Gypsy

"Gypsy" is still in previews.

This "Gypsy" at the Majestic Theatre is one you will either love or not like. For me, dating back to 1989 when Tyne Daly starred as Rose and onto Bernadette Peters in 2003 and Patti LuPone in 2008, the musical has vacillated as far as likeability. I did not really like Ms. Daly as Rose, Peters was much better in the role and Patti LuPone is by far the best of the class. Whereas LuPone belted out the songs, where she owned the role, Audra McDonald more dained in he efforts. LuPone was more believable than the current star in that she was Mama Rose!

Written by Gypsy Rose Lee with the book by Arthur Laurents and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "Gypsy" has played Broadway countless times with mega stars like Ethel Merman and Angela Lansbury at the lead. This musical more than others is dependent on both the director (George C. Wolfe), the choreographer (Camille A. Brown), as well as the supporting cast. If the dance numbers are not crisp, and the songs not resonant, "Gypsy" can make for a long night at the theater.

While this "Gypsy" is not a complete flop, it lacks in imagination in the dance numbers. Yes, from the audience they look real in-depth, but in actuality the dance numbers are banal and the songs for the most part are forgettable. While the house was energized this evening, especially when Baby June (Jade Smith) and Baby Louise (Kyleigh Vickers) sung and danced; even the scenes with the young troupe gave pleasure to the crowd. A closer look and listen to the seasoned theater goer really saw more fluff in the dance pieces than anything else.

This rendition of the historic musical was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. The entertaining sets (Santo Loquasto), the hard glam lighting, the garish costumes (Toni-Leslie James) all were more show than substance, much like Rose herself. In past productions, the interaction with Rose and Herbie were much better than McDonald and Danny Bernstein. Never once could we imagine the two being an item; the warmth was never there. The two never had a warm feel when they sung together.

I was disappointed in this "Gypsy". I thought McDonald would be able to carry this role a lot better than she did. Her song patterns never really resonated throughout the evening; she never tested her strong voice. Her performance reminded me of her last show that I saw her in, "Ohio State Murders. There too she was un-moving in her role; as if she was going through the motions rather than giving us a deeply felt performance.

After seeing Nicole Scherzinger's performance in "Sunset Boulevard this season, McDonald's efforts do not compare. Where her Norma Desmond was first rate, Audra McDonald did not entertain us!

Robert Massimi writes for my Life Publications, Studio Seven Publications, Show Prep, Trending Content, Nimbus Magazine and Art New York. He is a member of The Dramatist Guild and has been featured on MCC and WABC Radio. He has produced 14 shows both on and off Broadway and sat on the board of directors of Metropolitan Playhouse. He has edited two films and advised on production to several films.

Broadway, Hollywood, Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Sunset Boulevard, Gypsy, Tony Awards, Oscars, Majestic Theatre, Phantom of The Opera, Dramatists Guild, Scott Lehrer, Gypsy Rose Lee, Stephen Sondheim, Lyrics, Book, The Lion King, Alladin, Harry Potter, Elf, Buddy, Kate Wilson, Nancy Wilson, CNN, Bloomberg, WABC, Camille Brown, Michael Clifton, Robert Ginzler, Sid Ramin Orchestrations, off Broadway.