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THEATRE GOSSIP #576: The "Tammy Faye is Swept Away" Edition

It was between that and "Death Becomes Tammy Faye."

¯_(ツ)_/¯

by Anonymousreply 501December 2, 2024 8:23 PM

Previous thread:

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by Anonymousreply 1November 21, 2024 4:11 PM

(Insert 10 posts of bitching about the thread title.)

I think it's fine, OP.

by Anonymousreply 2November 21, 2024 4:14 PM

The bidding for Chita's Spider Woman Tony is holding steady at $8,000 with five days left to go. Her Tony for The Rink is currently going for $1k less.

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by Anonymousreply 3November 21, 2024 4:15 PM

Too soon OP?

by Anonymousreply 4November 21, 2024 4:29 PM

[quote]The bidding for Chita's Spider Woman Tony is holding steady at $8,000 with five days left to go. Her Tony for The Rink is currently going for $1k less.

Only the two?

by Anonymousreply 5November 21, 2024 4:30 PM

Did William Hurt’s kids sell his “Kiss” Oscar? Will JLo’s kids sell hers??

by Anonymousreply 6November 21, 2024 4:44 PM

Joy Behar To Lead Cast Of Her Off Broadway Play ‘My First Ex-Husband’:

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by Anonymousreply 7November 21, 2024 5:22 PM

Still no link to that video then?

by Anonymousreply 8November 21, 2024 5:35 PM

R7: I can fill in while she's out.

by Anonymousreply 9November 21, 2024 5:52 PM

What is the ABS as it relates to Michael Park in the last thread?

Will I be embarrassed that I couldn't figure it out?

by Anonymousreply 10November 21, 2024 6:51 PM

R7 omg, I’m a fan of Joy…but that show sounds dreadful!

by Anonymousreply 11November 21, 2024 6:53 PM

A playwright she ain't!

by Anonymousreply 12November 21, 2024 7:16 PM

Wow! We're getting a whole new Wicked musical.

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by Anonymousreply 13November 21, 2024 7:47 PM

I wonder if Schwartz and Holzman are going to make “Son of a Witch” into a musical?

by Anonymousreply 14November 21, 2024 9:21 PM

Did anyone identify the middle poster in the bottom row of that porn scene from the last thread?

by Anonymousreply 15November 21, 2024 10:17 PM

I'm now the lead bidder on a few of Chita's outfits.

MARY!

by Anonymousreply 16November 21, 2024 10:38 PM

real women have Boops!

by Anonymousreply 17November 21, 2024 11:26 PM

Nicely done OP on thread name!

by Anonymousreply 18November 21, 2024 11:31 PM

r10 Adult bookstore. Which Mr. Park is rumored to have frequented in his television days.

(Or was it his Evan Hansen days?)

by Anonymousreply 19November 22, 2024 2:02 AM

If the latter—-on the west side of 8th Ave, in the high 40s?!

by Anonymousreply 20November 22, 2024 2:18 AM

First preview of Gypsy.

I’m sure the queens will say Audra is definitive and “mother” and “queen”

It doesn’t deny the fact that her voice is not right for this role no matter how many times she “SLAYS”

by Anonymousreply 21November 22, 2024 2:18 AM

Or 8th Ave., between 14th and 23rd?

by Anonymousreply 22November 22, 2024 2:19 AM

Rumor has it he can suck the chrome off a bumper!

by Anonymousreply 23November 22, 2024 2:26 AM

Jesse Green really loved the ladies of Death Becomes Her:

Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard are "comic treasures"

"Hilty is an inventive and beguiling comedian, putting a warm spin on even the meanest zingers."

"Simard is simply brilliant. I say 'simply' advisedly; it takes a lot of craft and homework to stand next to Hilty and not be outdone. Happily, her Helen is an astonishing creation of disappointment and disparagement: Dorothy Parker boiled down to a syrup, spitting takedowns like sour candies."

"The chance to see two theatrical masterminds go at it for a few hours is sufficient justification for the effort. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in its next incarnation, the Lunt-Fontanne Theater became the Hilty-Simard."

by Anonymousreply 24November 22, 2024 2:50 AM

R24: I'm shocked how much he liked Swept Away.

by Anonymousreply 25November 22, 2024 2:55 AM

Reviews for DBH are mostly raves and even Jesse was mixed.

Having worked with Chris Gattelli a couple of times over the years, I'm quite shocked he got it together. Of all those ex-chorus boys who went on to become choreographers and then directors, he would have been the last I'd predicted this kind of success. But he's a sweet guy, so there's that.

by Anonymousreply 26November 22, 2024 3:37 AM

I think Hilty/Simard will be tougher to figure out for Tonys.

At least Mary Louise Wilson and Christine Ebersole had a clear lead/supporting divide.

by Anonymousreply 27November 22, 2024 3:56 AM

No one will ever accuse OP of being a try hard.

by Anonymousreply 28November 22, 2024 4:07 AM

I would think Chita’s Tony for The Rink would have the higher value since it was her first and therefore more historically significant. She also beat Bernadette and Liza.

Bonham’s hasn’t positioned this correctly.

by Anonymousreply 29November 22, 2024 4:10 AM

Bernadette deserved that Tony.

by Anonymousreply 30November 22, 2024 4:29 AM

Well, now she can buy it!

by Anonymousreply 31November 22, 2024 4:32 AM

Poor Bernie.

by Anonymousreply 32November 22, 2024 4:43 AM

Yeah, but Bernie didn't deserve her Tony for AGYG and Song & Dance was nothing special, either, so it all equals out. She got those two awards to make up for losing Sunday and (later) Gypsy.

by Anonymousreply 33November 22, 2024 4:50 AM

I didn't know Tony voters were psychics who also considered future losses when voting. Does the American Theatre Wing give out crystal balls with Antoinette Perry trapped inside like Madame Leota?

by Anonymousreply 34November 22, 2024 5:01 AM

Sweetie, I didn't mean it literally. I meant that there were two performances Bernadette deserved Tonys for that she didn't get and two she got because the competition was weak those years and it was nice to honor her. If it means so much to you to be chronologically in order, then you may count her AGYG award as a make up for Into the Woods.

Meanwhile, Marissa Jaret Winokur was a guest judge on a roller skating competition show last month.

by Anonymousreply 35November 22, 2024 6:16 AM

Marissa Jaret Winokur makes me want to leave America.

by Anonymousreply 36November 22, 2024 10:11 AM

[quote]Did anyone identify the middle poster in the bottom row of that porn scene from the last thread?

It's for a production of Pam Gems' play, "Dusa, Fish, Stas, & Vi" at the Mark Taper Forum in L.A. (1978)

The stars were: Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Warren, Fran Brill, & Marybeth Hurt.

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by Anonymousreply 37November 22, 2024 10:13 AM

THANK you, r37! For some reason, that was driving me crazy! Blessings on you!

by Anonymousreply 38November 22, 2024 10:27 AM

The new Sally Bowles in Cabaret seems to be out of the show quite a bit more than her scheduled absences. Don't these youngins like to work anymore?

by Anonymousreply 39November 22, 2024 11:59 AM

So Gypsy first preview is getting a mixed review.

The influencers on Twitter are all saying Audra and the show are amazing (as predicted) and that Audra had Tony #7 sewn up.

Broadwayworld chat board is much more critical and calling the whole thing a misfire and Audra miscast.

Will be interesting to see who wins the argument in the end.

by Anonymousreply 40November 22, 2024 12:15 PM

Audra’s voice is just fine for Rose. It’s just a warmer voice than the sledgehammer stuff we’re used to. It will make Rose a more empathetic person.

Looking forward to see this version! Never, never bet against Audra.

by Anonymousreply 41November 22, 2024 12:16 PM

[Quote] Audra had Tony #7 sewn up

What about me and my Jesus MAGA hat??

by Anonymousreply 42November 22, 2024 12:17 PM

Someone has apparently started a thread - they apparently exploded in a gushing orgasm after seeing Audra.

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by Anonymousreply 43November 22, 2024 1:50 PM

Those first preview GYPSY comments on BroadwayWorld are all over the place but everyone agrees the strippers stole the show. As usual. Audra's getting everything from STUNNING to looks like she doesn't want to be there.

by Anonymousreply 44November 22, 2024 2:10 PM

[quote]Someone has apparently started a thread - they apparently exploded in a gushing orgasm after seeing Audra.

I hope they sat on a towel.

by Anonymousreply 45November 22, 2024 2:16 PM

Or my face.

by Anonymousreply 46November 22, 2024 2:21 PM

[quote]Audra’s voice is just fine for Rose. It’s just a warmer voice than the sledgehammer stuff we’re used to.

That's your opinion, which many people are obviously not going to share. And not all previous Roses had "sledghammer" voices -- for example, Lansbury, Lavin, Peters.

by Anonymousreply 47November 22, 2024 2:21 PM

r40 The posts on BWW are all over the place, so you claiming they say one thing in particular is completely untrue

by Anonymousreply 48November 22, 2024 2:53 PM

I have a vague memory of that play Dusa, Fish, Stas and Vi in NY but can't remember any specifics. It was certainly a memorable title if nothing else.

Must look it up now.

by Anonymousreply 49November 22, 2024 2:56 PM

If I were a collector of such things I'd much prefer having a Tony for Chita Rivera in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN sitting on my mantle just because the title is so much more eye-catching and exotic than THE RINK (which could have flopped on Broadway just for the blandness of the title alone).

by Anonymousreply 50November 22, 2024 3:00 PM

^^^Also, THE RINK is little more than a footnote in theater history, whereas KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN is far better known and loved, even before the imminent release of the film version.

by Anonymousreply 51November 22, 2024 3:04 PM

Both Rita Moreno and Rachel Zegler were on Seth Meyers' show last night. I assume his booker hates DL.

by Anonymousreply 52November 22, 2024 3:06 PM

i won this one for gettin' raped, right on the boardwalk!

by Anonymousreply 53November 22, 2024 3:07 PM

Another thank you to R37! I never heard of this show! DL is educational.

by Anonymousreply 54November 22, 2024 3:23 PM

Evan Ross Katz on Ariana and Cynthia's performances in Wicked:

Easily lost in the cacophony of talking points around a film so big it almost can’t be contained is just how seismically spectacular these two performances are from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. It’s not that it’s not obvious. In fact, it’s in a sense *so* obvious that your brain can trick you into thinking it need not be discussed because it’s simply a universal truth, right? Yet still, it’s necessary that we tether and frame the conversation. Performances like these don’t just happen. They are honed. I believe it’s rare to witness, and when one does, it is necessary to call it out and offer up our flowers (specifically in this instance, tulips). I particularly love Jonny’s point here: “You have to leave your life behind and immerse yourself so fully.” What these women achieve on that screen is of course rooted in talent, but it’s brought to life through craft. Rigorous. Meticulous. Scrupulous. Unwavering. They gave parts of themselves in order to breathe life into these characters. It’s a combination of care and commitment and technique. It’s rare. And it’s marvelous. And no matter what you read about this film, nothing, in my humble and admittedly biased opinion (I love these two so much), will be able to properly convey this level of artistry rendered on screen. There’s a million reasons to love this film — and I hope we can have long and meaningful discussions about all 999,998 at a later date. But in the immediate, let us celebrate these two women and the master class they lay bare on this screen.

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by Anonymousreply 55November 22, 2024 3:24 PM

This reaction is becoming annoying. Can someone be good and *not* be the best thing that’s ever happened ever???

Christ!

by Anonymousreply 56November 22, 2024 3:41 PM

[quote]Wow! We're getting a whole new Wicked musical.

Don't know if it was "sing-a-long" performance, but they should incorporate the flying into the Broadway show they did in Brazil. So much better than the cheap forklift effect.

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by Anonymousreply 57November 22, 2024 3:44 PM

One thing that's very clear from all that BWW chat about GYPSY's first preview: You'll be taking your chances on whether or not you'll see Audra performing on any given night.

by Anonymousreply 58November 22, 2024 4:02 PM

R58, do you mean because people are saying that the role is very challenging for her vocally? I think anyone with any knowledge of Audra's performance history could have guessed that it was only a matter of time before she started missing performances in GYPSY, and/or an alternate was announced. And probably a fairly short amount of time, at that.

by Anonymousreply 59November 22, 2024 4:05 PM

R56 Yes, I agree.

It's the Beyonce effect. It can't just be very good, or entertaining. It must be described as a thing that rearranged pop culture or popular music in its entirety, forever.

by Anonymousreply 60November 22, 2024 4:06 PM

I googled Dusa, Fish, Stas and Vi to hopefully find out something about the NY production, which I think ran at the Public, but couldn't find a thing other than the briefest synopses of the plot.

If anyone finds more or remembers the off-Broadway production, please let me know. Like the cast and director - who were they? I think it was not same as the LA Taper production.

by Anonymousreply 61November 22, 2024 4:06 PM

r59, yes, that's exactly what I mean. Who wants to spend hundreds of dollars for tickets when you don't know if the star will show up?

by Anonymousreply 62November 22, 2024 4:08 PM

R50, saying The Rink flopped on Broadway is like saying the Baby Jesus tanked in Bethlehem. How dare you.

by Anonymousreply 63November 22, 2024 4:33 PM

Someone at Broadway World said about Audra’s performance that she looked like she was trying to shoplift something at CVS.

by Anonymousreply 64November 22, 2024 4:34 PM

R43, (throws towel) Clean it up!

by Anonymousreply 65November 22, 2024 4:36 PM

That quote at R55 sounds like badly programmed AI.

by Anonymousreply 66November 22, 2024 4:39 PM

Well R58, that was clear when they announced the show.

by Anonymousreply 67November 22, 2024 4:39 PM

Maybe Erivo will go everywhere in green face now so people recognise her.

by Anonymousreply 68November 22, 2024 4:42 PM

[quote]Who wants to spend hundreds of dollars for tickets when you don't know if the star will show up?

