LuPone Likely for London?
LuPone Likely for London?The rumor mill has been churning fast and furiously suggesting that Patti LuPone might be London-bound next year to reprise her acclaimed turn as Mama Rose in Gypsy, which captivated critics and audiences alike this summer at Chicago's Ravinia. That same rumor mill also cited the possibility of a staging of the classic musical by the Ambassador Theatre Group.
Well, it looks like LuPone may indeed be teaming up with Ambassador Theatre Group for a London bow in 2007. However, the vehicle(s) might be in the form of roller skates provided by John Kander and Fred Ebb's tuner The Rink, according to a report on Broadway.com. LuPone would reunite with the ingenious director of Sweeney Todd, John Doyle, for the revival.
While The Rink only enjoyed 204 regular performances on Broadway back in 1984, it's known for teaming Liza Minnelli with Chita Rivera. The latter theatre legend earned a Tony for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Anna, the role that LuPone would take on. LuPone, of course, famously won the Olivier Award the following year (1985) for roles in two London shows: The Cradle Will Rock and Les Misérables.
Expect for this show to generate substantial buzz in the months to come.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:
Survey Says.... (October 23, 2006)
Going: Three for Three (September 5, 2006)
Gypsy (The SOB Review) – Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL (August 14, 2006)
Gypsy Roams into Ravinia Tonight with Patti LuPone (August 11, 2006)
Sweeney Todd's Close Shave: LuPone and Cerveris to Stay Put Through Thanksgiving (June 27, 2006)
O-Kaye Given to Temporary LuPone Replacement (May 18, 2006)
SOB's Best of 2005-06: #10 - Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Eugene O'Neill Theatre, New York, NY) (May 15, 2006)
Labels: Gypsy, London, Musical, Patti LuPone, Revival, The Rink
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Friday, November 03, 2006
5 Comments:
I remember The Rink as a great score with an "ok" book.... none the less, looks like a great vehicle for Patti... Can't wait to hear her sing "Chief cook and bottle washer"!!!
Martha, I've only seen a small production of The Rink before, but I'm with you, I think that Patti LuPone is wonderful in virtually everything.
Don't count Gypsy out just yet Steve... Leave it to Patti to find a way to do both productions! Remember, Ravinia Rose was basically played at the same time as her Broadway Lovett. An official press release will blare the trumpets when the contracts are signed, I'm sure. Two great roles for Patti to inhabit... I'm hoping they both happen!
I'm not so sure.
Could I see a concert version akin to what we saw at Ravinia? Perhaps, and maybe that's what you meant. The Ravinia gig required Patti LuPone to be away, ever so briefly, from Sweeney Todd.
I think we'd all be very happy if Patti LuPone reprised her Ravinia performance!
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