There Is Trouble Afoot At "Gypsy--" And I Know Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                     

                                    The hottest ticket on Broadway right now has missed every single performance during Christmas week, which, to my mind, is unprecedented.

                                      Note this show is not just billed as "Gypsy." It says "Audra/Gypsy," meaning that this is Audra's show.  

                                       Sure, illnesses hit companies, and they are dealt with by understudies and swings.  But no one thought to rehearse them properly to get them up to speed in case something like this happens.  I mean, the show has children, who easily get sick, and animals who can cause health issues too, so, in terms of direction, "Gypsy" is not a show to be taken lightly when staging it.  All dilemmas have to be considered, even if it means someone like me goes on as Mama Rose or Dainty June!     

                                         This "Gypsy" seems to come down to one thing--Audra McDonald.  People are flying from all over the country and globe to see her, and no one with the show is saying exactly who is sick, or what the illness is or is not.  But I think I know the answer.     

                                          Miss McDonald, hitherto a fine performer, is learning the hard way that this is a role she should not have taken on, because it is too taxing on her vocally.  Of course, no one is going to admit that.  Would it surprise me if this turns into a "Funny Girl" or a 1978 "On The Twentieth Century" situation, where the leads had to be replaced because their voices could not handle the roles?

                                            Patti LuPone must be having a good laugh over this, because of Audra calling her out over the "Hell's Kitchen" situation.  Karma will get you, Audra, if you mess with Patti.  Who, by the way is the best Rose I will ever see in my lifetime!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              All I can say is--The Raving Queen has tickets for this show on January 26, 2025, and Audra and company had better be there--Audra particularly--or I will be walking out--something I have never done before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               Get you act together, "Gypsy!"  Or Audra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!