(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
Where in the world is Patti LuPone? In the past six months, the answer to that question has ranged from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to Australia to Chicago as the two-time Tony Award winner has juggled a remarkable variety of projects. On Saturday, August 15, LuPone adds another stop to her itenirary, as she brings her new nightclub act, The Gypsy in My Soul, to the Borgata Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City for a one-night gig. TheaterMania talked with LuPone about that show, her very busy work life, the possibility of returning to Ugly Betty, watching herself on YouTube, and her feelings about the new revival of A Little Night Music, among other topics.
THEATERMANIA: You just did Kurt Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins at the Ravinia Festival near Chicago for one night. Do you think there will be a future life for it elsewhere?
PATTI LUPONE: I wonder, because it was a lot of work for one night. But it was a fantastic experience. And I am glad I am doing Weill now, because I love his songs and I just didn’t have the opportunity do them earlier in my career. There’s not necessarily a piece of musical theater that Weill wrote I want to do, although I did want to sing “Pirate Jenny” in Threepenny Opera many years ago.
TM: You previewed The Gypsy in My Soul in Las Vegas earlier this summer. Were you pleased with how it turned out?
PL: I was really happy with what we came up with; it’s a mix of songs from my four previous shows, with two new songs, “Gypsy in My Soul” and “Broadway Nights” to open and close the show. Of course, I had the brilliant Scott Wittman working with me; we just sat in a room and he came up with this great list of songs. It’s really a lot of fun!
TM: You must be enjoying your tour with Mandy Patinkin, because you’re doing it again in 2010? Will you be changing anything in the show?
PL: Actually, we’re finally playing the show we first rehearsed, because neither one of us have the strength to learn something new. I love working with Mandy, and I always have. We actually knew each other before we did Evita — because we both went to Juilliard. I was ahead of him, and he says he ushered the shows I did the first year I was in the Acting Company. It’s hard to describe our chemistry, but the fact that we talk a similar language — there’s a definite Juilliard shorthand — and that we have a trust helps a lot.
TM: Have you found a difference in audiences in the many places you’ve been this year?
PL: No. I always feel that an entertainer will pull in his or her fans — those people who buy a ticket to see you really want to be there. Still, I was surprised how well Mandy’s and my show went in Australia. They were not just very vocal and very appreciative, but they knew all the stuff. I almost cried up there on the stage. I’d love to move to Australia, because the people are so great, and it’s the best of English and American mentality.
TM: Are you finding that you now have some younger fans because of all the clips of you on YouTube or being on Ugly Betty as Michael Urie’s mother?
PL: My audiences have always been mixed, old and young, but, yes, there were tons of “kids” in Australia who came to see me. A lot of people do know me from TV, whether it’s Life Goes On or Ugly Betty — and I hope to go back there and resolve that relationship — and, especially, these two episodes I did of Law & Order a long time ago, because they play constantly in reruns. I am always getting fans saying to me: “I saw you last night on Law & Order.” As for me, who has time to watch TV?
TM: Do you ever watch yourself on YouTube?
PL: Not really. It’s scary, because you have no control over what people put up. But when I did Ugly Betty, Michael Urie and America Ferrara made me watch some of my old stuff with them. And I admit, it’s amazing what’s up there.
TM: You committed immediately to the Sondheim at 80 celebration at Ravinia — even though it’s almost a year away. Was there any hesitation?
PL: No. It’s been said over and over about Stephen that he’s a master and genius. But, also, it was the fact that the Ravinia Festival first let me play all these great Sondheim roles — after I did Sweeney Todd with the New York Philharmonic — and otherwise, no one ever would have thought of me for Sondheim. OK, maybe John Doyle would have. And I have to admit that I am so disappointed that Trevor Nunn is going with someone younger for Desriee in A Little Night Music on Broadway. I loved doing Desiree at Ravinia — especially with George Hearn.
TM: Are there any other possibilities about you coming back to Broadway?
PL: I never know what’s next in my career. I’m resigned by now to the constant surprise. Actually, that’s the great joy of it; you can go gray trying to figure out what’s going to happen to you. I’ve been talking to David Mamet about doing another play of his; that could happen. But I will come back to Broadway someday. Right now, though, I really just want to go back to my house in Connecticut and unpack!
