If you’re a fan of Broadway musicals, you’re going to want to read Patti LuPone’s tell-almost-all memoir of her adventures in Evita, Les Misérables, Anything Goes, Sunset Boulevard, Sweeney Todd, and Gypsy. I know LuPone can be a diva at times, but I’ve always found her to be a hard-working performer who gives it her all. I have her Evita soundtrack and Patti LuPone Live. They get played with some regularity. This memoir also provides insights into the business side of Broadway which I found fascinating. LuPone also gives her thoughts on the demise of the Broadway musical. All in all, I found Patti LuPone: A Memoir compelling reading. GRADE: A
I didn’t realize she’d written a memoir. She certainly has done some memorable work. Over the years we’ve seen her in EVITA in San Francisco (not a fan of the show, but she was excellent), SUNSET BOULEVARD in London (I really hated this show but she did what she could), the revival of SWEENEY TODD on Broadway five years ago (she didn’t erase the memory of Angela Lansbury but that isn’t her fault) and – perhaps her crowning achievement – Mama Rose in GYPSY, a role perfectly suited to her.
Patti LuPone’s memoir is full of “behind-the-curtain” stories of all the plays you mention, Jeff. Plenty of feuds and conflict. LuPone strikes me as a perfectionist who doesn’t have much sympathy with slackers. She rakes some of the directors and actors over the coals for their lack of a work ethic.
Here’s a shocker for you: I’ve never heard of her.
You’ve been living a sheltered life, Rick. Patti LuPone has been a fixture in Broadway musicals for decades.
I saw her in MASTER CLASS, where she played a diva so it worked out.
Patti LuPone always peeks out at the audience from behind the curtain while they’re being seated before a performance, Patti. She claims in her book she needs to see the people she’s going to be entertaining before she goes on the stage. I like that.
Just shows how out of touch with Broadway musicals you are, Rick.
😉
She also starred in the TV series LIFE GOES ON.
Patti LuPone also deglamorizes the life of a Broadway star, Jeff. After a performance of EVITA, she’s go to a bar, have a couple of beers and head back to her apartment. Alone.
Hey, I saw Man of La Mancha. How can you say I’m out of touch?? Was she in that?
Nice try, Rick, but no, Patti LuPone was not in MAN OF LA MANCHA. EVITA made her reputation (and almost destroyed her voice) while Jeff’s right: LuPone’s best role was probably in GYPSY.
I confuse her with Patti LaBelle. Loved that song you linked to, though. A real show biz anthem.
I like Patti LaBelle, too, Bob. I wish Patti LuPone did more movies and wasn’t only known for her work on Broadway.