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 GraceAnne
Registered User
Registered:
5/20/2004
From:
New York, NY | posted: 3/6/2005 at 12:34:22 AM ET
Ten Years Late?
During our later visit in Washington, we discuss the notion that maybe she was born too late by about 40 years -- after all, Ethel Merman had shows written for her, year after year.
"Ten years," she breaks in. "Ten years. I'm right in a pocket there. A void."
The subject of her contemporary Bernadette Peters comes up. Peters's last new musical opened 12 years ago.
"Well, she works, though," LuPone says. "She's played my parts. She grabbed the mantle. The Ethel mantle."
In recent seasons Peters has starred in Broadway revivals of "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Gypsy," Merman's two biggest successes. Prince says that when he heard "Annie" was being planned, "I called the producers, and I said, 'I think Patti LuPone would be just marvelous -- you didn't ask me and I'm not directing it -- but I know the material.' I didn't know Bernadette had been cast."
For LuPone, all that was tough.
"People compared me to Ethel Merman," she says. "I have that voice. And when I did 'Anything Goes' " -- another Merman show -- "that was the big comparison. And then the two Ethel roles that have gone down the pike have gone to Bernadette."
Ever been jealous of other people?
"Jealous of their opportunities," she says. "Not of people. Of their opportunities. It's heartbreaking when you're sitting at home." Very quietly: "It's really -- a drag. But not jealous of anybody. Because I'm who I am. I'm not that person."
Her face brightens. "I can look at it and be bitter and sour or I can go, 'But I'm at the Kennedy Center playing Regina in Marc Blitzstein's 'Regina.' . . . How did that happen? However it happened, I'm sure it is the culmination of everything that I've done to this point. So no regrets. The right stuff is the stuff you get."
for the full text...
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=841109#846882
|  dulcinea4
Registered User
Registered:
5/13/2003
Fav. BP Song: MoveOn
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Bailey Lewis
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim, Etc Live At Carnegie Hall
| posted: 3/6/2005 at 1:05:19 AM ET
Very interesting article. I would have to imagine that there might be some competition between these 2 theatre greats (some may call divas) though I have to say I bet Bernadette would never allude that someone had essentially stolen roles she had wanted to play.
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 3/6/2005 at 9:56:35 AM ET
I'm very curious as to how LuPone will do in "Regina." I'm hoping that anyone who sees it will post a report (hint to Jean).
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 3/6/2005 at 12:15:05 PM ET
Roles that Patti has consistently brought up whenever asked which roles she would love to play: Annie Oakley,Rose,and Ruth Sherwood(Wonderful Town).
quote:
I have to say I bet Bernadette would never allude that someone had essentially stolen roles she had wanted to play.
You're right. And if she even thought this way (which she's said she doesn't),she wouldn't say so in an interview. And Patti probably believes "stolen" means "stolen" as in "X 'stole' the Tony from Y! Y was robbed!" No,not literally. X didn't undermine Y's effort to win the Tony,bribe the voters,etc. I believe her when she says that she's not jealous of other people (Bernadette,Donna Murphy). But jealous of other opportunities? Absolutely. I don't think I could handle being told that I'm just not good enough by Andrew Lloyd Webber in front of God and everyone (after being assured that "Dahling,you're maahvelous. Of course you're going to Braaaadwaaay. Don't believe those rumors that I'm going to drop you like a sack of potatoes because Frank Rich made me wet my pants. And if I do, don't take it personally- later on,you can commiserate with Faye Dunaway and my first two wives."). While a woman just one year older (or two) is having the career and working relationship/friendship with the premier composer of his generation. And is praised to the skies by that composer. Although I'm sure Sondheim thinks very highly of Patti (she wouldn't be cast in those concerts,probably,if he didn't),his favorite will probably always be Bernadette. And that's no secret to anyone.
Yeah,I might be jealous of other opportunities,and might say something that really doesn't apply to the situation. Patti's not a robot. Not that I'm excusing what she said,because that's not fair to Bernadette. At all.
We may gripe about Bernadette not winning the Tony for this or that,or about her material in films and television,but she's been lucky. Very lucky. As Star Jones would say,she's blessed. Patti has had a tougher road and not as consistent a career. Some of her own choice (having a child,whom she adores),some not (her reputation exaggerated,being stuck in a television show,etc).
