Patti LuPone / WireImage
A new production of the musical Gypsy with Patti LuPone is set to open this month on March 27th and no arrival on the rialto has received so much debate. From changes to the show, to the leading lady, to the props, to the poster, to wigs - this show has been scrutinized intensely and the voices on each side of the debate have been loud and strong. It seems that no one has a "mild" impression of the show. They are either loving it or hating it. So get your arguments arranged and your rebuttals in order - we are going to look into the Great Gypsy Debate.
It all begins with the show - Gypsy is a truly beloved musical and one that many feel is the greatest American musical of all time. Gypsy opened in 1959. Loosely based on the 1957 memoir of Gypsy Rose Lee about the striptease artist and her "stage mother" Rose the musical follows "the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life." With music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents - the show features such memorable tunes as "Everything's' Coming up Roses" and "Let Me Entertain You" the show also provides a POWERHOUSE role for a leading lady/diva! Mamma Rose has been played by such Broadway greats as: Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Rosalind Russell (in the movie version with Natalie Wood), Bette Midler (in a tv version) Tyne Daly, Linda Lavin, Betty Buckley, Bernadette Peters and now Patti LuPone. Wow - that is quite a line up of stars. Wow.
This new production had an initial run this past summer at the City Center's Summer Encore Series where it was directed by the author Arthur Laurents and starred Patti, Boyd Gaines as Herbie and Laura Benanti as Louise. That is when the debate and examination began and has now continued to this day (and will likely keep going right through opening night).
Much of the talk surrounds Ms. LuPone's performance. Many claim she is the greatest Mama Rose ever - that she nails the role from beginning to end. Others believe that the brilliant LuPone is a bad fit for the part - that she is not suited to the role and she can not compete with the greats that have come before her. Critics were split this summer after seeing the production at City Center - many wonder if their minds will be changed now that the show has moved to the Broadway.
There is also a lot of discussion about the timing of the show. Does the Broadway really need another production of Gypsy? The last revival starring Bernadette Peters and directed by Sam Mendes opened a mere 5 years ago in the spring of 2003. Some argue that the show is great, but wonder if it is too soon to see another staging of it. They worry that their will be no appetite for theater goers to purchase tickets. The advocates of the show believe that people will flock to the theater for a chance to see one of the Great White Way's biggest divas in the role of a lifetime.
Other controversies include; complaints about changes to the ending of the musical, the use of a stuffed prop, the boring poster (I have to agree with that one) and the styling of Patti's wig (most hated it at City Center, now they like it on B'way) seem to have many folks "up in arms". Oh and then there was the incident of the falling air vent during the first preview. Someone got knocked on the head in the mezzanine, but they were completely fine.
I for one think the whole brouhaha is GREAT for the show and for the Broadway. You know what they say "no press is bad press". The fact that so many people are so passionately arguing over the show only creates excitement for the production (IMHO), and that does translate to ticket sales - because the only way to find out if you agree with the naysayers or if you side with the enthusiasts...is to GO SEE THE SHOW FOR YOURSELF! That's right folks, you won't know if you like it if you don't go see it. I know I am excited to check it out for myself. Then I will be able to add my two cents to the GREAT GYPSY DEBATE!
If you've seen the show already - we welcome your comments below. Please weigh in! But we would like to remind you - do not go over the allotted time limit for your opening statement. Begin...
~ See You On The Aisle
Reader Comments
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This topic (and that unflattering picture of Patti LuPone) may prove to generate more fire than the flurry of comments after your discussion of Clay Aiken in Spamalot. (come to think of it, have you ever seen Clay Aiken and Patti LuPone in the same room at the same time? Something to think about). I for one, have GOT to know about the stuffed prop (!?) that has generated controversy.
Thank you for this Gypsy 101 story. I knew therew as a lot of controversy around this show but I wasn't exaclty sure why. You sum it up quite nicely. I do remember the 2003 production and it does seem too soon. I think the show will sell tickets to broadway insiders but it dosen't scream family or young and hot musical so I'm not sure it will have the life everyone is hoping for...
The "stuffed prop" has to be the lamb in "Little Lamb".
Oh, how Mama Rose would love all this press....
I saw it last summer--a trip to NYC for that show only and a return to Washington. Ms. LuPone was a sensation. (I saw the original with La Merman shortly after it opened in '58.) I also saw her in "Sunset Blvd." as well as Elaine Paige (twice) and Buckley (disappointing as I had heard she was the best). Ms. LuPone was Norma Desmond and, again, a sensation. She did not receive great reviews either last summer or the previous summer in (I think) Chicago while she was doing "Sweeny Todd" in NY. I hope to see her again and, of course, buy the CD. P.S. I would not want to choose between the original and Ms. LuPone. Finally, I also saw Lansbury in Washington.
My 2-cents ... aside from Merman I think it's a toss up between LuPone and Bette Midler who was also great. I also saw Angela Landsbury do the show and she brought an entire different aspect of the character of Rose to the show. I'm looking forward to seeing Patti in the show. On a side note: Liza Menelli, were she to have done the show, might have been the best yet.
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