Post Mortem: Patti LuPone in Gypsy

I talked Elizabeth into buying a balcony ticket for the final performance of Gypsy. I had a passing vision of myself there in the St. James. I don't like to go against my visions. As the day drew closer I regretted it the entire day leading up to the event. How was I supposed to sit through three more hours of a show I'd already seen 3 1/4 times before?!

Seeing Patti LuPone take the stage, I knew how I could spend another three hours watching Gypsy. The same way I could dedicate two hours listening to Evita over and over again. I will never have a relationship so dedicated as the one I have with Patti LuPone.

The overture to Gypsy is another reason I can sit through it repeatedly. After it ended I jokingly whispered to Elizabeth, "And may I never hear that overture again!" I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. The old man next to me whispered, "I saw this show fifty years ago! You'll hear this music again!" I proceeded to squeal like a little school girl! More on him in a moment. . .

Patti LuPone is a perfect performer because she is so human. When you see her LIVE you know you're getting just that! I have seen Gypsy with Patti three times in less than a year. I can definitely tell you every time I've seen it has always been different. That's what I enjoy, I like that she keeps it's fresh and alert every time it's viewed. Yet, she still manages to keep the same powerful performance and gusto in every show.

She started Rose's Turn off in a whisper! A whisper!!! It was nuts, she knows she was doing something different and all you can do is sit back and let Patti drive! And we loved her for it, the song ended and we rose as one. Shouting and cheering. We didn't stop and at times I wanted to stop. I sat back down, but felt myself constantly shouting to her. Then she would bow more and we cheered more! As if the Ghost of the Great White Way was in my chair, I would jump up and continue cheering. Elizabeth told me to stop being stupid. *Note to self: Next Raul Esparza show. . .*

I know Elizabeth cannot understand the fascination I have with this lady. I made her a pillow for Christ's Sake! I sat down and with my limited knowledge of sewing and love for this woman. I made her a pillow!
[EDIT: I actually made her two pillows since I lost the first one on the D train. That's two pillows!]

So I screamed out to her, the surge of my cheers leaving my body left me feeling alleviated of sorrow! At one point I raised up my arms and she responded by doing the same and for a third time I felt myself lift from my chair. Screaming in Rapture!

During intermission I spoke with the old man next to me. He was a slice of history that I adore! He saw all the Broadway productions of Gypsy and West Side Story. He has a thing for Sondheim, but don't we all?

I am thoroughly glad that this is going to be my memory. That Patti LuPone will be interwoven with memories of my life. She's a woman I take the time to make pillows and wait at stage doors for. I have history with Patti and her development in my life, but those are memories and nothing more. There is a woman who can make me smile and enjoy myself in the darkest of times. As you said yourself, "Fare-thee-well Ms. LuPone."

In Memorial

Patti LuPone deserves the Tony. End of story. A friend sent me Rose's Turn sung by La LuPone and I'm determined that Kelli O'Hara can't wash enough men out of her hair to win this award over the Goddess that is LuPone! Sure it's a little insane, but she took Madame Rose to her final breakdown. Whatever, if you hate her. That's your prerogative

Yes Ms. Merman, it's not just singing on the down beat that makes Rose's Turn work.

In real news. I have been reading Paula Vogel. And Baby Makes Seven is a production my theater company will do.

Oh, yes I've forgotten to mention that some friends and I will be creating an all gay theater company! Our tentative title is: The Sausage Factory. We will be gay men creating theater. Women will be allowed, but their title will be as HAGS.

Meaning they can participate, but have no artistic say in the process. We're not doing this as a statement, we're doing is cause we're gay! Okay, so the official statement is in the works, but we're hoping that will be included.

Wow, this entry has gone to a different place than I intended, see what Patti does to me. I've started reading Sarah Kane. This shall be a summer of plays I am sure. Along those lines, William Inge is brilliant. A true friend of Tennessee Williams at best! Come Back Little Sheba was sadly missed near the end of February. If you know the circumstances you'll understand why. Yet, when I read the play I missed it much more, because it was brilliance at best. I need to buy the movie, I need Shirley Booth in my life.

In short, I cherish my friends. Feeling loved is nice. Feeling enjoyed is better. Feeling needed is terrific. There is a moment upon leaving them that the loneliness returns quickly. I take a few deep breathes and go back to it all.

I tried for happiness, but I did return to depression.

Internship starts tomorrow. Oh life did shift, how?