From the moment Audra as Rose was announced, I predicted this would turn out to be a huge problem. She has been known to call out VERY frequently in most of her shows. LADY DAY was a major exception, I assume because in that show she was using her voice in a very different, less taxing way. I imagine what will happen with GYPSY is that she'll soon start calling out, and the production and the press office will do their utmost to somehow try to minimize that, similar to what happened with Lindsay Mendez in MERRILY and the female lead in HELL'S KITCHEN.

by Anonymousreply 69November 22, 2024 5:04 PM

R69 Oh! Mary! Why are you fretting about something that hasn't happened?!

by Anonymousreply 70November 22, 2024 5:38 PM

R70, because there's every reason to believe it's going to happen, and it's just a question of when.

by Anonymousreply 71November 22, 2024 5:40 PM

Isn't that what we are supposed to do here at DL, r70?

by Anonymousreply 72November 22, 2024 5:40 PM

Ok, I'll get my handkerchief ready!

by Anonymousreply 73November 22, 2024 5:41 PM

Audra is a part time performer, full time diva!

4 shows a week is her absolute max!

by Anonymousreply 74November 22, 2024 6:07 PM

It sounds like Audra's performance last night was close to what Betty Lynn tried at Papermill and we know how that turned out.

by Anonymousreply 75November 22, 2024 6:13 PM

[quote] do you mean because people are saying that the role is very challenging for her vocally?

No, Sondemites are insufferable and insist every performer sound exactly like the Original Cast. No variation allowed.

by Anonymousreply 76November 22, 2024 6:16 PM

[quote]One thing that's very clear from all that BWW chat about GYPSY's first preview: You'll be taking your chances on whether or not you'll see Audra performing on any given night.

On off nights, she'll be doing a medley of "Some People" and "Small World" in the queue at Chipotle.

by Anonymousreply 77November 22, 2024 6:45 PM

[quote]That quote at [R55] sounds like badly programmed AI.

Who the hell is Evan Ross Katz anyway? I looked him up and still don't know why I should be listening to him. AI isn't half as vapid as he is.

by Anonymousreply 78November 22, 2024 6:57 PM

For anyone who might be interested, Caroline Bowman will play Norma on January 12th. Maybe that's her last day before leaving for Smash rehearsals?

by Anonymousreply 79November 22, 2024 7:16 PM

R78 Some YAAAAAS KWEEN queen that somehow made a bit of a tepid career out of her yaaaaasified social media postings.

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by Anonymousreply 80November 22, 2024 7:39 PM

WTF Audra?????

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by Anonymousreply 81November 22, 2024 7:56 PM

R81, She's doing the Lansbury thing where she bows after Rose's Turn, thinking there's an audience

by Anonymousreply 82November 22, 2024 8:02 PM

The gushing over Wicked is becoming annoying. You just know it's part of the marketing because NOTHING is that amazing.

by Anonymousreply 83November 22, 2024 8:03 PM

It looks like she goes completely mad by the end of the number. Instead of Gypsy coming back for her, the men in the white coats do.

by Anonymousreply 84November 22, 2024 8:11 PM

R82. Don't all of the Rose's do that?

by Anonymousreply 85November 22, 2024 8:12 PM

R81: Why is a "2 x Tony Award and Olivier winning Broadway Producer" filming and posting a clip he filmed mid-performance during a preview? Ghastly behavior!

by Anonymousreply 86November 22, 2024 8:16 PM

Rose's what, R85?

by Anonymousreply 87November 22, 2024 8:20 PM

The Rose with the absolute worst voice for the role was Bernadette. Rose isn't a kewpie doll

by Anonymousreply 88November 22, 2024 8:23 PM

I have to take Broadway break for a while. Everything is just okay but costs an arm and a leg

by Anonymousreply 89November 22, 2024 9:34 PM

R88 wait until you hear Audra. Rose’s Turn and Everything’s Coming Up Roses from last night leaked on Tik Tok and it’s as bad as they say.

I don’t see how she survives this role. Her voice sounded ROUGH at the last half o Everything’s Coming Up Roses.

The producers have to be shitting their pants.

Her standby is a no-name, Jesus lover (according to her Instagram) and people will demand refunds.

How does this make any money??!??

by Anonymousreply 90November 22, 2024 9:52 PM

Well, Audra is no Liv Ullman.

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by Anonymousreply 91November 22, 2024 9:58 PM

Oh, that clip was Audra? I thought it was Tyler Perry.

by Anonymousreply 92November 22, 2024 10:11 PM

I’m surprised that the producers didn’t stump out for someone like Heather Headley (who’d be a slam dunk in the part) as Audra’s standby.

by Anonymousreply 93November 22, 2024 10:16 PM

I'd pay to see that, R93.

by Anonymousreply 94November 22, 2024 10:19 PM

R93. Heather lives in Chicago.

by Anonymousreply 95November 22, 2024 10:22 PM

She can fly!

by Anonymousreply 96November 22, 2024 10:26 PM

That's a bit unfair, given she's receiving a standing ovation in that clip. To stay in character while filling for time requires a bit of extra stage business that can look a little "extra". It probably would be smarter for Audra to freeze in that moment as if time is standing still for Rose in her delusional fantasy world. The story can begin again (conclude) when the audience shuts up.

by Anonymousreply 97November 22, 2024 10:54 PM

^ replying to R84.

by Anonymousreply 98November 22, 2024 10:55 PM

R88, “kewpie doll”? You must be a thousand years old.

by Anonymousreply 99November 22, 2024 11:08 PM

It's not that she's playing to an invisible audience, it's that she seems mentally impaired. And Rose is not that.

by Anonymousreply 100November 22, 2024 11:28 PM

Uh, Rose has some rather severe mental/emotional issues. She's a fuckin' mess.

The real Rose, really was a monster. The Gypsy version of Rose is, she's a pushy but loving stage mom; a mac truck, but one with HEART!

Rose bowing at the end doesn't necessarily mean she's "crazy"....she's fantasizing about being a star and that's what stars do at the end of their big number. The maniacal way some actresses play that moment, does suggest Rose they're choosing to play Rose as having "some issues".

by Anonymousreply 101November 23, 2024 12:17 AM

[quote]She can fly!

Can she defy gravity?

by Anonymousreply 102November 23, 2024 12:56 AM

Rose bowling?

Ucla football sucks.

by Anonymousreply 103November 23, 2024 1:02 AM

[quote][R88], “kewpie doll”? You must be a thousand years old.

You have never heard the words “kewpie doll" in reference to Bernadette Peters, r99?

What are you, 12?

by Anonymousreply 104November 23, 2024 1:22 AM

I remember seeing the first performance of Patti in Gypsy at City Center and being impressed at how polished it was. They probably had a fraction of the rehearsal time the current production had. Laura and Boyd were already there and, despite some visible nerves and a few flubs, Patti was still great. The performance itself was smooth and tight and the audience loved it. Audra and company have three weeks to pull it together and I hope they get there.

by Anonymousreply 105November 23, 2024 1:47 AM

[quote]Audra and company have three weeks to pull it together and I hope they get there.

But, according to the few reports we have so far, the issues have nothing to do with the show needing time to be pulled together, Instead, they're all about Audra's vocal unsuitability for the role.

Count me as someone else who questions why anyone would hire George Wolfe to direct anything at this point. As far as I can tell, he had ONE great success in his career, a few middling successes, several disappointments, and several huge flops. Plus, he did almost run The Public Theater into the ground. So I guess one has to look beyond his track record for other reason(s) why he still gets work.

by Anonymousreply 106November 23, 2024 3:12 AM

[quote]What are you, 12?

Not the best response when someone's accusing you of being ancient

by Anonymousreply 107November 23, 2024 3:28 AM

OMG R81 she looks demented and also fat, not that that's a bad thing......... Flop anyone?

by Anonymousreply 108November 23, 2024 3:37 AM

“Demented and Fat” - a memoir by Audra McDonald.

by Anonymousreply 109November 23, 2024 4:56 AM

Mama Rose is also neurodivergent.

by Anonymousreply 110November 23, 2024 7:28 AM

Wasn't Madame Rose also lesbionic?

by Anonymousreply 111November 23, 2024 9:33 AM

Yup.

And, possibly murderous.

by Anonymousreply 112November 23, 2024 9:39 AM

R104, of course I understand the tired reference to a doll from the early 1900s. Your bitchery must have been the height of sophistication in 1974.

by Anonymousreply 113November 23, 2024 10:24 AM

[quote] Your bitchery must have been the height of sophistication in 1974.

Oh, I doubt that, r113.

by Anonymousreply 114November 23, 2024 10:41 AM

my rose is turning, mama, it burns, mama, it burns!

by Anonymousreply 115November 23, 2024 11:21 AM

Looking at that video of Audra, I’m happy my seat is far far from the stage

by Anonymousreply 116November 23, 2024 1:12 PM

Whatever you may think of Audra's vocal abilities, she's a pretty limited actress. I spent the entire season of Lady Day's run shocked at the rapturous response she got over playing Billie Holiday when in truth, she sounded like JZ Knight channelling Ramtha.

by Anonymousreply 117November 23, 2024 1:17 PM

Ah, there’s always someone who insists that EVERYONE ELSE is deluded. In r117’s case, they know better than six seasons of Tony voters.and ten seasons of Tony nominators. More than Stephen Sondheim and Terrence McNally and George C. Wolfe. Calling the most awarded stage actor “limited” certainly is a choice, though not an especially flattering one.

by Anonymousreply 118November 23, 2024 1:44 PM

Oh stop. Audra’s one of this generation’s great stage actresses

by Anonymousreply 119November 23, 2024 1:44 PM

R119

-Audra Ann

by Anonymousreply 120November 23, 2024 2:12 PM

R117. Agreed. Audra is not a great actor. Watch her on The Gilded Age and see Denee Benton blow her off the screen in their scenes together.

by Anonymousreply 121November 23, 2024 2:19 PM

In that clip, she seems to be channeling the young Helen Keller.

by Anonymousreply 122November 23, 2024 2:42 PM

Re George Wolfe, didn't he come out of retirement for this? Maybe he realized he was tapped out.

by Anonymousreply 123November 23, 2024 2:45 PM

Huh, r122, while you see Helen Keller I see Eleanor Roosevelt.

by Anonymousreply 124November 23, 2024 3:02 PM

I don't see anything at all.

by Anonymousreply 125November 23, 2024 3:22 PM

How can you possibly fuck up Gypsy?

by Anonymousreply 126November 23, 2024 3:33 PM

Georgie Wolfe never met a stage show he couldn't fuck up. I have no respect for the idiotic decision to hire him. Listening, Tom?

by Anonymousreply 127November 23, 2024 3:48 PM

I saw two guys get up and leave early at Swept Away last night. Quite a number of empty orchestra seats too.

by Anonymousreply 128November 23, 2024 4:13 PM

My favorite George C Wolfe story is that Elaine Stritch had him come to a run through rehearsal of her newest club act after their success with At Liberty.

He stayed for 20 minutes, told Elaine he had vertigo, had to go lay down, and never returned.

by Anonymousreply 129November 23, 2024 4:15 PM

R85 all the Rose's what?

by Anonymousreply 130November 23, 2024 4:21 PM

"to go lay down"

Oh, dear.

by Anonymousreply 131November 23, 2024 5:13 PM

Tom Kirdahy is such a sweet guy but as a producer, he's too hands off, too starry-eyed, and allows directors like Stro (NY, NY, anyone?) and Wolfe free rein and does nobody, especially his investors any favors. He has no vision.

I long for the bygone days of David Merrick, Kermit Bloomgarden, Alexander Cohen and Saint-Subber. Producers with a singular passion who had a strong point of view and weren't afraid to express it.

by Anonymousreply 132November 23, 2024 5:46 PM

[quote]Break a leg or I'll break it for you.

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by Anonymousreply 133November 23, 2024 6:15 PM

When did Megan Hilty get so fat? At least Audra can blame encroaching old age.

by Anonymousreply 134November 23, 2024 7:49 PM

[quote]The Rose with the absolute worst voice for the role was Bernadette. Rose isn't a kewpie doll

That’s ridiculous. Bernadette didn’t use a “kewpie doll” voice for Rose. She sounded great. Her “Rose’s Turn” was one of the best ever. As opposed to Patti, who had the “typical” Rose belt but played the whole evening like she was still pissed off about losing the Tony to Joanna Gleason.

by Anonymousreply 135November 23, 2024 7:54 PM

Heard they abandoned the strobe light change of the cast from kids to teens which is ridiculous as it is one of the greatest stage magic effects in musical history.

by Anonymousreply 136November 23, 2024 8:08 PM

🚨‘Wicked’ debuted with a $46.7M Friday opening which is more than the highest grossing movie musical of all time Frozen 2 which debuted with $42.5M 👀

Frozen 2 went on to gross $1.5 billion at the box office.

