I know it's a bit soon for another run of Gypsy in NY. But this NEEDS to be seen.
She is sensational and probably the best total package Mama Rose ever. I've never felt so utterly broken by a performance as I did in the very last scene with Rose and Gypsy. A beautifully nuanced interpretation of the character.
I listened to some of parts of an audio from the London production and I have a couple of random observations.
I love that they took the cue from the LuPone revival and cut the "Small World" Reprise, the scene flows effortlessly without it. LuPone and Laurents were very smart to remove it, it does nothing but slow down the pulsing and climactic moment of getting Louise on the stage.
One thing I find disappointing is that they cut the GORGEOUS underscoring in the scene where Rose gets Louise ready for the strip, right before her final exchange with Herbie. It's absolutely magical underscoring and I'm sorry to hear that it's been cut.
Staunton just said in an interview that she doesn't really have an interest in working in New York, so I'd be very surprised if this transferred.
I'm due for a trip to England for work later this year, and REALLY hope I am able to swing time in London to see this.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
I really like the reprise of Small World for Rose. We get to see another side to her and then the moment she hears Louise open the dressing room door, that Rose is instantly gone and she's back to "work". She won't let her daughter see how distraught she is at Herbie walking out on her. I think it's great and I don't like it as much when it's cut. And if they cut the underscore in that same dressing room scene-I don't like that either!
I saw this twice, and was shattered by Staunton's performance, which left me speechless and limp. I know one may have strong feelings about the cuts, but they worked BRILLIANTLY in this production. In fact, it was the most gripping version of the dressing room scene I have seen, and I have seen all the great ones from Lansbury on. Staunton was tiougher almost surreal, without that underscore. It was almost as if she went insane in that dressing room, feverishly making arragements. When she suddenly grabbed Louise and yelled, "DON'T BE LIKE JUNE!!!!!" the tears begat. Hers was an unforgettable performance.
Some people said that it might transfer to LA. God, I hope this is real and not just speculation. Hope this happens for real. Never seen Gypsy live. When was the last national/us tour???
Hi, I read recently that this was filmed for BBC. There were a few blogs about it that it was going to be filmed then finally that contracts were signed and that it was filmed. Haven't been able to find out anything since and believe me I've been trying.
Since she was first incarnated by Ethel Merman more than half a century ago, Momma Rose has become to the American musical what Hamlet and Lear are to the English drama. She’s the summit role in what is arguably the greatest example of its genre.
At least he said "arguably." Not one of this show's biggest fans, although I don't dislike it. It will always be frequently revived whenever an aging actress wants to add an automatic Tony nomination to her resume, with a good chance of winning in a weak year.
Having now seen this production, I have to say that while I agree that Staunton was fantastic (and very scary), I didn't love everything about this production. My biggest complaint was that the pacing was just too rushed, and Gypsy already moves like a house on fire. Did anyone else think that the show moved too fast for a full realization and appreciation of the emotional arcs?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
I saw in three times and I agree with you: the production is fine, but it's really Imelda's show. I'm not a fan of Arthur Laurents as a director, but for the last revival (excluding LuPone) he had a hell of a cast in his hands and the final result was really great.
LemeninaJinque said: "I think the chances of it going state side is smaller then me becoming a millionaire .
Yes, Staunton clearly said that she has no interest in working on Broadway, it's too soon for another revival (I mean, we can't have a revival every five years or so) and I don't think she's a name in US.
I saw this in June and I thought Imelda was absolutely brilliant, but the pacing of the production was off in a lot of places. I felt that jokes weren't given time to land as well as they could have, but the spot where I most felt it was the dressing room scene. The whole thing felt very rushed, to the detriment of both Staunton and Lara Pulver, who are otherwise doing fine work. In the LuPone revival, that scene had an incredible build because the actresses were given time to push and prod each other as much as possible.