THEATRE GOSSIP #596: The "Izzy's Too Dizzy To Go On Tonight" Edition

Discussion continues from prior thread

It's GYPSY vs IZZY - which will be the first to post a closing notice ? I say IZZY.

I have a feeling she will be fine by Emmy time.

Maybe Smart and MacDonald can switch roles for the summer to try and save each other's shows? Smart in 'Gypsy' and MacDonald in 'Izzy' ???

How does a stage toilet look so dirty?

And Here We Are!

They let Amex cardholders use it during the pre-show.

There's still an original cast member of HAMILTON???!?!?

Some people like steady employment.

[quote] Listen to the multi part podcast about Sunset Blvd productions through time. The podcaster explains why RUG has such a terrible reputation (and why Lupone specifically added financial penalties if RUG fired her)

what is the name of the podcast?

Two Shits With Sarah Brightman

Why are so many Billy Porter performances on TDF? I thought he was brought in to save the show.

[Quote] she has no clue about what's damaging to a voice and what isn't. Just about every singer and vocal coach I know will tell you that continually switching back and forth between a raw belt sound and singing in head voice/soprano is FAR more damaging to a performer than singing an entire role either in the belt register or the soprano register. And in Audra's case, the damage is greatly compounded by the fact that she does so much screaming and shouting and sobbing in at least two of her big numbers, regardless of where the notes should lie.“

I’ll trust Audra’s knowledge about her own voice over yours

Remember at the beginning of Audra’s run, someone on her exclaimed that Audra’s voice was being shredded and she wouldn’t last much past Xmas?

Well, her voice seems to be doing just fine

I think it would be fun if Hannah Einbinder filled in for Jean while her "knee" healed, or even her mother, Laraine Newman.

I'm well enough now to knee OP right in the nuts.

Let’s see how this is woven into next season on Hacks. Too ripe to use?

They can get the gay show creator who pretends he's straight to play "Izzy." I'm sure he'll look fabu in that McCrory's wig.

From the previous thread:

[quote] Balgord was Glenn Close's understudy (November 1994 - June 1995) and did get decent reviews when she covered Close's multi-week vacation in March, 1995 (though the box office nose-dived).

Linda Balgord never understudied Glenn Close and never played Norma Desmond on Broadway. Karen Mason understudied Glenn Close in L.A. and on Broadway and filled in for Glenn's vacation.

The Groff/Radcliffe/Mendez "Merrily" will screen theatrically in December.

R19 I was NEVER in the chorus!

Audra may be fine, but she's OUT again tonight: 7/16/2025

As if...

Is Paul Downs actually gay? Or just an effeminate straight man?

Both.

R12. Billy Porter was brought in to close the show. Not save it.

R22. Really? Tryphena hasn't posted anything or sent out a ROSE alert.

The current Broadway revival of Gypsy, starring Audra McDonald, will end its Broadway run on August 17 after 28 previews and 269 regular performances.

Well, there we go. Gypsy said uncle before Call Me Izzy. But I suspect Izzy will close sooner.

CHAMPAGNE FOR EVERYONE!

[quote]The Groff/Radcliffe/Mendez "Merrily" will screen theatrically in December.

At least those audiences will be assured of seeing Mendez.

[quote]The Groff/Radcliffe/Mendez "Merrily" will screen theatrically in December.

Good news for those of who will be dead before the movie is released.

This will be the shortest run of Gypsy since the Angela Lansbury revival in 1974-75, which was a planned limited engagement.

Yikes. Even Bernadette ran longer.

YIKE!

I just went to Lupone's house to break the news to her about GYPSY's early closing. She gave me a cold stare for fifteen seconds. She then turned to the window and said with a smile, "Isn't it a beautiful day ?"

[quote]With an Asian Tony, it becomes more complicated, because an Asian boy is still an outsider to thearks.

Why do people like you who are obviously devoid of imagination even bother going to the theater, an art form that requires it? "An Asian Tony takes me out of the story, but I have no problem with gang members executing sophisticated choreography."

BTW, Day is now scheduled to fill in through Sunday at the very least for 'Izzy'. There is equity rule that states if the understudy goes on for more than two weeks, the role becomes theirs, if they choose. Next Wednesday marks 'more than two weeks' - so we can probably bid adieu to Jean Smart at this point.

Aside from the fact that this was a mediocre production with a divisive lead actress choice, the producers of this Gypsy really failed. From not having enough understudies ready in December to branding the show "Audra/Gypsy" when Audra misses way too many performances - there is a masterclass in how NOT to produce happening at the Majestic Theater through Aug. 17.

R31, and they’re gonna be wildly underwhelmed.

R37 that is wild.

R40 Yup. Smart has been out since July 8. I believe Day stepped in on the 9th. So actually, Thursday the 24th will be over 2 weeks, and the role has to be offered to her.

No, it doesn’t. I don’t see any such provision anywhere in the Production Contract. If it’s there, provide a quote or citation.

I think Day will cover the weekend and then Monday they'll announce closing.

I don't understand a situation in which Smart could miss all these performances and then still contractually be paid for the weeks she missed. But isn't that what some of you yammered on about in the last thread?

[quote]I’ll trust Audra’s knowledge about her own voice over yours

Except she has had many unscheduled absences since the show opened, in addition to the scheduled ones, so it seems clear that the role is too vocally taxing for her because of the way she has chosen to sing it -- or shout it and shriek it and sob it, in the case of "Rose's Turn" and some of "Everything's Coming Up Roses." So it seems that neither you nor she know as much about maintaining vocal health as you pretend to.

R45, your take is plausible, but scarcely dispositive. McDonald notoriously missed performances of RAGTIME and PORGY AND BESS, neither of which seemed the wrong fit vocally (and of course she was younger then).

When I saw her do it a few months ago, I was (1) surprised how much she actually did sing in chest voice and (2) worried whether she could sustain the emotional intensity of what she was doing over a regular Broadway schedule. So it's also plausible that the role took so much out of her emotionally that she felt the need to call out a lot. (You don't have to have liked her performance to find that believable.)

Bottom line: no one here really knows. Stop presenting your own thoughts as fact.

[quote] There is equity rule that states if the understudy goes on for more than two weeks, the role becomes theirs, if they choose

Is this true? I’ve worked on Broadway for 40 years, and never heard this.

Another flop for Kirdahy.

R46. I'm not presenting my thoughts as 100 precent fact, I'm presenting them as educated and experienced guesses. Ironically, though the tone of your post makes it sound like you're arguing with me, I think we basically agree about what's going on with Audra and her voice.

For example, you wrote that when you saw Audra in GYPSY, you "worried whether she could sustain the emotional intensity of what she was doing over a regular Broadway schedule.." If you modify that a little so it reads "the emotional and vocal intensity....," the answer has proven to be "No, she can't." Audra has missed quite a few performances over the course of the short run. I don't know if she has made any statement on the reason for any of those absences, but I'd be willing to bet the real reason was vocal fatigue.

As for your comment that "McDonald notoriously missed performances of RAGTIME and PORGY AND BESS," first of all, she shouldn't have and wouldn't have called out from RAGTIME so often if she didn't insist on singing much of "Your Daddy's Son" in a wild ,searing, almost out-of-control high belt. In my opinion, that number was thrilling when delivered that way, but I think it did cost Audra vocally. And as for P&B, no singer should EVER be contracted to sing either of those leading roles more than or three times a week a most, let alone eight times a week.

[quote]I don't understand a situation in which Smart could miss all these performances and then still contractually be paid for the weeks she missed. But isn't that what some of you yammered on about in the last thread?

You never heard of paid sick time at a job ? Seriously ?

She's out with a physical injury (which she may have sustained 'on the job'). She gets paid sick time. I think even Starbucks gives their baristas paid sick time these days - never mind an $8M Broadway production in which she is the star of the one-woman show.

At this point I would be shocked if Jean came back. Would audiences come back with her? I doubt it.

If the producers don't kill off IZZY by tonight's performance, they need to be charged with fraudulent behavior by their investors. To quote one DL poster who frequently posts here: "They're delusional."

I'm wondering who the audience for the filmed Groff/Mendez/Radcliffe Merrily at the local cineplex is going to be? Millennials thinking its part of the Potterverse? The small segment of the population that kept Glee aliive past its expiration date? Octagenarians hoping for an old fashioned MGM musical?

r53 How about "people who would have loved to have seen it on Broadway but couldn't"?

Kirdahy has plenty going on what with Just In Time, Hadestown, Ragtime, and the Kiss Of The Spiderwoman movie .

Why do people blatantly lie about things? Someone wrote elsewhere online about Audra's most recent absences from GYPSY, over the past two days, "This is unsettling, and we can all hope she's well. I've seen every show she's been in on B'way, save Shuffle Along, and her attendance has been exemplary, even when playing Bess, the McDonald performance that shook me to my toes. We can assume the decision to close in mid-August is the result of soft sales for September. But it's very sad indeed to learn that she's been unable to perform the last 48 hours.."

First of all, Audra's attendance record during PORGY AND BESS was far from "exemplary." And as for her GYPSY absences, there is a big difference between being "unable to perform" and calling out because your voice is a little tired, which Audra herself has said she will do. If every major star of a Broadway musical called out whenever they felt their voice was only at about 80 or 85 percent rather than 100, the Broadway model would become unworkable -- at least, for shows with major stars whose names actually sell tickets, as compared to say DEATH BECOMES HER, where apparently the frequent absences of the two leads has mattered very little at the box office.

[quote]The current Broadway revival of Gypsy, starring Audra McDonald, will end its Broadway run on August 17

August 17 will be the last time that Gypsy is ever performed on a Broadway stage.

Agreed, R57. Unless maybe Lady GaGa wants to do it -- as Louise sometime soon, or as Rose later in her career :-)

Lady Gaga as Rose is definitely happening at some point in the 2040s.

R39 Luckily we have a thread for that.

Are we really going to spend the next few days endlessly speculating about Jean Smart and Izzy? YAWN. Let's gossip: Anyone else hearing who some of next season's announced shows are suddenly having serious problems finding investors? Why is Michael Paulson trying to save Williamstown? Let it die. Is The Broadway League going to be able to stop a casino in Times Square, and why did Equity sell out to a possible casino? And then that announcement about Caesar's Palace offering $5 million for LGBTQ+ "health care." You think Trump wouldn't stop on the instantly? What other shows will close before Labor Day? Stranger Things? Hadestown? Cabaret? Speaking of Cabaret, lots of rumblings about how the investors were screwed but Jujamcyn made millions on the liquor. Lot's of rumblings that the "Dolly" musical made a huge mistake debuting in Nashville. The locals had no idea of how much skilled labor is needed for a new musical, and none of it is in Nashville. It's just a concert town. How much more face work is Chenoweth going to have before "Versailles"? Is the "shuffling" of Jesse Green the end of theatre criticism at The Times as we know it. Looks like he was done in by his all out rave for "Smash."

R20 I can't wait to miss it!

We’re getting closer to “Kim Carnes: The Musical!” every year.

I’m Every Woman. The story of Chaka Khan is coming to London in 2026. I love Chaka, but this is sounds so D list. Think it’ll make it to Broadway?

Poor Jean. She’s being offered so much at this stage of life and it’s hard to say no, but her body is. That must be frustrating.

The hills are alive. Again.

Izzy just extended through Aug 24th. Bring me my smelling salts!!!!!

Madeline Ashton would never be this fat.

YAY! More time to see Jean Smart on a dirty toilet!!

[quote] Izzy just extended through Aug 24th. Bring me my smelling salts!!!!!

Now THAT's hutzpah!!

So, The Shed is charging $299 for the extremely limited Orchestra seats for Tom Hanks in The World Of Tomorrow, to $110 for the sides in the back of the house. Obviously, they're holding back a lot of Premium seats.

[quote]The hills are alive.

RUN!

I can't believe they actually extended IZZY. I thought for sure it would close prematurely.

I can still close prematurely.

2008 Gypsy ran longer, 332 performances.

Patti LuPone won a Tony Award.

Audra played a week or so of Gypsy then went on vacation.

Closing after a handful of months.

Audra didn't win a Tony for Gypsy.

[quote]Audra didn't win a Tony for Gypsy.

Neither did Ethel or Bernadette.

Maybe Jean plans on coming back to finish her run. Or doing extra shows to make up for her absences.

