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| Author | Topic: NY Post Story on Gypsy-OUCH! |
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Anonymous
Anonymous Poster
From Internet Network:
68.32.115.x | posted: 4/4/2003 at 7:28:09 AM ET
Can't post a link, but Riedel writes about Gypsy in today's New York Post (www.nypost/entertainment).
|  moljul
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4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 4/4/2003 at 9:21:34 AM ET
To know the New York Post and Michael Riedel is to know this is no more than gossip and nasty gossip at that. I wouldn't hold much stock in it. Probably most of the complaints he wrote were Laurents and Sondheim's he got from All That Chat. I know someone who went back on Wednesday night and said the show had already greatly improved, Bernadette had a new wig and some new costumes. This show will come together fine with or without Riedel's help.
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/56151.htm
| moljul
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4/2/2001
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New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
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| posted: 4/4/2003 at 10:06:17 AM ET
Gee, even the folks over at ATC think this article is gossip and incredibly unprofessional of Riedel.
| jeanmd
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Registered:
6/4/2001 | posted: 4/4/2003 at 10:14:40 AM ET
I'm seeing Gypsy tomorrow-I have no intention of posting a "review", but will mention costumes/hair if anyone would like.
greetings to one and all-Jean
| moljul
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4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 4/4/2003 at 10:33:02 AM ET
Jean, Would love to hear your thoughts even if it is a review. Reviews are fine with me if it is a review acknowledging a work in progress. JMHO.
| RobRamos
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Registered:
4/1/2003 | posted: 4/4/2003 at 10:44:46 AM ET
I read the Seidel article in the Post, and, as we all know, articles like this usually contain truth as well as fabrications. I have spoken to a number of people (people who are not necessarily devoted Bernadette fans, but very fair-minded, seasoned theatregoers who appreciate her many talents) who have seen previews, and the general consensus has been that the show is struggling in some ways, but will likely improve greatly during this extended preview period. The costumes and sets seem to be a bone of contention with many people--the general opinion being that this is a very UN-lavish production, and does not look as expensive as the budget indicates (not to mention the top ticket price of $100 for most of the theatre). Bernadette's costuming and wigs have been heavily discussed at intermission, and are apparently being adjusted and changed as we speak. This kind of thing is SO common in the theatre...it's certainly not unusual for someone like Arthur Laurents, in so many ways the "father" of GYPSY, to be dissatisfied perhaps with another director's approach to material he knows so well. Previews, as many of us who have attended them know, are tough. They often run less-than-smoothly, and what you see during previews is frequently VERY diiferent than what will be seen after opening night. I recall seeing a preview performance of VICTOR/VICTORIA starring Julie Andrews. Blake Edwards, the star's husband, and the director of the show, was pacing around the rear of the theatre like a man possessed (and he was walking with a cane!) during the first act, and during intermission he could be heard LOUDLY complaining about things, asking patrons what they thought of the show. I was stunned! When I saw the show several months later, there were several changes, and the show, although not the greatest of shows, ran much more smoothly, and Ms. Andrews' performance was quite marvelous, after being somewhat tentative and vocally unsteady at the preview. This show WILL get better. And despite Sam Mendes' extraordinary talent, ANY production of GYPSY, I would think, could benefit from the input of Arthur Laurents. This show is his baby, for God's sakes. I am THRILLED that I will see this show in July. By this time, it will have opened, the tension and stress of the preview period will be long over, and the show (which WILL run, no matter what critics have to say) will have a life of its own.
| Karen
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Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 4/4/2003 at 10:47:43 AM ET
Welcome back, Jean! I've really missed your posts. Eager to hear all your thoughts on the show.
|  Christine-NYC
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3/23/2002
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New York City
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
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Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 4/4/2003 at 11:33:16 AM ET
I thought it was a fairly well-written article (perhaps rather harsh and gossipy); I'm just glad they aren't allowed to review the show yet. This guy probably just wanted to be the first to write about the show in a publicized manner, and he figured gossip was the way to go.
I didn't like when he said, "It may be time for him to take up the switch and thrash one out of Peters" when referring to how Laurents use to practically beat a performance out of Tyne Daly before almost firing her!
Bernadette is exhausting herself to make this role right! She works damn hard, and if they don't realize how lucky they are to have her, then they're a bunch of fools!
