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Patti LuPone may be a Broadway legend famed for her focus and intensity onstage, yet she has a mind like a windmill. Ask about her earliest influences, and this unfiltered hosanna pours forth: "West Side Story, I loved. Carol Lawrence in the original—oh, excuse me, I never saw that. The movie, man! Marni Nixon! In the body of Natalie Wood! Edith Piaf is my all-time favorite. Over and out." (Translation: She didn't see West Side Story onstage, but adored the movie—even if Marni Nixon was the one singing Natalie Wood's parts—and Edith Piaf rocks. Word.)
Of course, Ethel Merman's Gypsy cast recording left an enormous impression too: She listened to it all the time as a kid. Nearly 35 years after making her Broadway debut, LuPone, 58, finally tackled the role of stage mother extraordinaire Rose Hovick during last year's quickie revival at City Center—a production that moves to Broadway later this month. TONY called the Long Island native at her home in Connecticut, just hours before she'd catch her own child, Josh, in a local production of Guys and Dolls.
Is it intimidating taking on such a huge, iconic role?
I keep getting asked that question, but I don't approach it that way. I just did what I've always done, which is look at the material and try to connect the dots.
And were you born to play Rose?
I've heard other people say that, but I don't know if I ever said it. I was born to play a lot of parts, because I was born to be onstage. Does that sound egotistical? [Laughs] Let's say I'm grateful that I was born to be onstage.
When did you first realize that?
I fell in love with the audience at four years old, while tap-dancing at Ocean Elementary School. I looked out and everyone was smiling at me, and I was like, Wow, I can't get in trouble up here. I was a rebellious little kid, far from being Mama's perfect little girl.
Was your mom anything like Rose?
Not at all. She was shocked that my brother [Robert LuPone] and I went into show business. My dad wanted us to be teachers. Ha! Know what I mean?
Are you a stage mom with your son?
I hope not. Josh loves the stage, but I don't think he's bound for it. I think he's more of a writer, but he has to find his own way. I can't crowd him.
Did you see the Sweeney Todd movie?
Yes, I loved it. All that blood was a little hard for me to take. I can't watch violent movies.
I wasn't prepared to see you naked in Spike Lee's Summer of Sam.
A lot of people weren't prepared for that. But it was in the script. What can you do?
Have you done much nudity in your career?
Just twice: Summer of Sam, and in a musical called The Robber Bridegroom, I was completely naked. But I had on a very long wig.
Do you watch clips of yourself on YouTube?
My husband YouTubes me. He keeps saying, "I want you to grow your hair back to the way you had it on The Merv Griffin Show," and I'm like, "What?!?"
What about the Broadway clips?
Oh, no. It's too embarrassing! If I ever do something on TV or in the movies, I can't see it. That's why I'm a stage actor.
Huh. So you don't watch an Evita clip from 1980 and think, Hey, I was pretty good?
Usually I think, I dodged a bullet there, before, Now that was fantastic. I've said it over and over again: I'm not a big fan of me.
I find that hard to believe.
The work is never done, frankly. If it was...
You would've retired at age four.
That's exactly right. You can always improve something.
But c'mon, you must've felt validated at some point.
When I did Ugly Betty, Michael Urie decided to YouTube me, since some of the kids on the show didn't know I was the original Evita or Fantine in Les Miz. I watched them watch me, and I started crying! I don't know if it was nerves, or me going, "Oh my God, maybe I do have something to offer!"
Surely hyperventilating show-tune queens validate you on a weekly basis.
Um, yes. And believe me, I am eternally grateful. I'd much rather that than, "You suck."
Gypsy, in previews now, opens Mar 27.