Unfortunately, Bernadette was in the wrong role at the wrong time. LuPone is performing the 'Mother Courage' performance of her career. Love her or hate her, the performance is breathtaking. It just HAS to be preserved.
she mentions her mothers saying "I wish you would stop going from job to job" haha. Its a fantastic. I got it last week and started reading it a few days ago. Its wonderful
God...Ethel, Bette, Bernadette, Patti. What a legendary group of women. The beautiful thing is that every time someone performs this role, the world says that it can never be duplicated. But somehow, a new incredible female performer comes along and knocks Mama Rose out of the park. I can't wait to see the next Broadway diva to rock this role!
@AtLastOnTheGround I respectfully disagree. I feel that her BIG acting fits perfect for such a BIG character. Mama Rose and Eva Peron required that energy. I was not a huge fan of her Lovett but that was because I was not a fan of that production. Her Norma and Fantine were subtle though. She can do either- she just understands that this character needs that big hammy personality. In my opinion at least.
She starting to pronounce the consonants. I saw her live in 'Matters of the Heart'. She is an amazing vocalist. She filled the theater with 'Being Alive'. She's not the best with connecting with the audience but man oh man, that voice. Genius.
I second this comment! Every time someone tries to tell me that Spring Awakening is "revolutionary" I tell them that that revolution ended over a hundred years ago.
@AtLastOnTheGround You're insane--Lupone is RIVETING in person. I saw Gypsy with Bernadette Peters and Tyne Daly live, and while they were both great they didnt have the kind of fire Lupone has. If you havent seen this live you haven't seen it--the videos just don't do justice to how she can fill an entire stage.
@lostONstage710 Of course it'll be done again. It's one of the greatest musicals ever written. Don't get me wrong, I love Patti and she was incredible as Rose (she's my 2nd favorite Rose), but I can guarantee there are other actresses out there who could deliver alternately powerhouse performances. I just don't know who though. It'll be interesting, though, since I'm sure Laurents won't be involved with the next production...
It was average. I saw a gal do Annie Oakley in Carmel CA years ago- her name was Paulette Dittinger- she played the part of Annie & she was the best alto-belter I have ever seen in my life, & I am 60 now. I wonder where she is, because that little gal was a tank- Patti is good, but this gal was great.
It will be Audra McDonald. We'll have another Gypsy revival within 5 years, and Audra will be just the right age for the role (and by her own admission in an interview, she'll be "ready" by then).
@thomas14630 I didn't see her live in the role, but I've seen enough and heard enough to know that I do not like what she did with the character. I like to see actors playing human beings, not playing cartoons.
UNTRUTH. They NEED to get FRESH REAL talent. They CAN make it- I LIVE HERE. They pay WAY too much for NAMES. There is PLENTY of talen out there. The theatres were paid for LONG ago, and have been here for DECADES.
I'm Sorry but ... does nobody remember Bernadette Peters as Mama Rose only like 3 years before Patti??? I saw her and she was brilliant!! Don't think Patti ... as much as I love her ... is the end all be all when it comes to Mama Rose
Nope- Patti is good, but NOTHING compared to Paulette Anne Dittinger. I found her videos, she is JUST better than Patti LuPone. Patti is better as an actress, b/c her doing Roses Turn, she runs out of breath a lot. Pretty good though for an old heffer ;)
She's a wooden actress, and I think she has outlived her usefulness as far as theater goes. Big, over-the-top performances in the theater (like hers in GYPSY) went out of style in the late 60s. There is nothing human and realistic about her performances at all -- They are always histrionic and full of false theatrics. She's a well-trained singer, but her acting is hideous.