Reading some of these posts, it's kind of amazing what passes for professionalism in today's theater. I remember poor Carol Burnett getting blacklisted from Broadway for decades because she couldn't do Fade Out, Fade In. Andy Gibb got fired for bad attendance during Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Merman did Gypsy for two years and 700 shows without breaking a sweat, and Channing 1,000 of Hello Dolly!

If Audra (or any theater star for that matter) takes off nights because her throat isn't up to par, then they should get an lead co-actress and that alternate should be heavily publicized as much as the main star is. Same with not going on because the house is half full.

Lazy excuses and if they thought Lupone was a bitch, Stritch would have PLENTY to say about it.

I hate to say it, but this all played in Patti's favor big time. Where were all these people who defending McDonald on social media? All the actors who wrote that open letter? She's so beloved then why did this show flop? Make a big stink only for the show to get cancelled a month later. I would be embarrassed if I was her.

[quote]Maybe Jean plans on coming back to finish her run. Or doing extra shows to make up for her absences.

Of course, that's the plan, as it says in the press release and the news items. The plan is that Smart will return to the show on July 22.

[quote]I remember poor Carol Burnett getting blacklisted from Broadway for decades because she couldn't do Fade Out, Fade In. Andy Gibb got fired for bad attendance during Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Carol Burnett broke her contact with FADE OUT FADE IN to appear in a TV special produced by her husband. I don't know if she actually got "blacklisted from Broadway," but that's why there was so much bad feeling towards her. Andy Gibb may have been fired partly for bad attendance, but I believe also for the fact that he was sometimes obviously under the influence or drugs or alcohol or whatever while onstage.

Why aren't we talking more about Megan's Trog?

[quote]Poor Jean. She’s being offered so much at this stage of life and it’s hard to say no, but her body is.

It's the Prime of Miss Jean Smart!

[quote]Stritch would have PLENTY to say about it.

When DIDN’T Stritch have plenty to say about anything?

Thank you, R75. Also, the McDonald GYPSY won't have closed "after a handful of months" -- it will have run 8 months, to LuPone's 9.5. Wow. Such a victory for Patti. (And take a look at her Tony rivals: Kerry Butler in XANADU, Kelli O'Hara in SOUTH PACIFIC, Faith Prince in A CATERED AFFAIR and Jenna Russell in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Hard to imagine that anyone other than O'Hara was much competition that year.)

So her (and Wolfe's) take on the show wasn't to every taste, or the stuff of smash hits, or whatever. Life goes on. She's a great performer who wanted to play this part, and this was her time. I'm glad she did it, and I'll be thinking about her bold and rich performance for some time.

R53 Uh, the same audience that goes to see the National Live theater broadcasts from London. They're very popular and do well at arthouse cinemas.

[quote]YAY! More time to see Jean Smart on a dirty toilet!!

Judy Garland died on the toilet.

R83, is correct. We live in a world where this has its own Wikipedia page.

Death doesn't care where you are or what you're doing, r83.

For some reason Izzy cancelled both of Saturdays performances.

R81 You’ll be the only one thinking about it

R83 From the looks of that prop poor Judy may well have died on THAT toilet.

I heard from a savvy theater friend who lives in DC that the Kennedy Center is reeling in financial loss from canceled shows, and many of those shows have moved to DC's National Theatre. Hopefully, someone here can confirm this.

The new Kennedy Center season veers on pathetic. Non-union tours, no original programming, and The Outsiders. The Opera season has some interesting, but most of us have zero desire to go in that building. Or even drive past it with its hideous new red white and blue lighting.

[quote]So her (and Wolfe's) take on the show wasn't to every taste, or the stuff of smash hits, or whatever. Life goes on. She's a great performer who wanted to play this part, and this was her time.

Fine, but if she's unwilling or unable to fulfill the normal Broadway schedule of eight performances a week, she should have figured out something else, like doing a very limited run of a staged-concert version of GYPSY with the complete book and score at a non-Broadway venue. Hell, if she and Wolfe had gone to the people at Encores! and offered to do the show there, I think those people would have jumped at the chance. Of course, then Audra (and everyone else involved) wouldn't have been eligible for Tony Awards....but, umm, guess what?

And yes, I know Patti's GYPSY started at Encores!/City Center, but I'll betcha they would have done it again with Audra.

BroadwaySF has these "events" coming to San Francisco: & Juliet, Shucked, Les Mis and Suffs (and a whole slew of one-night crap like Twilight In Concert, the Music of Led Zeppelin, and a Queen sing-a-long). Yeesh... (Yes, I realize it's not BroadwaySF's fault, just what producers think will sell on the road.)

[Quote] At least those audiences will be assured of seeing Mendez.

Can we? I’m not going to believe she’s actually in it until I see the film

GYPSY had a relatively short run because GYPSY is old and tired. What might have been a “perfect” musical a century ago is creaky now.

Plus, prices are insanely high now. Only a show with a TV or movie star can sustain long runs (or be a family classic like Hamilton or Lion King).

Finally, White audiences don’t tend to come to “Black” musicals, no matter how great they are. Rich, White audiences sustain Bway and they spend their money on White shows

Jeremy Jordan backstage at the Royal Albert Hall for soundcheck, warmups, and the entrance to his solo concert:

Such a casual outfit, Jeremy. Was it a matinee?

Finally, White audiences don’t tend to come to “Black” musicals, no matter how great they are. Rich, White audiences sustain Bway and they spend their money on White shows

That's hilarious. White audiences have made quite a few black shows mega hits. And, sorry, but where are the black audiences and why aren't they coming out to support Audra. They could have made Gypsy a huge success. But they didn't.

[Quote] That's hilarious. White audiences have made quite a few black shows mega hits

Like what?

[Quote] And, sorry, but where are the black audiences and why aren't they coming out to support Audra

Black audiences aren’t any more the traditional Bway consumer any more than White audiences are at gospel shows. Why is it suddenly the fault of Black audiences that they didn’t come out to a venue they don’t normally go to? Why don’t White audiences rush to shows featuring Black characters?

At those prices, I ain't running to see anything.

Grudgingly walking, maybe.

I do want to see the Baltic cities but do I really need to see another palace, church, garden, blah blah blah?

I saw Fat Ham and Jitney earlier this year at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I wasn't counting, but there could not have been more than 10 Black people in either audience (FH was packed, albeit in OSF's smallest house, and Jitney was maybe half full; both audiences were very engaged and appreciative).

[quote]The new Kennedy Center season veers on pathetic.

There's nothing they can do for the next three and half years, they should just book it a Branson East.

R81 Thanks for your thoughtful post, Miss Kecia Lewis ! Audra appreciates you.

R101: “I do want to see the Baltic cities but do I really need to see another palace, church, garden, blah blah blah?”

Is that an obscure Sondheim reference?

R91, the obvious solution, as others mentioned along the way, would have been to have a "matinee Rose." Alas, it wasn't to be.

Interestingly enough, I can't think of a single Encores! show that Audra has done. Odd.

Milo Mannheim could be a big star with the right part. He has more of an IT Factor than Timothee Chalamet, and is much hotter.

Is Milo Manheim a Buddy or a Ben?

With all this talk of actors missing shows for various reasons let's salute Jonathan Groff who has yet to miss a performance of Just in Time.

Now that CBS has canceled Stephen Colbert’s show, I wonder what will they do with the Ed Sullivan Theater? I think they bought it and refurbished it for Letterman’s show, so now that Colbert is out, what will they do with it? I’m sure the community would love for some theater producer to buy it and turn it into a legitimate Broadway house.

I love that idea, R110!

What this city needs is one more parking lot.

They should open it as a gay strip club with full-frontal nudity and hard-ons. The city hasn't been the same since The Gaiety closed.

and isn't Milo gay or at least heteroflexible? Didn't he do some weird videos

How many does the Ed Sullivan Theatre seat? Enough to qualify as a Broadway house?

It would be nice to think it could be an off-Broadway house and with that great location might actually house off-Broadway shows that could make a profit. But, perhaps, the unions contracts are already grandfathered in no matter how many seats.

[quote]Interestingly enough, I can't think of a single Encores! show that Audra has done. Odd.

Yes, and Encores! would be perfect for her because she would only have to commit and bring herself to show up for 12 performances over a two-week period. Maybe Audra thinks Encores! is below her? But a friend of mine said today that he thinks Audra will never do another Broadway show -- at least, not another musical -- and I agree with him. So she may have to consider Encores! as an option, as Donna Murphy has done.

Hey bitches, what old show would y'all like to see me star in at Encores?

R115, regardless of whatever status the Ed Sullivan Theatre has had in the past, it certainly could be converted to a Broadway house as long as it has 500 seats or more.

P.S. I just Googled and found this: "The two-level theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp with over 1,500 seats, though the modern Ed Sullivan Theater was downsized to 370 seats by 2015," I imagine it wouldn't be very difficult to re-up the seating capacity.

R117 FOLLIES !

R115, that's why I'm hoping CBS will be willing to sell it. Since they claim they'll be "out of the late-night business" after Colbert is gone, what good will it be to them? Might as well sell it and get their money back for it. And I can't imagine there won't be any theater producers and/or theater companies salivating to get their hands on it.

[quote]GYPSY had a relatively short run because GYPSY is old and tired. What might have been a “perfect” musical a century ago is creaky now.

I can only speak to my experience, but this was my first Gypsy on Broadway. I only started visiting NY in the 2010s. It always amuses me with the dinosaurs on here and ATC comment about Gypsy being revived too frequently when the last revival opened when I was still in college and now I'm MIDDLE-AGED. Not everyone is as old as Methuselah.

But, all that aside, although I was very familiar with the show, I'd never seen a full production before and I was struck by how brilliant its writing and construction remain. Although I had my share of issues with vocal suitability and some of the directorial choices, the show itself did not feel remotely creaky. It was also kind of enjoyable to experience the show with an audience that seemed largely unfamiliar with the details of the plot. I mean... the way the audience literally gasped when Mdme Rose volunteered Louise to step in for the missing stripper was so telling.

I'm positive we'll have another revival within another 10-15 years as long as producers think they have the right leading woman. I don't think anyone goes into mounting Gypsy with the expectation they're going to retire off the profits.

I saw Purpose this week and the theatre was full. I’d say the audience was evenly split between white and black. And everyone seemed to enjoy the play tremendously.

Another black musical currently doing well; MJ the Musical,

I had always heard (don't know how true it is) that as 'a rule of thumb', revivals should wait a span of fifteen years from when the last production opened. So for GYPSY, the original was in 1959, the first revival was 1974, the second was in 1989, the third was 2003 (close to 15), but then the next was five years later in 2008. This fifth was 16 years later (close) so it wasn't really 'too soon'.

Don't forget that when Audra started talking about GYPSY, she said she wanted to do NIGHT MUSIC as the one Sondheim show left she could easily play.. I don't think she has the fragility or hauteur of Desiree. I cast her as Petra if she were younger.

I LOVE Audra, but, no, she's not at all right for Desiree. I agree, she'd have been a great Petra when younger. That said, I DO hope we get a full, lushly produced Night Music on Broadway to erase the taste of those teeny tiny British imports. But, really, LCT is probably the only one who could/would mount it with full production values and orchestra these days.

Have there been any musical revivals announced for this coming season aside from Ragtime?

"Chess" and "Rocky Horror Show"

[quote]R117 Hey bitches, what old show would y'all like to see me star in at Encores? - Audra

Is it perhaps the place to unveil her version of MAME! that I’ve been hearing whispered?

That last Night Music was such a missed opportunity. The set undercut some really excellent performances, and poor supporting performances sank it. I had never seen a Charlotte miss the humor so completely until Erin Davie’s dour, depressed performance.

[quote]That said, I DO hope we get a full, lushly produced Night Music on Broadway to erase the taste of those teeny tiny British imports.

I'm so sick of that pretentious Jamie Lloyd.

His bloody CHICAGO ripoff schtick is getting old.

He seems demented, almost vampirical.

SUNSET BOULEVARD had the actors drenched in blood, inexplicably.

And now I hear his EVITA has Che profusely bleeding center stage in the Act I finale.

🙄

Wait until Jamie Lloyd gets his hands on a 'Sound of Music' revival and all the children come out singing "So Long, Farewell" in their underwear, drenched in blood. That should get a standing ovation.

Well, this is just beautiful.

Gracie's voice doesn't resemble Connie's in the slightest. Nice tribute, though...

