Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
#1Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 1:12am
I am finally here in NY. My 21 hour flight ended up taking 48 hours and instead of flying Sydney to LA and LA to NY, due to engine trouble I also ended up visiting Las Vegas/Philadelphia/La Guardia/JFK.
In 48 hours I visited 4 states, 6 airports and two countries. I only got two hours sleep in all that time and all I kept thinking was 'My God I have to make it in time to see Patti'!
I should have arrived Thursday at 5.30pm but ended up getting here at 10.00am today.
However, as soon as I was on my way into the city and saw all of the NY icons again all of my troubles washed over me. That's the power of NY.
After a quick nap, I took the advice of several BW posters and dined at Hell's Kitchen. Thank you, that was a great tip. I am going again next week.
Now to GYPSY -
Spolier Alert
'Curtains up ,light the lights you've got nothing to hit but the heights' and hit the heights she did. Despite being a little bit jetlagged, (me not Patti) tonight was one of the most amazing nights at the theatre that I have ever experienced.
The LuPone buzz that was sweeping through the audience before the show was electrifying. Everyone seemed to be ready to sit back and watch the legend that has become Patti LuPone's Mama Rose, storm the floodlights.
The first thing that surprised me was that the orchestra was visible on stage for the overture, and the second pleasant surprise was the set. From photos and other posters' opinions the set looks disappointing, however it works very well on stage.
Whilst her acting was spot on,(I enjoyed how Lupone turned lines that weren't normally funny into laughs) for the first ten minutes or so Lupone seemed to holding back vocally. It wasn't until after 'Some People' that she seemed to show everyone the power that she has in her voice. Once she let loose there was no stopping her. Tonight, I witnessed a star performance and one I will remember for a very long time.
Benanti was good - not as wonderful as I was expecting, however I think she may have had a cold. She had a tissue that she kept in her pants and would blow her nose every now and then. She timed it appropriately, e.g during sad moments etc but I don't believe she would normally do this as often as she did and her eyes were red and glassy through most of the evening. Her Act 2 stripper scenes were much better, but let's face it, that's really only about 20 minutes of her show. Still I thought she did a good job.
Leigh Ann Larkin impressed me as Dainty June. The duet between her and Benanti was thoroughly entertaining and Larkin's harmony's were special.
Boyd Gaines made a strong yet gentle Herbie. Pearce Wegener was on tonight as Tulsa and did a good job.
The three strippers (I don't have their names on me at present - sorry) were fabulous and the actresses playing the roles are the oldest that I have ever seen play them and it works beautifully.
'Rose's Turn' was the showstopper I expected it to be and during the standing ovations that she received at the end of the song (that lasted a good minute or more) I enjoyed how she was working the crowd as though this too was part of Rose's dream.
The controversial changes in the script were noticeable but I still thought that the poignancy of the last scene was the same as before. The family dysfunctionality seems to be obvious in this production stronger than ever and I thought that this was great.
It took a while for me to decide to see this show as I have seen it on stage and film many times before, but I am so glad that I did.
I am a fan of modern musicals, however as I was sitting there watching one great song after another, I couldn't help but think that they don't make em like this anymore.
To wrap up - do not miss this production. It is an event!
5 stars *****
'Downtown Elaiggghhhy?'
Updated On: 5/17/08 at 01:12 AM
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#2re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 1:29amQuestion, and not sure if you'll know this, but who sings the high harmony belt in "If Momma Was Married" - I thought it was Larkin, but it might be Benati. Either way its powerful and beautiful.
#2re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 1:37amIt's Larkin. Louise always sings the lower part. It just wouldn't fit her character to sing the upper.
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#3re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 1:50amI figured, thanks. I love that part. But I was watching it on *youtube* and I honestly couldn't tell.
#4re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 1:59amI'm sorry that your flight was so hellish but I'm glad your trip was worth it!
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention...I'm the good cop, he's the bad cop.
#5re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 7:06amHow was Pearce's dancing?
#6re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 8:42amWelcome to New York City!
#7re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 10:11amWelcome!
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#8re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 10:20am
Brett- Got your pm ..sorry about the jetlag.. REST !!! and check your pm later. Looking forward to meet you this weekend! 
J*
Updated On: 5/17/08 at 10:20 AM
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#9re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 10:45am
Welcome... and thanks for the great review.
Also, for what its worth -- her name is Laura BENANTI... not Benati. 
#10re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 11:57am
Antiandrewx - Pearce's dancing was quite good, it wasn't amazing by any stretch but it was good.
Brody - I will update Benanti's name - thanks.
'Downtown Elaiggghhhy?'
#11re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/17/08 at 2:12pmHope you have a terrific time in the city! Thanks for your review!
"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."
#12re: Flight/Hells Kitchen and GYPSY 05/16 - bit long
Posted: 5/19/08 at 9:46am
Brett-
I was so glad that I had a chance to meet you~during your NYC trip at the CRY-BABY stage door with burnsy yesterday. I had a blast hanging out with you guys yesterday. It was so nice that we had a chance to meet Rob Ashford~of all people and chatted with him...unfortunately I cant post any of my 28 photos from CRY-BABY bec. the fan page photo section is down! 
but for now...my CRY-BABY stage door photos can be view at my facebook account (for those who have access to my account) I will post our photos as soon as they can fixed the Fan Page Photos~specially I post multiple photos~that's the only way I can do it now!
Have a safe trip back to Australia this Wednesday... Youre one of the nicest and sweetest guy I met here!
J*
(PS> I forward you my link to my facebook)
EDIT: I tried other ways to download photos,and I can only download one for now..
Updated On: 5/19/08 at 09:46 AM
