THEATRE GOSSIP #598: The "Audra Jokes, 65% Off!" Edition

The previous thread.

Thank you to OP for starting this thread at the very last minute in post 600 in the prior thread! Thank you for keeping our theatre gossip alive, OP!

I really wished the Gypsy were recorded. Audra’s performance is extraordinary and should be saved

There is a huge difference between Minnesota and Missouri. It’s an outside theatre and it’s 91 right now

I’m sure Norm is sweating his bulging balls off!

Norm Lewis seems to be one of those fellas who's asexual.

Wow! That video at the end of the last thread about Ryan Whateverhisnameis and Lindsay Mendez is scandalous! And is the Kirsten (or Kristen?) Anderson mentioned at the end the wife Bobby Lopez?

In the 60s and 70s the MUNY would often get the national tours of Broadway shows and even shows that were trying out, prior to Broadway. It's where I saw the original Mack & Mabel, which was fabulous (except for the 98 degrees heat).

[quote]Norm Lewis seems to be one of those fellas who's asexual.

WHAT???!!! (choking on my beads).

Norm Lewis is one of those actors who, with more and more leading roles, has tried to climb back into the closet. I do wonder what his partner of many years thinks.

R8 who’s his partner? I thought I read somewhere that he dated Lachanze in the 90s.

Also isn’t his leading role career pretty much done?

He’s doing La Cage in St. Louis for fucks sake!

[quote]He’s doing La Cage in St. Louis for fucks sake!

Well, smell you, r9.

[quote]who’s his partner? I thought I read somewhere that he dated Lachanze in the 90s.

Yeah, and Liberace dated Sonja Henie in the 50s. Your point?

[Quote] There is a huge difference between Minnesota and Missouri.

They look the same when you fly over them…

[quote]They look the same when you fly over them…

They actually don't.

I hope Norm does La Cage at Encores although I wouldn't wish Billy Porter on anybody.

R6, I assume he meant Kerstin Anderson, the terrific performer who understudied Lauren Ambrose in MY FAIR LADY and regularly did the Sunday matinees.

Norm is now, and has, for all of his adult life, been gay. He never fucked LaChanze.

[quote]I really wished the Gypsy were recorded. Audra’s performance is extraordinary and should be saved

What are you talking about? There is a cast album, and I'm sure the whole show has been or will be recorded for the TOFT collection at the NYPL at Lincoln Center.

[quote]Norm Lewis seems to be one of those fellas who's asexual.

Only on DL, kids. Only on DL.

Ryan Scott Oliver looks pretty creepy, even on his own website.

But Norm has never come out publicly as a homosexualist, has he?

Perhaps because he isn't one, R20.

I don’t think Norm is gay. I think he’s in the grand tradition of musical theatre straight men that date all the women

See also

Christian Borle

Norm is 100% gay and has a big dick. He has never even seen a vagina.

Perhaps he closed his eyes and thought of England?

Anyone know this guy? Pretty astounding story.

Which one of you got the cuff link collection?

I prefer snuff boxes

Would Follies have run longer with Sally Bowles and Phyllis Lindstrom?

NY Magazine non paywall article on Pietraa

R12 Los Angeles and New York City are one and the same -- woke socialist sanctuary hellholes, crime-ridden, lawless, dirty, rampant homelessness, etc.

Yes, R25. He was tangentially around my circle at the Met. He was basically the return of Alberto Vilar. I was surprised to read that the admin took him so seriously. One would think that they’d learned from Vilar. Apparently not. He was weird and plastic and detached and creepy, but most of the 1% pretenders are like that at the elite classical institutions. You can still get away with this sort of scammery in NYC, at least for a little awhile.

R30, shouldn’t you be on Truth Social?

[quote]Norm Lewis seems to be one of those fellas who's asexual.

I actually kinda know what you mean. Unlike the Literalist Lizzies on here, I don't actually think he is asexual. I know he's gay. But, yes, as a performer, I don't think he exudes a particular sexual energy. Regardless of their personal lives (for all I know, he's terrific in the sack and has amazing sexual chemistry with his partners), there are some performers who just don't exude that kind of energy on stage. I've only seen him twice, but, yeah, I get it.

R30, people in LA have cars.

[quote]Would Follies have run longer with Sally Bowles and Phyllis Lindstrom?

It would have run longer with Sally Rand and Phyllis Thaxter.

I saw The Muny La Cage last night.

It seems like it was a tuneup for the Encores next summer as it was also an all black cast sans Billy Porter.

The cast was good and I felt bad they were doing so much choreography in full costume in 90 degree weather.

R25 where have you been? This has been covered in NYMAG and elsewhere.

The best part is that “elite” institutions like the Met and the Frick are so lax in their standard of review for big donors!

He was the George Santos of “culture” Lol

[quote]I felt bad they were doing so much choreography in full costume in 90 degree weather.

Pit pads!!!

When it came to culture, Pietras was the first hog to the trough.

Metropolitan Opera Credit Outlook........

I read the NYT—you live in Manhattan—it is a necessity.

Yet, my jaundiced eye can’t help but wink at the Times …a day late and a dollar short, NYMAG beat them to the punch and —now?—they play catch up? I’m glad for the sr. discounts—the Met and the Frick have inmates running their insane asylum philanthropy depts.

R40 I'm available for Aida if the Met needs a box office boost.

the idea that someone in the Met's inner circle of billionaires couldn't blow the whistle on this guy... really quite unbelievable.

NY Magazine's coverage of the story was woefully bad, because billionaires are not going to answer questions about being bilked out of millions when it's only a drop out of their ogliarch buckets.

R44. Indeed. I am sure that Soros does not even care that he spent so much money. It means nothing to him. We should be casting the movie.

The story wasn’t bad at all.

The story wasn't bad, but the writing is.

The Times doesn’t care about NY culture any more. Met stories don’t get clicks unless they’re trashy stories like Pietras that make fun of the rich. Why do you think they fired their entire cultural desk? The Times is so out of touch with the elite arts world at this point that they just put up a job listing for a classical music reviewer requiring years of major publication writing experience, intense in depth knowledge of opera and symphonic music, on camera and social media experience, and so many other qualifications I can’t remember how ridiculous they were, and they think they can pay this total unicorn just 125k a year. I just point and laugh at the Times as they turn into a combination of Apple Games and Buzzfeed. Pathetic.

I think R42 actually IS Billy Porter. It’s just too spot on.

Billy Porter = Box Office Poison.

How long was Billy in Cabaret in London? Did tickets surge or drop?

[quote]Would Follies have run longer with Sally Bowles and Phyllis Lindstrom?

It would have run longer with Sally Struthers and Phyllis Coates. Both were known from television.

Sally Ride and Phyllis Kirk for matinees.

Lola Falana as Carlotta. If she’s still here.

It's Lainie Kazan's time to shine, and she can do the "I'm Still Here" lyrics from her nightclub act, the ones that Sondheim gave her a cease and desist order for.

R54. I’d rather see Lola Heatherton as Carlotta. And Putin Sclerosoo as Hattie.

I had the funniest experience the other night. I saw a nice production of Sunday in the Park With George. The George was very good. When I enjoy a performance, I generally look up the actor online. I was surprised to discover that I'd slept with the George's husband (or boyfriend?) about 6 years ago in the back of his sister's car. We were both visiting family from out of town and were a little bored and horny and with nowhere to go, we ended up in the literal back seat. It was 100% him. Absolutely sensational fuck. How lovely to be reminded me of that long ago late night excursion.

Has that ever happened to any of you? Perhaps at Follies?

yes, R57!!! It has!

I discovered that I had fucked Fred Gwynne in the back of a hansom cab right after I saw Yvonne in Follies!

He had a monstrous cock! Green and girthy!

He came first and started to pull up his pants to go and I had to snap at him, "Hey!!! Lurch!!! I'm STILL HERE!!!" and made him eat me out until I screamed:

"Car 54, where the fuck are YOU!!!!???!?!?"

It was grand.

R42 it’s a museum, not the opera house—duh

Kidding ;)

The Countess LuAnn as Carlotta

When we had the chance, Bonnie Franklin and Linda Lavin for FOLLIES !

I'm sure Fred was thrilled when you called him Lurch!

r58 - I buy it. Lurch definitely had BDF.

[quote]When we had the chance, Bonnie Franklin and Linda Lavin for FOLLIES !

I saw Linda play Hattie in D.C. She had some other commitment and wasn't in the show (the Bernadette Peters production) when it came to New York.

You missed nothing.

Waylon Flowers and Madame as the Whitmans

Linda Lavin was hilarious as Hattie. Like it was Special Guest Star Linda Lavin, who came out by herself to sing Broadway Baby, as if it was a totally different show, and they announced when she was done, "And now back to our production of Follies!"

[quote]Norm is 100% gay and has a big dick. He has never even seen a vagina.

Was he blind at birth?

[quote]r57 I was surprised to discover that I'd slept with the George's husband (or boyfriend?) about 6 years ago in the back of his sister's car. We were both visiting family from out of town

Was this gentleman and the George TOGETHER at the time? He has a right to the truth about who he’s joining his life with.

You have to let him know.

With the "both visiting family from out of town", I'm thinking R57 was in a Hallmark Christmas movie. The "[straying or future] partner of a musicals star" is a nice touch for a gay romcom.

[quote]Was he blind at birth?

How many babies are born with their eyes open?

Frankly, with the information provided, it’s not difficult to identify either the actor or the husband.

You rang?

Yesterday I saw Montego Glover as Rose and Shanel Bailey as Louise and it was a perfect production. I was able to enjoy a solid presentation without worry and I don't think I've ever seen a better Louise.

It was a joy from start to finish.

Back seat driver?

Reece Carney will be the next Emcee in London with Eva as his Sally. London gets much more interesting replacements than Broadway.

R74 Were there enough people in the audience to fill up the first four rows of center orchestra ?

It was a packed house

Who the hell is going to the umpteenth Cabaret production filled with anonymous nobodies no one cares about?

[quote]Reece Carney

REEVE, not Reece

R80. Sorry. I wasn't wearing my glasses.

R56 here. Should have been Perini Sclotoso—combination of autocorrect and bad proofreading. But Andrea Martin playing Perini playing Putin would be a sight to see!

You can have Lurch and Fred.....I'll take THING. Very handy.

This thread is hilarious.

I see what you did there! ^

[quote]Was this gentleman and the George TOGETHER at the time? He has a right to the truth about who he’s joining his life with. You have to let him know.

Dear, precious sheltered frau at R69, do you KNOW any gay men? Do you think only porn stars are in open relationships? But, in this case, I don't believe so. I'm pretty sure the guy was single at the time, but that was several years ago... who knows... I think he's gotten veneers since. I don't recall such prominent chompers, but that was the better part of a decade ago, at night, in the backseat of some beat up Chevy, so... grain of salt.

His instagram is up thread—take a look^^

[quote]R86 I'm pretty sure the guy was single at the time, but that was several years ago... who knows... I think he's gotten veneers since.