R62=Lindsey Mendez

And those old folks standing up in the front......😭

[quote]That last Night Music was such a missed opportunity. The set undercut some really excellent performances, and poor supporting performances sank it. I had never seen a Charlotte miss the humor so completely until Erin Davie’s dour, depressed performance.

I agree with your assessment, but I think just about everything that was wrong with that production could be traced to the direction. For example, I heard that Ramona Mallory did not want to play Anne in the very weird way that Nunn made her play the part.

Trevor Nunn is usually to blame for lots of problems so I don’t think it’s wrong to blame him for A Little Night Music.

I will say Sondheim was a big reason why CZJ got the role and so he’s to blame for her. I know she won a Tony, and maybe she was better in the theatre, but her Tony performance was a real shit show and even Barbara Cook said so!

Everyone I know, myself included, who saw NIGHT MUSIC with CZJ in the theater and also saw her performance on the Tonys agrees that the latter was vastly inferior, and that even though "Send in the Clowns" is far and away the most famous song (or, rather, the only famous song) from the show, it was a terrible idea to have CZJ (or anyone else) perform it in the vastness of Radio City Music Hall. If anything, they should have done "A Weekend in the Country."

It seems the size of Radio City totally defeated by CZJ on that occasion and Audra McDonald this year: CZJ's performance of the beautifully intimate "Send in the Clowns" was lost in that barn and also came across poorly on TV, whereas Audra overacted to an insane degree to try to fill the house and, as a result, her performance on TV came across as embarrassing.

R117, I hated to admit it, but she was excellent. She was elegant and stunning, but also had a little bit of coarseness. She and Alexander Hanson were a great pair. Bernadette gave more layers and depth, but Catherine Zeta Jones radiated star quality.

I remember Vanessa Redgrave (Armfeldt) and Natasha Richardson (Desiree) did a Roundabout gala concert reading of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC in early 2009 and were hoping to take it to Broadway, but then Natasha died in that freak skiing accident shortly thereafter, so Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones were cast instead when it opened late that year.

Huh? R130, clearly I was referring to the 2000s Sondheim revivals (Sweeney Todd, Night Music) that were imports of British productions with low production values and TINY orchestras (bands, really). That has nothing to do with Jamie Lloyd. I'm not a Lloyd fan, but at least his Sunset and Evita productions have large, full orchestras.

CZJ would have made a great Mama Rose or Mame. Sadly, that will never happen.

Poor Montego

[Quote] I saw Fat Ham and Jitney earlier this year at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I wasn't counting, but there could not have been more than 10 Black people in either audience (FH was packed, albeit in OSF's smallest house, and Jitney was maybe half full; both audiences were very engaged and appreciative).

I don’t understand why we expect Blacks to suddenly flood a theatre because the show has Black characters.

Opera has white characters all the time. How often do you go?

So, now it's big news when the actual star of a show actually shows up to actually star in the show, which has her name above the title in letters as large as the title? Incredible.

R144 With Audra and Gypsy, it's because people were ready to burn Lupone at the steak for not praising Audra's performance. Then came the open letter from Broadway peers demanding her apology.

All that fuss was made on social media and all over the news, only for Audra to lose the Tony and the show to close weeks after.

And you had people on reddit just days ago swearing that Gypsy would run until December of 2025 because Audra is that popular.

They couldn't even get decent box office the last few months.

Audra doesn’t sell tickets

Gypsy doesn’t sell tickets

Joy Woods doesn’t sell tickets

Montego Glover doesn’t sell tickets

So I don’t know anyone is shocked that none of those combinations sold tickets

R146, we also can't forget Oprah being the Best Lead Actress in a Musical presenter. That was right up there with Harrison Ford being the one to announce that Saving Private Ryan lost Best Picture at the Oscars to Shakespeare in Love.

[quote]CZJ would have made a great Mama Rose or Mame. Sadly, that will never happen.

She wanted to do a film version of Gypsy, but Arthur Laurents refused. He said that she was a "second banana" and wasn't worthy of the role of Mama Rose.

R150. Fuck Arthur

Interesting that Michael Paulson's article on the early closing of GYPSY makes no mention of Audra's many unscheduled absences as a contributing factor. Is this because he doesn't think it's a factor, or because he's unaware of the absences, or because he's afraid to write anything negative about Audra?

No star can make GYPSY into a hit nowadays. No one.

Well, maybe Jennifer Aniston could. Seriously

[Quote] Interesting that Michael Paulson's article on the early closing of GYPSY makes no mention of Audra's many unscheduled absences as a contributing factor. Is this because he doesn't think it's a factor, or because he's unaware of the absences, or because he's afraid to write anything negative about Audra?

DLers are the only crazies obsessed about Audra’s absences

[quote]Interesting that Michael Paulson's article on the early closing of GYPSY makes no mention of Audra's many unscheduled absences as a contributing factor. Is this because he doesn't think it's a factor, or because he's unaware of the absences, or because he's afraid to write anything negative about Audra?

Or the one from SITPWG.

[quote]DLers are the only crazies obsessed about Audra’s absences

Not obsessed, but it's absolutely a worthy topic of discussion. And not only among DLers. I'm willing to bet that the thousands of people who had tickets for the 10 or more performances for which she had unscheduled absences were and are also very unhappy about it, including the guy who posted on social media about how he made three separate attempts to see Audra in GYPSY but she was out all three times.

How you dwell, r157.

R158, I wouldn't still be dwelling on it if there hadn't just appeared a New York Times article exploring the reasons for the early closing of GYPSY but failing to mention the frequent unscheduled absences of the star as a contributing factor. It would be interesting to know, though I'm sure we never will, how much money in total had to be refunded to people who had tickets for those performances and chose not to see show without the star. Not to mention how much was lost in potential ticket sales because people heard and read that Audra was out so often and they didn't want to take a chance, but of course, that figure is unknowable.

FWIW, I probably won't need to bring up this subject again, so to quote that song from WICKED, I hope you're happy.

And still he persists.

[quote]FWIW, I probably won't need to bring up this subject again

Your "probably" doesn't fill us with hope.

[QUOTE] Not obsessed, but it's absolutely a worthy topic of discussion.

Are you the one who constantly keeps the topic alive thread after thread after thread? If you are then, yes, I do think the word “obsessed” applies.

“You’re obsessed with that phrase, Martha.”

[quote] No star can make GYPSY into a hit nowadays. No one.

I bet I could.

I would *love* to see Lady Gaga take on Gypsy.she would sing th fuck out of that. She is still a bit young but that would be a great version for next time.

I hope 17 August also marks the end of the incessant fucking Audra/Gypsy chatter.

Her take would likely be to “sing the fuck out of that” and not much more. Sondheim rightly called her out for her Oscar performance for having no point of view whatsoever. But maybe it would stop people complaining about Audra, just as they have finally stopped going after Bernadette.

Sondheim's comments about Lady Gaga's performance of the SOUND OF MUSIC songs represented him as his nastiest and most curmudgeonly. She sounded great, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with her delivery for an out-of-context performance at a major awards ceremony in a huge hall. If he expected her to act those songs in the way she would have in a full production of the show, that's just silly.

Also, this might be a shock to some of you, but sometimes Sondheim was…(peeking around looking for pitchforks, Tiki torches, and machetes)…wrong.

Lady Gaga’s “Sound of Music” performance at the Oscars was almost universally praised that year.

I’ll disagree, but it’s worth pointing out that people actually can receive performances very differently. There was a professor who identified three modes: hearing/vocal, facial/emotional, and kinesthetic. Gaga’s performance delivered in one of those, but delivered very little in the others. I also think this is why some people couldn’t see (hear?) past a few soprano notes in Audra’s performance.

I would love Encores to do a limited Gypsy engagement with Sheryl Lee Ralph or Phylicia Rashad. That would be interesting.

Having read the Paulson article about GYPSY thanks to DL, when August 17th comes around, it would be interesting to know, of the "28 previews and 269 performances" how many of those end up being McDonald, how many Tryphena Wade, how many Montego Glover.

Looking at Understudies.org the number of non-McDonald performances seems to have picked up in May, June, and July (some of that was an announced vacation). The Times printed a final tally for Murphy and Muggleston after WONDERFUL TOWN ended its run, and they'll probably do so again in this case.

Also how many GYPSY performances were canceled (December, March, and?). The loss of the holiday week right after opening would probably be hard to crawl back from.

When a 100% above the title star is cited as the production's reason for being, that star's attendance record absolutely comes into play, at least for the theatre devotees who pay attention to such things. This is especially true for out-of-towners who cram a bunch of shows into a week or a long weekend and can't just come back next week, or when the absence is announced very close to curtain time and it's hard to scramble and get decent tickets to something else worth seeing at the last minute. Any production would lose a lot of good will that way.

[quote]There was a professor who identified three modes: hearing/vocal, facial/emotional, and kinesthetic. Gaga’s performance delivered in one of those, but delivered very little in the others.

But, of course, that's all very subjective. The only judgments that aren't really subjective are whether the person is singing on pitch and whether they're singing the song as written in terms of note values, etc., but even that second one is a matter of taste, because many singers take great liberties in those areas.

[quote]I also think this is why some people couldn’t see (hear?) past a few soprano notes in Audra’s performance.

Yes, but aside from whether or not one likes a soprano sound in the GYPSY songs, there's the fact -- not opinion -- that they were not intended by the songwriters to have that kind of sound, and that no previous Roses have sung them that way. Well, to be totally accurate, both Lansbury and Peters may have edged slightly and briefly into the lower soprano/head voice register in "Small World," but not in the belt numbers.

[quote]When a 100% above the title star is cited as the production's reason for being, that star's attendance record absolutely comes into play, at least for the theatre devotees who pay attention to such things.

Yes, exactly. Thank you.

[quote]This is especially true for out-of-towners who cram a bunch of shows into a week or a long weekend and can't just come back next week, or when the absence is announced very close to curtain time and it's hard to scramble and get decent tickets to something else worth seeing at the last minute.

Which apparently was very much the case for at least some of Audra's absences.

[quote]Any production would lose a lot of good will that way.

As this one very much seems to have done.

small world

[quote]R170 I would love Encores to do a limited Gypsy engagement with Sheryl Lee Ralph or Phylicia Rashad. That would be interesting.

Or, Vanessa Redgrave has the strength of will to make an indelible Mama Rose.

R170. would love Encores to do a limited Gypsy engagement with Sheryl Lee Ralph or Phylicia Rashad. That would be interesting.

Interesting because they're both old enough to be Grandmama Rose?

[quote]R162 “You’re obsessed with that phrase, Martha.”

You make me puke.

R148 there were many posters on DL, BroadwayWorld, Reddit, Instagram, etc., who were adamant that Audra was a box-office draw because she's won six Tony Awards.

She may be popular with the Tony Committee, but not with theatergoers, as her many flops have proven.

She's a manufactured star that's been rejected by the public.

Still, Broadway won't learn their lesson and will continue to cast her as the star in things that will inevitably flop yet again.

[Quote] I would *love* to see Lady Gaga take on Gypsy.she would sing th fuck out of that

But 8 shows a week?

[Quote] Any production would lose a lot of good will that way. As this one very much seems to have done.

GYPSY lost good will from DL when it first announced a Black Rose.

[Quote] Yes, but aside from whether or not one likes a soprano sound in the GYPSY songs, there's the fact -- not opinion -- that they were not intended by the songwriters to have that kind of sound, and that no previous Roses have sung them that way.

Please STFU. Not this BS again.

If we did it exactly how the creators supposedly intended every time, it would fall flat. They also never intended a Black Rose or the scenery to look exactly like that. They didn’t intend the choreography exactly like that. They didn’t intend the song phrasing exactly like that.

The ONLY reason GYPSY stays relevant decades later is new artists put their own spin on it.

[quote]there were many posters on DL, BroadwayWorld, Reddit, Instagram, etc., who were adamant that Audra was a box-office draw because she's won six Tony Awards.

You spend too much time online, r178.

[QUOTE] You make me puke.

Yep, I just knew it was you.

[quote]She wanted to do a film version of Gypsy, but Arthur Laurents refused. He said that she was a "second banana" and wasn't worthy of the role of Mama Rose.

I thought the problem was that she wanted to play Baby June.

[quote]No star can make GYPSY into a hit nowadays. No one. Well, maybe Jennifer Aniston could. Seriously.