But hey,let's keep it in perspective-there's probably many actresses who are jealous of Patti's career. And it's good that she's chosing to not be bitter about this.
Jenn
|  cuteoperaboi
Registered User
Registered:
1/3/2004
From:
Ohio | posted: 3/6/2005 at 4:46:32 PM ET
Well said...
I completely agree with what you just said. I personally love Patti Lupone--I remember watching her on LIFE GOES ON when it was on many years ago and I was a small child. I personally know a performer who has done a lot of work and is older and has auditioned for many of the roles Bernadette has done...Annie Oakley and Rose in particular, and she of course hasn't gotten very far at getting those roles-but she has done some very good work for Broadway. The thing to remember is that Bernadette, aside from her world class acting, singing, and ability to bring pathos to a character, is a HUGE draw for the company. Chances are if she's in a show-the show is going to last quite a while because ticket sales generally keep coming because people know and love Bernadette for her stage work-she's like a stage legend. Some may say the same for Patti, but IMHO she's not as huge of a draw as Bernadette, and I know that she usually demands a large sum of money when she's in a run(quite frankly who wouldn't when you're at her level).
I am dissapointed that she opening said these things though-because I think it's very unprofessional to mention those roles you have either lost or were not asked to do. I think Patti's career is her own, and the point is to be original. There's no one like Bernadette and there's no one like Patti simple as that. They both of different approaches to things and are both unique in their own way. Sure I would LOVE to see Patti do Mama Rose--but I don't think Gypsy would have been such a huge success and had the length of the run it did with her in the role.
Just my opinions...although I would never discuss openly about things of that nature-perhaps she needs some kind of closure to her "jealousy."
|  Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 3/6/2005 at 5:26:56 PM ET
Great discussion, all...nothing more to add, except that I really agree with you all.
(No, I'm not going to see Regina after all. But I'll post the Washington Post review if they do one.)
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 3/6/2005 at 6:11:23 PM ET
Patti LuPone is very talented, but when it comes right down to it, I just don't "like" her; that curled-lip sneer does not warm my heart. Her inability to convincingly project any warmth or likability has probably hampered her career.
She's very outspoken, and when she says some of the outrageous things that she does, I'll often laugh and get a kick out of it, but, on the other hand, I also find her scary and discomfitting. To me it's not surprising that her career has never flourished to the extent that her vocal abilities might have warrented.
|  GYPSY1527
Registered User
Registered:
2/20/2004
From:
New Jersey
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Dot
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim Ect.
| posted: 3/6/2005 at 6:31:13 PM ET
I'm a newly converted Patti fan after watching the Sweeney Todd Concert and I'm disheartened by this article posted. Can anyone give greater detail into her personality? Karen, could you explain her lack of warmth and personality. I don't have alot of knowledge about her as a person. Thanks!
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 3/6/2005 at 6:53:26 PM ET
I don't know much of anything about Patti LuPone personally--I was just describing my instinctive, gut reaction to her public persona. I know she has many fans, and I'm sure others feel differently than I do. I was just speculating on possible factors in why her Broadway career has stalled rather than soared.
| dulcinea4
Registered User
Registered:
5/13/2003
Fav. BP Song: MoveOn
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Bailey Lewis
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim, Etc Live At Carnegie Hall
| posted: 3/6/2005 at 10:41:34 PM ET
Case in point as to her persona...was checking info about Patti Lupone and came upon her website. She is currently auctioning off her memorabilia on ebay and the proceeds I am to assume are going to her.(correct me someone if I am wrong) Now, one could say that this is her stuff she should benefit financially from her things. On the other hand one could say she could use these funds (or a portion of them)to help a charitable organization like someone else we here on the message boards know quite well. (again if I have assumed the incorrect destination of the proceeds please someone let me know)
| Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 3/7/2005 at 7:34:29 AM ET
I am neither a Patti super-fan, nor do I dislike her--it's all about the work for me. Also, since I do not know her personally, I will not--cannot--comment on her personal attributes or her working relationships. (And frankly, what she does with her money is really her own business, don't you think!) That said, she gave one of the most spectacular and memorable performances I've seen on stage--here is an excerpt from Frank Rich, in his review for the New York Times of "Anything Goes", who obviously felt the same way:
"FORGET about the Colosseum, the Louvre museum, a melody from a symphony by Strauss - Patti LuPone is the top. As Reno Sweeney, the sassy nightclub singer in the Lincoln Center revival of ''Anything Goes,'' Ms. LuPone has her first sensational New York role since ''Evita'' in 1979, and, given that Cole Porter is the evening's buoyant guiding spirit, you don't have to fear that she'll succumb to death scenes in the second act.
