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| Author | Topic: MY Gypsy Thoughts |
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Ronnie
Registered User
Registered:
4/29/2003 | posted: 4/29/2003 at 11:38:29 PM ET
Howdy! This is my first post on this website after reading all the wonderful messages on here for months. I attended the Monday, April 28th performance of Gypsy. I must say, I was very anxious to see this version of the show, especially after all the negative comments I've been reading about on other websites. I was nervous that I wasn’t going to get to see the show considering all the technical problems at the start. I was one of those unfortunate people who sat right under the bum speaker. But, after the show finally started, I calmed down, knowing that I was (hopefully) in for a treat.
I am a great fan of the show, having performed it in high school and viewing various productions throughout the years, not to mention hearing all the recordings and watching both movies. After seeing Tyne Daly perform in Gypsy back in the day, I didn't think there could be anyone who could top that powerhouse performance. (Yes, I’m one of those people who actually enjoyed Ms. Daly’s performance.) And, I must also be honest in saying that I was a tad concerned that Ms. Peters wouldn't be as powerful. Yes, we all know there is probably no greater female Broadway star than Ms. Peters, but I was scared I wouldn't like her in the Rose role. All I can say is WOW! I can’t believe I let myself feed into all the negative posts I’ve read. I think that most people writing those negative reviews didn't take into consideration that the show is in previews and still a work in progress. From what I saw the other night, this is a solid show, full of amazing talent that goes beyond description. Bernadette was simply fabulous. I thought she was in good voice considering that Rose is an extremely demanding role vocally. People mention her voice was scratchy. Well, you know what, I kinda liked that. Rose is a gruff woman, full of grit and determination. I would much rather hear her voice a little scratchy than hear some pristine voice that doesn’t match the character’s passion. The minimal sets didn’t bother me as much as I thought they would. The orchestra sounded amazing. Ms. Blanchard, as Louise, was damn good, although I didn’t feel that I saw a good transformation into the Gypsy character. It sorta just happened. I, too, felt she was a bit nervous throughout the entire performance. I always loved the part when Louise stands in front of the mirror and finally recognizes that she is pretty. I thought Ms. Blanchard rushed that a bit and it didn’t have that great of an effect on me. But, overall, I was pleasantly pleased in her portrayal, especially with her wonderful acting. Dainty June, I thought, was a bit weak. Yes, I liked her very much, but I was a tad disappointed with her singing. I thought that character of Herbie seemed to fall into the background during the entire show. In fact, out of all the versions of Gypsy I’ve seen, John Dossett’s performance was the least memorable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in NO position to criticize, but I just think he got lost. That is not to say that he was bad. And, everyone talks about the chemistry between Rose and Herbie in this version. Yes, it’s good, but not overly amazing. I did enjoy Mr. Dossett’s voice tremendously. It was very soothing and fit in very nicely with Ms. Peters’ and Ms. Blanchard’s. Hmm, what else can I say… All of the kids were simply wonderful. It just thrills me to see such wonderful talent at such a young age. Tessie, Mazeppa and Electra were great, bringing down the house. And, now onto my feelings about Bernadette… I thoroughly enjoyed her performance. She commanded the role from the start. When she walked down the aisle in the beginning, you knew that she had this whole show in the palm of her hand. The audience went nuts with her entrance. Her singing was fine, great actually. I was slightly disappointed with Rose’s Turn. Everyone said it was a number that would never be forgotten. Yes, it was good, but not overly stunning. Bernadette’s acting was fine, often bringing comedy into many of her lines and playing to the audience, as we know she can do well. Sometimes it seemed that she got a bit out of breathe by the end of delivering a long line. I was very impressed with her in Act II in the dressing room scene with Tessie Tura and Louise. Clearly Tessie knew how to play to the audience, producing a TON of laughs. Now, in this situation, one might have thought that the star of the show would have done something to bring the spotlight back to her… maybe delivering her lines a bit more powerfully or overacting. Bernadette did nothing of the such. She carried on and never broke character – never trying to upstage Tessie. That was so impressive. Then again, Bernadette is a true pro. So, to all of you out there who are skeptical about seeing this show or thinking Bernadette can't pull off this role… GO! Have a wonderful time. I know I did. Oh, and one final remark… my companion and I went around to the stage door after the show and were privileged enough to meet Bernadette and get her autograph. All I can say is she was simply gracious… and absolutely gorgeous – just as everyone always said. My only regret was that I didn’t have my camera.
| Bwaybaby
Registered User
Registered:
3/10/2001 | posted: 4/29/2003 at 11:46:27 PM ET
Hi Ronnie. Welcome to the board  Glad to hear you had such a great time at the show!
|  moljul
Registered User
Registered:
4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 4/30/2003 at 10:54:33 AM ET
Ronnie, Thank you for your comments. It was funny what you said about her voice being scratchy (I believe I was the one who originally posted it in relation to Monday's performance). My friend who was with me made the same comment you did. We were talking at intermission and I mentioned I thought her voice was a little scratchy but probably just because she was getting over her cold. My friend thought she was doing that on purpose as part of the character.
Bernadette's Rose's Turn was not quite a wow on Monday. She usually gets a standing ovation (a very earned standing ovation) and she didn't that night. There was lots of applause but no one (that I could see) stood up. Maybe the problems at the beginning knocked her off or maybe she just can't hit a home run every night. Who can? But if you ever go back to the show, you might get the WOW effect from the song.
|  Christine-NYC
Registered User
Registered:
3/23/2002
From:
New York City
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Marie (insert last name) lol There's a few
Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 4/30/2003 at 11:24:39 AM ET
Welcome to the board Ronnie.  I don't usually read the really long posts, but I read yours and it was a treat.
"She usually gets a standing ovation"
You mean at the end of the night, right? Because she's never gotten a standing ovation for the song itself when I've seen it. But if that's the case (her not getting a SO at the end of the show) then I am shocked! She got one when she was incredibely sick (although, that could also have been a thank you SO for performing under those conditions).
<3CMH<3
| moljul
Registered User
Registered:
4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 4/30/2003 at 11:27:34 AM ET
Oh Christine, you need to get yourself back to Gypsy. I have seen Bernadette get a standing ovation for Rose's Turn on several occasions. LOL Yes, always for the curtain call but most nights for Rose's Turn. Well I'm sure you will see her get it one night.
| Christine-NYC
Registered User
Registered:
3/23/2002
From:
New York City
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Marie (insert last name) lol There's a few
Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 4/30/2003 at 12:12:12 PM ET
OMG! I mean, lol I'm glad she's getting them for Rose's Turn, it's just that I always want to stand for Rose's Turn, and nobody else does 
LOL How many times have you seen it Moljul? This will be my 4th time this weekend (hopefully she'll get the SO for Rose's Turn while I'm there so I can finally stand). Otherwise I may just start the damn thing myself. LOL
<3CMH<3
| moljul
Registered User
Registered:
4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 4/30/2003 at 12:24:17 PM ET
Well I have seen it five times. I purchased tickets for my fifth time yesterday. My parents are coming for a visit at the end of May and I gave them a list of several shows I thought they might enjoy. Gypsy was on the list but I didn't draw attention to it. Well they decided on Gypsy!!! Needless to say I didn't need to be pushed to agree. So I bought three tickets for us last night. Now the question is, can I stay away for a whole month?
| Christine-NYC
Registered User
Registered:
3/23/2002
From:
New York City
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Marie (insert last name) lol There's a few
Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 4/30/2003 at 12:36:34 PM ET
LOL I doubt it! A whole month!? I can barely stay away for 2 weeks; but I only get paid every 2 weeks.
<3CMH<3
| moljul
Registered User
Registered:
4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 4/30/2003 at 12:44:03 PM ET
Well hopefully SRO will start soon because that is about all I can afford. The great thing is that I live 12 blocks away from the theater so I can easily go but soon I'm not going to be able to afford to pay for my apartment 12 blocks away if I don't stop going to Gypsy!
|  Linnie4Bernadette
Registered User
Registered:
12/8/2002 | posted: 4/30/2003 at 3:18:41 PM ET
WOW Mojul, you live 12 blocks from the Shubert??? Thats awesome!!!!! I'm jealous...lol, just kidding! I graduate from college in another year and would love to move to the city...that's my dream ("I had a dream"....lol, okay, i'm being silly). Anyways, thats great that you're so close to everything!
~Linnie
| moljul
Registered User
Registered:
4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 4/30/2003 at 3:45:27 PM ET
Great for my love of theater. Very bad for the bank account. Seriously, I love it, I can't deny it.
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