But wouldn’t you feel better if you KNEW? I know I would. You just wait for the George outside the stage door alongside the autograph hounds and then when he sails out, inform him you had sex with his partner six years ago. Then watch for the reaction.

I just think it’s best to be upfront and honest in these situations. You’re being given a second chance.

I bet Billy Porter is great as the Emcee. It's such an over-the-top role, it fits his strengths perfectly

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1925, “A Lucky Break” opened at the Cort Theatre.

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: Six years ago, the lead actor from regional theater’s “Sunday in the Park with George” was flagrantly cheated on in the back of a borrowed car by his man whore fiancé.

[italic]With a DataLounger.

I know Reeve for a long time since his Spiderman days and Hadestown R76 a sweet guy. I'll be in London in November staying right across the street from the Kit Kat Club. Not sure I can sit through that horror again but maybe I'll tell him I got a ticket and pretend I saw it and meet him and Eva after the show lol.

R91 you buried the lede… the man whore’s previous fucktoy was a young guy named Gus—well known to all here.

DL's contempt for Linda Lavin never ceases to amaze/nauseate me. Sometimes it feels like the only things you all know about her are ALICE and the SCTV skits in which Andrea Martin lampoons her.

Lavin was a lot of fun in FOLLIES in D.C. -- a tonic after Régine's disastrous "Ah, Paris!," and certainly preferable to Jayne Houdyshell's bizarre "bag lady" performance in the part when the show reached New York. (And I've loved Houdyshell in many other things.) And she was vastly superior to Judith Light in OTHER DESERT CITIES.

Seriously, the only DLers who mock Linda Lavin are those who never saw her onstage. That particular talent and charisma did not fully translate to TV. Talk about an actor who could effortlessly raise the quality of mediocre writing.

Linda was a brilliant actress who unfortunately thought her singing voice was far better than it actually was. I am CERTAIN this is the basis for Andrea Martin’s imitation.

Lavin's singing voice was godawful, but somehow she convinced herself and casting directors that it wasn't.

In her "big breakthrough" — "You've Got Possibilities," from "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman" — she's flat and sharp all over the place.

R97, whether a person is singing sharp or flat (or not) is not a matter of opinion. Lavin does bend a few notes in "You've Got Possibilities," but that's not the same as singing sharp or flat. I think she sounds great in that recording, and there seems to be general agreement about that.

I will say, I think it was a big mistake for her to appear as the Old Lady in CANDIDE as her last major musical role in NYC, but I'm not aware of any other, previous occasions when she played a role that she couldn't handle vocally.

R98. Her voice was not suited to Rose in Gypsy.

Someone wrote on Broadwayworld that Mira Sorvino is joining Chicago on Broadway.

Will this be what finally kills that show?

If Alyssa Milano and Ashley Graham didn't kill Chicago nothing will.

Sorry, Mrs. S., but YOUR voice is the one that's not suited to Rose in GYPSY, as is now evident from the cast album.

[quote]Her voice was not suited to Rose in Gypsy.

Thanks, Audra.

[quote]I bet Billy Porter is great as the Emcee. It's such an over-the-top role, it fits his strengths perfectly

The show is absolutely tanking at the box office with Billy and that woman, who apparently is also all wrong for her role. I'm told that, last week, the show had the lowest gross of all the musicals currently running on Broadway, and a business acquaintance of mine reports that they are even having great trouble papering the house with free tickets. So, in other words, they literally can't even give them away.

The producers still buck off the booze

make bucks*

R104. I find this hilarious that he is bombing in the role since he was so self righteous in his media appearances about his this was

1) His turn

2) His time

3) HIS version!

Her turn!

Her time!

Her vision!

R103 see r99

There is only so much money that can be made from the sale of booze at a theater -- and also, isn't it true that the producers get only a small percentage of that?

Before this production of CABARET opened, someone crunched the numbers to figure out how long they would have to run at full capacity with premium tickets, two-thirds capacity, and so on in order to pay back and start earning a profit, and the numbers were insane -- partly due to the tremendous amount of money that was spent to rejigger the theater for this "immersive" presentation. So I would imagine only a tiny percentage of the investors' money, if any, will be returned to them when the show closes.

They'd make a lot more money if they'd sell the booze AND the boys.

R111, have you seen the boys -- and the girls -- in that show? I don't think selling them would add much to the show's coffers....

My friend saw the show with Peck and he said an understudy for Schneider was on and she looked like a 25 year old made up to look 50 but came off more like 30. That's just sloppy.

David Sabella from the original 1996 cast of Chicago has returned to the show for a limited run.

R110 that show offers much more than a simple intermission bar service.

[quote]That show offers much more than a simple intermission bar service.

I'm aware of that, but again, I think the producers of CABARET get only a percentage of the liquor sales. And even if they sell LOTS of liquor, it's very unlikely that can make up for all of the show's tremendous expenses.

The original post merely said they can still take in good $ due to the unique “atmosphere” of this show. That remains true.

Yes, I'm sure the extra liquor sales help. But my point is that, from all reports, the investors in this CABARET are going to take a huge bath because the show's expenses and running costs are SO high, and also because the show began to underperform after Eddie Redmayne left the cast, and now is underperforming to an alarming degree.

Grosses are out. Cabaret is $18k lower. Worst week for the show, again the lowest grossing musical on Broadway. Billy is setting new records every week!

I don’t think anyone told Billy Porter that Cabaret isn’t simply a musical version of Pose.

Cabaret can't hold on until October. I predict a Labor Day closing.

Every day is Labor Day, at the Boston Lying-In.

Nobody wants to see anyone in Cabaret any more. Enough already!

Smaller productions don't have much bargaining power and are lucky to get any Broadway house at all but this two-person show is getting...the Longacre!?

I’m sorry but this fall looks like a real shit show except for Chess and Ragtime.

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) has got the Longacre.

Not for long.

This isn't a rhetorical question. What do you think was the last original musical to have originated in London that was genuinely well written (book and score.) Not revivals. Not British productions of American musicals. I'm struggling to think of one from the past two decades, but, admittedly, I only get to London occasionally and NY about two times a year. Can think of plenty of non-musical plays, but musicals...?

Operation Mincemeat.

And before that, Matilda originated in London before coming to New York.

As did Groundhog Day, which I really loved.

And not a peep out of THE EVIL WEARS PRADA. I guess that one will wisely stay put in London.

David Sabella?? WEHT Ernie Sabella? Is he still with us? Such a funny sweet man.

R93, you’ve left me speechless. Someone who knows it is “lede.” Take a bow, bitch.

I know how to use a caret also.

Can you spot the intentional error? ^

ATC folk are drooling over the STRANGERS star Sam Tutty. Twink with a Platt-like voice. Cute as a bedbug, but not likely to helm a huge Broadway hit.

Think I meant cute as a ladybug.

[quote]Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) has got the Longacre.

Didn't Jack and Karen do that on "Will and Grace" (although in that case it was to the top of a building.)

Sam Tutty performs " Waving Through a Window." He's not a cute as DL favorite Charlie Stemp.

Sam and three other Evan Hansens sing.

Rumors on B'way (don't know how accurate they are, though) is that 'Cabaret' will be posting an early closing notice by the end of the week for Labor Day weekend. Anyone surprised ? I'd be surprised if it didn't happen.

Is Tutty on the spectrum?

Tutty is the spectrum.

Is Tutty frutty?

[quote]What do you think was the last original musical to have originated in London that was genuinely well written (book and score.)

Despite one or two fairly major flaws, I think BILLY ELLIOT was well written overall in terms of both book and score.

Meanwhile fucking Rudin gets the Booth and "Art" literally could've gone anywhere else.

The last original British Musical I loved was Benjamin Button (before it moved to the West End.) The one before that was years before, Spend Spend Spend. Neither 9so far) have come here. (and all the one's who did come here didn't do much for me,)

Actually, IMO, the score was the major flaw of BILLY ELLIOT, r146. What do you think were the other flaws?

Swan Lake, the accents….

[quote]Actually, IMO, the score was the major flaw of BILLY ELLIOT, [R146]. What do you think were the other flaws?

Certainly not this little cutie.

[quote]R123 Nobody wants to see anyone in Cabaret any more. Enough already!

Well, I’d like to see Audra’s take on Sally…. ?

[quote]R110 There is only so much money that can be made from the sale of booze at a theater

Well… especially when the house is practically empty..

Tickets on sale today for Two Strangers.

When I saw Two Strangers at ART, it seemed very much a middlebrow tourist take on NYC. So maybe that’s who will go to see it.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

It's true! Mira Sorvino IS Roxie Hart starting Sept 15th.

Don’t know why my post didn’t go through above, but that link shows that Sunset lost 6 mil, and Cabaret will lose 25 mil, surprising no one. UK producers need to stop bringing their shitty mid revivals here. Countdown to no one going to see the hated Rachel Zegler in that Evita she is currently faking her way through in head voice.

I know two co-producers on CABARET who are threatening suit because the theater made millions on the Booze while the investors have lost everything. Don't think these are any Sunset co-producers are going to lose millions on EVITA so Sir Andrew Lloyd Drunkhead can have another Broadway outing.

Someone should write an expose on CABARET on Broadway...

[quote]r159 that link shows that Sunset lost 6 mil, and Cabaret will lose 25 mil, surprising no one.

But, but… [italic]the booze buys!

lol, R161. That discussion upthread is hilarious. As if the bar is going to save a show that’s been a giant black hole for months.

I don't get how SUNSET BOULEVARD could not have made a profit. Other than Nicole's salary, what were the overriding costs? Certainly not the sets and costumes or their upkeep.

R162 the earlier point was that plenty of $ was being made for a few even with a flop.

I’m sorry but if a musical can sell at 85-100% capacity for a year, win all the awards and be a “hit” AND lose 6 million dollars…the system is indeed broken!

Plenty of money was not being made if the show lost 25 million.

Again—plenty of $ has been made off the atypical booze arrangements.

Did the blockbuster plays with Clooney, Denzel and Kieran make money?

Sunset seemed like THE musical event of the season. So, what prevented it from being profitable? I'm guessing, although there wasn't a set, the tech aspects (including live camera operators) and the large orchestra would have required a higher average ticket to come close to the black?

One of them did

I assume producers blame unions, right? In the UK actors and musicians make a very poor living in the West End, right? And, I get that argument, but actors and musicians deserve to make a decent living when they're performing at the top of their industry. Maybe theatre owners need to start giving up more?

R168. All three recouped.

[quote]R167 Again—plenty of $ has been made off the atypical booze arrangements.

America is being FORCED to drink till DRUNK to support the theater!

One of the reasons I won’t have children…

You keep insisting that R167. You have zero evidence of that. Are you the fucking barkeep? 🙄

I can’t vouch for the economics, but I remember those cocktails being very expensive. Like over $30. And there were long lines at all the bars.

That said, the alcohol helped a lot. What a train wreck.

[quote]I know two co-producers on CABARET who are threatening suit because the theater made millions on the Booze while the investors have lost everything.

But bar sales and ticket sales are an entirely separate issue. And again, I may be wrong, but I think the major profits from sales of drinks go neither to the producers of the show nor to the "theater," but to whatever company runs the booze concessions.

Oh dear.

AGT, for this production, has an agreement as both landlord and lead producer. IIRC, they make money on “both ends” —that’s where the booze $ comes in.

But even if AGT is both landlord and lead producer of CABARET, isn't it true that the bulk of the money from booze sales still goes to the company that runs the concessions? Maybe I'm mistaken about that, I'll have to check it out.

The landlord controlled the concession. Check the news from when this production was in process for transfer.

STOP TALKING ABOUT THAT BOOZE!

What about the boys?

The early years of these Theatre Gossip threads would be filled with the names of hot chorus and the stars they were fucking. Now, we're talking about booze sales at a flop revival no one cares about and Audra, Audra, Audra.....who most of us don't really care about.

Chorus boys were cuter back then. Now, we don't care who they fuck .

Yeah, the chorus of the current Cabaret will make you celibate.

Well, you do have a point, r184.

R293 there is the poster who once fucked the current Glimmerglass George’s husband, who also happened to be the prior ex of Gus Kenworthy.

Doesn’t that count?!

Sorry R183

When you read headlines about investors in XXX hit Broadway show not recouping their investment, remember that with a successful national tour of that production, that can change. Costs can be cut, and a lesser star's salary can be substantially lower.

[quote]R181 STOP TALKING ABOUT THAT BOOZE! (Dracula's daughter)

Young lady, young lady, I want that screaming stopped this minute, do you hear me?

I agree with the above. Most of the chorus boys are they/thems and in poly relationships with girls and guys.

Less drama

[quote]R189 When you read headlines about investors in XXX hit Broadway show not recouping their investment, remember that with a successful national tour of that production, that can change.

Investors can also put up money because they like having access to the behind-the-scenes world of the theater… it’s not always about strictly seeing a cash return.

Okay, here's some old-style, sex-related, DL gossip: A certain B-minus level Broadway and TV actor, who had a featured role in one of last season's flop musicals, apparently is closeted and sometimes pretends to have a girlfriend, even though only a few years back he very aggressively but unsuccessfully pursued a beautiful male ballet dancer (who happens to be the brother of another Broadway performer).

They put up 10K or so to get .25 of the way to an EGOT.

[quote]Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) has got the Longacre.

Let's not forget that DL icon Bonnie Franklin got there first, carrying a cake under far more precarious conditions in the first few minutes of this short.

R193 body odor? Very small penis? Why the failure to launch…

It can’t be that difficult in Hell’s Kitchen ;)

R196, I find your post inscrutable.

R195 it’s missing some good mood music!

R197 you can get dick from a Broadway / ballet dancer just by sitting on your front stoop. It’s that easy in parts of Manhattan. Honest.

R193, if you are referring to Erich Bergen, the real surprise would be that he thinks he is fooling anyone.

DLers kept putting down Gypsy and blaming Audra for its losses. Now we see Sunset and Cabaret also have huge losses and Audra wasn’t in either of those.

Even my Black friend agrees with me…

r193' specified that the closeted actor was fixated on a BEAUTIFUL ballet artist. didn't want just any old dancing dick off a Hell's Kitchen stoop.

Trust me there’s young dick all over —west of 8th Ave

At first I thought the ballet dancer was Robbie Fairchild but he's far from beautiful.

Chicago is thrilled to welcome Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino in the role of "Roxie Hart" beginning Monday, September 15, 2025 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St., NYC) through Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Also, would Megan Fairchild, sister of Robbie, really be called a Broadway performer after only starring in the On the Town revival?

R206. It's a stretch but, sure, why not.

Morgan Fairchild starred in the On the Town revival? How did I miss that ? I'm sure that was something to see !

Morgan Brittany

R208 it was right up there with Suzanne Somers in The Blonde In the Thunderbird

[quote]Even my Black friend agrees with me…

Does your Black friend also agree that you're a twit?

R193 here, and no, the beautiful male ballet dancer in question is not Robbie Fairchild. He's probably not anyone you would know, because he's not American and has not worked in this country.

Robbie Fairichild burst the hinges off his closet door as soon as he left Tiler Peck.

I LOVED Megan Fairchild in that On the Town revival. She danced like a dream. I adore that Bernstein and Comden & Green score, but that Miss Turnstiles number always seemed like some forgettable throwaway to me. Not with Fairchild dancing. I still remember the audience literally gasping at how incredibly beautiful her movement was in that number. ("MARY!" I know!!! )

I wish I could find a recording of that production to relive it.

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1992, "The Real Inspector Hound" and "The Fifteen Minute Hamlet" opened at the Criterion Center Stage Right Theatre.

R213. Actually, it was before he left her.

I'm watching Sweet Charity on TCM and I'm bored. Even Chits can't save it.

Audra could have.

[quote]I'm watching Sweet Charity on TCM and I'm bored. Even Chits can't save it.

It has its moments, including Chits, MacLaine and Paula Kelly on the rooftop doing "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This." But, no, it doesn't come together, and the dated ending with the hippies is pretty lame, and really doesn't make up for the heartbreaking scenes with MacLaine that precede it. They probably should have gone with the alternative happy ending that was filmed, even though it doesn't seem terribly believable. But I guess that was deemed too square in the hippie era.

Marisha Wallace is NOT happy. She posted this on Threads.

I’m still not sure why people who say they love theatre would pray on the down fall of a production that would put 100s of people out of work. Make it make sense?

Someone suggested she take a pay cut to keep it running and others commented that the show and Billy stink.

Maybe the cat should do the performance as written and directed and then maybe the production wouldn’t be having a downfall!

Make it make sense? Easy. This production of Cabaret is garbage and should have stayed on the other side of the Atlantic where it belongs.

[quote]But, no, it doesn't come together, and the dated ending with the hippies is pretty lame, and really doesn't make up for the heartbreaking scenes with MacLaine that precede it. They probably should have gone with the alternative happy ending that was filmed, even though it doesn't seem terribly believable.

How Fellini did it in the original.

Alternate ending; more palatable to the sappy audiences.

How Broadway handled the ending of "Sweet Charity" through the years.

The original was a cartoon, with bold colors and exaggerated emotions. Putting that story in a hyper-realistic NYC was a big mistake. The Fellini ending was exquisite.

Does anyone here on the Theater Gossip thread have any ideas about why Michael Crawford is on the list of Kennedy Center Honors this year?

The rest of the ‘honorees’ are MAGA loons or fanatical Christians. Does Crawford fit into either category?

The thread about this suggests he was included because Trump lives in a cultural time warp where “Phantom of the Opera,” a theater sensation from the ‘80s, is probably the last show Trump liked. Or maybe even the last show he ever saw.

Is Crawford under the impression this award is apolitical and thus okay to accept? His body of work doesn’t merit it anyway, but why would he accept it? And is it too late for him to back out? It can only make him a joke on the Rialto.

Trump LOVED Phantom. The End.

[quote]R221 Maybe the cat should do the performance as written and directed

Cats have always made their own decisions. They're not team players. Sharing the stage with them is fraught with risk.

Fosse’s alternative ending belonged on “Love American Style.” His film direction got better fast.

I agree that the hippie ending of SWEET CHARITY is terribly dated, but I think the alternate happy ending is completely incredible. On the other hand, the stage version winds up very abruptly after Charity ends up in Central Park Lake for the second time, and that ending would certainly not have worked in the film, either. I wish Peter Stone, then at the height of his powers, could have come up with a really satisfying ending.

Maybe the movie could have ended with Charity somehow encountering Vittorio Vidal again, as he's the only man in the show who treats her well and seems to have real affection for her. Here's one possibility: The day after Oscar runs out on her, Charity heads back to the dance hall to try to get her old job back, because she has no other option. On the way there, she again happens to run into VIttorio, who is very glad to see her. He tells her that he's broken up with the Italian film star bombshell and he invites her to lunch. How does that sound? I know, it's very pat, but probably still better than all those other endings.

I just re-watched the ending of NIGHTS OF CABIRIA, which I hadn't seen in many years. Admittedly, the hippie ending of CHARITY is really quite similar to the ending of CABIRIA, so that must have been Peter Stone's inspiration. I think one reason why the hippie ending is so jarring is that it suddenly ties the movie to the late 1960s, whereas, when you think about of it, the rest of it seems more like it's taking place in the late '50s or early '60s. Not that the Broadway version of CHARITY opened in 1966, a year before the "summer of love" and the opening of HAIR Off-Broadway, and its sensibility is very much that of several years earlier.

so that must have been Peter Stone's inspiration.…

🤔

I seem to remember the Applegate Charity ending with Oscar running off then coming back and Charity tells him to fuck off. She was very good btw and I loved that they put Charity's Soliloquy back into the show.

Little Bear Ridge tickets on sale. What an unusually easy experience - good tickets available for a reasonable price.

Does Laurie serve beer in the foyer?

No idea, since it doesn’t open until October.

>>Not that the Broadway version of CHARITY opened in 1966...

Should be "Note that the Broadway version of CHARITY opened in 1966..."

Duly knotted

Thanks for the correction, R238.

John Proctor, also at the Booth, had really cheap preview tickets as well.

There is no professionalism anywhere. Three cast members were out last night at John Proctor is the Villain. One would kill to make their Broadway debut and these kids are taking off constantly.

Where are these decently priced tickets to Little Bear Ridge Road? I'm seeing decent orchestra tickets are $206?

That’s what I paid. Similar seat for sane day/time for John Proctor is $399.

There they are!

[quote]There is no professionalism anywhere. Three cast members were out last night at John Proctor is the Villain. One would kill to make their Broadway debut and these kids are taking off constantly.

I generally agree with you in sentiment, but....this is August, and therefore primary vacation time. So I think people should be given slack at this time of year, especially if you don't know whether they're out for vacation or it's just an unscheduled absence.

[Quote] Where are these decently priced tickets to Little Bear Ridge Road?

On Broadway nowadays? Seriously?

[Quote] this is August, and therefore primary vacation time. So I think people should be given slack at this time of year

It’s also the height of the N.Y. theatre season, with so many tourists in town. They should take off in the fall

The nice thing about Laurie Metcalf is she made 100 million dollars on The Conners so she can do Broadway at equity minimum because she loves theatre.

R246: I understand but if you're contracted to do 8 shows a week you do 8 shows.

[quote]It’s also the height of the N.Y. theatre season, with so many tourists in town. They should take off in the fall

You actually have a point there, but any performer is entitled to and needs a vacation depending on when they started in the show, and of course, that might not necessarily coincide with the fall.

[quote]I understand but if you're contracted to do 8 shows a week you do 8 shows.

Yes, but my point is that people have to take vacations or individual days off sometimes, and I doubt you necessarily know whether those three people were out of JOHN PROCTOR for vacation or as unscheduled absences.

John Proctor has extended a few times so it's possible some cast members made prior commitments or scheduled vacations thinking they would be unemployed by now.

With the crazy pricing for today’s ticket, I demand to see the cast I paid to see

The actors should return to find the locks on their dressing rooms changed. NO EXCEPTIONS!

R254 - Betty Bacall

lol, so let me get this straight, Broadway performers are never allowed to take vacations, even when they have them in Equity and personal contracts? You do realize that everyone on the planet, even the lowliest workers get vacations, right?

R256 I absolutely do!

Scott Bakula in the CSC Baker’s Wife.

A hot baker?

Will Scott show his hot cross buns?

Scott Bakula is 71. Paul Sorvino was in his thirties. Paul Sorvino also had a healthy operatic tenor of some heft. Bakula has what could be generously described as a light baritone with a short top. How is this going to work exactly?

Romance...

Chess is returning? WHY? Lots of theater people are obsessed with some of the lousiest shows on earth.

The original Broadway production was one of the worst shows I've ever seen, and not because of the inexplicably bad production alone. The material is beyond awful! Tired ass 80s, chest-beating power ballads as cringey as fuck! It is nothing but dated caterwauling which oddly is what some people like. The One Night in Bangkok number seems like it's from a totally different show, but it's cheesiness relieves the utter boredom for a few minutes. Laughably corny and just plain bad!

I'm sure a vocal group of Dataloungers are EAGERLY awaiting it!

Extra long top only. TIA

[quote]R256 Broadway performers are never allowed to take vacations, even when they have them in Equity and personal contracts?

My god - they sleep till noon and don’t even put in 20 hours a week. A vacation from WHAT??

Straight play slouchers.

Bernadette Peters attended Evita in London and posed backstage with Rachel.

Meanwhile, Patti is still cancelled

[quote]R263 It is nothing but dated caterwauling … I'm sure a vocal group of Dataloungers are EAGERLY awaiting it!

[italic]You know them so weeeeelllllllll!

80's hair

Yup, r268, the number only really works when lip-synched by drag performers.

I'm certain I saw queens at La Escuelita perform to this version back in the day.

3 actors in the same play should not be scheduled for the same vacation time.

How far into rehearsals before they realize Scott Bakula can't sing the score? You just know they didn't check before the offer was made.

Also, the Baker is not supposed to be hot. Though Scott probably no longer is.

Did anyone see Prince F***** at Playwrights? I am going to be in New York while it’s playing, and am seeing Ragtime and Little Bear Ridge. There isn’t much else that I am interested in seeing that I haven’t seen already.

Any good Sara Porkalob updates?

R271, what exactly are you talking about? Bakula has played Quixote, did the latest JRB show, and played the younger man in The Baker’s Wife early in his career. Plus, he was nominated for a best actor in a musical Tony for Romance/Romance.

[quote]R270 3 actors in the same play should not be scheduled for the same vacation time.

And shouldn’t they wait until it’s run a year? If something’s run less than that you don’t really need a vacation from it.

I mean, unless it’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf…

It's time for a revival of Woman of the Year and Applause. It's crazy how long it's been with no revivals.

The original production had some handsome chorus boys.

[quote]r271 - Though Scott probably no longer is.

But you can tell that he used to be.

Re Wki, Scott Bakula played Don Quixote for the Peterborough Players in 2024. Did you see him, r274? Anyone? He played Nathan Detroit, not exactly a singer's role, at the Hollywood Bowl in 2009, 16 years ago.

The last time he sang on Broadway was in 1988.

HIs material in The Baker's Wife is almost operatic.

Time will tell....

Nothing could be as bad as Michelle Williams playing Sally Bowles. Her look was even all wrong, but of course nobody complained.

I'm sure Billy is fine. People have an hatred of him because he is unapologetically flamboyant. And for other reasons that are obvious.

Lauren Bacall writes in her second book about how impossible it was for her to be allowed to miss a performance to attend her son’s college graduation. She gave them tons of notice and finally David Merrick (?) let her skip ONE performance. He arranged a car for her and she wasn’t even allowed to spend the night out of town.

He (like everyone else) must have really hated her.

The first time I saw Bakula onstage was as Joe DiMaggio in Marilyn: An American Fable, with Betty Bacall right up the street in Woman of the Year.

I've earned my Datalounge stripes.

[quote]I'm sure Billy is fine.

Sure you wanna go with that?

Even Queerty said he stank.

[quote]He (like everyone else) must have really hated her.

Like Merrick was such a cuddlebug.

R271/r278, I’m pretty sure you are confused about the show. Aimable in the Baker’s Wife requires a decent singer, but not an operatic one. He has one solo. Are you thinking of Tony in The Most Happy Fella?

Bakula also played Hapgood opposite Bernadette Peters in a recorded concert of Anyone Can Whistle. He sounds great.

Have you actually seen him? He is charming , easygoing. and has a very nice voice.

I think we should all keep in mind that before Paul Sorvino took over in THE BAKER'S WIFE, Topol had been cast in that role. So I'm pretty sure the operatic flourishes and high notes we hear on the cast album were added for Sorvino and were probably not written in the original score.

All of that said, Scott Bakula does seem to me an odd choice for the role in terms of physical type.

[quote]Does anyone here on the Theater Gossip thread have any ideas about why Michael Crawford is on the list of Kennedy Center Honors this year? The rest of the ‘honorees’ are MAGA loons or fanatical Christians. Does Crawford fit into either category?

From what I recall reading about 25+ years ago, upon the release of his album "On Eagle's Wings", he said he was a Born Again Christian. As a matter of fact, he was focused on recording Christian and Inspirational music (though I'm not sure he released much since then). His album was very good (I play it during the Lenten season each year).

Unless it's a Major Name Above The Title, who really gives a fuck if the understudy is playing the role? Other than their parents, no one cares that "the role of Susie Cream Cheese, normally played by Jane No Name will be played by Karen Slightly Less Of A Name for tonight's performance"

When I saw The Secret Garden Mandy Patinkin was out.

I was disappointed - not because i LOVE him but because it’s always interesting to study a star.

You do feel a bit cheated.

This morning I was listening to a 'theater review' on Boston's NPR. They were talking to a theater critic recommending to the audience to hurry and plan a trip to Broadway before the summer season comes to a close. The critic must've had a bottle or two of hard liquor because:

1. He urged everyone to go see 'Gypsy' before it closes Sunday, starring Audra MacDonald. He said he's seen every revival of GYPSY since 1989 with Daly when he was a theater major in college, and by far - this ranks right up there as the best he's seen. Yes, this one. Yes. This. One.

2. If anyone misses "Izzy" with Jean Smart, you will be missing one of the greatest one-woman shows ever to play B'way. The writing is sharp, and Smart was born to play this character. She'll make you laugh, gasp, cry...she's a shoe-in for a Tony next year, as is the play. Yes, this one. Yes.

How was Cyd Charisse?

Other than Meadowlark, Paul Sorvino's high notes on Any-Day-Now Day are the only thrilling parts of The Baker's Wife's ho-hum score.

I'm going back to see her twice more, r290.

You don't like Where is the Warmth, r291?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.........

It's time for a revival of " Funny Girl."

[quote]It's time for a revival of Woman of the Year and Applause.

But who is our Bonnie Franklin?

Fran and Barry tried reviving Applause and it tanked. Raquel dropped out and they got Stefanie Powers who wasn't very good. It was a very misguided production.

Margo takes a force. Stefanie would be suited for Phyllis.

Bacall is the most underrated stage performer ever. She couldn't sing for shit, but no one had as much charisma and glamour on the stage as Betty. She was a STAR.

I swear she would have made an incredible Mama Rose.

[quote] She'll make you laugh, gasp, cry...she's a shoe-in for a Tony next year, as is the play. Yes, this one. Yes.

If the critic (as opposed to the poster) actually wrote "shoe-in," nothing he says about these shows counts.

R300 He said it, not wrote it.

Can't Audra be cast in 'Woman of the Year' ? What a revival that would be ! She'd sell out half the theater.

Actually, Ariana DeBose would be interesting in Woman of the Year

Some night, when I've had a few, I'll share my dream version of THE BAKER'S WIFE. It includes a new character - the baker's son - a solitary, dour young man who is the same age as the wife and whom the baker adores. He hardly speaks, but rather signs, because his mother - the baker's first wife - was deaf. We, the audience, suspect that he has a crush on Genevieve because of the way he constantly stares at her and follows her. She thinks so, too. She thinks he's creepy. The son sees the budding romance between Genevieve and Dominique, and he is the one who discovers her when she is about to run away.

Who do you think you are?

What kind of weak-willed tramp do you think you are?

You're going to go with him,

Run off with him into the dawn.

Sneak away with him,

While Papa and I stay here, waiting, waiting.

Who do you think you are?

What kind of a man do you think I am?

Ah, I bake the bread.

But Dominique is not fooled. He knows what's going on. "Tell her. Tell her the truth. Everyman has a story, and his - his is the second oldest in the world."

Yes, the son sings/signs MeadowLark (with slightly different lyrics), revealing his big secret, and he and Genevieve both run off with Dominique.

I know it must be so.

I know that each of us must go,

Or we both shall perish and die.

So together we run,

My father's young bride.

And this beautiful young man,

This gorgeous young God,

We fly!

In the second act, "Endless Delights" becomes a trio.

I know, I know - MARY!!!! - but I like my gayer version much better. Be kind.

[quote]R299 Bacall is the most underrated stage performer ever.

Betty Bacall was one of the most talented performers ever. She also had a lot of pain and struggle throughout her alcoholic blackouts. Despite that, she had a good heart, which is hard to encounter in a foul mouthed, cut throat cunt. At a time when gay people were oppressed beyond belief, they identified with her bitchiness and she theirs.

Bacall would have fabulous in Gypsy or Sunset Boulevard.

[quote]Bacall is the most underrated stage performer ever.

Her two Tonys belie that.

My eardrums beg to differ, R306.

Bacall is the femme Rex Harrison. Technically, not a singer but I love listening to them both.

If she wasn't already doing Applause, and with apologies to Alexis Smith, I feel like Bacall would have been *the* Phyllis.

Well Linda Ronstadt should have won over Bacall for Woman of the Year. Surprised it took Chita until The Rink to win as well.

Bacall had too much star charisma (and a stunning figure) to be believable as the desperate Mama Rose.

R286: At last a straight answer and obviously the correct one. Had no idea Michael Crawford had become yet another Christian fanatic. Maybe Mel Gibson recommended him.

Thanks for the info.

When she did Applause, r310, Betty became the toast of Broadway and it renewed her stardom. FOLLIES was cast with fading/faded careers in mind.

Will there *ever* be a movie version of FOLLIES?

So close, r292....

—My husband works in the [italic]area[/italic]!

Am I completely wrong? I thought Michael Crawford was British?

Yes, but Wikipedia says he has lived in New Zealand since 2007 to be closer to one of his grown daughters. He said living a quiet life there has helped his chronic fatigue syndrome.

[quote]Had no idea Michael Crawford had become yet another Christian fanatic.

He always seemed a bit gay to me. Maybe that has something to do with it.

[quote]Will there *ever* be a movie version of FOLLIES?

Actually, it's Richard Linklater's next project. But he'll be directing it over 30 years, so the same four actors will play Ben, Phyllis, Buddy and Sally in their youth and in middle age.

The perfect movie Follies already came and went.

Phyllis Rodgers Stone: Glenn Close

Sally Durant Plummer: Meryl Streep

Benjamin Stone: Kevin Kline

Buddy Plummer: Steve Martin

Carlotta: Liza Minnelli

Hattie: Bette Midler

Stella: Goldie Hawn

Someone should do a mini-series of Everything Was Possible. That would be fun to cast. Nicole for Alexis? All seen from the eyes of a young Ted Chapin. Miss Lopez for Yvonne?

Billy Boy, you should post that on An Archive Of Our Own.

[quote]Other than Meadowlark, Paul Sorvino's high notes on Any-Day-Now Day are the only thrilling parts of The Baker's Wife's ho-hum score.

I think "Gifts of Love," "Chanson," "Proud Lady," and "Merci, Madame" are four other terrific songs from that score.

[quote]R321 Phyllis Rodgers Stone: Glenn Close

Glenn as a former showgirl? Um, no.

I'm not a Phantom fan... a rather stupid musical with some (admittedly) nice Puccini'lite melodies. But can't deny that Crawford was fantastic in the role. Assume all recipients had to agree to receive the award before they were announced? If so... guess Gloria Gaynor is MAGA, too?

R326 I would say so! Her Wikipedia has a section where she talks about being a born again Christian and links articles titled “I’m no feminist”

Gaynor has said that she values her gay fans and views her role in life as leading them to Christ.

So they don't burn in hell?

Exactly R329.

For the poster above who asked about Prince F...... I loved it. Not perfect, but original in many ways. Some of my favorite critics praised it: Helen Shaw, Jackson McHenry. So did Tony Kushner in a long interview with the playwright. Well worth checking it out.

[quote]I'm not a Phantom fan... a rather stupid musical with some (admittedly) nice Puccini'lite melodies. But can't deny that Crawford was fantastic in the role.

Maybe you can't deny that, but other people can. Crawford displayed a weird, squeaky, child-like singing voice in the movie of HELLO, DOLLY! (not to mention his near-spastic body language), and everyone I know agrees his performance is the low point of that troubled film. When Crawford moved on the PHANTOM, he was able to modify the weirdness of his voice in such a way that it seemed to fit the character. But he still wasn't singing very well, and there was a lot of engineering trickery involved in how he sounds on that cast album. And as for DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES......well, the less said, the better.

[quote]And as for DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES......well, the less said, the better.

Don't know who she is but she literally sings him off the stage.

And yet he persists.

[quote]r333 Don't know who she is but she literally sings him off the stage.

I believe that is Mandy Gonzalez. She was Matinee Norma for Nicole S. and was also in the original cast of IN THE HEIGHTS.

Couldn't resist and bought a ticket to St. Louis to see last night's LA CAGE at The Muny. Well worth the trip. Sumptous production with a full orchestra and Norm Lewis and Michael James Scott were terrific together. Lewis's voice remains rich and his "Song on the Sand" was a high. Scott's "I am" brought down the house, and he act/sang it brilliantly. Amazing costumes and choreography and the first act can can was insanely good. They nailed all the second act laughs. Was surprised how well the show held up, and enjoyed its old school feeling. Packed house and the audience ate it all up, and they turned the curtain call into a sing along to "Best of Times" and everyone sang and clapped.

Marcia Milgrom Dodge is the director (and I think choreographer) of that La Cage and is a lovely and smart woman and has been around forever. Works constantly in the regions but has never had much luck with a commercial NY career.

R336 I live 4 hours from St Louis and had never been to the Muny before I decided to finally try and saw Evita and La Cage this summer and was very impressed with both productions.

They do great work there!

Is Ryan Murphy still doing a television series out of A CHORUS LINE?

The Ed Sullivan Theater After Colbert: Last Days of a Late-Night Icon:

Carol was a muff tosser.

But I’m a muff diver.

[quote]The Ed Sullivan Theater After Colbert: Last Days of a Late-Night Icon:

Before Letterman I saw a taping of the sitcom "Kate & Allie". The whole orchestra was sets and cameras and the audience was in the balcony only.

So they're still raising money for Queen of Versailles?

Audra should do it.

Why, r345?

I’m going to Gypsy’s closing tomorrow, but have kept checking on Telecharge since buying a few weeks ago. I do not understand the rationale for selling tickets.

In the last day, many orchestra and front mezz seats are available that were not before. All of Row R has suddenly opened up for sale at $421 a pop. These were not available before, and given the distance from the stage, they are certainly not house seats. Other less than ideal blocks have also been, including the seats behind where Audra makes her entrance.

They basically are pushing people to wait until the last minute. In my view, the $300-500 tickets are why people wait it out.

I really disliked the Public’s Shakespeare in the Park selection this year, “Twelfth Night.”

The usual aggressively gimmicky, strenous posturing to seem ‘contemporary’ and culturally ‘relevant’ right down to having the cast come out at the curtain call in extravagantly vulgar, gender-bending costumes a la “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” Most of the celebrity casting is done strictly for stunt novelty value, but I did like the Nyong’o siblings and Peter Dinklage.

Why do Shakespeare at all if you don’t trust the language and feel the need to tart it up this way? Without the poetry, beautifully acted and recited, all you’re left with is the plot, which is as tedious as it is silly. At least it was a lovely night in the park.

An hour forty minutes without intermission though it felt endless.

The Public has become a joke.

I just caught the tour of Parade in Chicago. I had never seen the show before and wasn’t overly familiar with the score and I was transfixed. It was one of the best things I’ve ever seen!

I have not seen the Parade tour, but on Broadway, it was a perfect production. I loved it too R 350. And both leads were astonishing.

I would have loved to see the tour, but I couldn’t travel at the right times and my local stop is the Kennedy Center. Despite really disliking Platt, I thought it was very good and Leo works better when he is less likable. This production isn’t as beautifully or intelligently designed as the original, but audiences now are able to appreciate the show. Arden did a good job, but the show was always this good.

Arden's brilliant directorial work on Parade and Maybe Happy Ending give me some faith in Queen of Versailles (which otherwise seems like it oughta be a huge flop). We shall see..........

To be fair, with an Arden production, you may not see! Both Parade and Maybe Happy Ending have sets and staging that create poor sightlines. Still, he’s one of the best musical directors out there.

Sadly, that disrespect for the audience's sight lines is a rampant issue these days.

Gypsy closes today. Finally. Audra needs to take a loooooong break from Broadway. And don’t come back until you find appropriate vocal material where you can actually sing the score without faking into head voice and embarrassing screaming.

R356, does your Black friend agree with you?

Patti and Audra should come back in A Little Night Music.

Audra can croak out Send in the Clowns in any register

Patti would kill as Armfedlt

A whole publicity tour of them making up and their love of Sondheim

I've seen clips of that "YAAASSSSS QUEEN" curtain call of Twelfth Night in the park.

Hard Pass on spending 8+ hours waiting on line for tickets to that.

Sight lines aside, Maybe Happy Ending was one of the most brilliantly staged shows I’ve ever seen.

R336, what were the men in The Muny's production of "La Cage" like physically? I saw a production of the show in Pittsfield at Barrrington Stage a year or two ago and the La Cagelles were a-w-f-u-l. A collection of body-positivity, some non-binary, a Cagelle with facial hair. Oh so correct and woke, without any thought to the "illusion" aspect of being in drag.

[quote]Does your Black friend agree with you?

One thing we can ALL agree on, R357, is that you're a witless bore.

[R15]: I saw Kerstin Anderson in a Sunday matinee of “My Fair Lady,” and she was sensational. I’d read of Ambrose having vocal challenges; do I wanted to see an Eliza who could sing. And Kerstin delivered wonderfully.

I was particularly moved by the way she handled that awkward, tacked on ending. She was graceful, even loving, in her final farewell of Higgins, the man who transformed her, but needed to remain behind if she was to continue forward.

[quote]Gypsy closes today. Finally. Audra needs to take a loooooong break from Broadway.

Bernadette's career was pretty much over after Gypsy. I wonder if the same will happen to Audra?

[quote]R356 Audra needs to take a loooooong break from Broadway. And don’t come back until you find appropriate vocal material where you can actually sing the score without faking into head voice and embarrassing screaming.

Why don’t you stop mansplaining to her what she should do?

Are you a Broadway star?

I liked the ending, but Sher kind of cribbed it from a production of The Tempest at the Guthrie (which has a similar thrust stage). When Ariel was set free, and Prospero left the island, she got pissed off and stormed out through the house. Not only was Sher working at the Guthrie, but his now-wife played Ariel.

R364, that’s ridiculous. I’ve seen Bernadette four times on Broadway since Gypsy.

The Muny Cagelles were very physically fit. They were tapping, tumbling and can-canning all over the place. Gorgeous women and men and everything in between, I guess. Could see some major muscles on some.

Lol R365, gurl, you have no idea.

R55

What is that story?

Thanks for bringing that up, R369. I was wondering the same thing. Anyone?

^ P.S: Google [italic]wasn't[/italic] my friend.

There are folks on ATC who are gushing without shame about the historic significance of Audra's Rose and its power and expertise. My favorite is that a dog used in her Billie Holiday play (was there one?) hated Audra, but after she made a magical transformation into Billie, the dog was fooled into thinking she was another person and adored her.

[quote] Sight lines aside, Maybe Happy Ending was one of the most brilliantly staged shows I’ve ever seen.

I guess you’re too young to have seen any of our original productions.

What am I, R373, chopped liver?

You’re deviled ham-/much worse!

Hi, remember us?

Nanette & Sid

R371 - ChatGPT came up empty-handed, too. Perhaps it's just one of those apocryphal stories from gay men of a certain age.

Sondheim mentioned performers coming up with their own "I'm Still Here" lyrics in Finishing The Hat. The anecdote about Lainie and the cease and desist notice comes from a collection of Rex Reed columns/interviews published circa 1974. My next goal: find the actual lyrics.

Did Lauren Bacall ever sing "I'm Still Here"?

"I'm Still Here" is no "Hearts Not Diamonds."

[quote]R380 Did Lauren Bacall ever sing "I'm Still Here"?

Did Lauren Bacall ever really “sing” anything?

John Simon wrote “Her voice searches for notes like a searchlight searches the skies.”

It didn't matter, John, her electricity more than compensated.

No one could sell a song like Betty.

Let's about how Lainie Kazan deserved a bigger career on Broadway. Her star making tern in Funny Girl led to nothing.

Lainie would have been sexy AS FUCK in Gypsy. Hetero men would have been coming to the theater in droves to see her voluptuous body bump and grind.

[quote]r385 = No one could sell a song like Betty.

Wrong.

You know who should do a production of GYPSY?

Audra McDonald.

Lainie played Rose in summer stick after the Daly revival. The less said the better.

[quote]You know who should do a production of GYPSY? Audra McDonald.

Nah, her voice ain't right for the part. Lauren Bacall would have been much better

[quote]Let's about how Lainie Kazan deserved a bigger career on Broadway. Her star making tern in Funny Girl led to nothing.

Was this her star-making tern?

The public agrees with me R357 since both her performance and the box office FLOPPED.

A star tern?

Audra is MAME!

One good tern deserves another :-)

The Laine Kazan shit again? Really?

[quote]The Laine Kazan shit again? Really?

In someone's wig? Copycat.

Audra followed home. Oh my.

[italic]Which of you bitches did that??[/italic]

Was the news she was doing “Mame “ really SO upsetting that you needed to conflab??

Julie Andrews had the right idea. When she exited the stage door after V/V she smiled, waved and got right into her car. The stage door thing is now part of the whole going to the theatre experience for alot of people and it can be scary.

Lainie Kazan even admits in her act she had a lot of opportunities early in her career and didn't handle them all well. Her massive jugs in the film of Gypsy (as Louise) would've been something to see.

She seems to be mellowed out now, but at one time she may have been quite a pain. In 1993 she needed an assistant and a secretary!

The staff at Rainbow and Stars hated her so much they locked her in when she stayed in her dressing room too long, having demanded a different dressing room than the one most stars used.

At Tavern on the Green she was known for shaking a fist at the lighting technician mid-song.

The last time I saw her she was singing the same old charts, including The Trolley Song, which should have an age limit.

My Big Fat Greek Whatever was her great second chance.

Hard to believe she's 85. Is she in NYC or in LA mostly?

She scored a major comeback in the film MY FAVORITE YEAR and was nominated for an Oscar. She was hilarious. Then she played the same character over and over again in Beaches, The Nanny and My Favorite Year on stage. Again, hilarious and Tony nominated.

[quote]Then she played the same character over and over again

She's the brunette Renee Taylor.

I despise stage dooring culture. Just brings out the worst. I've seen horrible entitled fans snatch Playbills out of actors' hands when they realize they are not the "star." So rude.

I was always polite, r405.

[quote]Audra is MAME!

This again? Really?

Obviously R392 …and his Black friend, of course…

Lainie’s second chance was My Favorite Year

Oscar non? No —not even close.

Lainie was the ONLY funny thing in the movie version of The Cemetery Club.

[quote] I was always polite

I’m sure you were, but we’re not talking about stage dooring in the 70s. Then it was a secret known only to theater queens and insiders

Social media has 1) made a lot more people aware of the practice, and 2) attracted people who want to produce content, or want merch signed to sell

People will push their way out of the theater during the curtain calls, so they can be first in line

I’m glad you were respectful, but it was a different dynamic then

Any truth to the rumor it was Patti Lupone who followed her to 'her residence' ?

How do you know she didn’t just want to apologize??

Wouldn't Audra have a car to take to and and from?

Wasn’t Maggie Smith announced to star in a production of Auntie Mame in LA back in the 1970s? I think it was mentioned in After Dark magazine. Robert Fryer was going to produce it.

This is a very interesting interview with Tracy Letts. He’s refreshingly candid about the film of August: Osage County. He’s kind to the actors but doesn’t really see the point of it having been adapted to a film in the first place.

The point was $$$

It was early '80s that I remember reading about it in (I think) Dramalogue, r416. The production was to open the renovated Wiltern Theatre in LA. I read that one bit, the renovation was completed in 1985 and I never read/heard another thing about it. The Wiltern also didn't end up re-opening as a theatrical house.

[quote]The Wiltern also didn't end up re-opening as a theatrical house.

I prefer the phrase "legitimate theater."

Audra lives in upstate NY, unless she has a city pied a terre for performance nights

She drives to Albany after every performance

Capitol City!

It’s not Albany. She lives in Croton, about an hour north of NYC

Which no one calls upstate. She lives in Westchester.

If I was famous, I'd do what Steve Martin used to do. He wouldn't do autographs, he'd just hand them a card he'd had printed. I think it was something like "Hi! You've just encountered famous actor Steve Martin! Have a Great Day!"

Autographs are so idiotic. Especially when it's the loons with a dozen things to sign.

Uh....no.

[quote]Autographs are so idiotic.

You do you, r425.

Treasures!

[quote]Which no one calls upstate. She lives in Westchester.

For NYCers, anything above the Bronx is upstate

[quote]r423 It’s not Albany. She lives in Croton, about an hour north of NYC

Do you mind not doxing her?

R428 no—

Westchester is…drumroll: Westchester. The end.

New Rochelle!

Only Audra could successfully revive "Rochelle, Rochelle the Musical!"

Let's go UP to Westchester

At least it isn't Yonkers

Not fancy like Levittown...

R415 R420 It was said on one of the theater forums that Audra has had a 'residence' at one of the hotels in Times Square, a few blocks away from The Majestic. She asked for that herself, and canceled her car service, because she likes to 'walk to the theater' to get energized, and 'walk back to the hotel' to unwind from the performance. She has managed to do this since last fall without being recognized / bothered in the crowded area - which is what she wanted.

Only 45 minutes from Broadway.....!

R408 keeps trying. She flopped. Cry about it.

Patti stayed in a hotel when she was doing Gypsy. No one would dare stalk her.

R439 to be fair not only would anyone dare to stalk her, I don’t think anyone would be interested anyhow.

[quote]New Rochelle!

Anywhere near Bonny Meadow Road?

[quote]Westchester is…drumroll: Westchester. The end.

And New York is the center of New York!

[quote]—Audra M. as Rose Hovick

That would be *anybody* as Rose Hovick.

And it’s another brutal week for Billy’s Emcee. $498k. Only Call Me Izzy had a lower gross, and a credit card could cover the difference between them.

Izzy will be out out of her misery on Sunday.

^put OUT of her misery

Billy Porter ruined Cabaret.

What’s terrible is if he had just played the role without his antics and didn’t change the music, he would probably be quite effective in the role.

He needed a strong director who would challenge him.

How much lower can the Cabaret grosses sink before they pull the plug.

[quote]That would be *anybody* as Rose Hovick.

Well, of course, but AUDRA is the subject of this thread, n'est-ce pas?

[quote]to be fair not only would anyone dare to stalk her, I don’t think anyone would be interested anyhow.

Straight men love her curvaceous figure and huge breasts.

There's a reason Spike Lee had her pose topless in his movie.

R450 that was also the only time I projectile vomited in a movie theatre

R451 - Corky

[quote]Billy Porter ruined Cabaret.

Quite a feat for a production that sucked to begin with.

There has now been an official announcement of the upcoming production of what is now called CHEZ JOEY (formerly PAL JOEY) at Arena Stage in D.C., and although the title has been changed, this sounds like the same drastic revisal that was seen at Encores! in 2023, at least in terms of the creative team being almost exactly the same -- new book by Richard La Gravanese, co-directed by Savion Glover and Tony Goldwyn, choreography by Glover. The only difference is that Daniel "Koa" Beaty is no longer listed as co-author of the book, so it seems they got rid of Beaty.

The press release begins with "ARENA STAGE UNVEILS BOLD REIMAGINING OF RODGERS AND HART MUSICAL PAL JOEY," and doesn't even mention the Encores! production, which was not well received. Interesting....

^ Sounds "immersive".

Is city center nervous about Billy doing La Cage next year now?

He ruined The Life and it had the lowest grosses of any encores production.

He’s ruined Cabaret with the lowest grosses of any Cabaret

I can’t imagine La Cage doing much better!

R456 If they're not nervous these days, they should be. They need to call ALW and find out how they can 'Patti Lupone' him before it opens.

gorgeous

Billy Porter IS Madame Arcati in the upcoming Encores! production of High Spirits!

No wait, Billy Porter IS Elvira in Encores! dramatic re-imagining of High Spirits!

Ultimately, the headline should be, Billy Porter is without a job or a ticket to the upcoming (and future) B'way productions.

Please, please, please, send him/her/they/it to an out-of-town engagement of Moose Murders with Sarah Porkalob (Wednesday matinees, 75% off!)

Where does he get the motivation to go on stage every night, knowing this week he's selling less tickets than the week before ?

I think he has direct deposit, r460.

Does he at least do a good "I Don't Care Much"?

It feels like Billy is on the verge of Neely O'Hara-esque collapse.

Now that Oprah made a big splash at the final performance of GYPSY, maybe she can sashay over to CABARET and drum up some business for Porter. Or does she not like Porter as much as she likes Audra ?

That Pal Joey at Encores was god awful!

Broadway Box Office: ‘Gypsy’ Climbs to $1.6 Million In Final Week

[quote] doesn't even mention the Encores! production, which was not well received

The Encores revisal of Pal Joey was in fact one of the worst five Encores shows ever. That list includes Billy’s awful rewrite of The Life, Irma La Douce, 70 Girls 70 (with Olympia struggling to read the script in her hands) and St Louis Woman, with a joyless Tonya Pinkins and a book that was bad as rumored.

Am I forgetting any others?

Let's see what the losses for GYPSY will be when all the dust settles in about six weeks. I'm guessing one of the biggest flops in the past 25 years.

Billy in La Cage seems a total nightmare. Having him SCREAAAMMMM "I am What I am" is a new ring in hell...I read his autobiography and he was severely abused as a child so it's not surprising he's destroyed himself with barely masked self hatred, but he destroyed his voice in Kinky Boots and it's never really gotten back, and it's just painful. Plus he suffers from the "I'm an actor so I'm important" crap, so he thinks his ideas and opinions have merit. Just sad.

Jean Smart out of Izzy tonite. Johanna Day is on.

That's certain to disappoint the dozen or so people in the "Izzy" audience.

I wonder if Jean Smart will ever bother with Broadway again?

A joyless Tonya Pinkins in Encores' St. Louis Woman?? No, that was actually Vanessa Williams, who sounds mighty fine on the recording.

What are some of Encores' other worst productions?

We walked out of One Touch of Venus with Melissa Errico at intermission. Oh, and a woeful Kismet with a thoroughly miscast Brian Stokes Mitchell among other miscasting but a spectacular Marin Mazzie.

R473 you’re right. I apologize. Ms. Pinkins was joyless in House of Flowers, which had a lousy libretto.

Call Me Izzy would have been more successful performed by puppets.

R476 - Bill Baird

Is Billy a Sally or a Phyllis?

He’s a Hattie, and not a very good one.

[Quote] Let's see what the losses for GYPSY will be when all the dust settles in about six weeks. I'm guessing one of the biggest flops in the past 25 years.

Everything had major losses this year, including Sunset and Cabaret. I doubt Gypsy lost tons of more

GYPSY is the triumph of the season.

Audra broke through the Rose Hovick ceiling.

R480 Yes, but Gypsy is more glaring because of the controversy surrounding it.

That they couldn't find a way to generate that controversy into tickets sales is embarrassing. Closed a couple of weeks after the support and raves of her talent flooded social media.

Audra should write this one off.

And Patti's still laughing her ass off somewhere.

R128- Billy Elliott in 2008

Is there even a single Broadway show opening this fall that gets you excited?