With her burst of Lucille Ball red hair, a trumpet's blare in her voice and lips so insinuatingly protruded they could make the Pledge of Allegiance sound lewd, Ms. LuPone's Reno is a mature, uninhibited jazz dame: loose, trashy, funny, sexy. Ethel Merman she's not - the difference in belting power is mainly apparent in ''Blow, Gabriel, Blow'' -but who is? Ms. LuPone has her own brash American style and, most of all, a blazing spontaneity: With this Reno, everything goes. At the end of Act I, which should by all rights conclude with the full-throttle dance number accompanying the title song, she has the audacity to upstage the entire company and bring down the act with a broad wink into the Vivian Beaumont's auditorium. By then, most of the crowd is ready to take Ms. LuPone home, and not necessarily to mother."
(Oct. 1987)
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 3/7/2005 at 8:27:13 AM ET
I don't think we need to get into comparisons like that. Patti may very well be saving the money for something,or donate it quietly without any fuss. Some people like to do it that way. That's really not fair to imply that Patti is uncharitable. Let's not even go there,please? And if she's keeping the money for herself,I don't see why that's a problem. Let's not get into this kind of comparison with Bernadette,shall we?
As for not working-some of it may be due to her reputation,but she's also had several surgeries in the past,including one to remove nodes from her vocal cords.
Jenn
| Jean
Registered User
Registered:
6/7/2003 | posted: 3/7/2005 at 8:30:55 AM ET
Jenn: thanks for coming right out with it!
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 3/7/2005 at 10:53:56 AM ET
Still though, to be fair, you have to admit that there's been a lot of talk about her ebay sales. Lupone has such a flamboyant personality and such an uncensored manner of speaking that it almost seems to invite jokes and comments.
I do agree, though, that everyone's work should speak for itself and she's done some very great work indeed.
| cuteoperaboi
Registered User
Registered:
1/3/2004
From:
Ohio | posted: 3/7/2005 at 5:55:58 PM ET
Okay I just read the ENTIRE article posted........it has changed by views a bit...
IMHO perhaps she's selling stuff on e-bay because she needs the money--lets face it the business is tough, and what's wrong with someone selling their own hard earned memorabilia?
Since we've had this discussion I've actually really kind of gone on a Patti craze. One of my friends has a pirated video of her doing Master Class--I borrowed it and was blown away by her performance...on the contrary to some of the things that have been said here Patti does have the ability, for me, to make me sympathize with her and feel her pain. I think she's a terrific actress and no one can say that her performance in ANYTHING GOES was nothing short of legendary. If she speaks her mind I give her some props for that because I would much rather someone be honest--she could be a tad bit more tactful though. Although I love what she says about Andrew Lloyed Weber(BLECK)...and how she talks about her reputation as a diva--I especially thought the way she discussed it was right on the money--especially the J.LO comment (LOVED it!!!) Unfortunately a lot of people in this business can get tagged for having a difficult personality because they are requesting or making demands that any normal human being would ask for. As a performer I sometimes enjoy working with people who have a bit of an edge to their personality...it keeps everyone in check. In this business you need to be able to speak your mind and demand things sometimes-otherwise EVERYONE will literally walk right over you--I mean CHARGE all over you.
Ok end of rambling.
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 3/7/2005 at 8:11:17 PM ET
quote:
Still though, to be fair, you have to admit that there's been a lot of talk about her ebay sales. Lupone has such a flamboyant personality and such an uncensored manner of speaking that it almost seems to invite jokes and comments.
Oh,sure. She does have an "open mouth,insert foot" tendency. There's no denying that. I just wanted to defend her on this note. Nothing personal!
Jenn
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