Warming up for Patti!

With Patti LuPone performing Sunday (4/2918)

at Eastman,

a mini-pictorial tribute seems appropriate!

Patti was born in Northport, Long Island in 1949,

She graduated from Juilliard

(the school's first Drama division to graduate, 1972),  

and then continued her acting work with John Houseman

as part of The Acting Company (1972-76).

 Pics from just SOME of her signature musicals,

(tho she's done as many straight plays, 

if not more!):

Above, the ill-fated Baker's Wife (1976),

with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz...

Patti got to play Genevieve

and sing the marvelous "Meadowlark" song.

It never made it to Broadway (well, not yet!).

That was followed by her participation in 

Studs Terkel's Working,

which closed after 24 performances. 

 (Just try and find a photo of THAT original production!)

 Evita, the creation of Andrew Lloyd Webber (below)

and Tim Rice, 1979.

Despite the fact that the production was

stressful for Patti,

she won her first Tony Award for her portrayal of Eva Peron.

 (The second would come for Gypsy, 29 years later.)

 As Reno Sweeney 

in a Lincoln Center Theatre revival of Anything Goes (1987).

 Patti originated the role

 of Norma Desmond 

in the original West End production 

of Sunset Boulevard, 1993,

and was promised that she would open the show

on Broadway, as well.

But Andrew Lloyd Webber fired her, and replaced her with

Glenn Close.

As you'd expect,

Patti discusses this chapter of her life in detail

in MORE than one chapter of her memoir.

 (Pick it up. No holds barred.)

 In the revival of Sweeney Todd, above,

with Michael Cerveris...2005.

Patti played tuba and bells in this production,

and still had time to make

Mrs. Lovett's meat pies!

 Another production from 2005, done regionally:

Anyone Can Whistle,

with Patti as Mayoress Cora Hoover Hooper.

From War Paint, 2017

Patti as Helene Rubenstein, and another Tony nomination...

This production was forced to close 1 month early

when it became clear that Patti required immediate

hip-replacement surgery.

(Hey, I have something in common with Patti LuPone! :)))

Patti as Joanne in a Ravinia Festival production 

of Company...

"The Ladies Who Lunch".

She is set to reprise this role in the 

Fall 2018 West End production.