Yes, because that role is just crying out for a non-singer who would make Tyne Daly sound like Streisand.

[quote]There were many posters on DL, BroadwayWorld, Reddit, Instagram, etc., who were adamant that Audra was a box-office draw because she's won six Tony Awards. She may be popular with the Tony Committee, but not with theatergoers, as her many flops have proven.

Of course, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Audra does have many fans among tride-and-true theatergoers, but she is definitely not a big box-office draw on the level of a major movie, TV, or music star.

[quote]If we did it exactly how the creators supposedly intended every time, it would fall flat.

There is a tremendously huge gay area between doing a show exactly how the creators intended and doing it in a way that actively goes against what they had in mind. And of course, that's largely a matter of opinion, but if you think the idea of a soprano singing the roles of Annie Oakley or Evita would be ridiculous, then I can't understand why you don't find a soprano Rose equally ridiculous.

[quote]but she is definitely not a big box-office draw on the level of a major movie, TV, or music star.

Debbie Reynolds she is *not*.

Gaga is 39. By the time a new GYPSY could be mounted, she'd be in her early 40s, perfect for Rose.

[quote]Don't forget that when Audra started talking about GYPSY, she said she wanted to do NIGHT MUSIC as the one Sondheim show left she could easily play

I could see her playing the witch in Into The Woods. And she could be great playing the Mayoress in Anyone Can Whistle.

[quote] sometimes Sondheim was…(peeking around looking for pitchforks, Tiki torches, and machetes)…wrong.

And sometimes, he was just a big ole C U N T.

Pipe Dream

[quote]There is a tremendously huge gay area

I hope that's not a typo because it's brilliant..

[quote]I hope that's not a typo because it's brilliant..

Ha, yes, it was a typo, but quite hilarious if not quite brilliant :-)

[Quote] if you think the idea of a soprano singing the roles of Annie Oakley or Evita would be ridiculous, then I can't understand why you don't find a soprano Rose equally ridiculous.

Because I saw Audra in the role and she was brilliant.

Is Lea Michele right for Rose (someday?)

Lea is a Balloon Girl. Not a Rose.

Toni Collette would be an incredible Rose.

R197, you are a blessed human being.. From someone who is having an exceptionally rough time right now, thank you.

So... I feel like Maybe Happy Ending was a touch over-praised. It *IS* very charming. And it is wonderful to see something so idiosyncratic and original find commercial success -- absolutely! But it also felt very Off-Broadway (with a budget) to me. And although there are very pretty moments in the score, taken as a whole, it all kind of washed together -- less songcraft and more emoting over a soundtrack.

Sorry to distract from the Gypsy talk! But, I was late to the MHE experience.

Maybe when I'm older R142.

[quote]There is a tremendously huge gay area between doing a show exactly how the creators intended and doing it in a way that actively goes against what they had in mind.

What Broadway musical DOESN'T have a tremendously huge gay area?

Omg I just left Evita at the Muny. They did a fabulous job! Was anyone else there? It was my first time seeing the show and I know the London version will be the toast of NY next year, but I’m glad my first Evita was the traditional staging!

[Quote] I know the London version will be the toast of NY next year

Too many London shows that were predicted to be smash hits in NYC have withered and died here for me to believe any transfer will be the toast of NY

[Quote] Audra does have many fans among tride-and-true theatergoers, but she is definitely not a big box-office draw on the level of a major movie, TV, or music star.

Audra is our greatest Bway actor currently. BUT, with Bway now focused on the tourist dollar, successes depend on actors that tourists know—TV and movie actors.

I would love to see an Encores with Phylicia Rashad as Mama Rose, Keishia Knight Pulliam as Baby June and Tempest Bledsoe as Gypsy

The lovely Sharon Catherine Brown demonstrating that you CAN go from an operatic soprano to a full, powerful belt. Perhaps if she were more well known (and, I suppose, 10 years younger) she could've sung the hell out of Rose's Turn without going into her operatic head voice.

Please, let’s stop coming up with potential Roses.

Unless the person is a TV or movie star, no one will care no matter how good she is.

[Quote] I would love to see an Encores with Phylicia Rashad as Mama Rose, Keishia Knight Pulliam as Baby June and Tempest Bledsoe as Gypsy

But then DLer would have the same complaints: I don’t like her phrasing! Rose was a REAL WHITE WOMAN! This is not what the creators intended!

[quote]The lovely Sharon Catherine Brown demonstrating that you CAN go from an operatic soprano to a full, powerful belt. Perhaps if she were more well known (and, I suppose, 10 years younger) she could've sung the hell out of Rose's Turn without going into her operatic head voice.

As I've mentioned before, Audra certainly has the range to have sung all of Rose's songs in the alto-belt register, complete with strongly belted high notes. She has sung like that before in her career, most notably in "Your Daddy's Son" in RAGTIME. Several of the songs in GYPSY were transposed upward so she could comfortably sing those sections in her soprano register, NOT because she couldn't have sung them just fine in alto-belt keys, but apparently because Audra didn't want to do that. According to her own words, this was due to her belief that it would be more challenging for her to belt the whole show, even though, when you think about it, there are really only three powerhouse belt numbers, and they are well spaced in the score: "Some People," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," and "Rose's Turn."

This is all very ironic, because as far as I know, the consensus among voice teachers is that it's far more wear and tear on a female voice to keep switching between registers than to sing an entire role below or above the break.

The ghastly lyric sung by the military in Evita “Her only good part is between her thighs, she should stare at the ceiling not reach for the skies” is on the concept album but was cut by Hal Prince for the original West End/Broadway productions, correct? It’s in the current Jamie Lloyd production. Uggh.

[quote]According to her own words

Was this in an interview? I'd be interested in reading it. Not being facetious, I'm genuinely interested.

R207. Sharon Brown was the best Effie I've ever seen. Very tiny but a powerful voice and she ripped your heart out. She also proved that Effie does not need to be played by a large woman.

[quote]Was this in an interview? I'd be interested in reading it. Not being facetious, I'm genuinely interested.

Actually, I'm taking the word -- because there's no reason not to -- of someone who posted here on the DL that Audra has said the keys for her songs in GYPSY were chosen specifically so she could sing the role eight times a week without damaging her voice. (I'll refrain from yet another comment about eight a week.)

[quote]The ghastly lyric sung by the military in Evita “Her only good part is between her thighs, she should stare at the ceiling not reach for the skies” is on the concept album but was cut by Hal Prince for the original West End/Broadway productions, correct?

Incorrect. Those lyrics are on the OBC album, and although it was a long time ago, I do remember them being sung onstage when I saw the original production twice on Broadway. I don't think those are bad lyrics -- they make the point that the military really hated Evita, at least at the beginning of her relationship with Peron, and it's not a stretch that the military would be very vulgar in expressing their opinions.

P.S. Those lyrics are also in the movie. I don't know of any production that has ever cut them.

[Quote] Was this in an interview? I'd be interested in reading it. Not being facetious, I'm genuinely interested

I believe it was in the article in her Rose printed in The NY Times just before the Tonys

^ about her Rose

Sharon Brown is Black. Please don’t offer her Rose.

Otherwise, we’ll have to read all the shaded racist comments about her characterization on DL.

They will end with “I have a Black friend who thinks so too!”

I bought the cast CD for Operation Mincemeat. Should I bother to take it out of the package?

I know, I know.....streaming.....but I like to have the printed booklet in my hand....although it declares that this is the "soundtrack."

R218, I think your use of the word "shaded" is racist. For shame.

But seriously, your continued harping on the "I have a Black friend" thing is incredibly childish and stupid. I was the person who, in a previous thread, noted that a friend of mine who has performed on Broadway and in opera objected to Audra's casting in GYPSY on purely vocal grounds, and I mentioned that this friend was Black only because so many of you have the nerve to keep insisting that people who feel Audra is all wrong for the part vocally MUST be white and must be racist. In that context, I don't think any reasonable, non-hysterical person would object to my having identified my friend as Black, so please shut up about that.

r220: If you promise to shut up about it, the rest of the DL will cheerfully do the same.

R221, it wasn't me who rehashed the ridiculous "I have a Black friend" thing. It was the child who posted at R218 who did so. Of course, I have no need or desire to bring it up on my own, and I never again well unless someone else does and I'm goaded to respond.

You’re rehashing it right now! STOP!

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Changing the subject. I’ve heard from two reliable sources that Julie Andrews has become extremely reclusive and is completely pulling away from the public eye. Apparently part of the reason is she’s put on quite a bit of weight from a knee injury and wants to be remembered the way she used to look. Can’t remember the last time she was seen in public… maybe the Carol Burnett 90th tribute, which was April of 2023?

I think she lives out in The Hamptons with her daughter Emma.

It’s such a shame that she never returned to the stage after Victor Victoria. A Madame Armfeldt or Mrs. Higgins would have been such a graceful final performance.

Is it really too late for a return, R226?

Julie as Madame Arcati!

R227, sadly, I think so, due to age and health issues.

Julie and Carol in Arsenic and Old Lace!

Julie as Heidi!

Never look back, r231.

Julie in a SOUND OF MUSIC tour would sell out! Why doesn’t she do that?

Because she’d be selling out. Duh

Julie's vocal surgery ruined her voice so she no longer sings. I guess she could do a non-singing role.

R233. As who? Frau Schmidt?

She would be a perfect Nessarose in Wicked!

We Deserve Eachother!

Julie turns 90 on October 1. I wonder if she will appear in public for any parties ?

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the release of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, so I'm hoping Julie will be up for some form of public appearances to celebrate the event. If we don't see her doing some of those, I'll sadly assume it must be true that she has withdrawn from public life.

Julie isn't as healthy and strong as Angela Lansbury and Shirley MacLaine. They both had stronger bones than Julie.

Now we're talking about that cunt.

[quote]There is equity rule that states if the understudy goes on for more than two weeks, the role becomes theirs, if they choose.

No there's not. That's total bullshit.

Everyone with a Black friend, please raise your hands!

Would the last Black friend please turn out the light?

Angela was a racehorse, r240.

Those of you who wish to present a paper at the Angela Landsbury conference have until Monday to submit your proposals.

Can’t wait for A Chorus Line next Sunday!

One singular sensation, r247.

[quote]R240 Julie isn't as healthy and strong as Angela Lansbury and Shirley MacLaine. They both had stronger bones than Julie.

Julie hasn’t got that hard core, like me. She never learned to roooollllll with the punches. And, believe me, in this business they come left, right and below the belt.

Plus, she married a fag.

What part are you playing?

I just saw EVITA at The Muny too. Wow! Totally epic with a HUGE cast, full orchestra, and some thrilling staging. I know the original Prince version, and this was not a replica. It was Josh Rhodes directing, and he nailed it. The Muny has a huge turntable and an upstage LED wall and two smaller side LEDs, and the gorgeous sets and lighting were totally cinematic. Incredible. Thousands of people watching EVITA. Amazing. Katerina McCrimmon was a stunner in the title role. Vocally comparable to LuPone, but a better actress. Paolo Szot was a killer Peron, singing the SHIT out of it. Also impressed by his way with a lyric. Che was Omar Lopez and he seemed to be having the time of his life. He had clearly played it before. Well worth the trip. I'd been hearing about The Muny, and it does live up to its reputation.

I think the Equity "rule" that was raised earlier was misinterpreted. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that if an understudy plays a role for two straight weeks of performances, the producers are obligated to pay him/her the principal role salary for the remainder of the run. NOT that they have to give them the role. Whether that compensation = the Equity minimum for that role or if it = the actual star's true salary, I can't say. I'm sure someone on here knows.

You mean if they stay in the star role, r252?

Who will be at SB today? I am expecting very good bootlegs.

Was excited to see Evita at Muny until I found out it’s in Missouri

R253 - No, I believe the rule is that they get paid the salary of the role they understudied, as if they were playing the role every day, for the remainder of the run/their contract. That's my understanding. But, someone else feel free to clarify. So, in the example that was being discussed, if Jean Smart's understudy were to play two straight weeks of performances, for the remainder of the run/her contract, she would be paid as though she were performing 8 times/week.

So, David Corenswet, the new Superman is a huge JERRY HERMAN fan and he named his dog after Ira Gershwin. Are we sure he's not... you know...? 💅

David Corenswet has been cast as MAME in the new revival!