The Night I Met Patti LuPone

Where do I go from here? Really. I've achieved a goal that I've always wanted. Do I have to stop discussing Patti LuPone? Obviously not, I suppose I should just tell the story.

To be honest of the three versions of Gypsy starring Patti I have seen (yes, I have seen three...it's a lonely life I live). This was my least favorite. At City Center you could forgive small things like poor sets and costume choices. They only had so much time. Yet, with a Broadway production, spend the extra money and just make a new set. The show was going for the idea that Vaudeville is dead. I understand that, but the hand painted backgrounds were not so amusing this time.

My friend hated the costumes, but I didn't mind so much. They used a lot of patterns on Patti and then for Rose's Turn, it was just a simple dress. It was sort of odd. I know, it's so as to not distract from her moment. Dainty June was amazing. I loved the spin she took on it, making June just plain angry at her life. She was unhappy every moment and it worked. Louise was great too, as was Herbie. Yet, I feel none of these roles changes much from City Center. Patti changed a little.

The energy of the show felt much lower than City Center. This is obvious since they went from just playing weekends, to eight shows a week. Obviously they're not going to give it their all on a Tuesday night during the second preview. Since I saw it closing night, I was a little let down. Patti cut down on the hamming. I'm sorry, but I love the hamming. Keep the hamming Patti. I know why you're not. You want that Tony Nomination (it would be wild if she won! Her chances are good. I will tell you more though when I see A Catered Affair and South Pacific).

I also met Allison Fraiser last night too. I should give it up for the original Trina who has guided me in my life for years. She was terrific as Tessie Tura. Actually the entire Gotta Get A Gimmick number is amazing! Marilyn Caskey, who plays Electra, for only have like 5 minutes in the show. Stands out amazingly! She reinvents an otherwise lifeless character and totally bitch slaps Jerome Robbin's Choreography. Which I laugh at, very much so.

Lastly, they are trying a different ending to the show. It just doesn't work. Yet, I am thrilled that I got to finally see a different take on Gypsy. Even if it fell a little flat. Yet again when it's been the same for years, new things always seem odd. Patti's Rose's Turn was a little nutty, but I still loved it. She played it as Rose was having a complete breakdown and it was interesting. I like the idea of Rose losing her mind, because Rose says herself, she never had the talent. Why suddenly would she have this great talent. She's battling off her demons while trying to believe that she is talented.

Now meeting Patti. It took a long while and I had my pillow all ready. I had Camino Real all set on camera mode. It was 11 pm when the show ended. Patti didn't come out until 12:30. While we waited, my friend and I spent time making lewd comments. Yes, we are that kind of people. Comments about how Patti sleeps upside down in the theater hanging off the Rose Sign. I love Patti, true, but anyone who keeps me waiting for that long gets made fun of.

Yes, I know that's enough to make me hate anyone. It was how she appeared that was grand. Around 12:29 everyone goes silent (the had always turned off the marquee lights) and we hear voices coming down the hall singing, Give My Regards to Broadway and out emerges Patti and several of her friends.

Patti announces that she's been drinking. Be it a joke or serious was everything I pictured! She started signing autographs and treating everyone equally, making small talk. She then lead us in another chorus of Give My Regards and when she found some people who had a birthday she lead us in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.

My moment to connect with Patti was ruined when the woman before me took Patti and whispered some deep dark secret into her ear. She was shaking! I believe she was telling Patti she had Cervical Cancer and hearing Rose's Turn put her Cancer into remission. So when Patti came to me I was going to tell her a dark secret to keep the theme, but I figured my pillow was enough.

She admired the pillow and I had a starstruck moment where I don't remember much, except she asked what should she write. My mind went blank and all I could say was, "Don't Cry For Me Craig." Oh Jesus. We live and learn don't we? Well it's a clever little message because during these trying times, I haven't been crying much. So it was just restating my life. She then gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Thus a dream has been completed and I now own a pillow. I made. That Patti LuPone has signed. Yes, I am officially one of those PEOPLE.

Time for a game:



Watch the following Youtube video this kid took last night and see if you can: A. Spot me holding my pillow (watch carefully) and B. Spot how drunk Patti may or may not be...Good luck!

Here she is boys!

Here she is on youtube finally! I've been searching for a bit and waiting for someone to post it.

Before I show the two best videos I want to say, buy this album...It's a wonderful, wonderful Opera! It's one of the prettiest I've heard in English. Plus it's only like 8 bucks (or less you basically pay what you want) and a big percentage goes to the artist.

Now onto Gypsy 2007: