The offer even a Broadway legend couldn’t refuse
Patti LuPONE couldn’t remember the last time she was directed by a woman. Maybe . . . never. the Broadway legend was in London to attend the Olivier awards (marred by host Catherine tate) and meet Marianne Elliott, the celebrated director who has introduced some gender balance into LuPone’s professional life.
Elliott will direct LuPone, Rosalie Craig and Mel Giedroyc in the genderswitched adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim and George Furth musical Company, which runs at the Gielgud theatre in London from September 26.
LuPone said she had wanted to work with Elliott ever since being bowled over by her earlier hits War Horse and the Curious incident Of the Dog in the Night-time. But, as i noted several months ago, the actress had sworn off working on musicals. ‘they’re too hard! i’m too tired. and i’m too old.
‘and then Marianne called and asked me to play Joanne in Company. i thought: “if i say no, she’ll never ask me again. and this is the woman i wanted to work with. What are you doing, Patti?” ’
LuPone described Elliott as ‘a visionary’, but an approachable one. ‘She has the greatest laugh. She’s very down to earth, and accessible. in short, she’s a human being. a lot of directors i’ve worked with — all men — stand apart and i guess they want their power position over their company. Marianne’s very inclusive.’
i asked LuPone to offer a worst director list but, tactfully, she declined, insisting she didn’t want to dwell on the bad ’uns. She’d rather laud the great ones. and they include Michael Greif, John Doyle and Jerry Zaks.
She reckons the #Metoo movement has emboldened women to be goddesses again. ‘Goddesses used to rule the world. When did we give up the power?’ she demanded to know. ‘it’s time to take it back!’