Billy Porter would have been better served not doing any press, because on top of a shitty performance, he ruined any goodwill by doing the “ex-pat who fled Jim Crow” routine, complete with “we replaced the Jews” quotes.

I’m sure his friendship with Marisha is also ruined because his tom foolery fucked up her big Broadway moment

Devil Wears Prada is a big hit in the West End. I wonder if it will transfer to Broadway now that the filming of the movie sequel is getting so much attention. Or are investors hesitant and writing it off as another "big hit in London big flop on Broadway a la Cabaret and Sunset."

Reading a Facebook list going around of theatre training programs that have closed in the past five years, and holy shit:

UCLA acting - paused

Brown acting directing - paused

DePaul directing - paused

NIU acting - paused

ACT acting - closed

Pace (actor's studio) acting - paused

UC Davis - closed

Cal State LB acting - paused

Ohio Univ. playwriting - closed

Dell'arte International acting - closed

PAFA (all programs) - closing

ART Institute - closing

Rutgers (all programs) - closed

UGA acitng - paused

UNC Greensboro acting directing - closed

Catholic Univ. of America (all programs) - paused

Univ. Montana acting directing - paused

Northwestern Music theatre - paused

NYCDA - closed

[quote]I wonder if Jean Smart will ever bother with Broadway again?

After "Izzy," why bother? This play is what lured her back after she passed up other offers.

[quote]Billy in La Cage seems a total nightmare. Having him SCREAAAMMMM "I am What I am" is a new ring in hell...I read his autobiography and he was severely abused as a child so it's not surprising he's destroyed himself with barely masked self hatred, but he destroyed his voice in Kinky Boots and it's never really gotten back, and it's just painful.

Actually, he destroyed his voice years before KINKY BOOTS. There was a period when he could barely sing at all, and then he somehow managed to get much (but NOT all) of his voice back for KINKY, although of course that role was a lot easier vocally than some of the stuff he had sung previously. I'm honestly not sure of the current state of his voice, as I haven't heard him sing in a while.

[quote]...and St Louis Woman, with a joyless Tonya Pinkins and a book that was bad as rumored.

Wow. The first time Encores did St. Louis Woman with Vanessa Williams was great fun, as I recall.

Their Irma la Douce was indeed painful, and 70 Girls 70 was ruined by the casting of Olympia Dukakis who was delusional for accepting the role, especially because the best choice ever Anita Gillette was also in the cast.

The lazy and ill-suited Christine Ebersole ruined their Applause which should have gone with Charles Busch as Margo.

R490 was Charles considered? He really should do Mame at Encores.

[quote]And Patti's still laughing her ass off somewhere.

Why would she be laughing. Her Gypsy lost money too

Death Becomes Her can't be doing well. I was look for tickets in Sept. The Mezz hardly has anything sold for all the shows. Less than half the orchestra is sold

[quote]R487 Reading a Facebook list going around of theatre training programs that have closed in the past five years

Is that because there aren’t enough applicants?

Likely not enough funding

Re: training programs. What does paused mean?

[quote]Death Becomes Her can't be doing well. I was look for tickets in Sept. The Mezz hardly has anything sold for all the shows. Less than half the orchestra is sold

Does DBH do an especially good job of selling last-minute tickets? When I visited NY in June that was one show I bought tickets for the week-of performances. When I'd looked at the tickets for my performance 4 to 1 week prior there were a TON of unsold tickets. When I bought my ticket for my performance the day before, I bought one of only 9 or 10 tickets left in the theatre. I hope it lasts. It may not be high art, but I found it to be a very entertaining, old-fashioned (in the best way possible) musical comedy -- lavishly produced, too. It was a really fun counterbalance to the delicate, intimate Maybe Happy Ending that same week.

R487 - I had the same question as R496. Also, are these undergraduate and/or gradate programs we're talking about?

Which do you think is most shocking? Given its proximity to entertainment industry, UCLA not having an acting program does seem quite shocking. But, perhaps all the theatre kids with stars in their eyes go to USC?

Anyone seen Buena Vista Social Club? Any good?

I would question that list of drama programs as it lists "Rutgers (all programs)", which is not closed or even paused at all.

[quote]I wonder if Jean Smart will ever bother with Broadway again?

Jean Smart turns 74 in a couple of weeks. Her 'highly celebrated' return to B'way this summer after a 25 year absence has been a flop for the history books. If she waits another 25 years, she'll be 99. I don't see producers knocking down her dressing room door right now offering her a new project to return any time soon.

[quote]Why would she be laughing. Her Gypsy lost money too

For starters, she won a Tony for her performance. Despite all the hoopla of Audra winning for her performance, and the big 'set up' for Oprah to present it to her at the end of the show, she did not. Major embarassment. The show won three Tonys - one for each of its stars (the current revival didn't).

For enders, Lupone's revival lasted a lot longer than MacDonald's. Lupone's revival ended two months early due to 'uncertain financial times' (as did many shows in January, 2009 due to the recession) according to the producer. MacDonald's show closed two months early due to lack of interest from theater-goers.

Lupone deserves her laughter.

I often laugh thinking of LuPone on stage. Specifically, her clawing at the scenery in Gypsy, her crepey-skin take in The Ladies Who Lunch, and her smaller than costume Norma Desmond. I especially enjoy memories of her Mrs. Lovett, where the otherwise ridiculous direction allowed us to see the character’s final fiery moments in full detail.

What about her skills playing the tuba, R502?

Tracy Letts' Bug is coming to Broadway, with his nepo-wife starring.

Love Carrie Coon but how on earth is she going to film The Gilded Age and do a Broadway play at the same time especially when the series films outside of NYC.

R505, what do you think... Coon and representatives didn't figure this out already? Like... they just forgot about her prior commitments until you reminded them on Datalounge? I'm sure they've got it handled. She seems to thrive on tight schedules, too. She reportedly flew straight back from multiple months filming White Lotus in Thailand to immediately start filming The Gilded Age.

New trailer. Still looks terrible. I miss Cheets.

[quote][R487] Reading a Facebook list going around of theatre training programs that have closed in the past five years Is that because there aren’t enough applicants?

They're all retooling to specialize in OnlyFans and influencer training.

[Quote] Lupone's revival ended two months early due to 'uncertain financial times' (as did many shows in January, 2009 due to the recession) according to the producer. MacDonald's show closed two months early due to lack of interest from theater-goers

First of all, “winning Tony’s” depends on what else is playing. Heck, Merman didn’t win a Tony for the roles. According to your logic, she must have sucked. Audra would have won had she not already had 6. THAT was the only discussion around her Tony, not if she gave the best Bway performance of the season, which she did.

“Uncertain financial times” is double speak for “lack of interest from theatre goers.” What’s more is that “lack of interest” for Gypsy is a reflecting of lack of interest for more Bway shows this season. Every show, except the behemoths, is losing its shirt.

[Quote] Tracy Letts' Bug is coming to Broadway, with his nepo-wife starring.

I saw Bug off Bway. It was stupid.

DL fave Amanda Plummer quit the off Broadway premiere 24 hours before curtain in the early aughts.

I doubt Carrie Coon will follow suit!

[quote]First of all, “winning Tony’s” depends on what else is playing. Heck, Merman didn’t win a Tony for the roles

Because she lost to Mary Martin in The Sound of Music, another iconic Broadway role that was originated that season.

[quote]Every show, except the behemoths, is losing its shirt.

Yes, but every show didn't have the nationwide publicity and controversy that Gypsy was afforded. Aside from the Patti remarks, hundreds of Broadway professionals signed a letter demanding she apologized, social media made Audra and Gypsy a trending topic and she made the cover of Time as a Broadway legend.

In an era where any publicity is good publicity, the fact that none of that buzz could have extended Gypsy to at least a fall closing is baffling.

Call me a complete Philistine, but I thought Bug worked better as a film, mostly thanks to .

[quote]Because she lost to Mary Martin in The Sound of Music, another iconic Broadway role that was originated that season.

You can't buck a 45-year old novice nun!

Billy is out of Cabaret for both shows today. Maybe the box office will see an increase this week!

Tonight is sold out!

R512, so and so?

Audra lost to Nicole because Nicole was good but mainly because Audra has 6 Tonys already.

Every Bway show tries for as much publicity as possible. Most are losing money no matter the publicity.

The Lupone/Audra kerfuffle only made waves in NYC. No one else cares or even know who these people are. NYers have already seen her performance—it’s a continuous tourist audience that keeps shows running.

What’s more, tourists don’t support Black shows much. This Gypsy was remolded to be about the Black experience, which is an uphill battle for any such show.

The bottom line is, no matter how amazing Audra was (and she was a revelation in the role), Bway is at a low point because tourists aren’t going to Bway right now.

[Quote] Because she lost to Mary Martin in The Sound of Music, another iconic Broadway role that was originated that season.

That role is hardly an iconic Bway role. Julie Andrews made it iconic, not Mary Martin

[quote]The Lupone/Audra kerfuffle only made waves in NYC.

It was on the nationwide morning news shows as well as Entertainment shows. It was a big deal. You think they got Oprah to present Best Actress because of her amazing run of performances on Broadway?

[quote]no matter how amazing Audra was (and she was a revelation in the role),

A matter of opinion. If she were THAT good she would have won number 7. The theater wing obviously didn't think she was great.

[Quote] It was on the nationwide morning news shows as well as Entertainment shows. It was a big deal.

Doesn’t matter if it was on the morning news shows. No one cares about them outside of NYC

[Quote] If she were THAT good she would have won number 7.

In fact, on ALL the critic shows and articles, no one disputed her excellence and that it was the performance of the season. Everyone brought up that she already had 6 Tonys and how that handicapped her

Airily stating, "well, most everything bombed this season, except the behemoths" to excuse the failure of Gypsy simply isn't accurate at all. There were several hit shows:

Oh, Mary

John Proctor Is The Villain

Purpose

Maybe Happy Ending

Operation Mincemeat

Just In Time

Buena Vista Social Club

Death Becomes Her

Dorian Gray was a hit....so was Pirates. for that matter.

And, by "behemoths" I'm assuming you mean the shows with big stars: Othello, Good Night and Good Luck, Glengarry Glen Ross.

Jean out of Izzy this afternoon.

[quote]on ALL the critic shows and articles

Which mean absolutely nothing in today's society. You think Good Morning America is less important than some queen's diatribe on All that Chat?

R517. Audra lost to Nicole because Nicole was good but mainly because Audra has 6 Tonys already.

Yes, there are Tony voters who actually passed on rewarding Audra for her trailblazing performance because she has too many Tony's and, instead, voted for a robot with a killer voice who thought it was a good idea to post a photo of herself in a MAGA hat on social media.

Gypsy was a misfire and so was Audra's overwrought performance

Audra could win back DataLounge’s love by refusing to be in the running for any more Tony Awards.

Candice Bergen did this after she won her fifth Emmy, or something.

{quote]Why would she be laughing. Her Gypsy lost money too

Hey, her checks cleared.

