage to feel so bloody endless?

R81 tell me about it. I hated it.

Why does “Rosie” have to be done on that cart? Fowler did it but does anyone else have an idea?

R82,

Same.

Why do you think this play was even produced?

Audio of the infamous final Lempicka performance at which Eden had to yell at somebody to put the phone down.

Gower not Fowler. DAmn

I guess Boy George sold some Moulin Rouge tickets. They were down $300+K last week. Did any of you hear how he did after that first shaky week?

R84 no idea but I thought the writing was endless cliches, the pacing was very off, the characters were insufferable, and the moments where the non-binary daughter was singing were awkward and embarrassing.

I really hated it. It’s difficult to make 85 minutes feel like 3 hours so I guess they achieved that.

[quote] non-binary

You lost me.

I got my Ragtime ticket for city center!

R85. Who the fuck does this Eden person think she is?

[quote]Are Billy Porter and Jinx Monsoon available?

Jinkx Monsoon is already booked for Anything Goes (as Reno) in LA in January.

R88 that opening transition from the reporter surviving a mortar attack to the girl doing a sad little punk rock number against a bizarre montage of BREAKING NEWS chyrons was easily the biggest "what the fuck?!" moment for me the past year, and I sat through "Perfection" from LEMPICKA.

Does Jinx...tap?

Jinkx Monsoon is already booked for Anything Goes (as Reno) in LA in January.

No shit! You don't say!

Yes r93 and she was off key. I thought “wow - they couldn’t find a girl who could sing?”

I think the AG Jinx is doing is a concert version and not a full production.

Even worse

R96 I also thought closing with a memorial wall to reporters killed in the field was in very bad taste. The play did absolutely nothing to speak towards their experiences and stories, and the whole thing reeked of unearned stolen valor.

[quote]Yes [R93] and she was off key. I thought “wow - they couldn’t find a girl who could sing?"

I think we're supposed to suspend disbelief.

According to the 'wokes' who currently run Broadway, no one person is special and anyone one can be/do everything.

anyone here see Jinx in Little shop?

R99 agreed. It was truly amateur hour on every level.

[quote]According to the 'wokes' who currently run Broadway

You type old, r100.

R20, Hairspray? It won Harvey a Best Actor/Musical, Marissa a Best Actress/Musical, and Dick Latessa a Best Featured Actor/Musical.

R20, Hamilton got three acting Tonys:

Leslie Odom, BA

Renée Elise Goldsberry, BFA

Daveed Diggs BFA

Leslie beat Lin-Manuel, also from Hamilton Daveed beat Groff and Jackson, also from Hamilton

Annnnnd, I missed The Bands Visit response and it does appear to be the right answer and I’m a moron. Forgive.

Let the papering begin!

Platt’s concert is up at TDF (for Thursday 5/30 at 7:30 pm and Friday 5/31 at 8).

[quote] Playing Reno Sweeney (not Moonface Martin as would be expected.) What did Los Angeles ever do to deserve this?

That’s ridiculous. No one would expect her to play Moonface Martin. Reno Sweeney is exactly the part one would expect her to play. I’m excited to see her, it’s a perfect part for her.

That doesn’t look like Alexandra Socha in the stuck Glinda bubble. Is she missing performances ALREADY?

R109. It's Jennifer Newberry in the bubble. The Glinda's and Elphaba's rarely do all 8 perfs a week.

Anyone else hearing about a Broadway producer who's been banned by the actors from coming backstage? Apparently some ugly shit went down.

R111 it’s not Hillary’s fault that she told everyone not to look her in the eye at Suffs

Kevin Chamberlin is playing Moonface at MUNY this summer.

I think their advance is rather big r64

[quote] Reno Sweeney is exactly the part one would expect her to play. I’m excited to see her, it’s a perfect part for her.

Really? When did Reno Sweeney become a fat Jewish broad past menopause?

BREAKING NEWS

[quote]BREAKING UP NEWS

fixed it for you, r116.

[quote]Really? When did Reno Sweeney become a fat Jewish broad past menopause?

It’s true to Ethel’s original conception of the role

r103, you type stupid That line is tired, ageist (obviously), and rude. Do better. “Old“ isn’t an insult unless you’re a moron.

Don't get yer panties in a twist, r119. I bet I've got a few years on r100 and I don't use terms like "woke" (let alone in quotation marks) as a pejorative. If you recall, I wrote that they *typed* old.

r85 you need to timestamp when she calls someone out. I am listening to this and it is so horrid I can't take it.

R121: 1:00:25.

You are a kind soul thank you.

r116 This news was "broken" in the last thread, sweetie. (R95 on May 15.) Try to keep up.

(Although you get credit for including a link to an actual news item, unlike r95.)

Honest question here as I have never been a part of a production, but when do rehearsals usually start for a play on Broadway? Non-musical theater that is. Is it a couple of months before they open? Or more like 6 months?

R125, 3-4 weeks.

Most Broadway plays will rehearse for 4 weeks if there hasn't been a prior production with the same cast and creative team. Then there's usually a week or sometimes as much as 2 weeks (depending on the complexities of sets/lights, etc) of tech/dress rehearsals, and then 4 weeks of previews. This is also pretty much the schedule for the bigger better funded off-Broadway companies like The Public, MTC, The Atlantic, Playwrights Horizons, etc.

[quote] This production of Cabaret is an exercise in class consciousness. Tickets are expensive. Stars are involved.

R74, you described Broadway in general.

[quote] I think Paulson will win, but Lange can act circles around her.

Really, R80? Jessica Lange as Linda Tripp?

[quote] Really? When did Reno Sweeney become a fat Jewish broad past menopause?

About the time Ethel Merman created the role.

[quote] I don't use terms like "woke" (let alone in quotation marks) as a pejorative.

Well, smell you, Miss R120. Please, let's all give Miss R120 an award for her social conscience.

Although Ethel was a slender, 26 year old gentile when she played Reno Sweeney?

R129 maybe? Who is to say? Did you take a magical time machine and offer the role of Linda Tripp to Jessica Lange in 1996 (when she would have been around the same age as Paulson in the crime story)?

[quote] Really? When did Reno Sweeney become a fat Jewish broad past menopause? About the time Ethel Merman created the role.

For visual reference, Ethel Merman in Anything Goes. She may have always been a loud-mouthed-broad type, but she wasn't always built like a refrigerator.

R133, Paulson was a chameleon in that part. And at any age, Lange, as good as she can be, is not a chameleon.

And at this point, Lange has played too many harridan mothers--for Ryan Murphy (in two series), and now on Broadway. Time to move on, Jessie.

R135 fair enough. I just love Lange and could watch her do anything.

R135, ok, but can Paulson play Big Edie?

She was just brilliant in that, R137. Was that her first Emmy?

R137, Lange was great in that. And yeah, I think Paulson could play that part one day--not that we need another Big Edie representation in anything at this point. But that was an excellent production.

Drew Barrymore was also quite good--better than usual.

R140. Imagine Drew and Sarah in the same movie. The lisping would be off the charts.

Drew and Jessica complemented each other so well in this, I thought it unfair at the time that one of them had to beat the other for the Emmy.

I think everyone knew that Jessica would be great but I remembered be surprised by how excellent Drew was as Little Edie. She absolutely nailed it.

Drew won a Golden Globe for GG. I’m not sure if Jessica was nominated in supporting or not at all. Jessica won the Emmy over Drew.

NYT reviews "Romeo & Juliet":

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1966, "Mame" opened at the Winter Garden Theatre.

r144 The BBC wrap up of reviews sums it up with their headline:

[quote]Tom Holland's Romeo wows crowds more than critics

Further in:

[quote]But at the other end of the scale, the Daily Express's one-star critique, external called it "absolute drivel" and described Holland as "a charisma free zone". Time Out said the actor "certainly doesn’t disgrace himself", while the Guardian said it was "a good performance". Other critics also struggled to get exercised, describing Holland's Romeo as "fine", "perfectly OK" and "perfectly plausible".

There have been rumours Holland has been at odds with the creative team and has been unhappy during the days leading up to previews

Yes, the producer story is ugly, at least the one I've heard.

Brooke Shields is now Equity's Pretty Baby!

So Gatsby is a big hit? Sorry Suffs....

So what is the story, R147?

r145...

Paulson was a chameleon in that part. And at any age, Lange, as good as she can be, is not a chameleon.

Paulson has never been a chameleon. You never forget you're watching her as an actress, not a character.

Now to be fair, few actors are able to really be chameleon-like on a consistent basis, but all Sarah Paulson knows how to play is Sarah Paulson.

Sarah Paulson was also great as Marcia Clark.

If " Suffs" doesn't win, who will give the mandatory " female empowerment" acceptance speech?

I'm free that night.

I can’t imagine sitting through any production of Romeo and Juliet.

Maybe if they made it Romeo and Julio and cast two hot guys?

R & J

You don't sound shallow at all, R156.

Why are posters pussy-footing around about naming the vile Broadway producer on an anonymous chat board? What's the point??

Either name him/her or STFU.

Sorry r158 - watching a very young straight couple fall in love and then commit suicide just doesn’t appeal to me anymore as a 43 year old homosexual.

Saw enough Romeo and Juliet productions back when I was in high school and college.

I really wouldn't count on that many Tony voters having seen Jessica Lange or Sarah Paulson in all those Ryan Murphy hagsploitations. I still say Lange will win.

I predict Paulson because her play is better than Lange's.

Any production of R&J that thinks it’s a love story is a misguided production

Two teenagers have a fling that would burn out in days if left alone, but their families make it a big deal and six people die. There’s nothing romantic about it.

[quote]Maybe if they made it Romeo and Julio and cast two hot guys?

An all-male "West Side Story" would be better.

"West Hollywood Story," with Doc in a caftan.

‘Stereophonic’ Playwright David Adjmi Sets The Record Straight On Rumours, Rock Stars And What’s In Store For Broadway’s Most Tony-Nominated Play Ever:

Paulson a "chameleon" as Linda Tripp? You can thank the wardrobe and makeup departments for that, not the actress. I know that she thinks that it was her finest work, but I'd call it one of the least interesting performances of hers I've seen.

No one is ever going to name names here, r 159? That happened once and lawyers were called. that's why it's a gossip site.

R156 I get why it doesn't appeal to you anymore.

Not sure why Sam Gold is directing yet another the R&J coming to Broadway in the fall. Except for the male lead who was great in Heartstopper, I cannot see the draw for it.

The female lead, though pretty, is not someone I would buy a ticket for. Have not liked the movies she has been in so far. And although she has a lovely singing voice, her acting has been - meh.

R152 Lange has proven herself a chameleon when she wants to be. Her Oscar-winning and-nominated performances are completely different from one another, illustrating an actress fully capable of being as transformative as she is emotive. The same applies to her work in Far North, Men Don’t Leave, Cape Fear, Night and the City, Rob Roy, Losing Isaiah, A Thousand Acres, Titus, Prozac Nation, Normal, Grey Gardens, American Horror Story, and Feud.

For example, compare her work in Tootsie to Blue Sky or Sweet Dreams to Men Don’t Leave, and you’ll find not an ounce of trickery but four very distinct women with varying styles and personalities. The one throughline in Lange’s work is the force of her emotions. She doesn’t resort to cheap tricks to appear transformative. She builds her characters from the inside out, connecting viscerally with their emotional highs and lows first before layering the more superficial aspects of personality on top.

Oh jeez, the Lange troll is out of control. It's Paulson for the win.

Doesn’t R170 deserve an extra special Mary! for that post?

OK, so without naming the vile Broadway producer, can we please get some hints?

A man.

Jess accepting her Outer Critics Circle Award for Mother Play. She looks fab,

[Quote] Yes, the producer story is ugly, at least the one I've heard.

Please explain the point of this post

From the Times review of Romeo and Jamie (Lloyd):

[Quote] In several scenes, they speak from fixed positions, stationed behind microphone stands, sometimes facing the audience rather than each other.

[Quote] A camera operator intermittently appears onstage and films close-up footage of an actor’s face, which is relayed in real time onto a screen above the stage.

[Quote] The production’s artful subtlety is encapsulated in the tragic denouement, when the lovers’ deaths are conveyed simply by Holland and Amewudah-Rivers removing their mics.

Oh for fuck’s sake

R171 = Holland Taylor

Why are their so many teases on this thread? Just tell us the fucking name of the producer.

And Romeo & Sam (Gold)

Oh for fuck’s sake

Does anybody remember R&J where the play was performed by schoolboys? That at least sounds interesting.

British theater twink grabs the talkingstick and tells you everything about Rome and Juliet.

The comment section is brutal , especially on the fact that the whole play is delivered in a hushed whisper, has no props and skips the fights.

R180, Yep, that was the one I was talking about.

Andrea Martin has always been brilliant...

r177 Even has an outdoor bit, when Romeo is exiled Holland goes up on the roof.

Oh and there were plans to use drones somehow, which were fortunately dropped during tech.

R170, I'm not sure why you went on that ridiculous tirade and singled me out when I never mentioned Lange. I was clearly talking about Paulson and named her.

Tony winners Laura Benanti and Andre DeShields were on the season finale of "Elsbeth" this week.

Laura looked fab.

R154 I will

[quote]The comment section is brutal , especially on the fact that the whole play is delivered in a hushed whisper, has no props and skips the fights.

I'll just watch the Zeffirelli film again, thanks.

Bullshit, R152. She was absolutely a chameleon as Linda Tripp. And as Marcia Clark. Your hatred of her is embarrassing.

Will there still be a musical performance from The Great Gatsby on the Tony Awards?

Non-nominated shows have performed in the past.

Can MickeyJo Theatre really be considered a twink?

No. And he’s annoying as fuck.

R193, usually they can get on the show if they pay. But there are a lot of non-nominated shows this year, so who knows?

And have we discussed MickeyJo here before? I find myself disagreeing with him on nearly everything, from shows to food, but find his schtick weirdly interesting. Others must too. Since he quit his full time job, he has traveled to New York three or four times.

I love Mickey Jo, but I often disagree with him, as well. Some of that had felt Brit-vs-US sensibilities. Plus, I have 25 years on him.

Correct r196. Shows can also pay for more air time.

I’m still deciding. Should I do the matinee today? I’m thinking no.

R146 that's a big hunk of microphone tape there on her mug.

Hold my beer r154

All I can think of when I watch MickeyJo and the fiance is their digestive systems. All they seem to ingest in NYC are pizzas, fries, burgers, cookies, cheesecake,, sugary cocktails. A little roughage, boys, would do you a world of good.

Did anyone else try to watch Purlie Victorious last night on PBS? Jesus Christ was it AWFUL! I made it through 15 minutes. Leslie Odom, Jr. was doing a speed-thru. And whoever said Kara Young was going to win the Tony must have been high as fuck - she hardly had a speaking voice. Maybe it was better in-person, but I really don't see how.

In person, the play was pretty enjoyable from the front mezzanine, although Odom raced through the first ten minites. It took him thst long to settle down. As far as Young was concerned, I most wanted to see what was supposed to be a classic performance, but she was so stylized and mannered the character was less of a human being and more a cartoon. Interested to hear from those who saw her previous two Tony nominated performances and how she fared.

MickeyJo - more like MickeySlut!

His fiancé is adorable.

R169 apparently the Zegler Romeo and Juliet is NOT a musical so she won’t sing. I hope that’s fake news

it is not a musical r207

I quit Purlie Victorious after a 1/2 hour. It was mostly unintelligible. I kept raising the volume on my remote but that only made the gibberish louder.

Impossible to believe this was the must-see so many were shouting about when it was running on Broadway. Glad I didn't waste my money or the schlep on NJ Transit.

Today I listened to the Giants in the Sky podcast with Patti who was very quick to point out that both Ellen and Betty were FIRED from the role of the witch. You would think Patti would be more sensitive since she was FIRED from Sunset. As usual, she was the victim (Bernadette got everything, Steve hated me, etc) but she was unusually patient with babbling Ben.

I would think it's just the opposite, r210, with Patti thinking she suffered a very public firing, why shouldn't she be able to talk of others?

R211. But were Betty and Ellen actually fired? They eventually brought Ellen to Broadway and, with Betty, they couldn't negotiate a deal. I never heard of either being fired.

Patti Lupone? Lying? I’m stunned.

Need a laugh? Go check out the available seats for Ben Platt’s shows. He’s sold, in some cases, maybe 30%.

He’s an asshole and it couldn’t happen to a more deserving asshole.

I thought he was on TDF but I didn't see it there

It’s there, but it looks like it’s only $15 off.

Even the Broadway subreddit was mocking Ben Platt for charging such insane ticket prices and not selling many tickets.

The chick from Vandercunt Rules sold out Chicago but Tony winner Ben Platt can sell tickets. Go figure.

Can't

I came across the sheet music for this ballad at a bookstore the other day, being a showtune queen is an embarrassment of riches.

[quote]He was on Seth Meyers’ show this week and they said everyone in the studio audience was being given a ticket to the show.

I wonder who or what Platt will blame this flop on this time.

Oh, it's going to be antisemitism isn't it?

Lovely, Kern Troll. Thank you.

The Cat and the Fiddle has a quirky and extremely beautiful score.

Maybe Daddy can pay a bunch of homeless people to fill in the empty seats for Ben.

Betty was definitely fired from ITW. I was there.

Lynn Nottage at an event at the Museum of Broadway

[quote] Nottage shared: “... when I think about what it is that I do, and how do I curate my image, I think more about how do I want to leverage my voice? How do I want to amplify my passion and purpose in ways that can be received by people? And how do I continue to shape that in ways that are authentic, and that are truthful, and that are reflective entirely of who I am?”

[italic] MJ [/italic] , anyone? I mean, sure, a playwright has to make some coin, but [italic] MJ [/italic] ?

Her canceling was ridiculous.

R225 can you elaborate? After 70 episodes, even Ben can’t get the story right on what happened with Betty

I thought Betty's "firing" was about her making unrealistic demands during and in the aftermath of the workshop and Sondheim. Lapine and the producers not granting the demands and thus not moving forward with Betty. Call it a "firing" if you wish.

I’ve read that Betty made a comment to Joanna Gleason suggesting she didn’t know how to perform in a musical, that she was often late for rehearsals, and that she saw the Witch as beautiful in the first act and insulted Heidi Landesman’s costuming with that “insight.” Plus she was doing a lot of coke then. Maybe r225 will actually provide insight, but I doubt that was the point of his post.

[quote]Her canceling was ridiculous.

She should have been canceled ten years ago so we wouldn’t have to suffer through her bland, white bread performances

Why did you post that tape, r227? It just emphasizes how insane that antivax, anti-mask viewpoint is. Fuck Osnes and fuck that idiot who was the “host.”

Heidi (Ettinger) Landesman had nothing to do with Into the Woods, r230.

Other than her husband at the time, but yes it was a synapse misfire on my part. I should have said Ann Hould-Ward.

[quote] Heidi (Ettinger) Landesman had nothing to do with Into the Woods, [R230].

Although Heidi co-produced it and designed the show's logo.

R230. Betty making suggestions to fellow cast members??? Shocking!

Osnes canceled herself. She’s a victim of her own choices.

Mother Play was cancelled last night—due to Jessica’s illness. Rebooking was easy—we were given seats for next Saturday.

[quote]I should have said Ann Hould-Ward.

You mean A. Hould-Ward.

Can a person make a living from doing something like that Into the Woods podcast? How much do the hosts of the popular Broadway podcasts make? What else do they do to make a living 52 weeks a year?

Today’s matinee of Mother Play has also been cancelled. Jessica is still ill.

R237, She did sound like she had a cold on "The View" earlier this week.

Patti talked about how much she loved doing Anything Goes. I saw an early preview and it's the only time she ever looked (to me) like she was having fun on stage. She was the perfect Reno and I would have given her the Tony over Joanna.

R231 obviously did not view the video or she wouldn’t have posted such an idiotic comment.

R227 I agree. But at the time, people thought the vaccine meant you couldn’t get or spread the virus. Her costars believed she put them in danger. Now we know the vaccine only protects the person who takes it.

R242, you’re crazy. Gleason’s is a performance for the ages. A better role, a better show, a glorious and perfect performance.

R244 your science is shit. “Now we know the vaccine only protects the person who takes it” is made-up crap. Full stop.

[quote]But at the time, people thought the vaccine meant you couldn’t get or spread the virus

Only uninformed people, r244.

[quote][R231] obviously did not view the video or she wouldn’t have posted such an idiotic comment.

I viewed over 2/3 of it, more than enough to hear the kind of bullshit that was being spewed (which was obvious from the beginning, when the host says “the only answer is Jesus.”

Osnes and her husband say “we wanted to do our own research.” Yeah, that’s smart. Ignore science and health experts and do your own “research.” The only thing “confusing” was when Trump & the right turned it into a civil liberties issue. Another example of how the filth of Trump cost hundreds of people their lives.

[quote]Another example of how the filth of Trump cost hundreds of people their lives.

You mean hundreds of *thousands*, r248.

Jessica still sick. Matinee today cancelled.

Laura Osnes will be back on Broadway someday.

A talent like hers is what Broadway needs.

Their “own research” during a global pandemic where people were dropping dead all around them.

Shut the F up. Have fun in Nashville singing church music.

R250 no shit

R240

Here was my understanding…feel free to chime in if this is incorrect.

Betty Buckley played the role in the pre-old globe workshop where it was only act one and the Witch had the rap.

Betty left the production and did not continue to San Diego and instead replaced Bernadette in Song & Dance

Patti Lupone was offered the Witch, but wanted to audition of Cinderella instead. They offered her the Witch again and negotiations over billing (ect) broke down and she passed.

Ellen Foley was hired for San Diego. James Lapine didn’t warm to her and called Betty back and said “you must be my witch” which then left Ellen not invited to join the Broadway production.

Betty did the two week Broadway workshop after San Diego, clashed with production and James Lapine over the interpretation and material and was let go before the Broadway rehearsals.

Bernadette offered to do the role as a favor but knew she would need to leave after 6 months because she was committed to film Slaves of New York.

Bernadette was nominated for the Drama Desk, but was snubbed for a Tony nomination, with Joanna Gleason being the sole femal Tony nominee from the show. Gleason beat Patti LuPone, who decided to do Anything Goes instead.

Betty then replaced Barbara Cook in Carrie for Broadway.

In 2002, LuPone was again offered the Witch in the revival, but was already in negotiations for Noises Off.

The role came down to Jennifer Holiday, Vanessa Williams and in a gender-bender Billy Porter, with the role finally going to Vanessa, who received a Tony nomination.

Why aren't they putting Jessica Lange's standby on?

Why bother, r255?

R255, Jessica’s standby is Tasha Lawrence.

[quote]Her canceling was ridiculous.

So was her behavior that brought on her canceling. Make stupid choices, win stupid prizes.

Are you enjoying the rodeo, Laura? Maybe Jesus will find you a better gig soon.

I'll go on for Jessica. I'm sure you'll appreciate my meticulous reconception of the role (including the costumes)!

Vaxx or non-vaxx, I thought Osnes handled the situation badly in the aftermath. But Repugs only know how to be victims so it follows that her entire reaction would be that she was cancelled because of her politics. Out of sight, out of mind Laura. But doing these interviews won't help you get more work.

NONE of the Broadway podcast people get paid. Most podcasters don’t make any money in general, some might make a few dollars here and there but unless you have hundreds of thousands of downloads, you cannot make a living doing a podcast. The audience for Broadway podcasts is very small already as it is very niche. Also, most of those podcasts are unbearable - people babbling on and on, not edited. A lot of them are two people having cocktails yakking unintelligibly. There are only a few that I’ve listened to that were intelligent and meticulously edited and sound professional. I can’t listen to bad sound quality. Also, there are hundreds of them for this tiny industry - how is that sustainable?

[quote]Laura Osnes will be back on Broadway someday. A talent like hers is what Broadway needs.

Because she's white and bland?

[quote]...most of those podcasts are unbearable - people babbling on and on, not edited. A lot of them are two people having cocktails yakking unintelligibly. There are only a few that I’ve listened to that were intelligent and meticulously edited and sound professional.

One of my favorite theater podcasts is called STAGES. It's an Australian production done by a chap named Peter Eyers, a popular emcee at many Aussie events. While most of his guests are Aussie performers and creative staff, he interviews lots of Broadway people when they do shows in Australia, and I find those Broadway folks much more relaxed and honest than when they do press in the US. He recently interviewed Andy Karl, who was reprising his role in Groundhog Day. With him was his leading lady, Elise McCann. It was obvious from the interview that Andy was smitten with her, so when the divorce from Orfeh was announced, I was not surprised.

Osnes was fine in Cinderella but I assume there is a whole new crop of generically pretty white girls to take her place.

R264, She was terrific in Bonnie and Clyde and Bandstand.

BTW . . . There was no more devout a Republican than Ethel Merman.

Why do they have to be white, R264? Not on Broadway. They don't even have to be born female.

Sometimes I worry my schtick gets tiresome, but I can't be anywhere near as bad as people who've made Laura Osnes's career their hill to die on.

There was an insert in the Playbill for Breaking the Story at Second Stage that said the biography in the Playbill for the playwright was outdated. So the insert gave an updated bio.

The update was that she wrote the book for Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Bad Cinderella!

OpenArt doesn't seem to like Patti...

[quote]BTW . . . There was no more devout a Republican than Ethel Merman.

Being Republican in Ethel's day didn't carry the stigma that the party has rightfully earned since.

Anyone listen to the chatterbox Matt Koplik and his podcast?

Lol Osnes is not the kind of talent Broadway needs. She's a bland white homophobic vaccine conspiracy theorist with the same looks and talent as everyone who was ever shit out of amda. She is bland bland bland. She is in a theme park revue in Nashville where she belongs.

How did Merman like the gays?

Heavenly . . .

Patti as the Witch has two left hands, and one of them is on backwards.

[quote]How did Merman like the gays?

Tossed, dressing on the side.

[quote]She's a bland white homophobic vaccine conspiracy theorist with the same looks and talent as everyone who was ever shit out of amda. She is bland bland bland. She is in a theme park revue in Nashville where she belongs.

I thought Broadway embraced diversity.

Who is this fucking troll who keeps pushing the mediocre antivax terrorist, Laura Osnes?

I guess she does have one fan.

Just returned from a matinee of Galileo at Berkeley Rep. You have to hand it to Raul – he’s working hard – and singing really well, though clearly his voice was a bit tired. Unfortunately, the show is three hours of back to back power ballads and anthems – none of them particularly memorable — and the dramaturgy is..unfortunate. Designed quite well, well directed, but the piece itself is not very strong.

R268 that's hilarious - thanks for sharing.

[quote]I thought Broadway embraced diversity.

Not if it extends to latter-day Republican idiots who have nothing but white bread sensibilities, like Osnes.

Oh, Galileo, Oh!

[quote] I thought Broadway embraced diversity

Embracing diversity mean not hiring haters

And that bitch is a hater

R266 There seems several Broadway debuts happening this year. Most are replacing outgoing performers so not a lot who will originate the roles they are filing. Some great, some good, and some....well...

But several are POC which is a lovely change of pace. It was time for some new blood. And a few of them might even become Broadway stars.

R284 Could you name them?

An Emmy worthy performance.

That has nothing to do with theatre, r286. You’ve truly gone off the rails with your obsession with Osnes. I’ll bet you don’t even like her, you’ve just picked as your vehicle to be annoying, which is what you’re really after. You just like annoying everyone.

[quote]But several are POC which is a lovely change of pace

Are these persons any color but black?

Nothing wrong with showcasing a performer’s versatility, R287.

You’re such a hateful, bitter gal.

Why?

MickeyJo comes off as sweet on his podcast, but in person he’s quite the cunt, in the English manner.

Speaking of no voice, can Billy Porter sing anymore. I know his dance stuff is all fixed in the studio, but has anyone heard him sing live lately? I remember watching him in "Shuffle Along" and thinking he had no voice left. Did he have to sing in "Jelly's"?

How’s Jessica?

Porter's writes in his autobiography that whenever he has any life stress or anxiety, his voice takes a hit. He just got divorced and his mom just died. I don't think he'll be singing for awhile.

[quote] I don't think he'll be singing for awhile.

Well, that’s donee we unexpected good news.

Cole Porter is still alive, R293?

Miss Otis regrets, Rose.

Hell's Kitchen will be featured on not one, but two talk shows on Friday (CBS Mornings and The Kelly Clarkson Show). Kelly's also got Ben Platt tomorrow (Tuesday), while Kelly and Mark have Jonathan Groff and Good Morning America/GMA3 is featuring The Who's Tommy. Also on Friday, Sherri Shepherd has Deborah Cox plugging The Wiz and Kelly and Mark have Sarah Hyland plugging Little Shop of Horrors. Finally, Leslie Odom Jr. and Audra McDonald will be on Today on Wednesday and Friday plugging Great Performances: Broadway's Best.

[quote]Kelly's also got Ben Platt tomorrow

More free tickets being given away then

[quiote]Sarah Hyland plugging Little Shop of Horrors

How did I miss that she was in Little Shop???

R299. Starts tomorrow opposite Andrew Barth Feldman.

[quote]Andrew Barth Feldman

Ugh

R298, Each audience member will be given a dozen tickets.

LOL R302

Ben Platt said he would be having different guest artists joining him at each performance.

It would be nice if Laura Osnes were one of them.

Dolls, I paid 300 god damn dollars for a post-Tonys ticket to Merrily. Lindsay better deign to show up or I'll feel cheated.

Thank you, r300. I love her.

R304 how about 25% of Beanie and 75% of Sarah Porkchop.

R305, you have a 20 to 25 percent chance that she’ll skip. More likely after the Tonys, especially if she loses. Is it a matinee? She rarely bothers with those.

For what it’s worth, I saw it once with and once without. It didn’t make much difference. The understudy has a better voice and a less harsh personality, but less star power and chemistry with the other two. But Groff and Radcliffe shouldn’t be missed.

The understudy also doesn't leave candy wrappers around the stage during the performance.

Having seen all of “Purlie Victorious” on Great Performances, I join the consensus of total mystification re the good reviews this satirical comedy received from critics. I was not prepared for how broad and crude the acting was, and how unfunny the whole thing was.

I did think Leslie Odom Jr’s performance had a certain focus and precision so I don’t begrudge him his Drama League and Tony nominations. But Kara Young was flat-out terrible. She certainly got laughs from the audience watching the taping, but she was a mess, her performance was too big by half and very sloppy. And her strangled line readings were extremely irritating. Her Outer Critics Circle win is a travesty, her Drama League and Tony nominations undeserved. Sarah Pidgeon for the win.

I thought Kara Young WASN'T nominated for a Tony for Purlie?

I saw Merrilly twice, both matinees and Mendez was in both times.

The two men are the best part but hopefully she shows up for you r305.

Like R310, I, too, was mystified by the acclaim for Purlie VIctorious (at least going by the PBS filming; friends saw it at the Music Box and loved it). I realize it's a kind of fable and can be played broadly, but I wanted the cast to talk normally -- why was everyone shouting? -- and at a normal pace. Sure, I laughed at a few lines (mostly Gitlow's), but I mainly kept giving the actors different line readings in my head. Odom was completely unintelligible for the first 10 minutes (you know, when all the exposition happens) but then settled down. I have no idea what Kara Young was doing. The set transformation in a church at the end was nice, though. (Oh, and I had to laugh: they filmed Kenny Leon's pre-recorded pre-curtain Turn Off Your Cellphones speech from the back of the mezzanine and you could see about four cellphones still one while he was telling them to shut them down. C'mon, people...)

Basically, PV made me want to see Purlie! because broader acting often works better in a musical.

Good lord...really?

More like The Mediocre Gatsby.

R311 you thought stupidly.

What date, R305??

Has there ever been a literary work so misused as Gatsby in its performance adaptations?

Not since Carrie.

[quote]I, too, was mystified by the acclaim for Purlie VIctorious (at least going by the PBS filming; friends saw it at the Music Box and loved it). I realize it's a kind of fable and can be played broadly, but I wanted the cast to talk normally -- why was everyone shouting?

The shouting was my favorite part!

I thought the production was subtle. Much too subtle.

[quote]Finally, Leslie Odom Jr. and Audra McDonald will be on Today on Wednesday and Friday plugging Great Performances: Broadway's Best.

Is this a new show? I thought they broadcast something like that a while back. This Friday's GP is the Rodgers & Hammerstein tribute.

It might have been a typo. I took it from the TV Everyday listings.

It’s very odd, but in the clip from “The Great Gatsby” at R314, they somehow managed to miss the music and ambience of the 1920s. Am I alone here?

I mean Jesus H. Christ are they kidding? And it’s actually selling tickets, right? The art direction and costumes look lush, I’ll give them that.

Good lord that Gatsby looks like rock pop putrid.

Dame Judi can no longer see.

Gatsby : re-imagined for a contemporary audience.

Time for a "Wait Until Dark" revival!

There was a Wait Until Dark Broadway revival about 20 years ago with Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino (of all people!) and it was a huge flop.

As I recall, wasn't Tarantino not very good?

The Great Gatsby musical is enjoyable enough for what it is, a romantic tragedy with some fine production values and choreography. But as an adaptation of The Great Gatsby itself, it's the pits. I really wish that there was someone in the whole lot who didn't approach things so sincerely.

R331, But all the anthems! The shreiking which takes the place of slowly building a song to a heartfelt finish! How can you suggest yearning nd unrequited love when you’re yelling a song from the get-go?

It’s nuts. The score should have tried at least a few pastiche-type songs.

I'm still laughing about how Myrtle, of all people, got a song where it turns out that she really does love George after all. Naturally, she sings it just before getting smushed by the car.

R20- The Producers. Gary, Cady, and Nathan

Is the Outsiders worth seeing?

If you're into scrawny teenaged boys with bad hair, then yes, r335.

I think it’s time for Frank Wildhorn to take a crack at Gone With the Wind.

Been there, done that.

R336, none of the young actors in THE OUTSIDERS could remotely be described as "scrawny," and one of them has one of the hottest bodies I've ever seen in a Broadway show and displays it during a shirtless scene in Act I that seemed like it lasted almost 15 minutes. The lead actor, Brody Grant, also has a great bod as he showed us in PARADE, though it's not so obvious in THE OUTSIDERS because no shirtlessness for him.

Outsiders probably has the most inventive smart direction of any musical this year. If they give it to Maria, they’ve all gone mad. There is nothing special that she did despite all the hype.

[quote] Much too subtle.

does Imelda know the meaning of that word? LOL

R339 Name the actor!

I'm not R339 but he is referring to Jason Schmidt, who plays Sodapop, the Rob Lowe role.

Nothing soecial

I’m seeing the other Gatsby musical at ART later this summer.

UK DLers are in for a treat! Billy Porter still has a sufficient voice to undertake his first UK solo tour later this year.

Egad!

The " Outsiders" cast of " scrawny teenaged boys with bad hair."

R346. Billy is sure to sell out!

I prefer this to the guy roaming the streets.

R349 is my spirit animal.

R350, Did he attend the Patti LuPone School of Enunciation?

R352. He has something much more important. Abs.

[quote]I prefer this to the guy roaming the streets.

Ah yes, the lovely and very gay Tim Draxl

JOB moving to Broadway. I thought Mother Play would extend...

They should have kept Job off Broadway and turned it into the new Perfect Crime.

Has anyone here seen JOB? Any good?

It is glaringly obvious that "Hell's Kitchen" is going to win Best Musical. Is it really that much better than everything else?

Stay golden! You’ll need it, if you ever want to come back to Broadway.

R354. That derp hair ruins the entire look. Meh.

Exciting!

London's Mousetrap get a new cast - and a new director. Does anyone know if that's more common in London? Long-running shows here are maintained by other directors, sure, but a stated new director seems unusual. Does that mean they'll restage the show? Mousetrap has gone through dozens and dozens of actors. Why a new director now?

R361 I remember when teen Stephanie was the very special guest star on Wonderama!

I got my ticket for Mattress. I realize it was the fan presale…but lots of empty seats.

Does anyone know if Harriet Harris is returning as the Queen?

r348, sorry. Scrawny teenaged boys with bad WIGS.

R362, The Mousetrap changes actors and directors every year. It’s a system which has obviously worked very well.

Hell's Kitchen isn't very good. IMHO, The Outsiders is the Best Musical. I thought it was really beautiful and true to the source material. The Ponyboy and Darryl were excellent and deserving of their Tony nominations. I absolutely loved the music, though it's perhaps not traditional show tunes. It will be a real crime if Hell's Kitchen wins but it probably will due to the star factor.

R367, I liked many things about THE OUTSIDERS, but do you not agree that incorporating black actors among the outsiders group completely destroys any sense of period accuracy in the story?

Seeing that commercial for “The Outsiders” sort of snapped the show into focus for me (since I haven’t seen it). There’s a real “West Side Story” vibe there, though why that should be seen as commercial after the truncated Broadway run of the recent revival and the flop of the Spielberg remake, is beyond me. But I guess it gives people of a certain age a frame of reference. They certainly play up the females in it, when there really don’t need to be any. (Sigh) Straight people!

R369, THE OUTSIDERS is considered commercial because, apparently, almost everyone in this country read the book in high school (except me). I don't know what it was in the commercial that gave you the impression that the female characters are played up in the show. There is only one major female character in it, and though played wonderfully well, she doesn't have all that much stage time.

Cherry?!

There are lots of fast cuts to a ‘dance at the gym’ type number. I was surprised to see any women in it.

I didn't mind the black characters since the story is more about class to me than race. HOWEVER, I agree that dressing up girls in the rumble to pretend to be boys was ridiculous and took me out of the moment. I've seen wonderful costumes/wigs on Broadway so I don't understand why this was so poor. I didn't like the addition of the one random girl Greaser, might have worked better if she'd been made an Anybodys-like character rather than a girl who was sometimes a GF for a Greaser or two - maybe it was intentional that she be the town slut?

Remember when the Mousetrap was coming to Broadway a few years ago?

I guess I'm the only one...

Has Diane Lane commented?

R361 I have an honest question, how long do the replacement actors stay in their roles - as long as they want or is there a set timeframe before the next ones take over?

R374, that ad says “copyright 2024.” Is it current? Maybe it’s coming in the fall.

Honest answer: duh.

Tim Draxl was once a slender twink doing cabaret shows on 10th St.

Ben Platt’s opening night tonight. Mezzanine half sold. They’ve converted all VIP meet-greets to standard price (no meet), listed the performance at TKTS. And Equity lounge offering up to 4 comps per member for performances this week.

Opening night! It’s gonna be a long 3 weeks.

Platt’s up at TKTS for $75, which still seems high. Who is he opening for?

R376 In London they seem replace all but stars after a year.

[quote]Tim Draxl was once a slender twink doing cabaret shows on 10th St.

Tim.

Why hasn't he been on Broadway? He could do anything Tveit can do.

Sunset Blvd.

Lindsay!

" Hadestown" at the Olivier Awards

R386, of course she showed! She never misses a TV appearance or any event where the press will be in attendance.

All right already

Does anyone know if I skipped this evening’s performance?

He's singing Sunset but he's channeling Norma.

Competent singer but he's not acting. Where's the edge? Where's the bitterness?

It's not a stage performance, R491, so acting as if in the show would be a little much..

All that boring text and no FOLLIES!!

Hell's Kitchen is this season's "Emporer Has No Clothes show." The book is insanely bad -- it's nearly 3 hours of a 17 year old fighting with her mother about her boyfriend, with a deadbeat dad and a near dead piano teacher thrown in for gratuitous measure. I was so bored, and the sound levels were insane. Shoshana's big second act number makes no sense -- she bursts into a strange bar to tell them not to hire her ex husband. This shit was terrible.

R392, it isn't asking much to perform a song rather than just sing it adequately.

She actually barges into the bar to tell them to please HIRE her husband so he moves far away and never comes back into their lives again even though she asked him to come and see them. And then in two scenes after this number she invites him to dinner.

[quote]Shoshana's big second act number makes no sense -- she bursts into a strange bar to tell them not to hire her ex husband.

That was one of the lowest points of many in the show. Another one came when Shoshana's character begs her estranged ex-husband for help with their unruly daughter. He finally agrees to try to help and says he'll stay for dinner to talk with the daughter then, at which point Shoshana's characters says "No, dinner is for family" -- right after having begged him for help.

And another low point is the street musician character whining that everyone assumes he's a thug when he's nothing of the sort -- and yet he wears his pants with the waistband pulled more than halfway down his butt, and he keeps grabbing his crotch while singing that song about how he doesn't want to be perceived as a thug.

[quote]She actually barges into the bar to tell them to please HIRE her husband so he moves far away and never comes back into their lives again.

Yes, and at which point she sings the pre-existing Alicia Keys song "Pawn It All," in which she offers to pawn her watch, her chain, her ring and, umm, I guess, give the money earned by pawning to the guys who are considering hiring her ex so that they will, umm, definitely hire him and thereby get him out of her life and that of her daughter. Which has got to be the most idiotic moment yet seen in any jukebox musical, and that's saying something.

Thanks R382, interesting that they switch over the rest of the cast but not the leads on The West End.

Not sure how it's done on Broadway.

On Broadway, we don't have stars that stay in the role for as long is a year.

[quote] I have an honest question, how long do the replacement actors stay in their roles - as long as they want or is there a set timeframe before the next ones take over?

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, R376, but the answer to your question is glaringly obvious. And the glaringly obvious answer is that how long replacement actors -- or, for that matter, actors who originate roles -- stay in their roles varies greatly and depends entirely on the contracts they sign with the producers after mutual agreement.

That said, whereas back in the day far longer contacts were not unheard of, now it seems that original cast members of shows rarely sign for more than a year, and replacement actors rarely sign for more than six months. But again, contracts can be much shorter than that, as anyone who has paid attention to the casting of CHICAGO knows very well.

Ben Platt ticket sales?

r402 Illustrated

Listen, I'm shocked he's done that well.

It's a bit of hubris to book such a large theater.

It helps when you give away free tickets to studio audiences. But not much.

Giving tickets away to studio audiences doesn’t mean they’re going to attend.

r407 So? They're still going to be marked as unavailable on Ticketmaster.

R408, And those unused free tickets will mean empty seats.

r409 Exactly what point do you think you're making? I posted the hilarious seating availability, r404 said he's surprised Platt did even that well and I said it's aided by Platt handing out free tickets to anyone he meets. Whether those seats go empty makes no difference to the availability maps.

Are you dense, R410?

An unoccupied seat is one less patron he’d be performing to.

How sparse the audience is at each performance is what matters.

How could someone be so deluded about their selling power?

This is actually kind of cute. I guess grassroots Tony campaigning is a thing.

True, R407! Most of those audiences are tourists and have to head to LGA in the morning to head back to Omaha. What good is a free ticket to a show in New York when you’re back in Salinas or Boise?

r411 Not in the context of the conversation we were actually having. Hardly surprising to learn you're the Osnes troll.

Ben Platt's dad: stop trying to make your son happen!

R415, Actually, you’re beyond dense. You’re idiotic.

R292, I'm told last night's show (5/28) was canceled again due to Miss Lange's absence. I hope she's okay.

R418, What am I, chopped liver?

R413 it’s sad that Kecia Lewis is such a lock because the narrative of Leslie finally winning after years of struggling is a good story to tell.

R400, Excuse you?

I wonder what prestidigitation Marc Platt will devise before Benji’s grosses come out next week

[quote]Platt’s up at TKTS for $75, which still seems high. Who is he opening for?

Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers.

It's worse than we ever could have imagined.

Audra is totally doing Gypsy. She posted an Instagram story saying “ready or not” with a picture of an animal that she wrote “this is Caroline. I like everything about her fine”

I’m so dissapointed. I like her but I don’t want to hear these songs in that voice

Sutton! Urie!

R242 - with all that braying he must be auditioning for the role of the bovine Caroline in Audra's Gypsy.

Caroline doesn't bray.

Matinee of Mothers Play canceled

R415, Osnes troll is …redundant.

After this, Mother Play only has 22 more performances scheduled. I wonder how many will be able to be performed.

Ben is spending 3 weeks at the Palace to audition for Sally when Rankin leaves.

He actually sounded pretty good singing Maybe this Time but adding the kimona was unnecessary and distracting.

Why is Frank DiLella filming during a performance?

Whenever I want to annoy my husband, I put on the Ben Platt Radio City concert. He can't stand his voice. I don't mind it in certain instances, but a whole concert no thanks. I like that the entire audience was nothing but fat girls and twinks.

He’s kind of a fat girl himself.

He was bored R434. And/or Ben asked him to.

R428, but I do!

[quote]It's a bit of hubris to book such a large theater.

Especially for more than a few nights, and especially given the poor ticket sales for his show at Madison Square Garden. It seems that he sells tickets when he appears in shows like DEAR EVAN HANSEN and PARADE, not so much in what are basically solo concerts, but this fact is apparently unclear to him even though it's clear to almost everyone else.

Laura Osnes would have sold out her Palace engagement.

He sounds Cher on that clip.

That clip of Ben singing "Maybe This Time" is likely to kill Liza if she sees it.

[QUOTE] it’s sad that Kecia Lewis is such a lock because the narrative of Leslie finally winning after years of struggling is a good story to tell.

She is hardly a lock. In fact, I’d say this category is one of the ones that’s ripe for a surprise.

[quote]Laura Osnes would have sold out her Palace engagement.

How about as a double act with Jeremy Jordan?

Word is that Audra's GYPSY will be directed by George C Wolfe. Could be interesting.

R445, Why not John Doyle, so Mama Rose could play an instrument?

Audra could have easily played the flute during the Small World reprise

Does the public like Gypsy as much as the theater industry does? This would be the sixth Broadway production.

This list is out of date but it's the only one I could find.

Was the last one Patti’s in, what was it, 2007?

Have they cast Baby June yet?

Diary of a Flop

R450

[quote]Are you dense, [R410]? An unoccupied seat is one less patron he’d be performing to. How sparse the audience is at each performance is what matters.

You are arguing a different point than that of the person you are arguing with. Are YOU so dense that you can't understand the difference?

[quote]Laura Osnes would have sold out her Palace engagement.

Maybe if there was a huge Christian convention in town.

[quote] Matinee of Mothers Play canceled

Sad last days, r429.

Any chance Tonya Pinkins could be Matinee Rose or did she burn her bridges with Wolfe?

R453 is an ignorant cunt.

No, r457, r453 is correct. You're the troll here.

R458 is responding to her own posts.

why does every theater thread wind up with 2 pissy queens fighting? it's so tiresome. get a room.

Re the Audra GYPSY, someone on Facebook asked, "When does it open?" But my question is, "How fast will it close?"

Worst kept secret

[quote] Any chance Tonya Pinkins could be Matinee Rose or did she burn her bridges with Wolfe?

Is there any bridge that crazy bitch hasn't incinerated?

r459 is giving herself W/Ws. That's something Laura Osnes would do.

459 IS Laura Osnes!

What’s not to love?

R465, I'm really starting to believe that.

Laura Osnes and Christine Ebersole

IN

"Dr. Fauci Always Knocks Twice"

Those $35 lottery ticket not a sure thing, since I did not get picked today

Am I the only person who thinks Audra is totally wrong for Rose in GYPSY? My social feeds are all excited about this.

R462, Why did Audra vehemently deny it a couple of months ago?

R462, Laura Osnes IS Louise!

Laura Osnes for Hollywood Blonde #3!

Jesus!

R471 according to the video she posted on her Instagram, the contract details hadn't been worked out yet, I think?

And the little teaser they’ve made she sounds like Leslie uggams.

So this is the first show since Phantom to play the Majestic? No wonder they're including the theater as part of their promotion. Clever idea

Ah Imelda @r321 the world needs more of your absolutely livid dwarf shtick.

[quote]Am I the only person who thinks Audra is totally wrong for Rose in GYPSY?

She is very wrong for it in several respects but most of all vocally. She might conceivably sound right for the part if the keys were lowered to the point where she sang everything in her lower register and never at all ventured anywhere near soprano territory, but I really doubt that's going to happen.

I've seen every Broadway production except the OBC of Gypsy. The bare bones Tyne Daly revival will always be my favorite. As far as Gypsy goes, I've had sufficient.

Although the Tyne Daly production was a tour that came to Broadway, I don't recall it being a "bare bones" revival.

Loved the Tyne Daly production, but it was my first GYPSY. Didn't love the Patti revival.

Audra as Momma Rose doesn't excite me but George Wolfe directing it does.

I guess if Camille Brown is choreographing it we won't see any of the usual Robbins schtick (so much seems baked into the libretto). Though I highly doubt she'll surpass it.

Let's just thank the theatre gods Kenny Leon (or god forbid Stro) isn't directing GYPSY.

So who is the producer banned from backstage?

I think I once read that certain parts of Gypsy must be done the Jerome Robbins way… or maybe that’s Fiddler?

No cancellation announcement for tonites performance of Mother Play. Yet.

[quote]Audra as Momma Rose doesn't excite me but George Wolfe directing it does.

Considering that Wolfe's track record as a director has been very spotty for quite some time, why do you feel that way? And even if his recent track record had been a lot better, what would you expect him to bring to GYPSY that would be special, in view of the fact that his track record with musicals specifically has been even more spotty?

R486 that no longer applies, as you would know if you saw the most recent Broadway productions of those two shows.

I've heard (from pretty reliable sources) that the book will have to be "adjusted" to account for Audra's race: that Rose will allude to multiple marriages, allowing for one daughter (June) to have had a black father and Louise a white one. So the Rose role will not be color-blind and Gypsy could reasonably be a light-skinned woman. Sounds like thread a very small needle, but I can't believe Wolfe will pretend that race won't be alluded to.

*threading

Rose is funny. Has Audra been funny since Carousel?

Given that the vocal demands of Gypsy even taxed Merman, how many performances a week do we think Audra will be missing?

Interesting, R490. It's fascinating to me, though often annoying, how various theater artists deal with the concept of casting people of color in previously "white" roles -- whether they call it "color-blind casting" or "color-conscious casting" or "alternative casting" or whatever, and whether or not the characters in question are now supposed to be considered to be of color or, alternatively, if the audience is not even supposed to think about the race of the characters. Some people really turn lots of somersaults in their brains whenever this subject is discussed.

[quote] Momma Rose

She is Madame Rose, not "Momma."

Hmm....

[quote]Given that the vocal demands of Gypsy even taxed Merman, how many performances a week do we think Audra will be missing?

I'm ashamed that this didn't occur to me, as I'm sure it's going to be a huge issue here. In the past, Audra has had multiple, frequent absences from roles which she found vocally taxing to any significant extent, beginning with RAGTIME and continuing through PORGY AND BESS. Rose in GYPSY is arguably as taxing or more so than any of her previous roles. So I suspect what will happen with GYPSY is what happened with PORGY: She'll sign up for eight performances a week but will soon begin calling out frequently, then eventually an alternate will be hired and/or the number of performances of the show per week will be reduced to seven. Or maybe they'll start with a seven-performance week from the beginning? Stay tuned.

I thought Arthur Laurents made it VERY clear that the book of Gypsy can NOT be altered

R498, such restrictions are rarely paid attention to for very long after the writer dies.

Mammy Rose (well, somebody was going to say it at some point)

[quote](well, somebody was going to say it at some point)

Keep telling yourself that, r500.

Fuck him, R498.

fuck you Mary Rodgers... you were supposed to spill all the tea about Arthur after he died and no told us NOTHING

Again?

[quote]Fuck you Mary Rodgers... you were supposed to spill all the tea about Arthur after he died and told us NOTHING

Not really true, as you would know if you read her memoir, written with Jesse Green.

Will Billy Porter be playing Herbie or Miss Mazeppa?

How was Christine Baranski‘s audiobook of the Mary Rogers book?

r488, while I can't disagree with you that Wolfe's track record on directing musicals has been spotty, I'd still be more interested in seeing his (presumably) fresh take on the material than another Robbins copy of a copy. Wolfe is still more viable for me than most other directors working these days.

What I really wish is for an all-black cast a la the Pearl Bailey Hello Dolly. Among other things, I feel like race wouldn't have to be addressed. Would that be considered offensive in some way now? Honest question, I really don't know how it would be perceived. I just remember the Bailey Dolly, which I saw when I was in college, with enormous affection.

But Dolly! is pretty much a fantasy, with no historic roots. There may be a rich history of black performers in vaudeville during the 30s, and lots of stories to tell, but GYPSY as written ain't one of them.

To be fair, Gypsy wasn’t written for Patti LuPone to claw at her character’s name in lights, but it was a choice, I have far more faith in McDonald/Wolfe to find something interesting and startling in Gypsy than Laurents/LuPone.

Were there black acts on the Orpheum circuit?

The only strange part of Audra doing Rose is it is based on a real person, who was white. But Audra can delight, (her Mahagony was brilliant), so this could be great.

Dolly! may be a fantasy but Gypsy is a fable.

[quote]Another Robbins copy of a copy

I would say it has been quite a while since we've seen "another Robbins copy of a copy" of GYPSY, and anyway, that applies mostly to the musical staging and choreography, which presumably will not be handled by George C. Wolfe.

Alexander Hamilton was also a real person.

"quite a while since we've seen"........???

Speak for yourself, r514

The thought of Camille Brown choreographing "All I Need Now is the Girl" is delicious.

R515 Meh, that part was written to be played by a man of color.

R517, I suppose there's a joke there that I'm not getting....

R516, can you explain what you mean by that comment?

I love 'Gypsy' but I'd really like to see a revival of 'On The Twentieth Century'.

Deadline reviews "The Great Lillian Hall":

I'd rather see a revival of "City of Angels."

Alex Newell IS Not-So-Dainty June!

Will Uncle Jocko and Herbie be combined like in the film? I can see Wolfe doing that. David Alan Grier would be palatable as both.

Billy Porter IS Mazeppa!

Jinkx Monsoon IS Tessie Tura!

I seriously wonder if Wayne Brady will play Herbie. Or will it be Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Trish Hawkins IS Miss Cratchitt (she can only sing 6 notes).

Does Herbie have to be black?

Alex Borstein as her Mrs. Maisel character as Herbie. She'd be great...and it's entirely plausible that Rose would canoodle with a lesbian if she felt that lesbian would help her. Aren't there even lesbian tidbits about the real Rose out there?

Will Swenson IS Herbie!

“Two shows a day really drain a girl.”

(An actual example of a “usage note” from my library school reference-books textbook.)

[quote] Aren't there even lesbian tidbits about the real Rose out there?

Yes. She was a lesbian.

Gershwin told me never to take a singing lesson.

Dyke Merman was only loud, not good. And she was a Republican and a lousy actress.

Why not so all-black cast?

It was the other one, not me, who was the dyke, r535! The one flying around as a little boy. I like men, kid!

[quote: I like men, kid!]

Not all men.

You bitches are all confusing me with Mary Martin! Dyke, ya know.

Audra sings

I think Merman gets a bum rap for her acting, because Sondheim and Laurents were so dismissive of her. But on the audio of her full performance, I think she's great in the songs AND the scenes. Her approach in the dressing room scene before "Rose's Turn" is really interesting. She sounds a bit like a lost petulant child and there is vulnerability there, where other actresses have just gone loud and manic. And needless to say, she gets laughs even in places where you didn't think laughs were possible. The show, having been crafted for her, fits her talents like a glove.

R541, Merman always said in interviews that if you removed the music, it would be an excellent play.