It's a shame that Shirley MacLaine never did Gypsy on stage. She would have acted the hell out of the role. Her singing voice was good enough to handle the score through the early 1980s. I think I would have preferred her over Lansbury.

R259 I agree. Shirley MacLaine is inherently terrifying so nailing that aspect of Mama Rose wouldn't require much effort.

[quote]I think I would have preferred her over Lansbury

I'll take Lansbury, r259.

[quote]So, David Corenswet, the new Superman is a huge JERRY HERMAN fan and he named his dog after Ira Gershwin. Are we sure he's not... you know...?

No R257, Corenswet, is the first verified heterosexual to love Broadway and Show Tunes in captivity.

Izzy cancelled today. Do you think they cancel when the realize they've sold under 20 tickets?

R263 they cancel when everyone involved reads the script!

As far as I know, MacLaine never acted onstage after THE PAJAMA GAME -- no book musicals or plays. She was offered THE VISIT when Lansbury withdrew, and it's a shame that she didn't accept; the idea of her returning to the stage after even longer than Lansbury might really have been something with that particualr material.

Why not revive it for Sachi Parker?

I saw an off off Broadway play with Sachi a few months ago. She was very good

[quote]As far as I know, MacLaine never acted onstage after THE PAJAMA GAME -- no book musicals or plays. She was offered THE VISIT when Lansbury withdrew, and it's a shame that she didn't accept; the idea of her returning to the stage after even longer than Lansbury might really have been something with that particualr material.

She was also offered 'Sunset Boulevard' for B'way by ALW, long before Patti Lupone was even thought about. His original plan was to cast Lansbury on the West End, and MacLaine on Broadway - opening within months of each other in 1993. Both women said 'no thank you'.

[quote]Izzy cancelled today. Do you think they cancel when the realize they've sold under 20 tickets?

I had read somewhere last Thursday (ATC?) that they were canceling the weekend shows and reopening on the 22 when Jean Smart is to return.

[quote]David Corenswet has been cast as MAME in the new revival!

With Patti LuPone as Beau!

[Quote] Shirley MacLaine is inherently terrifying so nailing that aspect of Mama Rose wouldn't require much effort.

What I loved most about Audra’s Rose is she was never terrifying. She was committed and focused but never terrifying

Rose isn't Freddy Kreuger, r270.

Boy, R269, she’s really awful in that scene. I don’t think she could pull off Beau. Maybe the staircase?

[quote]What I loved most about Audra’s Rose is she was never terrifying. She was committed and focused but never terrifying

Seriously? I thought she was absolutely terrifying in "Rose's Turn," if only in the sense that it seemed like she was going to completely lose her voice and/or have an emotional breakdown right in the middle of the number.

I'm watching Flower Drum Song on TCM. Audra would have made a marvelous Linda Low!

I love Flower Drum Song

[quote]she could pull off Beau

Pics please.

[Quote] Seriously? I thought she was absolutely terrifying in "Rose's Turn," if only in the sense that it seemed like she was going to completely lose her voice and/or have an emotional breakdown right in the middle of the number.

Audra’s stunning Rose’s Turn was the clarion call of all Black women, driven but overlooked and frustrated. It wasn’t an emotional breakdown—it was focused anger. Still gives me chills remembering it

Audra IS Fraulein Maria!

Audra IS Victor AND Victoria!

Audra IS Jessie AND Thelma in "'night Mother!"

R277 MARY!

Audra’s stunning Rose’s Turn was the clarion call of all Black women, driven but overlooked and frustrated.

Too bad none of them bought tickets.

[quote]I think I would have preferred her over Lansbury.

To each his own. Shirley MacLaine could have played Desiree in "Night Music" years ago, but her singing is barely adequate and in no way up to the demands of "Gypsy." I saw Lansbury as Rose and still remember her performance 50 years later.

[quote] Izzy cancelled today. Do you think they cancel when the realize they've sold under 20 tickets?

Actually the toilet called out, something about a clog.

"When did she eat corn?"

[quote]I'm watching Flower Drum Song on TCM.

I have the DVD signed by Nancy Kwan, who was still gorgeous. Thanks CHILLER!

[quote]I saw Lansbury as Rose and still remember her performance 50 years later.

Same here, r281, and I only half-remember most of the shows I saw then. Raisin is mostly a blank.

Did MacLaine ever play the kind of sophistication and hauteur required for Desiree?

No, r286. She's too American. Nothing continental about her.

Roses Turn is supposed to be terrifying. It’s the mental breakdown of a woman. But it’s also supposed to remind you of the bombshell Rose was, while at the same time being pathetic. The audience is supposed to be on that high wire with her, amazed at the show in front of you but worried about the possible fall.

If it’s all externals, you’ve failed the assignment. You’re supposed to look at the number and think how tragic she is but she also must have been a hot piece of ass thirty years ago. If you overdo it on either side, you’ve desecrated the number and the point of the entire show.

That Tony performance showed they didn’t get it, and to add insult to injury it was almost brazen in flaunting its conceptual misunderstanding. The audience acted like trained seals with the obligatory standing ovation.. They should have been stunned into mortification.

It would be like turning And I am telling you I’m not going into some happy, upbeat number.

I’m not gonna stand by and watch the grotesque misshaping of our beloved classics, I will be outraged.

You know who could have a great Rose? Lainie fucking Kazan. Those movements would have been like poetry in motion.

Miss R288 has stated her boundaries.

[quote]r288 = I’m not gonna stand by and watch the grotesque misshaping of our beloved classics, I will be outraged.

Nothing is forever in the Theatre. Whatever it is, it's here, it flares up, burns hot and then it's gone.

[quote] It would be like turning And I am telling you I’m not going into some happy, upbeat number.

Or worse yet, some atonal slow dirge in a production by John Doyle.

With Effie on the marimba, r292?

Do audiences really need to scream and shout when someone is singing. Let her finish the fucking song then carry on like lunatics.

R289. I saw Lainie play Rose in Summer stock. She was a trainwreck. I think the poor thing lost a lot of her confidence after getting fired from two Broadway bound shows. She's a great talent but it was very difficult to watch her get through the show.

R288, to clarify, you did not see the performance other than the Tony Award presentation, correct?

“ Audra IS Fraulein Maria!

Audra IS Victor AND Victoria!

Audra IS Jessie AND Thelma in "'night Mother!"”

Audra is Jesus!

Audra is Mary Magdalene singing to Jesus!

🎶I don’t know how to love me🎶

[quote]I'm watching Flower Drum Song on TCM. Audra would have made a marvelous Linda Low!

That would require 100 million and 1 miracles.

There used to be an oft-repeated anecdote about Kazan's Rose, that she went up and kept singing "get a feathered hat for the baby" a few times instead of stopping or having the conductor prompt her.

R299. I heard that story about Rita Moreno as Rose. That and she pulled a chair out from under her daughter who was playing Louise and she fell on her ass. Rita is a cunt.

Oops R300 you are correct! It was Rita. The story was here on DL I think. But didn't Kazan do Rose someplace?

Moreno as Rose ? What a terrible idea. Who made that happen ?

R301. I saw Kazan at the Westbury Music Fair.

Apparently, some people were ejected from the front row mezzanine of the final performance of 'Sunset Blvd' today. There were a few people chatting throughout Act 1 and on their cell phones, distracting those sitting near them. Someone got up to tell an usher, and the accused verbally abused the usher and the one who did the reporting. They then took 'selfies of themselves' with the accuser behind them, making sure they got pictures of them. After all that they were ejected before Act 2 started.

[quote]Moreno as Rose ? What a terrible idea. Who made that happen ?

She'd have been more appropriate as Rose in "Bye Bye Birdie."

That performance of AIWNSG is particularly grotesque IMHO.

R304, I will never understand people who shell out all that money for tickets just to go there and act like assholes.

Did Audra go on for the Sunday matinee as she said she would do?

R307 I agree. I wonder if they had a little too much to drink before they attend the performance - in this case, a little too much champagne at Sunday brunch ? (The matinee was the final performance).

If Rose is having a "terrifying mental breakdown, "how come she can pull herself together to go to a party a few minutes later?

Cocaine?

Years from now, we'll look back on this revival of SUNSET and.....change the subject. It was a joke.

I agree, R312. It was ridiculous! Though, it was not to know that Norma Desmond could eat herself out in a pinch...

That should read, "nice to know"

Beautiful message from Zbornakandco on Brendad's latest post...

[quote]Brenda! I love the hat. It looks so chic. I also preefer copper piping, too! You are so right about that. Thank you for this update. I cannot beleave the nightmare you are dealing with. This women's actions are illegal and must be prosecuted. We need to find a non-corrupt judge without connections to the mob or this Hawaii cyndikit. In Part 2 please tell us how we can help. I called my congressman's office this morning but they told me they don't have over-site over Hollywood. However, I am good friends with my Town Counsel Women Prudence Abbot. Pru is very influential and her niece is a big wig at America's Got Talent in Hollywood and I believe she's on her condo's bored, so at pickel ball today, I'm going to ask Pru for her advice. Please hang in there! Be strong and know that all your fans are rooting for you! Make Hollywood Great Again! 🥔🥗👒💗

Sorry, wrong thread!

Eye witnesses on All That Chat trashing the DOLLY musical in Nashville: "A disaster of Biblical proportions"

Lainie brought the Las Vegas lounge quality to Rose that Styne and Sondheim originally intended. Merman sang and acted it all wrong. Rose needs razzmatazz.

That Kazan was a sexpot!

R317 I just read his post.

He was in such a rage, he didn’t use one paragraph, so the whole thing ran together like mashed potatoes.

“ the whole thing ran together like mashed potatoes.”

Sort of like Porter’s britches when I told him it was over

*2* Broadway Legends *2*

[Quote] Roses Turn is supposed to be terrifying. It’s the mental breakdown of a woman. But it’s also supposed to remind you of the bombshell Rose was, while at the same time being pathetic. The audience is supposed to be on that high wire with her, amazed at the show in front of you but worried about the possible fall.

My God, you have no idea what that show is about .

[Quote] Eye witnesses on All That Chat trashing the DOLLY musical in Nashville: "A disaster of Biblical proportions"

Please stop all juke box musicals!

[quote]Eye witnesses on All That Chat trashing the DOLLY musical in Nashville: "A disaster of Biblical proportions"

[quote]Please stop all juke box musicals!

It's a biographical musical, [r324].

Apparently her life must suck

All of these memoir shows are always awful.

The Cher show was terrible.

Jagged Little Pill was terrible.

The Tina Turner Musical was terrible

The Donna Summer musical was terrible.

And now, the Dolly Parton musical is terrible.

R327. Really?

Have there been any good bio-musicals? The only one I recall genuinely loving was FELA!

I... somehow have never seen Jersey Boys... that one was not just a commercial success, but was well received critically, too, right?

I actually loved the Summer Musical—not because it was any good but because it brought back so many great memories. The singing was also fab!

[quote]Have there been any good bio-musicals?

No.

JAGGED LITTLE PILL was not a bio musical.

For "Zombie" June Havoc...

[quote]Wop bop a loo bop a lop bom bom!

[quote]Tutti frutti, oh rootie!

[quote]Tutti frutti, oh rootie!

"Jersey Boys" was excellent.

"The Donna Summer Musical" was awful, she deserved so much better. Why they didn't stage 'Ordinary Girl', the bio musical she wtote herself (with new music) back in the 90s, is beyond me.

But there's some hope - there's been talk about finally bringing it to the stage once they get enough investors. (This is when a Go Fund Me would come in handy).

JERSEY BOYS was a huge financial success running almost 12 years on Broadway and almost as long in London and Las Vegas. Also multi-year runs in Toronto and all over Australia, as well as 3 simultaneous national tours that all ran so long they returned to play the same cities over an over again.

The reviews were mostly raves though the NY Times IIRC was mixed. The show had a very clever book and staging and a sexy young cast. It won Best Musical over The Drowsy Chaperone.

Whether the show will ever be successfully revived, I don't know. The targeted baby-boomer audience is rapidly dying out.

[quote]"The Donna Summer Musical" was awful, she deserved so much better. Why they didn't stage 'Ordinary Girl', the bio musical she wtote herself (with new music) back in the 90s, is beyond me.

Or her concept album, Once Upon a Time, which would have been fantastic.

I agree the Summer musical was lazy in its conception. Just a cheap grab for cash.