<3CMH<3
|  Jenny_loves_
bernadette
Registered User
Registered:
6/6/2002
From:
London | posted: 4/4/2003 at 2:11:49 PM ET
i went to the dress circle musical theatre shop in London today (lol! every man in that place was the campest you've ever seen!) and the guy behind the counter said that he used to like Bernadette but he's gone off her since she doesn't "act her age". I said, pretending to joke, "Dad, hold me back!". they guy laughed but i resent that comment. Also he said that he has a friend who went to see Gypsy and loved it even though the set was....ahem...crap.
my dad bought me the album "bernadette" and the book "Sondheim: a life". great stuff!
they say bernadette's wonderful..........and she is
xx Jenny xx
| Bwaybaby
Registered User
Registered:
3/10/2001 | posted: 4/4/2003 at 2:16:32 PM ET
I've read the article and I have to say its the most rediculous article I have ever read!!! Firstly, I saw Arthur Laurents there on Monday and he did not seem the least bit unhappy. Secondly, I'm pretty positive both him and Stephen Sondheim would've seen the show before its first preview. And the remarks made about Bernadette's performance...even if she sucked in the role( which she doesn't!!) Stephen and Arthur are both her friends and would never say something like that...and especially not to someone who's going to go print it. And I can't imagine that Arthur Laurents would go "charging down the ailse" yelling at Robert Fox damning the show when there are all paying theatre-goers around!! Eveybodu who I've spoken too says the show is still a "work in pregress" they see that...why can't everyone else?? This is exactly what previews are for!!
| Christine-NYC
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3/23/2002
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Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
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Fav. BP Character: Marie (insert last name) lol There's a few
Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 4/4/2003 at 3:14:19 PM ET
Shouldn't he have to print a retraction for this article? He may not have quoted people directly, but he is hurting their images by gossip (and not in the Liz Smith/Cindy Adams sort of way).
I would think that the show could sue on account that his article may diminish ticket sales 
<3CMH<3
|  Kevin
Site Administrator
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11/19/2000
From:
South Jersey
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim, Etc.
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| posted: 4/4/2003 at 4:11:04 PM ET
It seems to me that both Laurents and Sondheim would have much more finesse than what the article alludes to. That's despite the first-hand accounts that there didn't seem to be any problems after the show.
I wish there was more backing to the reporting than simply saying "Sondheim is also said to be unhappy". That gives no indication as to why.. and that would be the pertinent information.
-Kevin
Webmaster of Bernadette-Peters.com
| Christine-NYC
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Registered:
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Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
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Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 4/4/2003 at 4:36:09 PM ET
The folks on ATC seem to be a little more open-minded today Perhaps it has finally sunk in that the show is in previews and still a few changes from being ready for opening night.
I was a little surprised. One person said that Bernadette put all of her energy into her first songs and therefore didn't have enough feeling (or whatever they said) for "Rose's Turn." I felt the complete opposite. I thought "Rose's Turn" was her best number of the night.
<3CMH<3
| moljul
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From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
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| posted: 4/4/2003 at 4:53:19 PM ET
I so agree, Christine. Everyone, Bernadette included, seemed a little overwelmed during the first act. Nothing surprising as they were doing their thing in front of an audience for the first time and they were surely finding their groove. But the second act really shined. Everyone probably got their nerves under control started to trust themselves a little more and the entire show shined. No it wasn't perfect. I thought Rose's Turn was very good for a first preview but she didn't milk it quite as much as needed or nearly as much as I'm sure she will learn to do in the coming weeks but there was certainly a great deal of potential there. To me first previews are just a chance to get it up there and perform it. Getting out of the vacuum of rehearsing for those involved in the producton and put it in front of true objective observers. Then you sit down and decide how to make it great.
| Anonymous
Anonymous Poster
From Internet Network:
24.136.8.x | posted: 4/5/2003 at 10:36:55 AM ET
The Post article does stretch the truth a bit. I was at the initial preview on Monday, and as noted by others, the show was clearly a work in progress, and Bernadette was not a believable Rose, except during Rose's Turn. However, at the end of the performance, I walked up the aisle right behind Arthur Laurents. While not joyful, he most certainly did not "charged up the aisle" as reported by Riedel. He did stand in the back of the theater, talking with others, and may have appeared concerned - but I saw no evidence of him being publicly enraged.
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