I saw the show in September and last Thursday and there were many more pregnant pauses this time around. Whether it's part of the performance or forgetting her lines I don't know for sure, but it was far more evident.
When I saw it, it seemed like she was forgetting things as well, but she got all the lyrics and it worked well. I don't know why it came off as that, but it did seem like she couldn't remember things.
I am convinced that the pauses were so she could remember the next line...but it all worked because it was consistent the entire performance. Someone next to me thought everything was part of the performance until someone called form the wings.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I had seen the show with Bernie and Stritchay a few months back and they were both outstanding. I had read prior to going to the show about all of the issues Stritch was having on her first few nights then saw the show and thought people might have been taking her "Where was I"'s as her actually losing her place.
I then went back on Friday night (1/7) and she was visibly struggling throughout the show. Liaisons came almost to a halt multiple times, she struggled with the Wooden Ring speech and almost entirely lost the "Losing your teeth is a catastrophe" joke had it not been for Fredrika's prompts. It was uncomfortable to watch, to say the least.
The show also ended at 11:20PM clocking in at 3h18m with the pacing (in large part due to Stritch) very slowed down.
I love America. Just because I think gay dudes should be allowed to adopt kids and we should all have hybrid cars doesn't mean I don't love America.
[turns and winks directly into the camera]
- Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) on 30 Rock
I saw it last Tuesday, and concur that it was very difficult to watch. She clearly was struggling. She also seemed to be compensating by winking...an awful lot! She winked every line. Poor Frederika probably thought she was having a stroke. That little actress was wonderful.
"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."
I agree. When I went, Keaton Whittaker was on, and when Elaine couldn't think of something, she prompted her with, "remember when you were going to tell me that story about...." and Elaine actually recovered pretty promptly.
At the Saturday matinee, Elaine literally forgot every line, and the Fredrika had to get through the scene with "did you say that they stray? Has the night smiled twice before?"
I think it's fair to say that she started and ended the run roughly. She was pretty perfect from Sept-early Dec. At least the times that I saw her then. Updated On: 1/13/11 at 04:35 PM