Thanks for your post, R541. I wasn’t aware such a recording existed, but I’ve just found it on YouTube and listened to the dressing room scene. What a marvel. So thank you.

The Merm’s great in the movie of Call Me Madam too. I agree that those bitches Sondheim and Laurents were just jealous that she got all the rave reviews for Gypsy.

Also, for the poster who called her "loud, not good," here is an article where Arturo Toscanini, Luciano Pavarotti and Grace Moore sing Merman's praises.

I have seen every new Broadway musical this Spring, and except for "Illinoise" several cast members were out. It's a new world.

Why would Gypsy have to be altered to allude to several previous marriages?

"But Mama gets married, and married, and married

And never gets carried away..."

Thanks Steve. Job done.

Once again, it's time to contradict those who claim SS was bitchy about Merman's skill. From his book Finishing the Hat: "As it happened, Ethel turned out to be a better actress than we'd anticipated, limited in range, but capable of shadings and variety and with, of course, impeccable timing. She was able to tap into the reserve of anger that fuels every comedian, high or low."

I suspect Laurents is on record saying something similar. Both men knew that Ethel delivered their work better than anyone could at that time (of course, because it was tailored to her skills.). So to suggest they were jealous of her reviews is just silly.

I believe that Laurents compared her acting skills to (or called her) a “trained dog.”

I do not think Gypsy with Audra (and I am a fan) is a sure thing. There has not been a stampede this morning to buy tix, it was easy and no wait. So..... we shall see.

Audra will have a three piece orchestra - piano, stool, and cover.

On my wish list would be a plus size Dainty June.

[quote]True, [R407]! Most of those audiences are tourists and have to head to LGA in the morning to head back to Omaha. What good is a free ticket to a show in New York when you’re back in Salinas or Boise?

Why are you assuming most tourists in NYC are from the Midwest?

The majority of Midwesterners are conservative and despise very liberal New York and wouldn't be caught dead there, especially these days.

The ones who make their way there tend to lean left, politically.

Not sayin there aren't conservatives who visit, but they tend to be few and far between.

Let me! Entertain Yo Asses! I'm that bitch!

R553 everyone wants to come to NYC, from everywhere. Who are you kidding.

We are stuffed to the gills with tourists…

New York is the center of New York! Nothing more.

"Who wants to (visit) New York?/Who wants the worry, the noise, the dirt, the heat?/Who wants the garbage cans clanging in the street?/Suddenly I do!"

Won't it be perfectly *swell*?

[quote]Does Herbie have to be black?

The worst part about Audra playing Rose is going to be the endless DL posts debating nontraditional casting, as though there weren't already too many of them. Who the fuck cares whether Herbie is black.

The second worst part will be the blind YAAASSSS KWEEEEN worship of Audra simply for setting foot on stage, before she even sings a note.

We're in for months of YAAASSS and MOTHER IS MOTHERING! and SHE ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS! as soon as previews start.

To be fair, Laurents quotes SS as calling Rose "a talking dog." He went on to say "Acting hadn't made Ethel Merman Ethel Merman, but she had personal qualities that made her right for Rose: not very bright but shrewd, common, charismatic, able to defeat you before you could get a swipe at her and, pure Rose, a walking exuberant advertisement for self-ignorance is bliss. " Not exactly a valentine, but an awareness of how important ol' Ethel was to the show.

R505, have YOU read the Rodgers/Green memoir? I loved it, but no specific tea was ever spilled on why Rodgers hated Laurents so much.

R562 God, he was such a cunt.

[quote]On my wish list would be a plus size Dainty June.

r552 see r524

Audra Gypsy tickets and Trump guilty. A VERY good day!

R566 Hilary Clinton masturbating with a crucifix!

Hey, I played Minnie Fay, why can't I play Dainty June?

R560. Well, to be fair—shouldn’t Herbie be Inuit/First Nations? I mean, REPRESENTATION MAYTERS!!!

Don't you hate it when you try to be funny, and you include a spelling error?

It shows us just how much thought you put into it.

In NYC, Theater Is Everywhere:

If you can call THAT theater.

Does anyone know, did Barbra ever go to see Bette in Hello, Dolly?

R574 no. But she did see Bernadette in Follies and then recorded Losing My Mind on her next album.

I saw "Death Becomes Her" last night. With the understudy for Simard in (Natalie Charle Ellis, who was great). It is a lot of fun, full of great one-liners and targeted to the Broadway Bares crowd. While it is fun, and hilarious at times, the show drags and the score is rather mediocre, similar to the "Addams Family." I cannot remember one song nor a melody. However, what surprised me, is that in the cavernous, and packed, Cadillac Palace Theatre (Capacity: 2,344) the audience roared the moment the lights went down and went pretty much crazy after each number. The audience has spoken, they loved it and it comes into NY as a certified audience pleaser. And, whether you like her performance or not, Michelle Williams is a crowd favorite.

R576. Natalie Charlie Ellis went on for Simard with one hours notice and I think she's been on for most of the week. Gotta give them credit for not cancelling the performance and Natalie is getting raves from those who saw her.

What’s the status of the Motherf…in Play? Is it on or off tonight/tomorrow?

R578, Mother Play was back on, starting 5/29, with all the principles in place, but Miss Lange had a bit of a cough.

I'm very suspicious of calling an incoming show as "a certified crowd pleaser." Many shows have sailed into New York on waves of praise, only to crash and burn on the shore.

Particularly from Chicago, r580

Saw Heart of Rock and Roll and it was a big surprise. The book is a funny, silly mess, but who cares? The choreography is aces, and there are a number of shoulda-been Tony nominations among the performers (not to mention a memorable appearance by Corey Cott's bare torso.). .Pure joy onstage. I'd see it again.

Agree, R582. Loved it. Old fashioned musical comedy--snappy and a good-time - and none of the crazy American Idol/Hell's Kitchen type of screaming. Very true to the sound of the original music. Just delightful.

And yes, Corey Cott's biceps were the added bonus.

I’m glad that the principals are back on stage. As a matter of principle.

Mother’s principles are gin and regret.

People hate Mendez. The mess is real.

Paulson? Not after how she's treating her beloved/formerly beloved.

Pardon, R586?

Is Simard on vacation in Peru with beau Danny Burstein?

R588 she’s Mendez’s doula…requires a lotta work.

George Dvorsky’s the one who’s on vacation with Danny Burstein in Peru. George was Becca’s best friend.

I wish I could take a Peruvian vacation with Danny Burstein. The best I can do is Ecuador with Brooks Ashmanskas.

[Quote] Don't you hate it when you try to be funny, and you include a spelling error?

Don't you hate it when you try to be funny, and you’re not?

R575 Thank god nobody on here picked up the "fun"-fact from her autobio that Barbra walked out of the original production of Follies. Something that might get her canceled on here forever.

Barbra was given fantastic talent, but middling taste. It happens.

[quote]Thank god nobody on here picked up the "fun"-fact from her autobio that Barbra walked out of the original production of Follies

That would have been noticeable as there wasn't an intermission.

Jessica Lange is back in MOTHER PLAY.

Saw the show last night.

She had a few coughing spells, but damn if she didn't incorporate them into her character, as if the drinking had brought it on.

Fellow DLers, Lange is giving a performance for the ages. What a privilege it was to witness that last night. And how fabulous it was to watch Lange originate a role.

I saw MARY JANE this week too. Rachel McAdams is excellent, though I'm not sure that play needs to be in a Broadway house.

That Tony is definitely between Sarah Paulson and Lange. Lange gets to show and do more in her play, and she's a legendary actress giving a legendary performance. I think APPROPRIATE will win Best Revival, and Lange will squeak by Paulson.

Crazy that this category is so much more competitive and stacked that its musical counterpart. Four of the five actresses in the play category (including Betsy Aidem, not Amy Ryan) would or could win in other years. And I don't give a single damn who wins for musicals. Not that a one of them is bad. We're not talking Aaron Tveit here. It's just to be overly excited or passionate about any one of those five.

This season is ALL ABOUT THE PLAYS.

New thread

Baaaa

Baaaa....

Bajour!