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| Author | Topic: My new review |
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 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: 4/4/2003 at 11:46:05 PM ET
Well I was walking through Times Square tonight on my way home and something pulled me toward the TKTS booth.  Yes, I got a ticket for yet another preview of Gypsy. Unfortunately my experience was mixed and more bad than good. I'm really hoping that everyone was tired because of the end of the week of the first previews but there was a severe lack of energy from everyone. From the downbeat of the orchestra, it dragged. The musicians just didn't seem to have very much pep tonight. When the actors came out on stage they actually seemed to be quite up and energetic - good sign. But that ended very quickly and they were back to slow and no energy. Bernadette picked it up quite a bit with Everything's Coming Up Roses but not much before then. Whatever the line is where she turns to Louise to tell her SHE is going to be the star there was a huge gasp in the audience. Like, "Oh God, you mad woman, leave your children alone". It was quite humorous and just what the number calls for. It was a cold and calculated move on Rose's part and it came across as such. The second act was much better and they seemed to get some energy again but it was in and out all night. Like, I said, hopefully they just need a day off (and Sunday can't come soon enough). Bernadette was not very powerful in Act I and just didn't project what she needed to project character wise until "coming up Roses". I heard some people talking during intermission and they were all saying the same thing, "She just doesn't have any spark on stage". A strange comment when discussing Bernadette Peters as she always seems to literally come alive on stage. Vocally she did wonderfully in Rose's Turn and maybe she was saving up for it all night. I've always felt Act II was the stronger act of the show but they need to do something to pick up Act I - it brings the whole evening down. Now one thing that has greatly improved is the way Bernadette looks. They have a new wig - thank goodness. It makes her look so much younger and is in fact very close to the color she naturally wears - well not "naturally" hee hee, but you know what I mean. The wig is perhaps more auburn than red but it looks good with her complexion and they have some decent make-up on her - she has great, RED lips. She is actually recognizable as Bernadette. The costumes are tighter and a little sexier but still keeping with the times but you get an indication that Mama Rose has a great body to use to her advantage. So there it is. Still a lot of work and just a rather off night for everyone hopefully due to exhaustion. I'm still confident they are on track and will have all these things solved by opening night.
Oh one other good thing - Tammy Blanchard is becoming much more comfortable with her character when she becomes Gypsy Rose Lee. She seemed very tentative at the first preview. She is really starting to sell the act more.
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Anonymous
Anonymous Poster
From Internet Network:
205.188.209.x | posted: 4/5/2003 at 12:40:45 AM ET
Well, that's kinda sad to think that that performance of Gypsy may be somebody's first and only experience of a live Peters performance and what forms their opinion of her as a performer.
Wonder how this preview period compares to that of Sunday in the Park where whole songs were missing, but where maybe there wasn't so much pressure on Peters to deliver. Here you're dealing with an acknowledged great musical so if the revival fails the blame will fall most likely on Peters or Mendes, who at least doesn't have to go out on stage and deliver every night.
Can't wait to see how things are by the final preview.
PTM
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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: 4/5/2003 at 12:48:10 AM ET
You are so right that a lot of people expected this show to be perfect at the first preview. It is such a difficult show to do that even if they know the text, the actors need some time to get comfortable with their characters in front of an audience. Then there is the whole idea that they are changing a lot of concepts that need to be worked out in front of an audience. I wish them a lot of luck and just hope (and assume) tonight was an off night for them.
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Anonymous
Anonymous Poster
From Internet Network:
205.188.209.x | posted: 4/5/2003 at 12:49:56 AM ET
BTW Moljul, what kind of seat did you get at the booth. If I make it in to town early enough the week I'm there, I might try to see the show that night too. Course if Reidel keeps up these nasty articles, I might have no trouble using that discount code at the box office.
PTM
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bliss
Registered User
Registered:
4/5/2003 | posted: 4/5/2003 at 1:00:46 AM ET
I have had it...we at "Gypsy" have been working for 10 hours straight, for the last 13 days...and yes, EVERYONE IS TIRED...but the strides that have been made on everyone's part is quite phenominal, and after a day of rest, it will only get greater...the woman, Bernadette, is great, and she has worked her ass off, with no complaints. I admire her completely, and I know she will be awesome...and for all of you who expect the same old same old...well, don't come.
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 Jenny_loves_
bernadette
Registered User
Registered:
6/6/2002
From:
London | posted: 4/5/2003 at 1:45:41 AM ET
i wish I COULD come. I live in London, you see Bliss, and I'm 15 so its not like I can come over there and see her but I'm sure my take on the show would be VERY different.
they say bernadette's wonderful..........and she is
xx Jenny xx
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 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: 4/5/2003 at 7:17:39 AM ET
"there was a huge gasp in the audience. Like, "Oh God, you mad woman, leave your children alone". "
LOL that must have been awesome!
<3CMH<3
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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: 4/5/2003 at 10:27:55 AM ET
Bliss, please don't take my post as an insult to you and the cast's work. We have just been posting what we see each night. I just felt last night was a low energy night and as was no surprise but it was part of the experience that I had so I was just being honest. I can see the great strides you have made and that everyone is working their asses off. I am not interested in seeing the same old thing and that is why I went back and will continue to go back. I would go to every preview if I could afford it - the preview process fascinates me. And my review was of a work in progress not a finished product. I hope you guys are able to get some rest soon because I know how exhausted you must be. You are all doing tremendous work, led by the formidable Miss Peters. You will all be awesome as you are very close to it now. Take care and just keep up the good work.
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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: 4/5/2003 at 10:32:17 AM ET
Sorry. I forgot to answer one question and responsd to Christine's comment. I had a seat in the last row of the orchestra off to the left. The rest of the orchestra was completely sold out. I didn't even get out of my seat during intermission so I'm not sure what the rest of the house looked like but there seemed to be a lot of people there so I'm sure they are playing to good houses.
As for the gasp, it was a great reaction and there was a similar one when they were looking for the star stripper and Rose says "My daughter can do it". The whole audience was just really reacting to how she sacraficed her children's happiness to make them stars. It was great.
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bliss
Registered User
Registered:
4/5/2003 | posted: 4/5/2003 at 5:32:54 PM ET
Sorry Moljul...we are just tired, and these posts get to me...I appreciate your opinion. sorry again.
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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: 4/5/2003 at 5:59:42 PM ET
No problem, Bliss. No apology necessary. Good Luck!   
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 MsPetersFan1
Registered User
Registered:
6/25/2002
From:
Long Island, New York & Boston, | posted: 4/5/2003 at 10:21:25 PM ET
Hey Bliss..I would just like to say that I have such a great respect for all of you involved with the show. Not only do you work so hard but you have the strength to overcome jerk critics like the NY Post. I know that the show will blow everyone away opening night and I wish people would just realize this. We love you! I wish you the BEST of luck and congrats on a great production!
~* Megan *~
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 Kevin
Site Administrator
Registered:
11/19/2000
From:
South Jersey
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim, Etc.
Fav. BP Song: No One Is Alone
| posted: 4/5/2003 at 10:44:26 PM ET
Bliss - I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you stopping by despite what must be overwhelming exhaustion. We're all pulling for the cast and crew of Gypsy here!
-Kevin
Webmaster of Bernadette-Peters.com
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Jenny_loves_
bernadette
Registered User
Registered:
6/6/2002
From:
London | posted: 4/6/2003 at 3:27:03 AM ET
yup! if anyone is routing for the show, we are! In fact, if you'd like to send our message of support to the cast and crew you are most welcome to! (i'm sure nobody has any objection to that?)
We love you all and are backing the show 100% as we are the Bernadette Peters lovers of the world and want her and her co-stars and crew to enjoy a sucessful run of a fantastic show!
they say bernadette's wonderful..........and she is
xx Jenny xx
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Bwaybaby
Registered User
Registered:
3/10/2001 | posted: 4/6/2003 at 3:39:25 AM ET
I saw the show again tonight and I'm not going to give "my review" per se...since I don't go to review shows. I got for enjoyment. The show, in my opinion, was 10 x's better tonight than it was on Monday. They changed quite a few things around and I thought the changes were definitely for the better! The entire cast was fabulous and right on the mark. Especially Bernadette!! I know she was completely exhausted and I could tell she was losing her voice a little( it wasn't really obvious I don't think to most of the audience though) but I could tell she was determined to finish the show with everything she had. I think many people underestimate her! She just makes things look so easy when in fact, they're not.Which is part of her magic. Doing a role like Rose where you're screaming and yelling half your lines and even singing that way--at full force-- is even harder!! And undoubtedly psychically exhausting....yet she makes it look like just anybody could get up there and do that.Its NOT an easy thing to do for 3 hours 8 times a week( not even including rehearsals!!)
Everything with the show just totally seems to be fitting into place now! I'm still very very impressed with Tammy!! The scene in Act 2 when Rose is speaking with Gypsy Rose Lee in her dressing room and Gypsy tells her that she needs her freedom and needs Rose to let go...WOW!! That scene was just so powerful tonight!! They did get a new wig for Bernadette and the clothes seem more form fitting and Bernadette seems to be playing off the sexier Rose a lot more now. I think GOTTA GET A GIMMICK gets funnier and funnier each time LOL David Burtka is absolutely fabulous as Tulsa!! I wish I could dance like that! I just wish they'd develop his character more...or atleast his love story with June and give him some more stage time.Seriously, tonight it felt like they have been doing this show for ages, not like they were in their first week of previews!! Lets hope everyone gets some well deserved rest today!
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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: 4/6/2003 at 3:43:16 AM ET
Someone on All That Chat posted a very positive review of the show and it seems they went some time today. So it sounds like Friday was just a down night. Glad they got their groove back. I can't wait to see it again. When or when will that be?
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