Really, R335? I could understand that if there hadn't already been a flop Donna Summer musical on Broadway. Mounting another one (even if it is better) seems... unlikely.

[quote]Have there been any good bio-musicals? The only one I recall genuinely loving was FELA!

Would Evita count as a bio- musical, r329?

Why wouldn't it, r339?

R338 It's what I've been reading on different message forums when she's up for discussion. Most are saying it will be on Broadway in 2027, the fifteenth anniversary of her death. It would be enough time (9 years) since that travesty was running on B'way. Hopefully, fans will have forgotten 'Summer' by then.

[quote]Have there been any good bio-musicals? The only one I recall genuinely loving was FELA!

[quote]Would Evita count as a bio- musical, [R329]?

[quote]Why wouldn't it, [R339]?

I don't know what [r329]'s perimeters are, [r340], that's why I asked. The only bio- musicals mentioned so far were performers.

There are so many "good" bio-musicals regarding real people who weren't performers: Evita was obvious to me, as is Hamilton, Gypsy, Sound of Music, and Gypsy, amongst many others. While I enjoyed Fela!, to be honest, it would never have crossed my mind.

Regarding other performers, there's George M!, Funny Girl, Boy From Oz, Will Roger's Follies, Annie Get Your Gun, and Dream Girls. All "good" bio-musicals, or at least successful ones.

I never saw it, but wasn't Billy Joel's "Movin' Out" a huge hit ?

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical was really good.

On another forum, there's talk that when GYPSY closes in less than a month, it will have lost its total $19M investment. It had a weekly 'nut' of $1.1M, which they couldn't crack consistently. Anyone know how true this is ?

"Rose's Turn" is about a monstrous stage mother having a hissy fit. There IS one point in the song where she breaks down, but it's just a moment. Then she's back to raging, then she's off to a cocktail party!!!

Rose isn't really a very nice woman even in this "musical fable" version of the life of the Hovic's family. She's a narcisist and a bully. You shouldn't feel too sorry for her; you should feel sorry for her daughters. But, in musical theater terms, she is the star of the show and she deserves that big number. And, of course, she's a likeable monster (unlike the real Rose who WAS an actual monster).

But, actresses will insist on "making it my own!" even when it doesn't make much sense within the context of the show.

It's true 345, all down the drain and tax deductions for the investors.

[quote]Rose isn't really a very nice woman even in this "musical fable" version of the life of the Hovic's family. She's a narcisist and a bully. You shouldn't feel too sorry for her; you should feel sorry for her daughters.

It's interesting that when Rosalind Russell played the part in the film, she chose a comedic approach (like Mame), making her seem driven and eccentric, but not evil. Her two defining moments—going on with Louise when June abandons them, and pushing Louise into the stripper job against Herbie's advice —really highlight her cruelty. That's one of the reasons I enjoy the movie so much (along with the fantastic costumes).

Dreamgirls was not a bio musical.

Of course. A show old enough to collect Social Security that has been revived five times on Broadway has only ONE logical interpretation. And r346 knows exactly what it is.

Bio musicals can be jukebox musicals, r342, and jukebox musicals don't have to be bio musicals.

Shrugs. Text is text. If you're too lazy/stupid to play the material, then do a different show/create your own.

^ says someone who knows nothing of Shakespeare

And the Mother of All Juke Box Musicals MAMA MIA isn't a bio-musical.

Yes. r354, see r351.

[quote]Would Evita count as a bio- musical

Sorry, that was my fault for using imprecise language. When I posed that question and used the term "bio musical", I was following up on the conversation about jukebox-bio musicals, specifically. So, essentially, musicals that are at least partly biographical and which feature the biographical subject's music -- ala Summer, MJ, Beautiful, FELA!

It’s biodegradable, for sure.

r349=Miss Ross

R353 And every reputable Shakespeare actor says the same thing:

"Play the text".

This discussion about what defines a biomusical is as exhausting and stupid as when I have to listen to what defines a gay bear.

[Quote] The Donna Summer Musical" was awful, she deserved so much better. Why they didn't stage 'Ordinary Girl', the bio musical she wtote herself (with new music) back in the 90s, is beyond me.

Has anyone heard any music from Ordinary Girl? I think she sang one song on her MTV special. Other than that, I haven’t heard anything enough to call it potentially good. Did Summer even write her own songs?

[Quote] And every reputable Shakespeare actor says the same thing: "Play the text".

And the text can be played a million different ways

No. Not at all. But go on telling yourself that, dear, if it helps you while away your twilight years...

[Quote] No. Not at all. But go on telling yourself that, dear, if it helps you while away your twilight years

How do you say you’re neither an actor nor an active audience member without saying it

If you think "text can be played a million ways" then you're either a terrible actor or just a moron.

Or both.

They frequently go hand in hand.

[Quote] If you think "text can be played a million ways" then you're either a terrible actor or just a moron.

Is that why every Shakespeare play has been done exactly the same since it premiered?

Right - as if when classical actors revisit roles they’ll play them exactly the same way they did before, years ago.

Usually they want to grow and evolve.

[Quote] Text is text.

It's like you bitches haven't read a book since the 1960s.

[quote]Has anyone heard any music from Ordinary Girl? I think she sang one song on her MTV special. Other than that, I haven’t heard anything enough to call it potentially good. Did Summer even write her own songs?

I have read posts which said there have been bootlegs of the whole musical out there since her 2012 death (some say intentionally leaked to bring attention to the project). The musical is supposed to be 75% of newly written songs, and 25% of her past hits (those songs which she wrote / co-wrote herself). So it's a mix, which will be different from 'Summer: The Donna Summer Musical". (BTW, Summer had no intention of starring or making appearances in her musical - she was doing the writing and producing).

The last time I saw her in concert was the summer of 1996. At the time, she did talk about the musical in her concert (it was mostly finished by then) and she did sing around three songs - very enjoyable, though I think they would have had more of an impact if we knew the context for what they were written (where in the stages of her life were these written for?). Of those three, I believe she sang one or two on her VH1 special in 1999.

When she was promoting her memoir in 2003, she had said in a few interviews that her musical was all set to go, but then 9-11 happened and producers / investors were getting cold feet with Broadway shows, with tourism way down (and she acknowledged her box office would eventually rely on tourists). She was then considering an option presented to her of debuting her musical on the West End, but nothing came of that.

Does she do her own filters? That’s an actual skill.

Oops

I don’t like Shakespeare! Now give me Irving Berlin! He knew how to write!

How long before there's a Barbra bio-musical? Starring Roslyn Kind.

Lainie can plan Momma.

R348 I watched the movie yesterday on TCM - I always enjoy it.

I like RR's Rose. She's attractive and driven and resourceful. Her motives are suspect of course.

I always notice something new when I watch....this time in the dressing room scene at the end Louise says: "My sister is the actress" which I guess meant that June Havoc was having her stage career at that time.

And I always love Rose's line: "Just wanted to be noticed."

R368 -- exactly. As a friend of mine used to say when confronted with lines like "Text is text" -- "like all fundamentalism, that's phony." Are these the same people who insist that you can't play Mozart on modern violins and pianos?

R375, Bernadette Peters made that line the emotional peak of the show, even after Rose’s Turn. She finally let down her guard and anger and scheming, and admitted what the production was building toward: Rose’s pain from abandonment as a child was what drove her. It was one of the most heartbreaking moments I’ve seen in any production of Gypsy.

I know Peters final scene has been posted before but here it is again.

Does anyone know if Sam Mendes lasted through the Bernadette/Gypsy's opening? Or was he finally forced out by Arthur Laurents, who perhaps made many changes and adjustments to Mendes' direction?

I mean, we all know Laurents had lots of objections but I wonder how much of the direction and concept were finally Mendes by opening night.

Would love to hear Bernadette's take on all that. Or even a chorus boy who was paying attention.

Speaking of Laurents, I read the first two of his books — enjoyed them very much. Has anyone read the third and last Mainly on Directing? Recommend?

R379 Bernadette would never spill in a million years. She never gives any interviews if substance, let alone where she really voices her opinions.

R380. It’s okay. It mostly focuses on shitting on Sam for Gypsy and how he “fixed” it all in 2008 for LuPone.

The only Mendes touch I liked on that production was having Dainty June smoke. Didn't Laurents steal that bit for the 2008 revival?

June took exception to that, r382.

Thanks R378.....that was very nice.

"Hopefully by the time we close, I'll be skipping around," Smart tells PEOPLE with a laugh ahead of returning to her one-woman Broadway show 'Call Me Izzy'

IZZY grossed $56,519 at last week's box office, with Johanna Day playing all four performances. I don't think that even covered the electric bill for that week. Why in the world is this coming back and extending ?

GYPSY is averaging a house just 2/3 filled. They should close next week and not wait until the 17th.

SUNSET went out on fire ! 'Dynamic pricing' went into effect over the weekend, with some ticket prices surpassing $1,000 (not the listed $599). Nearly $2.5M in ticket sales, it had its best week ever.

Sorry - posted the B'way box office link in the wrong place above.

Jean is entitled to her privacy but I think it would have been less confusing about Izzy's future if they had just made an announcement that her knee was so badly injured it required surgery and she hopes to return on this date.

How did her knee get injured? Was it some sex accident? It’s not like she’s down scrubbing floors in her off hours.

R389 The link to her interview is in R387 where she explains all.

Does anyone have plans to see any productions at the Kennedy Center's Melania Trump Opera House?

They’re opening with Best Little Whorehouse in Mar a Lago.

Shouldn't they be announcing the Kennedy Center honorees soon? Who besides Kid Rock and Bill Maher will be honored?

Jean needs to shit or get off the pot!

A big musical like that R345? Don't have insider info at all but wouldn't be surprised if it was entire capitalization plus priority loan.

R389 I remember Jean said she wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to do Watchmen because she was having stem cells injected into her knee in 2018.

R380 -- Laurents' MAINLY ON DIRECTING is perhaps the nastiest, most vicious, most self-serving of the 3, and with Laurents that's saying something. He throws around superlatives about his own work the way Trump does.

Also, Laurents was not a good director, even though the whole book is about how great a director he was.

^ see also Michael Mayer

Jean gave a very emotional curtain speech at Izzy tonite and it looks like she's using crutches and hanging onto the set for support. I take back all of the negative shit I said about her. Sorry, Jean!

I take back all the suspicions I had as well. She doesn't have it in her to be that way.

Jagged Little Pill wasn't a bio musical.

That's right. Jagged Little Pill was just a terrible musical

I remember how much my mother (who died two years ago at 98) loved GYPSY. She certainly saw the movie every time it was on TV.

When Rose says “I was born too soon and started too late . . . What I've got in me! What I've been holding down inside of me! Oh, if I ever let it out! There wouldn't be signs big enough. There wouldn't be lights bright enough.”

That is the core of Rose and it’s the cry of every 20th Century woman of intelligence and drive who felt thwarted and beaten down, first by their parents and then by a demanding, oblivious husband. It’s the show biz “The Feminine Mystique.” The question is whether contemporary women can see themselves in that, or simply see it as a freak show with nothing to say to them.

Word from Nashville is they're taking a sharp knife to "Dolly" to get the time down.

They oughta take a sharp knife to Bart Sher.

I heard Audra MacDonald will be cast for the role of 'Dolly' should it make it to Broadway. What could go wrong ?

Wow, that's really funny, r407. What a wit...

[quote]When Rose says “I was born too soon and started too late . . . What I've got in me! What I've been holding down inside of me! Oh, if I ever let it out! There wouldn't be signs big enough. There wouldn't be lights bright enough.”

When I saw the show in 1991 starring Tyne Daly, you could hear a pin drop in the theater. All eyes and ears were glued on Mama Rose (because Daly was no longer on stage), watching every move she made. What was she going to do next ? Absolutely breath-taking musical theater.

[quote]Word from Nashville is they're taking a sharp knife to Dolly

So she's finally getting breast reduction surgery?

Why did Daisy Eagan‘s career go straight down the shitter?

You’d think there would have been more roles for her, as she was hailed as quite the find.

Ask McArdle, r411.

Or Sydney Lucas, R411 and R412. I saw her in FUN HOME 3 times, and she was absolutely astonishing. But all I'm aware of that she's done since then was a 1-night SECRET GARDEN concert.

McArdle can't act - that's why she didn't go further Broadway-wise or in movies. She played young Judy Garland in a TV movie, and had the line "Baby Gumm is dead. I'M Judy Garland!" She completely lacked vulnerability, which was the real Judy's stock in trade.

[quote]R413 Or Sydney Lucas… I saw her in FUN HOME 3 times, and she was absolutely astonishing.

Perhaps theaters big enough to house her eyebrows aren’t always available?

Surprise ! Jean Smart did return to the 'show last night. The reviews of her return (by audience members who attended) on message boards are mixed, at best.

R409 MARY!

[quote]All eyes and ears were glued on Mama Rose (because Daly was no longer on stage)

I am old, but I absolutely cannot parse what this statement means. Does it mean that all eyes and ears were offstage with Daly?

[quote]Surprise ! Jean Smart did return to the 'show last night.

The toilet refused to comment.

Lucas did some tv and then dropped out of show business. She's in law school, I think.

R418 - what the poster was saying is the Daily gave such an incredible performance you forgot you were watching a fairly famous actress and all you saw was the character.

Rose is one if those big parts that is almost always played by an even bigger name and that duel identity is essentially baked into any production and is part of the show's appeal.

I wish I'd seen Daily in the role - her Rose's Turn video on Youtube is amazing - completely terrifying, electric and pathetic all art once.

Thank you, r421.

Get offa my runway.

Gypsy. Enough. Stop. No one gives a fuck. Go to a therapist and talk about your mother, and stop posting about a Gypsy production from 30 years ago.

R424 bwahaha you must be newer.

There are some posts that never die.

1) Gypsy- particularly Tyne Daly as for many DLers that was “their” Gypsy:

2) Follies

3) Audra McDonald

4) They’re Playing Our Song

5) Bonnie Franklin

6) Winona Ryder almost getting cast in Steel Magnolias

A tad young for law school

Don't forget my subsidized apartment in Manhattan Plaza, R425

[quote] Gypsy. Enough. Stop. No one gives a fuck. Go to a therapist and talk about your mother, and stop posting about a Gypsy production from 30 years ago.

Sing out R424!

Follies! In Belfast! Who's going? Slainte!

The Bridge Theatre in London is doing Into the Woods later this year. No cast announced yet, but I love the graphic.

Speaking of Fun Home, I saw it at The Public and in the round. I think I preferred it at the Public because the house was the set. It just didn't work for me in the round.

You were the only one. It was great at CitS

[quote]I wish I'd seen Daily in the role - her Rose's Turn video on Youtube is amazing - completely terrifying, electric and pathetic all art once.

And Daly was doing that daily!

Original national touring company presentation of Agnes of God now on Youtube!

Starring Elizabeth Ashley, Mercedes McCambridge and Maryann Plunkett

Is it a bootleg, r434?

Mercedes McCambridge…. who caused her son to shoot himself, his wife, and their two young children.

Shocking. Abhorrently shocking.

Izzy looks like a longer version of Talking Heads by Alan Bennett.

Am I wrong? What’s it about? The makeup I saw on Jean was scary.

R435. Pro shot. No close ups.

Except that the TALKING HEADS pieces are brilliantly written and also work onstage, R437.

Thank you, r438.

I have a question. I have tickets for Fiddler On the Roof Saturday. The website says 3hrs and 20 minutes with intermission. I’ve never seen it before. Does time fly by or do you feel every minute of the 3hrs?

you’ll feel it

It's going to feel like 6 hours, R441. Best you give your ticket to your worst enemy.

No more Gypsy! I can't take it anymore! Close it down already!

[quote]I have a question. I have tickets for Fiddler On the Roof Saturday. The website says 3hrs and 20 minutes with intermission. I’ve never seen it before. Does time fly by or do you feel every minute of the 3hrs?

That seems awfully long even for "Fiddler," and I've been involved with a couple of productions of it. Did they add a freewheeling patio number?

She should have stuck to High Society with Mary McDonnell and Jayne Meadows

[quote] Did they add a freewheeling patio number?

With an encore.

R441 Any show clocking in over two hours, 2 1/2 hours max, is just done wrong. Leave at intermission.

Fiddler is one of those shows that's more fun for the cast than the audience. And the second act drags... All the good stuff is before intermission

I saw a tour of the original when I was in junior high school and really liked it but it isn't one I revisit. I've never seen the movie and the only other time I've seen it was when Harvey and Andrea Martin came in as replacements and I got a comp.

A lot of "Fiddler" productions cut the "Rumor" number, which helps, because it's a floppo song, but it's also one of the few comedic moments in the second act.

The music to that show is gorgeous.

They should sub in Pamela Anderson and other Real Housewives-types as Golde, to insure big box office.

Will they be dimming the lights at 'MJ' to honor Malcolm-Jamal Warner?

Maybe Joyce DeWitt as Yente the Matchmaker?

Someone should combine "Fiddler" and "Ragtime" and have the Tateh and Little Girl characters appear in both segments.

Erika Jayne IS Fruma Sara!!!!

RAGS was supposed to be the sequel to Fiddler, r456.

True, R458. Same book writer (Joseph Stein), with Bock and Harnick writing the score. About what happened after the Jewish immigrants arrived in America. It has some nice moments, but didn't quite come together.

Strouse & Schwartz wrote the score for Rags.

Thanks, R460. Talk about a senior moment. And I saw the original production of "Rags" during its Boston tryout.

Watching those clips of Tyne in Gypsy, I feel like the Eldergays are trolling us with their breathless recollections of this incredible performance. I get that they're bootlegs of a theatre performance, but there are bootlegs of all the other post-Merman Roses (even a few tiny clips of Angela.) Without time machines, that's all those of us who weren't around back then can rely upon. Tyne seems so... flat.

[italic]Sacrilege!

[quote]Did they add a freewheeling patio number?

Isn't that the whole point to "Anatevka"?

This is the production I’m seeing. Is it because it’s an Opera company that it is lasting over 3 hours?

3 hours 20 mins. does seem rather excessive.

Maybe all of the "Fiddler" songs and book scenes are being presented with a dirge-like pace that will make you feel as though you're in hell.

Fiddler typically runs 2 hours 40 minutes. That’s what is listed for the current production in London as well as an upcoming regional theater production near me. I love the show, but not an extra 40 minutes of it.

[quote]Tyne seems so... flat.

That's why Audra took this role 35 years later - so you Zoomers can have your own beloved Rose emblazoned in your memories for comparison in the future.

Opera companies tend to have long intermissions. Maybe that’s why the running time is listed as that

[quote]Opera companies tend to have long intermissions.

It sounds like Yente the matchmaker could perform all of "Call Me Izzy" during this intermission.

The film of FIDDLER is 3 hrs.

That includes credits at both ends.

And that's what comes from men and women dancing!

Tell your friends / fellow-ticketholders you'll pass because you're waiting for Streisand's long-planned sequel to YENTL : "Fiddleress on the Roof".

[quote] Daily

Daly!

Daley!

R477 that would actually make for a great show but no one in NYC would watch it

The Dolly musical in Nashville is over 3 hours. That is a fuckin' nightmare...

It’s a new Fiddler for the ages!

They're in the shtetl, they're in the shtetl!

[quote]The Dolly musical in Nashville is over 3 hours. That is a fuckin' nightmare...

Lots of first work in progress engagements are. That's what they are for editing.The Dolly production announced it is not a finished show.

Day Lee

r477 r478 Then how about a musical about an Olympic diver married to a much older Oscar-winning writer?

Don't dilly dally...check our daily offers for deals on tix to 'Daley' with Jim Dale and Tyne Daly!

Andrew Barth Feldman is the new robot

R486. Isn't he dating Helen? They're very cute together.

Having seen an interview with him, I'm surprised he's dating a woman.

I’m surprised he isn’t a woman

He and Helen are living together as well. They seem like a cute couple and he did about the best Seymour I've ever seen in LSOH.

ABF was also wonderful in Joshua Harmon's last play WE HAD A WORLD (or whatever it was called) at MTC. There was nothing gay about his performance FWIW.

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1983, a revival of “Mame” opened at the Gershwin Theatre.

The less said the better.

[quote]ABF was also wonderful in Joshua Harmon's last play WE HAD A WORLD (or whatever it was called) at MTC. There was nothing gay about his performance FWIW.

Wow, I thought he acted VERY gay, playing a musical-theater obsessed teen who was gay. And I have no idea why he opened the show wearing just a pair of tighty whities. Perhaps the playwright or director wanted to ogle him.

It was the playwright's/director's way of saying he was about to lay his soul bare (or in tighty-whities, anyway), r494.

I agree about the gayness in the way the character was written but not in ABF's portrayal. And knowing Josh Harmon a bit, he was nothing like him so the casting surprised me. In any case it did not take away from the play for me. I did not care much for either Joanna Gleason (who I usually love) as the stylish grandma or the actress who played the shrewish mom.

Love ABF and he's a wonderful actor with a huge young following, but I suspect this casting will be controversial in some circles.

Gypsy has sold about 50 tickets for Sundays matinee so far. It's shaping up to be an Izzy size audience.

Poor Andrew. He posted his Happy Ending news on Instagram and is being attacked for taking a role away from an Asian actor. This won't end well.

[quote]Gypsy has sold about 50 tickets for Sundays matinee so far. It's shaping up to be an Izzy size audience.

Do they have anyone lined up to play Mama Rose ?

Just saw Evita in London. That stage is full of hotties.

R500. Did you see it tonite? I just read that Rachel only did the first act.

Why would you attack the ACTOR for casting you don't like? If you're mad about the casting, then you need to go yell at the production company who hired the actor.

R500, unbelievably so. Especially Che, laying there in paint and underwear. His slicked up near-corpse THROBBING with sexual energy.

R501, she skipped the balcony scene?

[quote] Poor Andrew. He posted his Happy Ending news on Instagram and is being attacked for taking a role away from an Asian actor. This won't end well.

I guess they'll have to change the title to 'Maybe Not-So-Happy Ending ?' while he's in the show ?

I though Darren Criss played a robot in MHE? Robots have races?

I did not know Andrew Barth Feldman's real-life girlfriend is Helen J. Shen, who will be his co-star in MHE. Guess that means their onstage chemistry should be a given.

R 500 here. Yes, Rachel did the first act (perfectly, I might add. What a voice!) and then we were informed that Bella Brown would take over for the remainder of the performance. I have to admit that Bella Brown is perfect. Voice and presence.

[quote]THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1983, a revival of “Mame” opened at the Gershwin Theatre.

R483 - someone who said he was in the 1983 production posted a dishy thread on the Broadway Remembered FB group this week lambasting the producer of the show for (he claims) deliberately tanking this revival as a write-off. It was interesting.

Bella plays the woman Juan has the affair with?

R510. Yes, she also plays Peron's Mistress.

Thanks for the tip, R509! Here's what that poster shared there:

Yes, I was in it. The saddest theatre experience of my life.

A great cast led by the irreplaceable Angela. A great star and a greater human being.

Purposely done in on every turn by Mitch Leigh - a swine of a producer.

Sad as it was, I wouldn’t have traded the experience of working with Angela for all the world.

This is what happened:

We were originally scheduled to play over a year on tour and then come to Broadway. We lost our original producer when WOMAN OF THE YEAR faltered with Debbie Reynolds’ sudden illness and departure. Mitch Leigh took it on, planning on either a blockbuster or a tax write off to his KING AND I and MAN OF LA MANCHA tours.

We faltered in our first stop in Philadelphia at the cavernous Academy of Music when he opened us on the July 4th weekend. After that he opted for the write off. A year and a half planned tour became two weeks and Broadway opening with no program, no tickets, no publicity plan. Jerry Herman and our original producer put up their own money to keep us open until word of mouth could keep us open.

Ticket sales during a mid-summer opening began to take off, and Mitch Leigh closed us anyway. A real bastard.

Just to add one more thing: During our short time in Philadelphia, two performances of the show were professionally videotaped - overture to exit music. Multi camera, stereo … the whole deal! Our “producer” took the tapes and then refused to release them. A final slap against Angela.

Cleo Laine is DEAD to ME!

Was her perfect Sondheim record on her iPod?

Jean Smart from last night.

She’s a sweetheart

Anyone else think Andrew is going to pull out of Maybe Happy Ending?

Well a happy ending does mean shooting on your stomach and not inside a hole.