[quote]Love Carrie Coon but how on earth is she going to film The Gilded Age and do a Broadway play at the same time especially when the series films outside of NYC.

They film right outside NYC in Bethpage Long Island, a 45 minute car ride door to door. Edie Falco would film all day in Jersey, on "The Sopranos" and get in a car and was on stage in "Side Man".

Darren Criss will be returning to MHE after a 9 week hiatus. That's one way to quell a potential boycott.

I saw Edie falco in Side Man - she was amazing (and boy I wish I had seen her and Tucci in Frankie & Johnny...). I bought the Side Man ticket at TKTS almost on a whim - I must have read about it, saw it posted and made a purchase. A really good show, excellent physical production too.

I still remember the Falco and Tucci (and his testicles) in Frankie & Johnny. I went to the Belasco more than a couple of times....

Tucci's Testicles is the name of my band.

They are a mouth full R531

Another Encores! misfire was NO STRINGS. Not a great show, but a stylish and melodic one. Director Ann Reinking miscast Maya Days (who?) in a role that needed a powerhouse. An off-off-Broadway version a few years back did an admirable job of reviving it.

No Strings '82

[quote] Closed a couple of weeks after the support and raves of her talent flooded social media.

Audra’s shrill scolding fans didn’t exactly boost ticket sales.

[quote]Also, are these undergraduate and/or gradate programs we're talking about?

These are mostly MFA graduate programs. Some are non-degree certificate programs (mostly acting schools).

"Paused" means they haven't permanently shut things down. Though ART Insitute was "paused" in 2018 because their student loan set up was so fucking sleazy.. On paper they were to "pause" for three years; as of today they're still closed.

I know people teaching at a few undergrad/graduate theatre programs who are in the midst of drastic budget cuts to keep the doors open.

Things are fucking bad for performing arts education, and not getting better anytime soon.

Patti's first public appearance since ... the interview?

[Quote] There were several hit shows

When the final numbers come out, they too will be found to be financial flops

R509 R517 R520 :

Audra honey, face the music and dance your ass on out of here. Your performance was horrifying, the show was a flop, and audiences stayed away in droves. It's over, it's done, farewell, so long - be grateful you still have The Gilded Age, season 4.

If Sunset Boulevard wasn't a financial success, what else could be?

I wonder if all the books are cooked so everyone can take a tax credit

[quote]Audra honey, face the music and dance your ass on out of here. Your performance was horrifying, the show was a flop, and audiences stayed away in droves. It's over, it's done, farewell, so long - be grateful you still have The Gilded Age, season 4.

SNORE

R538 Wow...you're fun!

Granted, musicals do have to run quite a long time to break even. That said, of the musicals I listed: Maybe Happy Ending, Operation Mincemeat, Just In Time, Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, I think all of them have announced tours. They're all currently doing well. I don't know all of the financials other than DBH and Maybe Happy Ending were definitely expensive to mount and run.....they're the kind of show that takes some time to recoup.

Mincemeat and Buena Vista both seem very likely to recoup. Just in Time is the odd one...was it expensive to mount and to run? And, will it survive without its star?

The plays listed have all recouped. They're making $$$ for backers.

And, I've said it before...who really cares if backers lose money, especially on shows that run a long time? The shows employ a lot of people and make a lot of audiences happy. Many people make a living from those shows. Who sits around and cries that some rich bitch lost money on a show they put money into, other than the rich bitch who lost the money?

R542 Yes, Audra darling - the Tony voters were snoring during your performance of Moms Mabley in GYPSY when they were expecting Mama Rose. Interesting choice you made there, but certainly not a successful one. Now, go thank Oprah for trying to buy you a Tony Award, and be on your way. The final curtain was a few days ago.

Speaking of Oprah at the Tonys, it seems like the actual moment of her announcing Nicole's win hasn't made it to YouTube. What a shame.

When something doesn't go Oprah's way as planned, it's erased from history.

R546. She can make you disappear.

Will this do, R545?

[quote]R535 Audra’s shrill scolding fans didn’t exactly boost ticket sales.

Oh… too “uppity” for you?

[italic]Really[/italic], R549?!

Ramin Karimloo is singing with Laura Osnes. Yikes. At least, he disabled the comments on the ig post.

Apparently I’m destined to have Darren Criss worm his way into my consciousness for the foreseeable future.

Can DL at least institute a Trigger Warning button?

r551 - I have ZERO evidence of this, but, for some reason, I would not be the least surprised if Ramin is MAHA type... whether that's anit-vaxx or seed oil obsessed... I just get this vibe he may be an RFK Jr. fan. Anyone else get that vibe?

R553 oh I agree. He is definitely quiet about it though because 2/3 of his fan base are lusting gays, but he definitely lets subtle hints on instagram of what his beliefs are.

I’m also not saying all Christians are Republican, but he makes sure his cross necklace is front and center in almost all photos

Nicole won because she was better than Audra and appropriate for her role. The weird Audrafans (is that really a thing) keep wanting to explain it away as “she already has six Tonys.” No, she lost because she gave an insanely over the top performance that had little to do with the material and was unable to sing the role. It’s that simple. And we all saw it on the Tonys. The best she can hope for at this point is everyone just forgets Gypsy ever happened for her.

This is all Gavin Creel’s fault!

R555, bizarre. If you didn’t like Audra, that’s your right. But to suggest that Nicole was more appropriate for the role than Audra (neither fits the role “as written”) or that Nicole didn’t herself give an “insanely over the top performance” is totally uninformed.

You didn’t actually see either show, right?

Oh gosh. They're both gone, girls. Time to hang this discussion up. The Audra fans aren't going to convince the Audra skeptics of her vocal suitability for the role and the Nicole fans aren't going to convince the Nicole skeptics that she's much of an actress as opposed to a singer with presence. They were both probably the most talked about performances of the season, so let's just give them both that and move on. Is Nicole more a Sally or Phyllis?

[quote] Nicole won because she was better than Audra and appropriate for her role.

r555, Factors other than an actors performance play a significant factor, and are often the determative factor, in who gets the awards. Performances out of context can't really compete for the title of "best" so considerations like "length of service" a consensus notion that someone deserves recognition for a previous performance that was overlooked etc.

Also, the nominating committee is comprised of industry professionals. The actual Tony voting body is a wide range of people, many of the "aunt Tillie" variety. So with Tony Awards, being nominated is arguably the key recognition. If you've ever overheard some of the conversations between the Tony voters, you would hear things that would sound shockingly uneducated "I liked her costumes so I voted for her performance" sort of bullshit. Not to say winning isn't what everyone wants but in the case of the Tony Awards, being nominated is the real honor.

It's just crazy to assume human beings can, with wildly variable and subjective opinions, produce a result that reflects "the best" when such a thing doesn't exist objectively

Christ, the Audra/Nicole thing is tiresome. Give it a rest girls.

Let's start talking about how Cheno is coming back to Broadway playing one of the most vapid, narcissistic, annoying characters in a long time. This will be like WAR PAINT. A mediocre show unneeded and unliked but will run 9 months due to its star.

I never miss an F. Murray Abraham musical.

No Strings '62

DL fave Sherie Rene Scott is the standby! I would rather see her than Kristin honestly

NO MORE GYPSY.

NO MORE SUNSET.

NO MORE!

R563. Sherie is too talented to be a standby.

Sunrise, Sunset

With the constant Audra/Gypsy fixation here it seems pretty obvious what the last post on the DL will actually be. Even if it’s fifty years from now.

Will the last person Timed Out please turn off the lights?

Well, this sounds promising.

June Squibb is 95 and will be 96 by the time Marjorie Prime opens.

Perfect casting

[quote] With the constant Audra/Gypsy fixation here it seems pretty obvious what the last post on the DL will actually be. Even if it’s fifty years from now.

I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. Audra Gypsy will be forgotten as quickly as Beanie Funny Girl was

But Follies is forever

Quite a cast for Marjorie Prime but I saw the play last year (or the year before?) at London's Menier Chocolate Factory with the phenomenal Anne Reid and the handsome young fellow who played the flight attendant in London's Company and it was a big nothingburger of a play IMHO. And I don't think the directorial "talents" of Anne Kauffman will change that.

r572 is correct. Beanie has finally faded. Porkalob will fade as well. Audra will have new projects to discuss.

Beanie was on Match Game last week. Hardly suitable employment for a Broadway star.

Beanie is doing Match Game with Martin Short.

It’s Lea whose career has faded. A poor man’s Streisand will only get you so far.

Well, she has never appeared in the LEGITIMATE theater…

R575 As opposed to unemployment?

^^ in re: to

[quote]r575 Beanie was on Match Game last week. Hardly suitable employment for a Broadway star.

A Tv gig pays much more and is more visible than theater.

Lea can’t seem to get either.

What’s Big Beanie gearing up for next?

Well I’m not a Lea fan but didn’t she recently have a baby and is headlining Chess this season?

Based on her Match Game appearance, Beanie is a bit of a dunderhead.

I’m excited to Marjorie Prime. I go to NY in November here is my show schedule

Friday evening: Marjorie Prime

Saturday Matinee: Chess

Saturday evening: Ragtime

Sunday Matinee: Queen of Versailles

Sunday evening: Christine Ebersole 54 Below

Monday: Chicago (I know…but few shows run on Monday nights)

Is there a role in CHESS for Beanie? Having her share a dressing room with Michelle could be fun.

R576 But, Annie Murphy is fun!

[quote]What’s Big Beanie gearing up for next?

Beanie is going to be in an episode (more than one?) of Only Murders in the Building at the end of September.

I'm actually in the same episode in a tiny role, but she wasn't shooting that day. I would have sent Datalounge's best!

Lea is headlining Chess this season. Not too shabby.

[quote]I would have sent Datalounge's best!

[quote]Lea is headlining Chess this season.

Which will tank. She isn't fit to wipe Elaine Paige's ass.

[quote]The actual Tony voting body is a wide range of people, many of the "aunt Tillie" variety.

Apparently, these Aunt Tillies weren't happy at all with Oprah's bribe to vote Audra as 'the winner'. They were each expecting a new car, but all they were offered was a free 2 year subscription to "O, The Oprah Magazine".

[quote]She isn't fit to wipe Elaine Paige's ass.

Which is saying something considering the Paige is a performer unfamiliar with subtlety or emotional depth.

It seems like only yesterday that Lea was a DL hero for saving Funny Girl.

Billy Porter screwed up the “she would look Jewish at” line and said “she would BE Jewish at and some on Reddit are acting like he did this on purpose when we all know he’s just lazy and isn’t running his lines.

I mean, come on… these people seem like fragile babies who are looking for something to be outraged about.

Wouldnt*

Oof, sorry I didn’t proof.

Just like Billy!

So there…

The horrors of that Miss Porter !

[quote]It seems like only yesterday that Lea was a DL hero for saving Funny Girl.

Only to people who wanted a carbon copy knockoff version of Streisand's performance.

Feldstein was different, which offends ancient Broadway purists.

She was fat the endddd

Brooke Shields, Actors’ Equity Rally in Times Square Ahead of Broadway Contract Negotiations: