Patti LuPone - "I Read"

From "Passion" Live At Lincoln Center.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• patti lupone
• michael ceveris
• passion

[AtLastOnTheGround]

This sort of performance would have been wonderful in an Italian opera a century ago.

But the acting just looks mechanical, preconceived, and insincere. Patti's a wonderfully trained singer, but she lacks the truthfulness that Donna brings to the character.

[squeegeebeckenhiem]

Agreed.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

Wow... I thought someone with so many vids of Patti would disagree with me! It's great that you see that. Patti is a performer, but when it comes to real and spontaneous acting, she falls short.

[squeegeebeckenhiem]

Yeah, two years ago, I would have been annoyed with that comment. Now that I have seen and experienced most of her work, I know that her acting can be a little painful watch sometimes... But she is a POWERFUL performer. I saw Gypsy, and for the most part, she dominated it. She's perfect for those larger than life characters in musicals, but when it comes to straight plays and movies... eek. I know, Patti fans, this is sacrilege, but its true.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

I admire your open-mindedness.

My opinion of Patti in GYPSY: She was a much improved version of Ethel. She was impulsive and spontaneous in her delivery, but there was always something that said "This is Patti being a ham... isn't it?" She gives performances that the audience won't be able to take their eyes away from, but with that, she sacrifices any chance of making a realistic Rose (which I feel Ros Russell did best).

[squeegeebeckenhiem]

Thanks. Okay, I agree that her acting was a bit campy some of the time in Gypsy, but I feel that it suited this particular production. This revival was basically "Patti does whatever the hell she wants," and I was fine with that. It was still awesome, whether she made Rose believable or not (I was too excited to focus on anything other than Patti). Thank you for mentioning Ros!! I loved her portrayal of Rose. I'm glad Ethel didn't do the movie. Honestly, that would have been a disaster.

[teddybears1232001]

I love Patti LuPone but I totally agree with you on the "dreaMAA"....

[maxeggg]

I usually hate Patti Lupone (I did like her in Gypsy, actually) but here is an example of her being able to be subtle and it is EFFECTIVE when she does it. A BIG problem (and what i hate about her sometimes) is when she says "dreaMAA" WHY WHY WHY???? That is so goddamn annoying. But I do think she can act.

[KittyKatShanahan]

Patti is such a goddess! She takes my breath away here. i do agree about the "dreaMAA", but i think thats just her trying to use propper diction

[TheatreFilmBuff]

I have always had issues with Donna Murphy and Patti LuPone in certain performances but when it comes to this role, Donna Murphy will forever be the definitive Fosca. I forget what critic it was (probably Frank Rich) that said Donna Murphy felt so real and awkward that it made it near painful to watch....which it is but it is simply stunning. I don't think Patti LuPone captured that feeling at all

[Colakills]

Can't help but listen and compare to donna murphy in my head... and frankly she doesn't even come close.

[NeuwirthFan]

@maxeggg she adds an extra emphasis so what? i didnt even notice till you said it. this is like her signature

[boyinterrupted6]

LuPone's Fosca is vile and very aware of her "bitter self-concern"; Murphy's Fosca actually believes in her melancholy and bears it like a cross. These are two vastly disparate yet completely plausible readings of the Fosca one meets in the original novel.

[hrJSbosch]

@AtLastOnTheGround `Id est' 19th century drama: movie Passione d'Amore from Italy, Not as young/pretty as D. Murphy and showing more skin-color than P. LuPone was Vera Mann from Flanders. Perfection!

[encorebc]

@AtLastOnTheGround I think since this style is in that of a century ago, it is required. At least in this production. All three of them are very elevated.

[MuzzyBarker]

Is it just me, or is Patti LuPone attacking me?