[quote]Just to add one more thing: During our short time in Philadelphia, two performances of the show were professionally videotaped - overture to exit music. Multi camera, stereo … the whole deal! Our “producer” took the tapes and then refused to release them. A final slap against Angela.

This has been rumored for years, but your report gives it much greater credibility. Would be wonderful if those tapes survive and are someday restored and made commercially available.

[quote]Anyone else think Andrew is going to pull out of Maybe Happy Ending?

It will be a very sad day if he bows to small-minded pressure from a few idiots and pulls out of the role of a robot because he's not Asian (or part Asian, like the person who's currently playing it). Worth pointing out that the name of the robot character in question is Oliver, not some Korean name.

And has there ever been a better time for Asians in musicals on Broadway? Lea Salonga, Nicole Scherzinger, Helen Chen, Darren Criss, Eva Noblezada - all played starring roles on Broadway this season. Even Abraham Lincoln was played by an Asian man. Making such a big deal over a robot role is absurd.

I have a feeling that should that film of the Mame revival ever be seen, it would not make a strong case for the show. I remember hearing reports back then of how cheap and tired it all looked, in spite of Lansbury's performance.

Though if it would finally end all this stupid talk of a Broadway revival, let it be seen!

Fuck the Epstein files! RELEASE THE MAME PRO SHOT!

[quote]I have a feeling that should that film of the Mame revival ever be seen, it would not make a strong case for the show. I remember hearing reports back then of how cheap and tired it all looked, in spite of Lansbury's performance.

Based on the bootleg, it's quite a performance overall. The physical production is serviceable, and there are lots of good people in the show besides Angela, including Anne Francine as Vera and Jane Connell (again!) as Gooch.

But I still think there will never again be a first-class production of MAME without a MAJOR rewrite, which would probably destroy whatever was good in the show aside from taking out all the now-objectionable stuff.

The 1980s Mame pro-shot does exist. In the Broadway the Golden Age documentary from about 25 years ago, a tiny piece of it is there, distressed to make the footage more closely match the home movies from the original production, all with sound overlayed.

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1975, "A Chorus Line" opened at the Shubert Theatre.

For fun, Che k out how few seats have sold for Call Me Izzy . How demoralizing to play to houses less than 20% sold!

I prefer Call Me Kizzy starring Miss Leslie Uggams.

[quote]R521 Should that film of the Mame revival ever be seen, it would not make a strong case for the show… Though if it would finally end all this stupid talk of a Broadway revival, let it be seen!

What Audra wants, Audra gets.

Get ready! [italic]It’s today!

Call Me Fizzy

[quote]For fun, Che k out how few seats have sold for Call Me Izzy . How demoralizing to play to houses less than 20% sold!

It's been like that since the 'advance' ticket sales ended and the reviews came out. I'd like to know how much money Smart negotiated in 'bonus' money to return to the stage this past week.

R528. Oh yeah?

R530. I think it's pretty clear that Jean is dedicated to the play. She's limping around the set and has extended her run. Even if she wanted a bonus I doubt if the money is there. .

[quote]I'd like to know how much money Smart negotiated in 'bonus' money to return to the stage this past week.

Why would you assume that about Jean, r530?

[quote]The 1980s Mame pro-shot does exist. In the Broadway the Golden Age documentary from about 25 years ago, a tiny piece of it is there, distressed to make the footage more closely match the home movies from the original production, all with sound overlayed.

Are you sure about that? What would be the point of using some of the pro-shot footage but then "distressing" it? I will have to have another look at that section of BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE.

R533 I assume this because Jean has been around for a very long time with an established, successful career. She has (negotiating) power, and certainly knows her financial worth these days. This poorly reviewed play selling just 20% of the house these days, certainly needs her more than she needs to be embarrassing herself each night - and everyone involved knows this. It's business, not a charity. (And for those who says she's 'dedicated', I'm not disagreeing - many people are dedicated to their jobs, including me. However, we know our worth and want to be compensated.)

Just my opinion.

Well, r535, in my opinion she has shown zero indication that she's doing this show for the money. She seems like a genuine, pragmatic sort to me.

[quote]She has (negotiating) power,

I'd also add, r535, if she isn't selling tickets - what negotiating power dies she have?

Several things killed Call Me Izzy.

1.) Bad word of mouth

2.) Jean Smart read the script and broke her knee upon reading the script.

If Jean wanted to make a lot of money she wouldn't be working on Broadway. She could make more working one week on a Lifetime movie than she will during Izzy's run. I wouldn't be surprised if she took a pay cut to keep it open.

I hope Jean’s bum knee won’t keep her from playing Vera Charles when Audra’s “Mame” pulls into town.

It’s already in discussions.

[Quote] And has there ever been a better time for Asians in musicals on Broadway? Lea Salonga, Nicole Scherzinger, Helen Chen, Darren Criss, Eva Noblezada - all played starring roles on Broadway this season. Even Abraham Lincoln was played by an Asian man. Making such a big deal over a robot role is absurd.

And almost all of them are Filipino

Joy Woods IS Gloria Upson! Alex Newell IS Gooch!

[quote]If Jean wanted to make a lot of money she wouldn't be working on Broadway. She could make more working one week on a Lifetime movie than she will during Izzy's run. I wouldn't be surprised if she took a pay cut to keep it open.

And on top of that, because CALL ME IZZY opened and will have closed at the VERY beginning of the season, I would say the chances of Jean Smart winning a Tony for her performance, or even getting a nomination, are very small. So if she did the show with that goal in mind, I think she's going to be severely disappointed.

[quote]So if she did the show with that goal in mind

She *didn't*.

R540-Sorry, but you're just full of shit.

Bob Mackie’s doing the costumes and it’s going to be fabulous

[quote]Joy Woods IS Gloria Upson! Alex Newell IS Gooch!

Such unbridled hilarity from the suggestion of Audra starring in a "Mame" revival.

I actually think Audra could pull off Mame although the story wouldn’t make much sense with a black woman playing it

The concept is it’s now set in the snazzy Harlem Heyday, Vera is a Cotton Club star, etc.

"Mame" will never be revived on Broadway, with or without Audra. It's as moldy as last week's bread. What was considered sophisticated in "Auntie Mame" doesn't play 70 years later. A concert version would be fine, if most of the book were cut.

[quote]there are lots of good people in the show besides Angela, including Anne Francine as Vera and Jane Connell (again!) as Gooch.

In the early 70's my Mom took us all to the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island and about a half hour out of NYC to see Angela in "Mame". They were doing a in-the-round tour and Anne Francine as Vera and Jane Connell as Gooch were in it.

Saw a video last night where Jean is sitting at the stage door with a table and signing Playbills.

Mame has to be funny. Has Audra ever done a comic role (besides I guess, in CAROUSEL, which of course isn't a sophisticated role)?

[Quote] Saw a video last night where Jean is sitting at the stage door with a table and signing Playbills.

There comes a point when it all seems far more effort than it’s worth and also a little undignified.

r548

Gypsy really doesn't either but you know

R554: signing Playbills is “also a little undignified”

It’s uncanny isn’t it? Especially from someone as common as yourself.

Is anyone going to the big A Chorus Line celebration tomorrow?

Not unless Audra’s in it.

^Patti, performatively^

I saw that Mame revival, and it was a pretty shoddy affair. Angela was good, but too old for the role at this point. However, she did have Murder She Wrote coming up.

R560 -- I know what you mean. Miss Lansbury was in her late 50s when she did that MAME revival -- but try pointing that out to the people who have insisted for years that it's a good vehicle for Cher/Bette/name your elderly diva.

R561 Being in your 50s in 1983 is different from being in your 50s in 2003 (when the role was offered to Cher). Lansbury always had an older / matronly look to her once she hit her 40s, and acted older than she was. Cher has always been just the opposite.

Martin Izquierdo is DEAD to me.

[quote] 2.) Jean Smart read the script and broke her knee upon reading the script.

I suggest you read “The Elements Of Style.”

How old is Mame supposed to be when she sings It’s Today?

r565 - Somewhere between 40 and...

[quote]How old is Mame supposed to be when she sings It’s Today

40, r565.

40, r565.

Get Julie Taymor to do a puppet version of Mame with Miss Piggy.

I remember a DL poster talking about the pre-Broadway tour of Mame and he said that Lansbury was so tired that she looked like she was going to die during the curtain call.

And they even added 60yo Jane Connell as the pregnant Gooch.

Miss Dennis is ageless

Now that she's old enough Streisand can redo Dolly. Nobody will say she's too young. Ephraim I'll be right there! I won't need any sign! Anyway what's a half a million today?!

Friends saw Izzy this week and report that it was just OK and Jean is in a chair with her leg resting on something, and when the character needs to move 1 or 2 stagehands came out to reposition her. Noble, I'm sure, but it certainly broke the mood.

This whole debacle may render Jean uninsurable in the future, in any medium.

I saw a pop-up ad online for CALL ME IZZY that read "Extended By Popular Demand!"

Who the hell are they kidding?

The show's been a big flop since day one.

[quote]The show's been a big flop since day one.

Why such glee, r575?

[quote]"Mame" will never be revived on Broadway, with or without Audra. It's as moldy as last week's bread. What was considered sophisticated in "Auntie Mame" doesn't play 70 years later. A concert version would be fine, if most of the book were cut.

I don't understand people who call MAME "dated."

The show has always been a period piece.

The story takes place in 1928-1946 and covers the Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, and WW2.

The original book AUNTIE MAME was published in 1955.

The Broadway play premiered one year later in 1956 and the film adaptation in 1958.

Then the stage musical came along in 1966.

As for the Georgia plantation, it satirizes the South, even naming the place Peckerwood (i.e. white trash).

The original property was of its time in comedy style, r577. Patrick Dennis' success wasn't long-lasting as his material was satirical. You laughed *at* his characters not *with* them. Mame really doesn't have depth in the book. It's thanks to Lawrence, Lee and Russell that she has heart. Dennis even dedicated the sequel Around the World With Auntie Mame to Roz.

In contrast, Thornton Wilder could write fanciful characters with heart and I think that's another reason why Dolly has stuck around longer.

[quote]Friends saw Izzy this week and report that it was just OK and Jean is in a chair with her leg resting on something, and when the character needs to move 1 or 2 stagehands came out to reposition her. Noble, I'm sure, but it certainly broke the mood.

Such as it was.

R574, Jean Smart has gone from strength to strength in her TV career for many years now, and I've never heard a hint about her ever being unprofessional. Who knows what the whole story here is?

[quote]Who knows what the whole story here is?

She injured her knee and had surgery. That's the whole story here.

[quote]The story takes place in 1928-1946 and covers the Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, and WW2.

I don't recall any references to WW2.

r577, it' not the period of Mame that' s dated. It's the comedy and satire that's dated. As dated as Will Rogers and Bob Hope who were thought to be comedic geniuses in their time.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" premiered in 1895 and is just as witty and entertaining 130 years later. A play can be a "period piece" and still have aged badly.

Your Auntie Mame is NOT dated.

And I’m the dame who can prove it.

[quote]Get Julie Taymor to do a puppet version of Mame with Miss Piggy.

What about Miss Piggy in Oh, Mary!

[quote]What about Miss Piggy in Oh, Mary!

I'd buy a ticket to that!

Me too.

I'd also buy a ticket to Miss Piggy as Mame.

Pig suede bags are well-suited to hold cotton as it's picked.

I’m back from the 3hr and 20 minutes Fiddler on the Roof in Ohio.

It was really good, but this show could easily cut 20 minutes and still be the classic everyone loves.

The cast was great and it was nice to hear the score will a full symphony.

R590, how long was the intermission? As others have stated, there is absolutely no reason why any production of FIDDLER with a normal-length intermission should run anywhere near three hours and 20 minutes.

“If I sing it slower…”

With the passing of CLeo Laine, I was listening to her version of Send in the Clowns...

Online sources have her being the 3rd vocalist to record it.....from her Oct. 1973 Carnegie concert... A Little NIght Music opened February 25, 1973.

Is there info online about how Sinatra had the first shot at recording it? Was Sondheim involved?

It was Judy Collins, not Frank Sinatra, who made the first popular recording of "Send in the Clowns."

I cannot imagine Sondheim was UNinvolved.

^ he certainly routinely shit all over my covers of his work!

-Betty Buckley

Did Theatre Gossip #597 get started yet ?

It is now.

Closing this thread out ...

BAJOUR!