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by Anonymousreply 137November 23, 2024 8:31 PM

I have mixed feelings about the spectacular success of the WICKED movie. One the one hand, I'm thrilled for Stephen Schwartz and many of the other people involved, and of course, it's always great news when a movie musical is received so well by the general public, especially an adaptation of a Broadway show. On the other hand, it's too bad that this will be perceived as a huge feather in the cap of the hateful Cynthia Erivo. But it does seem likely that she'll continue to sabotage her own career, so maybe I can look forward to that.

by Anonymousreply 138November 23, 2024 9:02 PM

Is Erivo gay?

by Anonymousreply 139November 23, 2024 9:23 PM

Will young girls start wearing large nose rings in imitation of their new idol? How does one explain that fashion choice? I really don't get it. Is it some sort of tribute or memorial to enslaved people?

by Anonymousreply 140November 23, 2024 9:24 PM

Asshole.. Shut up.

by Anonymousreply 141November 23, 2024 9:30 PM

It’s jewelry dumbshit.

by Anonymousreply 142November 23, 2024 9:31 PM

I'd rather see Sutton's" Rose" instead of Audra's.

by Anonymousreply 143November 24, 2024 12:51 AM

Omg. Your lips to my tormented ears, still bleeding from Sutton’s grating take on “My White Knight.” Hard pass.

by Anonymousreply 144November 24, 2024 1:11 AM

I travel a lot for work and listen to Sirius/XM Hits One hours a day while driving and this afternoon they actually included an edited version of “Defying Gravity” into the rotation… when’s the last time a genuine Broadway song (albeit the movie soundtrack) was on the actual radio? I don’t even remember Hamilton getting much radio play. No question, Wicked is a blockbuster.

by Anonymousreply 145November 24, 2024 1:27 AM

It'll be interesting to see if the Wicked movie leaves any lasting impression on culture once the Universal payola dries up.

by Anonymousreply 146November 24, 2024 1:38 AM

R144, you do realize that "My White Knight" and, well, ANY song in GYPSY have very different demands, right?

by Anonymousreply 147November 24, 2024 2:27 AM

Upper West Side teenager is trying to fight ageism in theater:

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by Anonymousreply 148November 24, 2024 3:39 AM

Visitors to Death Becomes Her.....

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by Anonymousreply 149November 24, 2024 4:17 AM

R147, yeah I’ve seen both shows and both actresses plenty of times. Sutton is a soap opera/sitcom level actor and the kind of singer you pluck out of the chorus for a short solo line. The demands of Gypsy are far beyond her, even if she can belt as gratingly as La Lupone. Talent for the deaf, blind, and dumb.

by Anonymousreply 150November 24, 2024 4:35 AM

huh

by Anonymousreply 151November 24, 2024 4:52 AM

Looking back at their performances in the final scene(s) now, I'm starting to wonder if Patti's Rose was overpraised and Bernadette's was underappreciated. Patti's performance seems so manic and frenzied and bordering on demented. Bernadette's breaks my heart (and, occasionally, makes me laugh ruefully.)

PATTI...

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by Anonymousreply 152November 24, 2024 5:47 AM

VS. Bernadette...

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by Anonymousreply 153November 24, 2024 5:47 AM

Word is that Patti's performance as Rose varied wildly in quality from one show to another, for whatever reasons. She was awful when I saw her, indicating all over the place, and with all of her physical and vocal mannerisms on full display. I actually thought she was better in the City Center run, although her performance then was hampered by that ridiculously non-period wig or hairstyle.

by Anonymousreply 154November 24, 2024 5:55 AM

Pick a Rose...

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by Anonymousreply 155November 24, 2024 5:55 AM

R152, did you see both performances?

Choice after, Patti was exactly what you’d expect from her and very loud about doing it. She ended the show clawing at the scenery as the curtain came down.

Bernadette crafted each moment very specifically, and often in ways that made the material seem brand new. As the show progressed, I felt her desire to live through her children was heartbreaking rather thab vicious. She ended the show as a women with greatness who has been shattered by life.

Incidentally, after watching bootlegs of both shows after I saw them. It became clear to me that video doesn’t even begin to capture what happens in a theater. Not the same at all.

by Anonymousreply 156November 24, 2024 1:05 PM

^”Choice after choice, Patti”

by Anonymousreply 157November 24, 2024 1:06 PM

Year after year, older and older. Patti gets loud, Bernie gets bolder.

by Anonymousreply 158November 24, 2024 1:19 PM

Bernadette got a bum rap early on when she got sick and missed shows. She's a true pro since a kid and wouldn't miss if she didn't have to. But a certain theatre writer of Murdoch had it out for her and attacked her every chance he could.

by Anonymousreply 159November 24, 2024 1:21 PM

R159. I love Bernadette but her numerous absences from The Goodbye Girl put a target on her back. The rumors that she wanted out of the show started during the out of town tryout.

by Anonymousreply 160November 24, 2024 3:03 PM

R160 I don’t blame her. She had bum material and a ham for a co-star who was still getting better notices.

by Anonymousreply 161November 24, 2024 3:15 PM

[quote]Talent for the deaf, blind, and dumb.

Leave me out of this.

-- R125

by Anonymousreply 162November 24, 2024 3:15 PM

Peters' Rose (which I saw in previews and then again after it opened) wasn't entirely successful, but it was fresh and interesting throughout, as was the entire production.

LuPone's Rose (which I saw at Ravinia and on Broadway) was unsubtle and self-serving.

by Anonymousreply 163November 24, 2024 4:05 PM

R152, stop! STOP STOP STOP!!! Who do you think you are? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE??? Get out! Get out! That's right YOU! Get out!!!

Let's start again......

by Anonymousreply 164November 24, 2024 4:06 PM

Bitch all ya want, but who got the Tony? That's right, dolls!

by Anonymousreply 165November 24, 2024 4:43 PM

It was a pity Tony.

by Anonymousreply 166November 24, 2024 4:54 PM

The one and only Peters/Gypsy bootleg in circulation is from an early preview and it's terrible.

by Anonymousreply 167November 24, 2024 4:54 PM

Peters was a great disappointment for me when I saw her do her GYPSY song on the Tony Awards.

Ugh.

by Anonymousreply 168November 24, 2024 6:11 PM

Any word on who's replacing our favorite hustler turned broadway darling Cole Escola?

by Anonymousreply 169November 24, 2024 8:57 PM

Oh Mary: I thought I heard Melissa Mccarthy wanted to in an earlier thread? God, Bernadette Peters could be

Gypsy was really good and I can imagine sound and other tech issues being improved soon. I was pleasantly surprised as a Patti fan.

Audra sounds great and is more down to earth in the book scenes with the kids, not just a raging monster. She, in fact, sounds much better than that early tiktok clip floating around. I loved her Rose's Turn. I understand that her voice and some key changes/choices may sound odd if you want a traditional belter. My only tiny disappointment was Tulsa's scene. Tony Yazbeck really killed that in the previous version and I liked that choreography better.

by Anonymousreply 170November 24, 2024 9:36 PM

Tammy Faye was shockingly dull. Left at intermission, but I thought people were exaggerating how boring it was. The music completely left my brain, when I can usually remember some new songs at shows.

I don't understand some of the accent choices, emphasis on other evangelicals, etc. Strange book, disappointing music, it wasn't even fun bad. Brits don't always understand American religious culture and what is funny or amusing to us.

by Anonymousreply 171November 24, 2024 9:40 PM

I don’t even understand why people are obsessed with Tammy Faye. That film was bad enough.

by Anonymousreply 172November 24, 2024 9:44 PM

[quote]I don’t even understand why people are obsessed with Tammy Faye.

They clearly aren't, based on the ticket sales. The movie also only made about ten dollars, Chastain's Oscar notwithstanding.

by Anonymousreply 173November 24, 2024 9:56 PM

A friend has tickets to see Gypsy in preview this week. I am so jealous. Seeing Audra in this work? Yes please.

by Anonymousreply 174November 24, 2024 10:00 PM

R163, my two main memories of the Peters “Gypsy”. I sat next to Marilyn Horne at the invited dress (sheer coincidence; she wasn’t in my group) During the overture (which apparently the audience talks through in the Audra production), the audience was incredibly reverent, even applauding as each famous song was introduced. When the conductor got to “Small World” and the melody soars into the bridge (“We have so much in common, it’s a phenomenon…), Marilyn starting unconsciously humming along in her glorious mezzo.

The queen in front of her snapped his head around and hissed, “Shut. UP!!!” 😂

During the applause, I tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Nice going, girl… you just told Marilyn Horne to stick a sock in it.”

My other memory was Bernadette climbing onto a rickety chair to get the plaque down at the end of “Some People” and thought, “That’s a great way to kill the momentum of a number… or even the leading lady!

by Anonymousreply 175November 24, 2024 10:08 PM

[quote]Brits don't always understand American religious culture

I'm an American and I don't EVER understand American religious culture.

by Anonymousreply 176November 24, 2024 10:16 PM

R173, I meant the creators.

by Anonymousreply 177November 24, 2024 10:26 PM

Had to google Marilyn Horne.

by Anonymousreply 178November 24, 2024 10:29 PM

[quote]Had to google Marilyn Horne.

Of course you did, r178...sigh.

by Anonymousreply 179November 24, 2024 10:34 PM

[quote]I sat next to Marilyn Horne ... she wasn’t in my group)

For which she was eternally grateful

by Anonymousreply 180November 24, 2024 11:13 PM

I don't believe I've ever been to a production of GYPSY where the audience talked through the overture.

by Anonymousreply 181November 24, 2024 11:18 PM

Who talks through the Gypsy overture??? VULGARIANS! THAT'S WHO!

by Anonymousreply 182November 24, 2024 11:20 PM

^^^R180, a bitchy comment is fine if it's funny. But your comment wasn't REMOTELY funny, just bitchy, and therefore unwelcome and unnecessary.

by Anonymousreply 183November 24, 2024 11:20 PM

Seems I struck a nerve.

by Anonymousreply 184November 25, 2024 12:04 AM

[quote]The music completely left my brain, when I can usually remember some new songs at shows. '

How dare you! Elton John sacrificed an entire 90 minutes of his life to write that score!

by Anonymousreply 185November 25, 2024 12:41 AM

I've heard the PRADA score is relatively better, for whatever that's worth.

by Anonymousreply 186November 25, 2024 12:53 AM

Better than what, r186?

by Anonymousreply 187November 25, 2024 12:59 AM

It's ridiculous that gay men couldn't create a tragicomedy camp classic out of the Tammy Faye story. I mean, if the show is BORING you've failed on every level.

by Anonymousreply 188November 25, 2024 1:00 AM

But it seems the problem is the Tammy Faye creators couldn't land on a consistent tone and avoided camp whenever possible.

by Anonymousreply 189November 25, 2024 1:06 AM

R189 Which explains why it's boring.

Tammy Faye and her story IS tragicomedy camp!!! There's really no way to tell that story without those elements.

'Hillbilly yokels from Saint Olaf meet at bible college and form a Christian puppet show which grows into a multi million dollar tv ministry involving fraud and infidelity. The leading man cries a lot and seems hella gay despite affairs with bimbo women. The leading lady wears a lot of make up and cries a lot and talks like a baby. They divorce, she becomes a cult icon for being kind hearted while wearing a lot of makeup. She dies a long, lingering horrifying death. The End."

by Anonymousreply 190November 25, 2024 1:30 AM

[quote]Seems I struck a nerve.

No, I think you struck an iceberg :-)

by Anonymousreply 191November 25, 2024 1:50 AM

[QUOTE]R 152, did you see both performances?

R156 - Unfortunately not. I only made my first trip to NY in the 2010s, so, for Gypsy and so many other classics I have to rely on recordings and oral/written histories from wonderful Eldergays. Speaking of which, LOVED your comments contrasting Patti and Bernadette's performances. Beautifully, and succinctly, summarized. Muah!

by Anonymousreply 192November 25, 2024 5:01 AM

Sally Fields for the next round of Oh, Mary!

by Anonymousreply 193November 25, 2024 5:05 AM

I was fortunate to see Angela Lansbury in Gypsy (twice!) in the mid-70s Broadway revival. Unlike Ethel Merman and most Roses since, she made the character charming and seductive....until that final scene. A brilliant and disarming performance that's never been outdone, as far I've seen.

Tyne was good but very predictable (I remember the explosive trumpet in the Overture more than anything else). Patti was all surface, no shading, no surprises. I regret I didn't see Bernadette but the gossip was so off-putting whether deserved or not. Imelda (on TV) was just dreadful (and I'm an Imelda fan). I do hope to see Audra.

by Anonymousreply 194November 25, 2024 5:24 AM

The part of the Tammy Faye story that doesn’t ring true is that she didn’t know anything about the fraud and she was just some baby-woman who lived a life of luxury but was clueless as to what was going on. It doesn’t even work as a characterisation, which Chastain proved to her own detriment.

by Anonymousreply 195November 25, 2024 5:29 AM

Imelda was great. I saw her on stage. Don’t know what this tv version was all about. She didn’t torture herself, which is what the gays in NYC expect, she just got on with playing the character. NY audiences are as responsible as the players for these maudlin interpretations of the role, distorting it beyond credibility just because someone once remarked she was the Medea of musical theatre or whatever. LuPone, of course, took that to an incoherent extreme with her scenery-licking, cringe-worthy performance of Rose’s Turn. And they all try to outdo or capture what Angie did but, of course, she was British so her performance was all about an innate reserve and restraint that none of them can copy.

Broadway needs to put Gypsy away for about three decades and find some other classic to ruin and beat into the ground.

by Anonymousreply 196November 25, 2024 5:37 AM

r196 - Oh please. Like you'll be around in three decades.

by Anonymousreply 197November 25, 2024 5:45 AM

R196, I salute you. I saw Imelda twice in two weeks at the urging of Hal Prince. She was BRILLIANT in the theatre. On television, not so much, but not her fault?

You know who fucked up the video of that production? That hack of a director Lonny Price. He had the cameras up everyone’s nostrils. He needed to step away about six feet…

And I adore Lonny… at dinner, because he’s clever and smart. For television. , but he’s now ruined Candide, Sweeney, and Gypsy.

I like him MUCH BETTER as a performer, because that’s where his talent is.

by Anonymousreply 198November 25, 2024 8:52 AM

Speaking of people leaving at intermission, I saw “Waiting for Godot” yesterday at the Geffen in Los Angeles

It was a great production of this brilliant play, but it’s still Godot

by Anonymousreply 199November 25, 2024 9:30 AM

R152 muah?!

Mwah!

by Anonymousreply 200November 25, 2024 11:36 AM

I love how we are being lectured on the natural restraint of the British. As recently demonstrated by Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin.

by Anonymousreply 201November 25, 2024 11:52 AM

[quote]I'd rather see Sutton's" Rose" instead of Audra's.

No, Sutton is "Mame".

by Anonymousreply 202November 25, 2024 1:05 PM

I thought Imelda (live) had every quality Rose needed but charm.

by Anonymousreply 203November 25, 2024 1:22 PM

THANK YOU, R201. What the fuck WERE those performances? Or that production???

by Anonymousreply 204November 25, 2024 1:47 PM

R194, Bernadette was a revelation. Sexy, nuanced, desperate, charming, angry, and funny. She was fantastic. And her performance continued to grow. By the end of the run, she was fascinating.

She and that production were harmed by Laurents and her illness. One performance I saw, her understudy took over at intermission. She was very ill. Michael Reidel couldn’t stop talking about it in the press, suggesting she was missing shows because she was lazy, scared, and/or knew she was miscast. But she was pretty sick.

She absolutely should have won the Tony — particularly over Marissa in Hairspray. But Reidel and the gossips did her in. If you can find a boot, do. She was a sensation.

The less said about Lupone’s performance, the better. No nuance, no humor. Just steamroller Patti.

I was at Audra’s first preview. She’s giving a spectacular performance. No, the songs don’t quite fit in her soprano — but that’s only because we’re used to hearing it ala Merman. It all worked (and worked well) for me. Only Goldstone disappoints. They’ll fix that.

But, Audra. A full out musical comedy performance — I’d argue the best performance in Broadway right now. I cannot wait to go back.

by Anonymousreply 205November 25, 2024 1:59 PM

Has Audra ever been funny?

by Anonymousreply 206November 25, 2024 2:05 PM

Surprise, surprise, Oh, Mary! has recouped.

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by Anonymousreply 207November 25, 2024 2:29 PM

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1949, "Texas, Li'l Darlin'" opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre.

by Anonymousreply 208November 25, 2024 2:36 PM

R206, I was actually a little worried about that. Because, no. But she nails the comedy in GYPSY. She is very funny.

by Anonymousreply 209November 25, 2024 2:50 PM

MARY!

by Anonymousreply 210November 25, 2024 3:19 PM

[quote]Sally Fields for the next round of Oh, Mary!

Oh, dear.

by Anonymousreply 211November 25, 2024 3:35 PM

Andy Randells has been MARKED DOWN!

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by Anonymousreply 212November 25, 2024 3:56 PM

Amy Sedaris would be my not particularly imaginative pick if Oh, Mary! extends with a replacement.

by Anonymousreply 213November 25, 2024 4:10 PM

I saw Peters in GYPSY in the preview just before it opened. She seemed shockingly miscast. Her voice was completely wrong. The best thing about that production was the overture, which energized the audience. It was all downhill after that. I heard Peters apparently improved during the run, but I never saw her again.

Lupone, however, was a revelation to me. She brought so much humor and warmth (believe it !) to the role that she instantly became my favorite Rose. I adore Audra so I'm really looking forward to her rendition.

by Anonymousreply 214November 25, 2024 4:22 PM

[quote] I understand that her voice and some key changes/choices may sound odd if you want a traditional belter.

The keys were lowered for Lansbury's Rose, so I'm sure Audra will be fine.

by Anonymousreply 215November 25, 2024 4:25 PM

I’m sorry but Amy Sedaris would be a horrible choice for this role.

Why can’t another man do it?

by Anonymousreply 216November 25, 2024 4:28 PM

R205, most of your post sounds very thoughtful and sensible, except for this:

[quote]I was at Audra’s first preview. She’s giving a spectacular performance. No, the songs don’t quite fit in her soprano — but that’s only because we’re used to hearing it ala Merman.

We're used to hearing it a la Merman because that's the way those songs were written by Styne and Sondheim and were intended to be sung, by someone with a "Broadway belt" type of voice. Although no one who has played the role since Merman sounded quite like her, they all had voices that fit that general category, whereas Audra does not. She CAN belt when she wants to, and has done so in the past, but in order to move the GYPSY score into her natural belt range, it would have to be taken way down, which apparently has not been done.

by Anonymousreply 217November 25, 2024 4:46 PM

[quote]The keys were lowered for Lansbury's Rose.

Not sure what you mean by that. When GYPSY originally opened with Merman, the keys of her songs were the ones we hear on the cast album, but Merman had some vocal difficulties at some point during the run and the keys were lowered at that point. In fact, some or all of the keys in the full published piano/vocal score are the lower ones. I'm not sure that anyone since Merman has sung those songs in the keys we hear on the album, but at any rate, it's not accurate to say that the keys were lowered for Lansbury.

by Anonymousreply 218November 25, 2024 4:49 PM

I'm open to other voice types singing iconic roles.

I saw a more tender, introspective Evita is London's Regent Park (The West End transfer was curtailed by the pandemic). Samantha Pauly, who sang Evita, has a formidable voice but not one since Lupone has had the steel we usually associate with the role, Pauly was still incredible and breathed new life into Eva Peron.

by Anonymousreply 219November 25, 2024 5:09 PM

To my knowledge, only two other performers have used the keys heard on the cast recording. Patti did Small World in the original key at Ravinia, Betty Lynn did Rose's Turn in the original key at Carnegie Hall.

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by Anonymousreply 220November 25, 2024 6:23 PM

[quote]I'm open to other voice types singing iconic roles.

Absolutely....as long as the other type of voice is suited to what the composer wrote. And many people seem to feel that a pretty, trained soprano-ish sound is inappropriate for any of Rose's music, even the one or two songs that could be described as ballads.

by Anonymousreply 221November 25, 2024 6:25 PM

“Keys lowered” is the Eldergay phrase for “it was better in my time”…

—The song does not remain the same… oy vey.

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by Anonymousreply 222November 25, 2024 6:30 PM

I just feel like there are so many potential minefields in terms of doing Gypsy with a Black actress. It would have to be really intelligently done to be “successfully” colour conscious and that would almost certainly require textual changes and explicit staging choices. Does the production do any of that?

Even comedy stuff like the terrible acts Rose cooks up are going to hit different - watching a Black girl singing about how she’s decided she’s going to be truly happy staying on the, um, farm? It’s so “I wish I was in Dixie” you can’t play it for straightforward laughs.

by Anonymousreply 223November 25, 2024 7:15 PM

^Oh, god. Please don’t go here again.

by Anonymousreply 224November 25, 2024 8:35 PM

It's a farm, r223, not a plantation. Go troll elsewhere.

by Anonymousreply 225November 25, 2024 8:38 PM

Did anyone see "Redwood" at La Jolla? Is it as boring as it sounds?

by Anonymousreply 226November 25, 2024 8:45 PM

24 hours to go in the Chita Rivera auction and many of the items have not come close to hitting the low end of their estimates. Granted, some of the lots feel like they just cleaned out a drawer and bundled everything in it together, but I can't imagine the beneficiary of the estate is happy with how the auction house ran this whole thing.

The Hirschfelds have fared the best in terms of exceeding their estimates, as was probably to be expected.

One of the oddest lots, linked below, is a bundle of branches from the set of "The Visit." No bids yet. They can be yours for $10.

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by Anonymousreply 227November 25, 2024 8:58 PM

R227. They should have listed everything on eBay instead.

by Anonymousreply 228November 25, 2024 9:07 PM

[quote] I just feel like there are so many potential minefields in terms of doing Gypsy with a Black actress. It would have to be really intelligently done to be “successfully” colour conscious and that would almost certainly require textual changes and explicit staging choices. Does the production do any of that?

Who cares? We're all going to see Audra sing GYPSY. Period

by Anonymousreply 229November 25, 2024 9:36 PM

These threads are terrible. If the theatre crowd is this rotten and racist and in some cases Repiblican, you deserve all the shit the Trump admin has in store for you.

by Anonymousreply 230November 25, 2024 9:45 PM

I love the idea that LuPone's next cabaret act would be titled, Steamroller Patti. Well, "Steamroller Patti!" seems better.

If only Forbidden Broadway were around to put the act together. They've spoofed her a number of times, but Steamroller Patti!? Not yet. Fingers crossed.

by Anonymousreply 231November 25, 2024 9:48 PM

R223 stay in the UK and spare us your feelouings. No one gives a rat’s ass about your view of the American classics.

by Anonymousreply 232November 25, 2024 9:55 PM

No Brit would understand that there were actually Black framers in America🙄. Nor Black vaudevillians.🫣. Nor Blacks and whites who interacted in the first half of the 20th C. 🥴

by Anonymousreply 233November 25, 2024 9:58 PM

farmers*

(And framers)

by Anonymousreply 234November 25, 2024 10:01 PM

[quote]Andy Randells has been MARKED DOWN!

Oh, dear.

by Anonymousreply 235November 25, 2024 11:08 PM

Are there any short audio leaks of Audra yet?

by Anonymousreply 236November 25, 2024 11:16 PM

Apparently, the great Helen Gallagher has died. Should I start a thread/ Will anyone know who she was?

by Anonymousreply 237November 25, 2024 11:19 PM

Hazel Flagg

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by Anonymousreply 238November 25, 2024 11:25 PM

Any reports on Camille A. Brown's new, non-Robbins choreography for Gypsy?

by Anonymousreply 239November 25, 2024 11:34 PM

I’ve never seen Wicked and don’t plan to buy all this marketing and promotion made me curious as to what it is all about so I read the synopsis at Wikipedia.

That’s a fuck of a lot of story. It has everything except for a free-wheeling patio number.

by Anonymousreply 240November 25, 2024 11:37 PM

[quote]It has everything except for a free-wheeling patio number.

That was cut in San Francisco.

by Anonymousreply 241November 25, 2024 11:54 PM

Still alive-

-Wiki

by Anonymousreply 242November 26, 2024 12:14 AM

r235 "Andy Randells" was a thing for a while (like Lens Dunham.) So not really "oh,dear"-worthy.

by Anonymousreply 243November 26, 2024 1:08 AM

So was I, R241.

by Anonymousreply 244November 26, 2024 1:26 AM

Lens Dunham is a classic.

Andy Randells...not so much.

by Anonymousreply 245November 26, 2024 1:33 AM

R244. You were cut in Toronto, too

by Anonymousreply 246November 26, 2024 1:48 AM

Poor Bobby Morse suffered in his final years.

by Anonymousreply 247November 26, 2024 1:49 AM

Well, yeah -- two circumcisions as an adult?

by Anonymousreply 248November 26, 2024 1:51 AM

No one wants that shit R227. More clutter.

by Anonymousreply 249November 26, 2024 2:04 AM

I wonder what Bernadette's feelings are about the Gypsy experience. Unlike that other Sicilian, she keeps her cards close to her vest and rarely seems to be willing to share her true feelings.

by Anonymousreply 250November 26, 2024 3:34 AM

R233, you completely missed the point that the other poster was trying to make.

by Anonymousreply 251November 26, 2024 3:40 AM

I got the point just fine. Take a hike.

by Anonymousreply 252November 26, 2024 3:58 AM

Bernadette took a pay cut to keep Gypsy running a few more months. It's too bad Laurents didn't direct her. Things might have turned out differently. Didn't Mendes throw out most of the scenery during rehearsals? I remember that being a pretty bare production. Tammy Blanchard and John Dosset were great though.

by Anonymousreply 253November 26, 2024 4:09 AM

Gavin Creel Memorial Celebration To Be Livestreamed In The U.S. And UK:

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by Anonymousreply 254November 26, 2024 5:56 AM

Lonny Price = hack.

by Anonymousreply 255November 26, 2024 6:40 AM

[quote]Bernadette took a pay cut to keep Gypsy running a few more months.

Who are you, her accountant?

by Anonymousreply 256November 26, 2024 10:22 AM

R256 Arthur Laurent’s actually spilled those beans on theatre talk. Not only did she take a pay cut she gave up her whole salary to keep Gypsy running.

Michael Reidel, who had shit on Bernadette for months was speechless when Laurents said it.

by Anonymousreply 257November 26, 2024 11:37 AM

You can see how devastated she is at the curtain call. You can also see how much the cast adores her.

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by Anonymousreply 258November 26, 2024 12:52 PM

Thank you, r258. When she said. “I just wanted to be noticed,” almost like a child, it was the point of the entire show. Peters’ Rose wasn’t bombastic and tastelessly brash, much to the disappointment of the 2003 yas-queen crowd. She approached the character thoughtfully from beginning to end, and I found the performance heartbreaking.

Mendes’ track record stands up well against Laurents’. I’m trying to imagine a Laurents’ Ferryman.

by Anonymousreply 259November 26, 2024 1:02 PM

Has Michael Riedel done anything useful in his life? No? I thought so.

I'm generally supportive of good solid criticism and writing......but Reidel has always seemed like a cunt of the highest order - just for the hell of it - and a conservative one to boot.

by Anonymousreply 260November 26, 2024 2:02 PM

Haven't seen Audra's Rose yet, but of the ones I've seen in person, I'd rank them thusly:

1. Bernadette 2. Imelda 3. Patti

I saw Bernadette late in the run. She was spectacular. Imelda in person was terrific. Never say the televised version that everyone seems to hate. Patti I don't really remember except that she was sufficient. And I like Patti.

by Anonymousreply 261November 26, 2024 2:43 PM

Arthur Laurents was a terrible director. He had no talent in that area, and he only turned to directing when his talent as a writer dried up. If one or two shows he directed turned out well, in my opinion that was in spite of his direction, rather than because of it.

Or, as Mary Rodgers put it, "I never thought of him as a director."

by Anonymousreply 262November 26, 2024 3:20 PM

R260, Riedel has written two excellent, serious, full-length books on the theater. To read them, you would never believe they were written by the same person who wrote those gossip column in the Post. I guess Riedel realized he was good at writing gossip, and that's what the Post and, apparently, a lot of the public wanted, so he sold out and complied.

by Anonymousreply 263November 26, 2024 3:23 PM

Arthur Laurents was the cuntiest cunt who every cunted…but his worst quality was “I’m right about everything”

The problem was he was mostly correct.

He was correct about Wicked when he told the creators to cut it down to the two girls.

Were it not for that…I think the story would be much more muddled than it already is.

by Anonymousreply 264November 26, 2024 3:40 PM

I've long badmouthed Peters' Rose, but that scene above was just terrific. Not sure that's the performance I witnessed live.

by Anonymousreply 265November 26, 2024 3:53 PM

r263, I had a business connection to Riedel's sister a few years back, who said that he felt imprisoned by the persona he created of the vicious gossip monger, but that's where the money was. His two books confirmed that he is an excellent journalist, but the stain of his Post days is hard to shake.

by Anonymousreply 266November 26, 2024 3:59 PM

Not "mostly correct," R264. Sometimes correct, sometimes way off base. Like, for example, Laurents' weird reinterpretation of WEST SIDE STORY for that 2009 revival. Some of the things he said about the characters, and made the actors do, were totally nutso.

Another example: I recently watched THE WAY WE WERE for the first time since the movie was released, and while it certainly has its moments, there are TOO FUCKING MANY SCENES that focus on Streisand and Redford solely or primarily, and in a very redundant way. Also, the structure of the last part of the movie is inept -- the scene of Katie and Hubbell being reunited years later takes place only a few moments after their previous scene together in the movie, so there is no sense of absence and reunion, and the moment is nowhere near as powerful as it would have been otherwise.

That said, yes of course, Laurents wrote two great musical theater books for WSS and GYPSY, but again, I'm criticizing him as a director here, not as a writer.

by Anonymousreply 267November 26, 2024 4:03 PM

I thought Laurents directed the original La Cage beautifully. The revivals that followed were crap and went for cheap laughs.

by Anonymousreply 268November 26, 2024 4:14 PM

If we can agree that good directing includes good casting, I would say Laurents definitely did NOT direct the original LA CAGE beautifully, because at least two of the leads were horribly miscast: George Hearn, who was great in other things but all wrong for Albin, even if he won a Tony for his performance, and that kid who did such an embarrassingly awful job of playing and singing the role of Jean-Michel, who was never heard from again.

by Anonymousreply 269November 26, 2024 4:47 PM

SOrry, I have to agree that Laurents was a terrible director. (That includes the original La Cage.) Actually, his direction of WSS and Gypsy seemed to be saying "I know better than Robbins" as he ruined all the great moments that Robbins created. They both were terrible men, but Robbins was a genius.

by Anonymousreply 270November 26, 2024 5:23 PM

The Riedel books are useful as a one-stop collection of Broadway information, but I don't know if I actually learned anything from them.

by Anonymousreply 271November 26, 2024 5:30 PM

Agreed 100 percent, R270. One of the most idiotic things Laurents did for that WSS revival was that he insisted all humor be removed from "Gee, Officer Krupke," using the argument that these kids are "killers" and would not be able to find even ironic humor in their lives and situation. Of course, the whole point of the show, which Laurents himself co-wrote, is that the Jets (and Sharks) are NOT natural killers and never quite realized that the leaders of their respected gangs could be killed in the rumble.

by Anonymousreply 272November 26, 2024 5:36 PM

"Maybe Happy Ending" up to $591k last week, with 78% capacity and $94.95 average ticket price. Will it make it?

"Tammy Faye" was at 40% capacity. "Swept Away" also not looking too hot.

by Anonymousreply 273November 26, 2024 6:52 PM

The average tourist hasn't heard much about Maybe Happy Ending and Swept Away so will avoid them

by Anonymousreply 274November 26, 2024 6:57 PM

There's no way that Left on Tenth makes it to February.

by Anonymousreply 275November 26, 2024 7:04 PM

It looks very personal and unique.

by Anonymousreply 276November 26, 2024 7:16 PM

R258 - did you mean to post another video? That's Bernadette's final scene in Gypsy (and, I agree, it's a masterclass -- she's sublime there!) But, there's no curtain call in that video that you're alluding to.

R260 - While Riedel could be scummy gossip rag hack, yes, I think he actually did make a fine contribution to industry with the longrunning TheaterTalk. His co-host (Susan something?) was an utterly useless post-menopausal mumbler. And while, yes, he could be a bit brash or cutting even on the show, he displayed a great deal of knowledge and insight on there too. He had in depth interviews with theatre figures that would not have aired anywhere else and captured some oral histories that would, otherwise, be lost to time. And, yes, his books are a very entertaining read!

by Anonymousreply 277November 26, 2024 7:31 PM

R272 no. Matt was the idiotic choice.

As my bitchy friend whispered as the first act curtain went down: can’t g the get kill Tony now?!

by Anonymousreply 278November 26, 2024 7:47 PM

can’t they kill*

by Anonymousreply 279November 26, 2024 7:48 PM

Since Laurents didn't direct The Way We Were, it's hard to blame him for some of the movie's flaws. I suspect Sidney had a heavy hand in the final cut.

by Anonymousreply 280November 26, 2024 7:52 PM

Agree that Theater Talk was a provocative and newsy show, unlike it's unofficial successor, All the Moving Parts. Patrick Pacheco is a lame-ass host.

by Anonymousreply 281November 26, 2024 7:54 PM

Okay dolls! I have tickets to see the Court Theatre of Chicago’s production of Falsettos.

Am I in for a good show or a shitshow?

by Anonymousreply 282November 26, 2024 8:03 PM

In the end, Chita's Tonys went for $70k (Spider Woman) and $25k (The Rink), both prices including the buyer's premium.

by Anonymousreply 283November 26, 2024 8:14 PM

Good for her…ashes.

by Anonymousreply 284November 26, 2024 8:19 PM

I thought there was a chance Maybe Happy Ending + Swept Away could both make it to New Years or even mid-January but I'm not sure now.

by Anonymousreply 285November 26, 2024 8:23 PM

Maybe Happy Ending is a small show so it doesn't need SRO audiences to survive. 78% isn't a blockbuster but it's sufficient to run as long as the nut is met.

by Anonymousreply 286November 26, 2024 8:30 PM

Swept Away is not going to make it. The audience for a show that dark is limited. Plus, with the election, it’s even worse timing for bleak theater.

by Anonymousreply 287November 26, 2024 8:45 PM

Standing O's for Audra:

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by Anonymousreply 288November 26, 2024 8:45 PM

Sorry, I meant to say SRO, not standing O's (though I'm sure she's getting those, too).

by Anonymousreply 289November 26, 2024 8:47 PM

ABC’s Wicked TV Miniseries: Whatever Happened to It?

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by Anonymousreply 290November 26, 2024 8:49 PM

I agree that whatever one thinks of Riedel, Theater Talk was a gem. I used to really look forward to it late on a Friday night and was sorry to see it end.

by Anonymousreply 291November 26, 2024 8:52 PM

I read Left on Tenth and it was a pleasant enough read but eesh, nothing in that book screamed "This needs to be a play!"

by Anonymousreply 292November 26, 2024 9:07 PM

Of course that's true, R280, but Laurents still wrote the screenplay -- or, I should say, overwrote the screenplay.

The casting of Matt Cavenaugh in that WSS has got to be one of the most embarrassing pieces of casting in Broadway history. First of all, Laurents chose him to play Tony after previously making a HUGE deal about how he was going to cast the show with performers who were actual teenagers or just a couple of years beyond, but then apparently he fell in love (or lust) with Cavenaugh, and gave him the role even though he was 31 at the time. On top of that, Cavenaugh was a very limited talent, especially as an actor. And on top of THAT, there arose the situation -- well documented by Michael Riedel -- that Laurents then soured on Cavenaugh big time when Cavenaugh not only didn't return his affections but, further, announced his engagement to a woman.

As often happens when someone is cast for all the wrong reasons, getting the role turned out to be no favor for Cavenaugh. Quite the opposite. Not only was his performance in the production poorly received, but also, the backlash plus Laurents' outrageous behavior was enough to end the poor guy's Broadway career. What a debacle.

by Anonymousreply 293November 26, 2024 9:08 PM

[quote]t it's sufficient to run as long as the nut is met.

I’m sure Darren Criss is doing his utmost to make sure the nut is met.

by Anonymousreply 294November 26, 2024 9:14 PM

And how's this for irony: Here's a link to a photo of Matt Cavenaugh, apparently taken during the curtain call of WEST SIDE STORY, that mistakenly identifies him as "attending" the opening night performance.

Well, for that show, it might have been better for all concerned if had been in the audience, rather than on stage.

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by Anonymousreply 295November 26, 2024 9:15 PM

Here's that final performance curtain call from Bernadette Peters' "Gypsy."

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by Anonymousreply 296November 26, 2024 9:19 PM

R296 that is someone who is beloved by her company.

I think a certain other Italian musical star…should take note.

by Anonymousreply 297November 26, 2024 9:29 PM

Hills of California has been another flop this season.

by Anonymousreply 298November 26, 2024 9:37 PM

RIP Helen Gallagher

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by Anonymousreply 299November 26, 2024 9:58 PM

R296 - aw. That's very sweet.

When she's on, Bernadette really can cut to the bone with these characters in a deeply emotional way.

I heard her interviewed somewhere recently -- I think on a podcast? -- and the interviewer asked her a somewhat 'throwaway' question about whether she was a largely optimistic person and I was surprised to hear her say "No." I'm paraphrasing, but she said something about how she's not generally a glass half full person. I think her sometimes sunny demeanor and her sense of humor might be somewhat of a facade and how she's able to tap into some deep wells of emotion in roles like Rose, Sally, Desiree, Dot, The Witch...

by Anonymousreply 300November 26, 2024 10:00 PM

Blues...

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by Anonymousreply 301November 26, 2024 10:01 PM

Don’t show that Bernadette clip to Patti, aka Jealous Cathy.

by Anonymousreply 302November 26, 2024 10:06 PM

Most people who know Helen Gallagher know her from Ryan's Hope where she won multiple Daytime Emmys. But here she is at the Tonys dancing with Gwen Verdon, Donna McKechnie and Paula Kelly.

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by Anonymousreply 303November 26, 2024 10:12 PM

r302 At least not when she's within striking distance of any stage managers

by Anonymousreply 304November 26, 2024 10:20 PM

[quote] RIP Helen Gallagher

I feel she's not going to live forever.

by Anonymousreply 305November 26, 2024 10:23 PM

R286 Word is that it costs about 680k-750k a week to run, can’t see it surviving much longer if that’s the case.

by Anonymousreply 306November 26, 2024 11:01 PM

R306, the irony is that the show has garnered such a (small) rabid fanbase that completely LOVES the show. Who knows how long it will run but I also suspect it will have a very nice life after Broadway.

by Anonymousreply 307November 26, 2024 11:42 PM

Not any woman R293.

Jennifer Powers of Arlington, MA—granddaughter of JFK’s best blowjob buddy Dave Powers. She went off to Northwestern, where she won the Miss Illinois pageant and competed for/did not win Miss America.

by Anonymousreply 308November 27, 2024 12:10 AM

Not really here to defend Arthur Laurents but his screenplay for THE TURNING POINT was brilliant. He really understood that world, those characters. I recently re-watched the fil after many years and was pleasantly stunned by how well it stood the test of time.

by Anonymousreply 309November 27, 2024 12:11 AM

Correction: Andover, not Arlington.

by Anonymousreply 310November 27, 2024 12:13 AM

Apparently Maybe Happy Ending cost around 19 million to mount. 🤦‍♂️

by Anonymousreply 311November 27, 2024 12:46 AM

[quote]irony is that the show has garnered such a (small) rabid fanbase that completely LOVES the show

Small rabid fan base? It got almost universal rave reviews.

by Anonymousreply 312November 27, 2024 12:47 AM

R312, rave reviews don't always amount to audience adulation. This is a show where fans seem especially connected to.

by Anonymousreply 313November 27, 2024 1:15 AM

If there's a glimmer of hope for Maybe Happy Ending, the grosses have slightly increased each week. Still, if it doesn't make money it needs to make in order to operate, it's not making it to Christmas or New Year's Day.

Left on Tenth should've terminated the suspense and announced that it was a limited run at the start. Were they trying to run a whole year?

Swept Away is the one who should be worried. Grosses are going down each week.

by Anonymousreply 314November 27, 2024 2:51 AM

The thing about so many of these new Broadway musicals is it's hard to feature a number from the shows on TV that would make tourists want to see them. I think it's also been evident in recent Tony Award telecasts.

by Anonymousreply 315November 27, 2024 2:58 AM

[quote]Apparently Maybe Happy Ending cost around 19 million to mount.

How much does it cost to mount Darren Criss?

by Anonymousreply 316November 27, 2024 2:58 AM

Shoulnd't Roxie Hart's name be above Sophie Tucker's in that pic at R288?

by Anonymousreply 317November 27, 2024 2:59 AM

Dead on, R315. I know that you should never judge a show based on a Tonys performance, but they used to at least be fun to watch.

by Anonymousreply 318November 27, 2024 3:02 AM

Nobody is disputing Laurents' talent as a writer, though his later stuff is not always very good. His problem is that he thought he knew everything about everything, particularly directing, and he didn't.

by Anonymousreply 319November 27, 2024 3:04 AM

The title Swept Away makes me think of that dreadful Madonna remake and brings up bad memories.

by Anonymousreply 320November 27, 2024 3:10 AM

I keep thinking of the Diana Ross song.

by Anonymousreply 321November 27, 2024 3:32 AM

Here's what needs to be said about Tammy Faye as a source of a musical: The woman was dumb. Dumb as a box of eye lashes. And we're supposed to care about her? All the great leading lady protagonists -- Dolly, Gypsy, Mame, Elphaba, etc...they are all SMART. They are interesting. I had to live through Tammy Faye and she was nothing but a self-promoting idiot who just did whatever....She didn't understand, she didn't think, she just prattled on and on. And what dipshits thought that was a good idea for a musical. Jesus, we need people with taste back in control of Broadway, not these idiot money people.

by Anonymousreply 322November 27, 2024 3:48 AM

Now I wonder how a Tammy Faye musical would have played in 1994, before the revisionist history.

by Anonymousreply 323November 27, 2024 3:58 AM

[quote]The thing about so many of these new Broadway musicals is it's hard to feature a number from the shows on TV that would make tourists want to see them.

Which of the new shows are you thinking of? I think SWEPT AWAY has several numbers that would come across very well on TV, especially some of the numbers that come in the early part of the show that involve the male ensemble as well as the leads. For that matter, even TAMMY FAYE has several TV-worthy numbers, although he show overall is terrible. As for MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, there are lots of great songs in that score that could work well out of context, but I suppose it would have to be explained why Darren Criss's movements are so robotic :-)

by Anonymousreply 324November 27, 2024 4:12 AM

R277 seems like someone who would have gotten along beautifully with Michael Riedel -- he even matches the misogynistic nastiness MR consistently showed Susan Haskins on the air. Whatever her limitations, she didn't deserve to be treated that way, and I'm astonished that it was allowed to continue week after week.

by Anonymousreply 325November 27, 2024 4:40 AM

For once mlop has a good story. Though, nothing to do with Cheets (or the theatre...)

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by Anonymousreply 326November 27, 2024 5:20 AM

Arthur Laurents had a hot boyfriend and was probably a mean, bitchy fuck.

by Anonymousreply 327November 27, 2024 5:50 AM

Bless her heart.

by Anonymousreply 328November 27, 2024 5:50 AM

R306 Word from where? Those seem like rather high numbers for a small show with 4 cast members.

by Anonymousreply 329November 27, 2024 8:36 AM

Yeah but then there's Michael Arden's piss budget to consider

by Anonymousreply 330November 27, 2024 9:17 AM

R326, mlop has told that story before, and it has never made any sense why a security person for that Beatles concert at Carnegie Hall would have gone over to some random person in the audience, ASKED her if she had a camera, and then told her it was okay to take photos after an announcement had been made that anyone caught doing so would be thrown out of the theater. I don't doubt that she took the photos (obviously), but I think at least part of her story must be screwed up somewhow, either because she doesn't remember clearly or it has to do with her usual difficulty in conveying things clearly through the written word :-)

by Anonymousreply 331November 27, 2024 2:27 PM

mlop may not always make sense, but she does occasionally make magic.

by Anonymousreply 332November 27, 2024 2:30 PM

So will WICKED's Broadway grosses go even higher, once people see the film, realize they don't know the ending, and they can't wait?

by Anonymousreply 333November 27, 2024 6:03 PM

^^^^I'm not sure if the grosses could go much higher than they are now, but the demand for tickets will almost certainly increase. Aside from everything else, the movie's success will almost certainly be a boon to the show's box office in January and February, which are typically the slowest months.

by Anonymousreply 334November 27, 2024 6:14 PM

Paul Mescal is coming for that Tony award, people.

by Anonymousreply 335November 27, 2024 9:25 PM

I missed the part where you could win a Tony for Off-Broadway work.

by Anonymousreply 336November 27, 2024 9:47 PM

r331 You keep saying "photos" but I think you mean "pix"

by Anonymousreply 337November 27, 2024 10:18 PM

[quote]So will WICKED's Broadway grosses go even higher

It's been sold-out for weeks and it's grossing over $2.5 million. It's already at its limit. I guess they could add an additional performance every week during the holidays.

by Anonymousreply 338November 27, 2024 10:51 PM

I saw that Streetcar in London and Mescal was wonderful, but the real star was Patsy Ferran who played Blanche and is also coming over here with it. It seemed revelatory to see a younger Blanche the correct age who drove the play from the moment she walked onstage with a palpable frenetic energy. Not a wilting flower at all. It's done on an almost bare stage with modern clothes except for a few vintage-y dresses worn by Blanche. There's a drummer over the playing area beating a low rhythm throughout many of the scenes.

I'm probably making it sound awful, but I honestly felt like I was watching a new play. So dynamic with incredible youthful energy and sexiness. Frankly, it was so good I wouldn't dare tempt fate and see it again in NY. I'll just keep my memories.

by Anonymousreply 339November 27, 2024 11:57 PM

R339 MARY!

(in a good way)

by Anonymousreply 340November 28, 2024 12:02 AM

Lol. r340, but it really was the first time I've seen Streetcar and believed those characters were real people.

by Anonymousreply 341November 28, 2024 12:05 AM

Thanks, r339. I just got tickets, which seemed like quite a bargain compared to the vehicles for George Clooney, Sarah Snook, and Denzel. As in, I got two tickets for less than a single ticket to any of the others.

by Anonymousreply 342November 28, 2024 12:10 AM

R339 you can always tell if a poster is 70+ if they write that play has “sexiness”

I can assure you that no play is ever sexy.

by Anonymousreply 343November 28, 2024 12:11 AM

[quote]I can assure you that no play is ever sexy.

Maybe not a whole play. But Anita Morris singing “A Call From the Vatican” in Nine was sexy AND funny.

by Anonymousreply 344November 28, 2024 12:24 AM

R344 are you Grover dale? He quit being gay to marry Anita…so it must be so!

by Anonymousreply 345November 28, 2024 1:06 AM

ODP is destined to be an EGOOOT: Olivier, Obie, Oscar.

by Anonymousreply 346November 28, 2024 1:23 AM

[quote]Anita Morris singing “A Call From the Vatican” in Nine was sexy AND funny.

[quote][R344] are you Grover dale? He quit being gay to marry Anita…so it must be so!

I think that anybody would find Anita sexy and funny in Call From the Vatican.

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by Anonymousreply 347November 28, 2024 1:25 AM

Anita Morris should have played Lola in Damn Yankees.

by Anonymousreply 348November 28, 2024 1:35 AM

Told this before, was young gayling and went to a matinee of a new hit Broadway show called "The Magic Show". Anita had a featured role. Now at the time no one stage door'd but I just happened to be standing by the stage door after the show and boom the door flies open and knocks me a bit. It was Anita and she was so...Oh my, are you alright Darlin"? and we laughed and she gave me a big hug.

by Anonymousreply 349November 28, 2024 1:43 AM

Did you know Anita was a finalist to play Cassie in the NY company when McKechnie and company left for LA?

by Anonymousreply 350November 28, 2024 1:51 AM

R343 Sorry you see such boring plays.

Personally, I've seen several plays that successfully produced sexual tension.

It's usually achieved via things called good writing, directing and acting.

by Anonymousreply 351November 28, 2024 1:52 AM

I don't know but I thought having a young Jude Law stand up in a bathtub full frontal to the audience in "Indiscretions" was sexy. Silly me.

by Anonymousreply 352November 28, 2024 2:03 AM

It sure as fuck was.

by Anonymousreply 353November 28, 2024 2:04 AM

How many layers of faux-worldly cynicism are needed to not find sexiness in any play?

by Anonymousreply 354November 28, 2024 2:12 AM

R343,

You've been going to the wrong plays, honeybreath.

by Anonymousreply 355November 28, 2024 2:31 AM

Jude Law with sudsy cock and balls would be an EXCELLENT example and one I happily got to see!!!

by Anonymousreply 356November 28, 2024 2:50 AM

Helen is now really dead really, really dead.

by Anonymousreply 357November 28, 2024 2:53 AM
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by Anonymousreply 358November 28, 2024 2:54 AM

As coroner, I must aver, I thoroughly examined her, and she's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead.

by Anonymousreply 359November 28, 2024 3:19 AM

There's a very sexy play on Broadway right now: ROMEO + JULIET, which is hot as hell due to the chemistry between Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler but more specifically because Kit's body is amazingly jacked, and he has off-the-charts sexual charisma.

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by Anonymousreply 360November 28, 2024 4:47 AM

Doesn't matter how jacked the body is if it's got that face on top of it

by Anonymousreply 361November 28, 2024 4:51 AM

Mean....but true.

by Anonymousreply 362November 28, 2024 4:55 AM

And the body isn't very jacked as far as I can see.

by Anonymousreply 363November 28, 2024 5:24 AM

Face looks fine to me.

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by Anonymousreply 364November 28, 2024 8:19 AM

R360 I posted a mini-review of this a couple of threads back—I thought Kit Connor was excellent, Rachel more weak, personally liked it but wouldn't recommend it to the eldergays—and yes, he's ripped as hell and their chemistry is hot. He's also very, very charismatic on that stage and was the only one with a real mastery of the Shakespearean language. On a less thirsty note, I'm glad for any success story in the middle of such an abysmal season.

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by Anonymousreply 365November 28, 2024 8:35 AM

That’s not what jacked means^*

by Anonymousreply 366November 28, 2024 12:44 PM

R363, then you need to have your exes examined. Seriously.

Thanks for all that extra photographic evidence, R365. While Kit's face is not what I'd call conventionally beautiful, he's very cute in a very British way. And as often happens, his overall attractiveness -- including his face -- has increased exponentially because he is so freaking jacked!

by Anonymousreply 367November 28, 2024 1:16 PM

Actually, R366, the meaning of "jacked" I intended is the secondary meaning below:

1. physically or mentally stimulated from the effects of a drug or stimulant. "a race car driver, jacked up on amphetamines"

2. (of a person) having very well-developed muscles. "a dude so jacked you have to wonder if he's freebasing creatine"

by Anonymousreply 368November 28, 2024 1:21 PM

Any more of those crazy priced tickets left?

by Anonymousreply 369November 28, 2024 1:22 PM

Did anyone win anything from Chits' estate sale?

by Anonymousreply 370November 28, 2024 2:13 PM

Wholesome NBC Macys Parade interviews prostitute Cole Escola today!

by Anonymousreply 371November 28, 2024 2:21 PM

2. Which means overly-muscled, which he is not.

by Anonymousreply 372November 28, 2024 2:29 PM

if kit connor's face isn't for you, maybe his heartstopper co-star's will be. he was in sweeney todd before it closed!

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by Anonymousreply 373November 28, 2024 2:32 PM

Well, r373 has actually found a cure for homosexuality

by Anonymousreply 374November 28, 2024 2:39 PM

Incorrect, R372. As per the definition I myself provided, "jacked" does not necessarily mean "overly muscled," even if some people use it with that intended meaning. The definition I quoted is "having very well-developed muscles," which certainly applies to Kit Connor's smoking hot bod.

by Anonymousreply 375November 28, 2024 2:39 PM

"Very"

by Anonymousreply 376November 28, 2024 2:45 PM

What a shitty Bway year.

I was looking forward to Sunset Blvd but that turned out to be utter shit.

I’m hoping the Audra Gypsy can save the day. Otherwise there’s nothing particularly interesting to me

by Anonymousreply 377November 28, 2024 2:48 PM

Eureka Day is a mess as of last night. Cast very uncertain of their lines. No "character" work or any idea how to interact with other actors. The direction is terrible. The play is slight, but not terrible. It was like watching a late rehearsal.

PS: Jessica Hecht has turned into Frances Sternhagen (not that that is a bad thing).

by Anonymousreply 378November 28, 2024 3:15 PM

I can't keep Eureka Day and The Cult of Love straight.

by Anonymousreply 379November 28, 2024 3:23 PM

Joe Locke looks like a deformed FAS baby.

by Anonymousreply 380November 28, 2024 3:24 PM

R335, Paul Mescal won’t be eligible for the Tony next year because A Streetcar Named Desire will be at BAM, not on Broadway.

by Anonymousreply 381November 28, 2024 4:05 PM

R381, I’m over the “London critics adored it” shows that transfer. They all seem to suck once they get to Bway

by Anonymousreply 382November 28, 2024 4:07 PM

^^^A point that has already been made, R381, but thanks.

by Anonymousreply 383November 28, 2024 4:07 PM

A defined build is not jacked. A jacked body is not necessarily well-defined.

by Anonymousreply 384November 28, 2024 4:08 PM

I also saw the London Streetcar. I thought the direction was ridiculous. Not unlike "Sunset Blvd" the director takes the point of view of "I don't give a fuck what this actual story is, I'm going to just do all kinds of FUN STUFF and see what happens." The performances were fine.

by Anonymousreply 385November 28, 2024 7:04 PM

R385. Thank you for that. I don’t need to see a new interpretation

by Anonymousreply 386November 28, 2024 8:46 PM

Did they add a real streetcar as a coup de théâtre?

by Anonymousreply 387November 28, 2024 8:48 PM

Joe Locke is adorable! Much cuter than bland Kit wasshisname.

Posting bad photos of people and saying they're ghastly is a bit unfair. You can take lousy photos of anyone.

by Anonymousreply 388November 28, 2024 9:04 PM

R388 You don’t even believe that.

by Anonymousreply 389November 28, 2024 9:07 PM

See, r385, I'd really disagree with you on that. This Streetcar is virtually devoid of gimmicks.

It's a practically bare stage with no video, no projections, no heightened musical cues, except for the drumbeat. Nothing to distract from Tennessee's words which suffice to create the world of the French Quarter. Very quickly paced and tense. Really smart acting choices performed by sensational actors who are the right ages for the characters.

Well, there was a rainstorm onstage, but it seemed entirely organic.

by Anonymousreply 390November 28, 2024 9:22 PM

Well, will any of the parade numbers or appearances move the box office grosses?

I'm curious, do long-running shows like Book of Mormon, Lion King and Chicago, for example, get invites to march in the parade years after they've opened? Wouldn't that help their box office and also provide some better numbers for the parade than the latest crap that's opening now?

by Anonymousreply 391November 28, 2024 9:27 PM

I need to see more of these shows in London. Seriously, even with airfare and hotel (though I have train fare and hotel to NY), it’s cheaper. Jonathan Bailey in Richard II has a top ticket price of £169.

by Anonymousreply 392November 28, 2024 10:28 PM

And it’ll be filled with little Elphabas and Galindas.

by Anonymousreply 393November 28, 2024 10:40 PM

[quote]Well, there was a rainstorm onstage, but it seemed entirely organic.

Good.

by Anonymousreply 394November 28, 2024 10:48 PM

R392, yes, whenever I go to London, I try to catch a few West End shows. You can even buy the tickets ahead of time on Ticketmaster without ANY fees

by Anonymousreply 395November 28, 2024 10:52 PM

I just heard Left on Tenth us closing Feb 2nd. Was it always intended to be a limited run? And, more importantly, can it hold on until Feb 2nd?

by Anonymousreply 396November 28, 2024 10:54 PM

Les Liaisons Dangereuses with Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman on Broadway was incredibly sexy.

by Anonymousreply 397November 28, 2024 11:58 PM

Joe Locke has a face like a cat's puckered asshole, and no amount of lighting or camera angles will make that any different.

by Anonymousreply 398November 29, 2024 12:02 AM

Did I miss it or was there no discussion here of Shit. Meet. Fan. with DL "faves" Debra Messing and NPH at MCC Theater?

by Anonymousreply 399November 29, 2024 12:03 AM

Is anyone ever going to do a proper production of Mame?

It never really worked with that Murder She Wrote person.

by Anonymousreply 400November 29, 2024 12:45 AM

Encores should try Mame

by Anonymousreply 401November 29, 2024 1:31 AM

R400. Stay tuned!

by Anonymousreply 402November 29, 2024 1:54 AM

I keep hearing how cheap the sets and costumes look for this new Gypsy yet find it hard to believe that the producers wouldn't have provided decent budgets for those elements.

by Anonymousreply 403November 29, 2024 3:24 AM

damn yankees

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by Anonymousreply 404November 29, 2024 4:18 AM

That was quite good*

by Anonymousreply 405November 29, 2024 4:35 AM

Brilliant interviews with Rae Allen and Shannon Bolin of DAMN YANKEES! Thanks for posting r404!

by Anonymousreply 406November 29, 2024 4:46 AM

[quote]I keep hearing how cheap the sets and costumes look for this new Gypsy yet find it hard to believe that the producers wouldn't have provided decent budgets for those elements.

It's "Gypsy", during the dying days of vaudeville and Burlesque. Madame Rose is poor, her sets would be practically cardboard and threadbare clothes. Why would you think it should look like "The Queen of Versailles"?

by Anonymousreply 407November 29, 2024 12:19 PM

[quote]I keep hearing how cheap the sets and costumes look for this new Gypsy yet find it hard to believe that the producers wouldn't have provided decent budgets for those elements.

Well, they have a huge star salary to contend with, Plus they probably had it in mind to try to save as much money as possible for when their star begins to call out and tons of audience members demand refunds for that reason.

[quote]It's "Gypsy", during the dying days of vaudeville and Burlesque. Madame Rose is poor, her sets would be practically cardboard and threadbare clothes. Why would you think it should look like "The Queen of Versailles"?

But precisely two scenes in GYPSY depict the vaudeville acts that Rose concocts in actual performance, maybe one or two other scenes show us those acts in rehearsal. Most of the sets for GYPSY are for other scenes -- Rose's home, a strain station, a booking agent's office, etc. That said, I would say the only scenes that really need to have eye-popping sets and costumes are some of Louise's strips towards the end, especially the one for Minsky's.

by Anonymousreply 408November 29, 2024 1:44 PM

[quote] Rose's home

There's doing the down and out, homeless GYPSY

by Anonymousreply 409November 29, 2024 2:12 PM

She's homeless!

Audra's out there, singing for money.....

La de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da, la de dee, la di da......

(continue until audience pelts Audra with tomatoes)

by Anonymousreply 410November 29, 2024 2:20 PM

Can we just pelt you with tomatoes instead, r410?

by Anonymousreply 411November 29, 2024 2:29 PM

Howdya like THOSE tomatoes, Mr. Goldstone?

by Anonymousreply 412November 29, 2024 2:34 PM

[quote]Well, they have a huge star salary to contend with, Plus they probably had it in mind to try to save as much money as possible for when their star begins to call out and tons of audience members demand refunds for that reason.

And Chipotle's prices have gone up a lot lately!

by Anonymousreply 413November 29, 2024 3:51 PM

I know Audra has a reputation for missing performances but what is that based on?

I've seen her in nearly everything. The only performance I needed a replacement ticket for was Porgy and Bess when she missed because she was sick.

by Anonymousreply 414November 29, 2024 4:08 PM

^^^^It's based on her many absences during the runs of several of her shows, not counting A RAISIN IN THE SUN (a non-musical) and LADY DAY but applying to most or all of the others. I recently was told that she even missed frequently during MASTER CLASS, in which as far as I recall she only had to sing one aria per night in addition to her acting scenes.

I believe her attendance record during PORGY AND BESS was the worst. Reportedly, she requested an alternate from the beginning of the run or close to it, but the producers refused, so she then just started to have lots of unscheduled absences. And I do mean LOTS.

by Anonymousreply 415November 29, 2024 4:21 PM

Lots and lots? Because you have no actual facts to share.

by Anonymousreply 416November 29, 2024 4:29 PM

The sets and costumes in the Tyne Daly Gypsy were also cheap looking (I think they were designed with a lengthy pre Broadway tour in mind) but that just added to the charm of the entire production.

by Anonymousreply 417November 29, 2024 4:33 PM

The sets for Imelda's Gypsy looked like they came from a community theatre with a slightly better than average budget. Serviceable, but not much more. And, of course, there were no strings in the orchestra. The show still worked, though (yes, I saw it in London, not just the unfortunate version filmed for TV). Hard to keep a warhorse of a show down.

by Anonymousreply 418November 29, 2024 7:00 PM

[quote]I know Audra has a reputation for missing performances but what is that based on?

A desperation to keep referring to Lindsay Mendez

by Anonymousreply 419November 29, 2024 7:43 PM

R419, that comment is neither clever nor accurate.

by Anonymousreply 420November 29, 2024 8:31 PM

I think our collective fascination with frequent absences stems from this being one of the only places where you can discuss it without absurdly defensive pushback.

by Anonymousreply 421November 29, 2024 8:55 PM

It’s worse now because the pricing model is built around star performances. When those stars are out, you still pay the same ridiculously high price and didn’t get to see the star you paid to see.

If you want a refund? You are likely going to pay more to take another chance at maybe seeing the star, maybe from a worse seat.

Broadway is broken, and their answer is selling $900 tickets to see Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal do Othello.

by Anonymousreply 422November 29, 2024 9:07 PM

r420 Imagine my utter lack of surprise upon confirming you also posted r69

by Anonymousreply 423November 29, 2024 9:10 PM

Will Lindsay Mendez ever star in GYPSY?

by Anonymousreply 424November 29, 2024 9:16 PM

R424. She can replace Jinkx Monsoon in the next revival.

by Anonymousreply 425November 29, 2024 9:43 PM

Missed performances? Lethargic performances?

No mentions of me? Have I already been foresaken?

by Anonymousreply 426November 29, 2024 9:47 PM

R423, I have no idea what you mean, but I've never posted any incorrect information about the unscheduled absence records of Audra McDonald or Lindsay Mendez, or for that matter Maleah Joi Moon in HELL'S KITCHEN

by Anonymousreply 427November 29, 2024 10:18 PM

I've never posted any factual or numerical information about the unscheduled absence records. FIFY

by Anonymousreply 428November 29, 2024 11:12 PM

^^ that’s directed at the “lots and lots” pusita.

by Anonymousreply 429November 29, 2024 11:14 PM

R428. the many unscheduled absences of the performers I mentioned are a matter of public record, even if I don't have the exact figures at my fingertips. I guess you're the sort of person who thinks, "Well, since that star didn't call out when I saw the show, I don't believe and/or just don't care that they called out many times and disappointed many audiences."

by Anonymousreply 430November 30, 2024 4:03 AM

Michael Mayer better stop with the Ozempic

by Anonymousreply 431November 30, 2024 3:40 PM

Michael Mayer better stop with the directing

by Anonymousreply 432November 30, 2024 3:43 PM

[post redacted because independent.co.uk thinks that links to their ridiculous rag are a bad thing. Somebody might want to tell them how the internet works. Or not. We don't really care. They do suck though. Our advice is that you should not click on the link and whatever you do, don't read their truly terrible articles.]

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 433November 30, 2024 5:12 PM

Okay, my post above got partly screwed up due to the link, so here's the part that disappeared:

The following was posted by Michael Cerveris on Facebook, and I have to say, I'm quite surprised at him:

"Eleven more chances to come be moved, delighted, challenged, embraced and baffled why some people worked so hard to convince you that @tammyfayebway wasn’t worth your time. This is one that got away. But you can still catch it."

by Anonymousreply 434November 30, 2024 5:16 PM

‘WICKED’ is now the highest grossing musical adaptation of all time at the domestic box office in just 8 days!

The previous record was held by ‘GREASE’ (1978)

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by Anonymousreply 435November 30, 2024 5:27 PM

AMC 42nd Street is charging $29.68 with fees. Of course it'll make more than a movie from 1978.

by Anonymousreply 436November 30, 2024 5:56 PM

Thanks, R436. There's not doubt that the WICKED movie is a phenomenal success, but box office figures that don't adjust for general inflation and the specific inflation in the price of movie tickets obviously don't tell the whole story.

by Anonymousreply 437November 30, 2024 6:06 PM

Kiss of the Spiderwoman will smash those Wicked records!!!!

by Anonymousreply 438November 30, 2024 6:08 PM

Anyone see CULT OF LOVE?

by Anonymousreply 439November 30, 2024 11:29 PM

That U.K. newspaper article about notorious flops (at R433) discreetly omits Lloyd Webber's 'Bad Cinderella' which was a complete fiasco financially and artistically. Perhaps they didn't want to embarrass "Lord" Webber?

Mandelbaum's quote about 'Bring Back Birdie' being possibly “the worst Broadway musical ever to be created by top-level professionals” could easily apply to 'Bad Cinderella', along with another Lloyd Webber disaster, 'Love Never Dies'.

by Anonymousreply 440November 30, 2024 11:53 PM

At least Bring Back Birdie got a Tony nomination.

by Anonymousreply 441November 30, 2024 11:58 PM

I saw CULT OF LOVE at Berkeley Rep. it’s a really good play. The Bway casting is 50% starry now and about 50% holdovers from Berkeley. It’s a great ensemble piece.

by Anonymousreply 442December 1, 2024 12:32 AM

Understudy for Baby June is on tonight at Gypsy. Little bitch playing Baby June already picking up shit from Mama. Or is it Momma?

by Anonymousreply 443December 1, 2024 12:49 AM

R443. Slacker

by Anonymousreply 444December 1, 2024 1:34 AM

I don't know that I'd call BAD CINDERELLA's Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Zippel and Emerald Fennell "top-level professionals" of the caliber of Charles Strouse, Lee Adams and Michael Stewart. And LOVE NEVER DIES' Lloyd Webber, Glenn Slater, Ben Elton and Frederick Forsyth? Let's not go there.

by Anonymousreply 445December 1, 2024 1:36 AM

Charles Strouse had such success in the last 40 years; as well as Lee Adams and Michael Stewart, no? As one supposes ,they are EGOT too? It was so circumstance to meet Emerald among her many awards to do a fun one-off.

by Anonymousreply 446December 1, 2024 1:56 AM

Saw Gypsy tonight.

OK, Audra McDonald is a great actress. She acted the shit out of Rose. However, yeah, there’s that thing about her voice. Her lovely soprano undercuts those songs over and over. Her “Rose’s Turn” is brilliant until the climactic “…And everything’s coming up Rose, everything’s coming up Roses” and it’s once again Madam Rose at The Met. I do love her, though.

Danny Burstein was absolute perfection. He nailed all the laughs, the biggest one being in “Together, Wherever We Go” which actually took clever advantage of McDonald’s operatic voice. He was also very powerful in Herbie’s final “I love you but fuck off” scene. Bravo.

Joy Woods as Louise/Gypsy? Just no. A big casting mistake. They should have waited a few months for Denee Benton to be available after The Gilded Age had finished. Benton would have brought charm and wit to Gypsy’s strips. Woods, who has the body of a pubescent boy, was only passable doing a Josephine Baker imitation in the Garden of Eden section. But the funny thing was for someone with “no talent” Louise sure was a great frigging dancer in that.

Lesli Margherita was fucking hilarious as Tessie-the best of all the ones I’ve ever seen since the Lansbury revival in 1974. And I thought Jordan Tyson was fabulous as June. I think there will be divided opinions about her-some will think she’s too over the top. But Tyson’s got a clarion singing voice and can act unlike Woods. And for the very first time it seems Wolfe has managed to achieve what Laurents and Mendes failed to do and that was to give us a hint of whatever acting potential TT Grantziger actually saw in June during her “I can’t go to Broadway with you” speech.

Kevin Csolak does a superb job with “All I Need Is the Girl.” Fantastic character dancing. He got a hand in the middle of it, he’s so damn good.

Great physical production. The set pieces were terrific. I liked that the Wichita train station at the end of Act 1 was set in an empty terminal-I always thought having it set on a platform near the tracks was dumb.

I really did like some of the “choices” for this new production, including giving solos in “Have an Eggroll, Mr. Goldstone” to the others. June even has the “There are goodstones and badstones and curbstones and gladstones…” section.

I’ve seen Nicole Scherzinger. I’ve seen Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard. I’ve now seen Audra McDonald. And I’m telling you, if The Queen of Versailles (which I saw in Boston) manages to sweep into the Palace by late April it she very well can win that Tony. You think Idina Menzel will actually be a threat?

by Anonymousreply 447December 1, 2024 5:39 AM

And by “she” I mean Kristin Chenoweth, of course.

by Anonymousreply 448December 1, 2024 5:43 AM

Thanks for that, R442. Hadn't even heard about this one. Assume, given the subject matter/setting of the holidays, it will be a very limited run and I won't get to catch it when I next come to NY in the spring, but it looks like a great cast at 2nd Stage!

by Anonymousreply 449December 1, 2024 6:48 AM

R447 thank you for the review! I have tickets next week for Gypsy.

Here is my resentment. My favorite Broadway divas are Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters and Betty Buckley and I see them all regularly in concerts/shows.

However I was too young to/didn’t have the means to see any of them in Gypsy.

So Audra is my first Gypsy and I hate that. I like her a lot and would enjoy her in other roles…but I crave the Buckley/LuPone belt on these songs. I’m jealous of those who got to experience them

by Anonymousreply 450December 1, 2024 2:04 PM

Bitch better watch herself, if you don’t have Mama’ love, you don’t have anything

by Anonymousreply 451December 1, 2024 2:10 PM

"Audra is my first Gypsy."

Oh, dear.

by Anonymousreply 452December 1, 2024 2:25 PM

It’s crazy that Tyne Daly could barely sing, and Patti made tones more characteristic of a decapitated chicken, but Audra is the one under fire for her singing.

by Anonymousreply 453December 1, 2024 2:47 PM

Marshall Brickman, co-writer of JERSEY BOYS and THE ADDAMS FAMILY, as well as the screenplays for ANNIE HALL, MANHATTAN and a whole lotta other shit is dead to me at 85.

by Anonymousreply 454December 1, 2024 2:51 PM

R447: How was Camille A. Brown's non-Robbins choreography? (Thanks for your review above!)

by Anonymousreply 455December 1, 2024 6:45 PM

Who created that awful "choreography" in the WICKED film?

by Anonymousreply 456December 1, 2024 6:47 PM

I thought Gypsy always had to use Robbin's choreography

by Anonymousreply 457December 1, 2024 8:56 PM

R456 Christopher Scott?

by Anonymousreply 458December 1, 2024 9:50 PM

The choreography in Wicked film is one of the best things about it. It’s stylised, for sure, but feels entirely organic within Oz as fashioned by the film. The fact that it never feels ridiculous is a huge accomplishment.

by Anonymousreply 459December 1, 2024 11:24 PM

At least it’s not ridiculous!

by Anonymousreply 460December 2, 2024 12:28 AM

Jesus Christ -- What has happened to The NY Times Sunday Arts & Leisure section? A cover article on Angelina Jolie going to the Opera? A puff piece on Jon Chu directing WICKED? A Q & A with the girl who's not selling tickets in CABARET? Remember when that section was rich, interesting, surprising? Now all the Hollywood agents are running the section. Sad, sad, sad.

by Anonymousreply 461December 2, 2024 12:48 AM

R461. A Q & A with the girl who's not selling tickets in CABARET?

Not selling tickets and not showing up for performances aside from her scheduled absences.

by Anonymousreply 462December 2, 2024 12:57 AM

The masculine eye candy seems to be the only selling point for Swept Away.

by Anonymousreply 463December 2, 2024 1:07 AM

R455, I liked the new choreography a lot. It’s definitely not a recreation of Robbins’ choreography. As I mentioned above Tulsa’s “All I Need is the Girl” has a lot of character-type dancing in it (reminiscent if Donald O’Connor’s work in films)) and hardly any tap. He doesn’t even yell “Break!”and then do a tap step like he normally does.

OK, I did sort of miss the strobe lights to mark the passage of time but then again as someone pointed out a while ago the Newsboys are black and the Farmboys are white. I did think the way the Newsboys are “replaced” by the Farmboys and June and Louise are re-introduced was somewhat inventive. Rose ushers them on stage, I think.

A few other random notes-there is no applause for “Small World” because it bleeds directly into Baby June and her Newsboys’ act. Incidentally it’s “May We Entertain You” in both the opening scene and during Baby June’s actual act. When Rose is getting Louise ready for her “stripping debut” she says the same line in the script about using “Let Me Entertain You” which struck me as a little odd. Why couldn’t she just say something like “We can use ‘May We Entertain You’ but this time it’ll be ‘Let Me Entertain You.” ?Whatever. By the way Baby June and Dainty June’s delivery of the first lyric “May we entertain you” is different from how it’s usually performed. It’s ohrased differently, in a bouncy, more period sort of style. I liked that.

At various points throughout it struck me how much Audra physucally resembled Leslie Uggams. It made me think what a great Rose Uggams woukd have been. She certainly would have had the proper belt voice to deliver those lyrics.

Not a fan of Tessie Tura wearing ballet slippers during “You Gotta Get a Gimmick.” Put the broad in heels, for god’s sake. I liked the new body position Mazeppa uses for her final trumpet run in “You Gotta Get a Gimmick.”. It’s just as vulgar as when Mazeppa would blow it between her legs like it was shooting out of her ass but that’s the whole point, right? And speaking of trumpets there’s no crazy trumpet run in the overture like there have been.. But there’s still the violin “PLUH-plink!” during the “Small World” bit so all is well with the world.

In the opening scene at Uncle Jocko’s there no longer is Clarence and his Clarinet, it’s now Carmichael and his Kazoo.

Brittney Johnson, the young lady playing Agnes/Amanda of Louise and Her Hollywood Blondes, is adorable. The bits between her and Tessie were a big hit with the audience.

One more thing-some audience members rose to their feet in the middle of Rose’s Turn.” I did hear someone behind me yell “Sit down!” It was embarrassing. Should this behavior be blamed on the Sunset Boulevard auduences? Blecch. Hated it.

by Anonymousreply 464December 2, 2024 1:39 AM

[quote]The previous record was held by ‘GREASE’ (1978)

Just wait until my triumphant return to the screen in "Grease 3!"

by Anonymousreply 465December 2, 2024 1:41 AM

There's no "crazy" trumpet run in the new Gypsy overture....and that's............................OK???

by Anonymousreply 466December 2, 2024 1:54 AM

R464. Leslie Uggams played Rose in stock a few years ago.

by Anonymousreply 467December 2, 2024 2:07 AM

Ah, right, R457. I was wondering about that. But she would have been way too old to play Rose if she had done it just a few years ago, wouldn’t it?

by Anonymousreply 468December 2, 2024 2:18 AM

[quote] But she would have been way too old to play Rose

Don't even ....

by Anonymousreply 469December 2, 2024 2:23 AM

R468. Yup but it was stock plus Leslie looks damn good for her age. Interesting that Leslie played Sally Bowles in a summer stock tour of Cabaret around 1970ish. She truly was a pioneer in diversity casting and I doubt audiences gave a shit.

by Anonymousreply 470December 2, 2024 2:36 AM

R461, the Arts & Leisure section and the Times’ arts coverage in general has gone downhill since the ‘90s. It’s nothing like what it used to be.

by Anonymousreply 471December 2, 2024 2:51 AM

The memorial for Gavin Creel will be live streamed on Monday, Dec. 2nd at 4pm ET.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 472December 2, 2024 3:15 AM

Her costumes were decent...

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by Anonymousreply 473December 2, 2024 3:19 AM

R473. Leslie looks 40 in those clips. She's an amazing talent.

by Anonymousreply 474December 2, 2024 3:23 AM

R474 it’s a pity the rest of the show looked on par with a community theatre!

by Anonymousreply 475December 2, 2024 3:25 AM

I apologize if it's been discussed before, but Cabaret's current promotional art is just so ugly.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 476December 2, 2024 3:46 AM

[quote]Incidentally it’s “May We Entertain You” in both the opening scene and during Baby June’s actual act. When Rose is getting Louise ready for her “stripping debut” she says the same line in the script about using “Let Me Entertain You” which struck me as a little odd. Why couldn’t she just say something like “We can use ‘May We Entertain You’ but this time it’ll be ‘Let Me Entertain You.” ?

But isn't "May We Entertain You?" already changed to "Let Me Entertain You" for the "Dainty June and Her Farmboys" number? If so, Rose obviously doesn't need to say your line about the title change.

by Anonymousreply 477December 2, 2024 4:02 AM

Agree that the absence of a crazy trumpet run in the overture is unforgivable. Jule Styne would plotz.

by Anonymousreply 478December 2, 2024 4:16 AM

How much did they spend to renovate the Majestic? And they still fucked up the bathrooms? Un-fucking-believable. Lines all over the staircases.

by Anonymousreply 479December 2, 2024 4:51 AM

I'm confused. Is the trumpet run in the overture not part of the original orchestrations/arrangements? Yes, this is where I admit I've never listened to the Ethel Merman original. I came of age during the Bernadette revival and that cast recording was my go-to. The orchestra (including the trumpet solo) are fantastic on Bernie's cast recording.

by Anonymousreply 480December 2, 2024 7:32 AM

^ that’s very good satire of the earlier dumb posts. Bravo!

by Anonymousreply 481December 2, 2024 12:03 PM

Billy Porter joining the West End Cabaret. No, not as Sally.

by Anonymousreply 482December 2, 2024 12:34 PM

Marisha IS Sally.

by Anonymousreply 483December 2, 2024 12:53 PM

He was turned down for the role in the Mendes revival as a replacement. They told him he “wasn’t the story they were telling”

Apparently…he is now a story to tell.

by Anonymousreply 484December 2, 2024 2:09 PM

^ source

by Anonymousreply 485December 2, 2024 2:10 PM

Wow R476......maybe it should be called: Cabaret: Comin' At Ya!

by Anonymousreply 486December 2, 2024 3:29 PM

R485 it’s in his memoir “Unprotected”

by Anonymousreply 487December 2, 2024 4:03 PM

He shopped that story around in the NYT in 2017:

[quote] Six years passed. Clown-game offers abounded, but when I demanded to be seen as a three-dimensional human being, the work dried up. The pigeonhole I had put myself into was so tight that I was shut out of even auditions for anything of substance. I recall word coming back to my agents, stating, “That’s not the story we’re telling,” in response to my wanting to audition for the role of the M.C. in the 1998 revival of “Cabaret.”

Exhausting.

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by Anonymousreply 488December 2, 2024 4:51 PM

So he wasn’t turned down. He didn’t get an audition —two different things.

He got his wish now…it didn’t derail his career. Hope he enjoys the experience.

by Anonymousreply 489December 2, 2024 5:29 PM

R489 seriously? If one is rejected from auditioning…is that not being turned down?

by Anonymousreply 490December 2, 2024 5:36 PM

No— “turned down” implies you were considered. He never was. That’s show biz.

Outside of show biz: If you had sent a resume to an HR dept. and were never asked to interview, would you say you were turned down…no, you wouldn’t. But if you interviewed and then didn’t get a call back or offer, you would.

Pretty straightforward.

by Anonymousreply 491December 2, 2024 5:46 PM

Don't give up on Chicago just yet.

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by Anonymousreply 492December 2, 2024 5:47 PM

Uh, if you get turned down for an opportunity to interview or to audition.....you've gotten turned down.

by Anonymousreply 493December 2, 2024 5:55 PM

There was no opportunity. Capice?

by Anonymousreply 494December 2, 2024 5:58 PM

Get a fucking life, would you?

by Anonymousreply 495December 2, 2024 6:17 PM

Mirror, mirror.

by Anonymousreply 496December 2, 2024 6:21 PM

Maybe Ms. Porter can also rewrite the book to CABARET and "fix" it the way he with THE LIFE at Encores!

by Anonymousreply 497December 2, 2024 6:28 PM

R497 will this be the first production where the audience roots for the Emcee to be arrested by the Nazis?

by Anonymousreply 498December 2, 2024 6:55 PM

R498. No

by Anonymousreply 499December 2, 2024 7:18 PM

Have any of our London DLers seen the National's Importance of Being Earnest? It looks both fun *and* exhausting. (The NYTimes liked it.)

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by Anonymousreply 500December 2, 2024 7:33 PM

It does sound like fun.

by Anonymousreply 501December 2, 2024 8:23 PM
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