Quote:
Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
She hasn't been getting rave reviews at all - everyone has been clamoring that she's too weak for the role, and that she's nearly exhausted by the end. She's already missed several shows for being "sick".
They were PRAYING she'd win the Tony to give the show some legs [she didn't] because the show costs something like a 1/2 million a week in production costs, and already, 1/2 the tickets are being sold for 1/2 price at TKTS.
That being said, although I loathe Broadway I'm tempted to see this one to see how my friends and the critics can be so far apart on this one.
My Rec - Go see La Boheme.
not7y("sucks" is too good for Rent)S
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I read a Times review that was more than generous before buying tickets. I think after early preview showings, critics panned her, but after last month's opening, they reversed course. Hell, even the latest article about the lack of Tony success says the show will do fine.
"Despite the direction of Sam Mendes, a darling of the theater because of his production of "Cabaret"; despite the star power of Bernadette Peters in one of the greatest roles ever written for the musical theater; despite many reviews that proclaimed Ms. Peters's performance a psychologically nuanced revelation, Ms. Peters and the rest of this revival left Radio City Music Hall empty-handed after the Tony Awards Sunday night.
Although the show suffered from bad buzz before it opened, many critics agreed that the final result was a pleasant surprise. In part the show was hampered by Ms. Peters's absences because of illness; The New York Post suggested that she had shown up to perform selectively: for critics and Tony voters. The suspicions created some ill will along Broadway.
But many theater veterans predicted that the awards would not affect the show's sales. They also said that Ms. Peters's performance during the Tonys of the showstopper "Rose's Turn" — which brought the audience leaping to its feet — would sell tickets by itself. In addition Sunday night's award for best actress in a musical was a way to reward a newcomer, Marissa Jaret Winokur of "Hairspray." Ms. Peters has already won two Tonys.
"Gypsy" started with an advance of $7 million. For the week that ended June 8 it had a gross of $816,907; "Nine," by comparison, brought in $644,377."
(
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/10/ar...er/10TONY.html)
And I don't know how production costs could be as high as you say unless they're paying Bernadette a million dollars a month. The set is sparse and the rest of the cast is subpar.
Other reviews:
http://www.curtainup.com/gypsyny.html
http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater...01-gypsy_x.htm [Flawless 'Gypsy' sparkles under Mendes' hand]
TM
