Friday, November 12, 2010

ARE YOU LISTENING? FRIDAYS! PATTI LUPONE AUDIO BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO
BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY"
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS FRIDAY'S
"ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY"
AUDIO BOOK CHOICE IS...
GIVEAWAY ENDED
PATTI LuPONE
A MEMOIR
WRITTEN AND READ BY
PATTI LuPONE

ABOUT THE AUDIO BOOK:
The legendary Patti LuPone is one of the theatre’s most beloved leading ladies. Now she lays it all bare, sharing the intimate story of her life both onstage and off--through the dizzying highs and darkest lows--with the humor and outspokenness that have become her trademarks.

With illuminating details about the life of a working actor, from inspired costars and demanding directors to her distinct perspective on how she developed and honed her Tony Award–winning performances, Patti LuPone: A Memoir is as inspirational as it is entertaining. And though the title might say “a memoir,” this is ultimately a love letter to the theatre by a unique American artist.

Raised on Long Island’s North Shore, Patti discovered her calling at the age of four and knew that she was destined for the stage. A prodigiously gifted child, she was one of only 36 young actors chosen for the inaugural class of The Juilliard School’s Drama Division, where she fought near-constant criticism from her instructors, and here describes those early years with disarming frankness.

From the heady days of her early twenties—crisscrossing the country as a founding member of the classical repertory theatre ensemble, The Acting Company--to her early success on Broadway, her four-year stint as Libby Thacher on the television series Life Goes On, her loving marriage to Matt Johnston, and much, much more, Patti chronicles her professional and personal life with inimitable candor and wit.

With its insightful retrospective of her career-defining turns, both on Broadway and abroad, in Evita, Les Misérables, Anything Goes, Sunset Boulevard, Sweeney Todd, and Gypsy, Patti LuPone: A Memoir reveals the artist’s deeply felt passion for music and the theatre and is, in the end, the compelling and quintessential tale of an exceptional life well lived.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"Patti’s story had me from the moment I turned to page one of the prologue until the absolutely triumphant final chapter....She tells it like it is, warts and all. And by the time I finished reading the last chapter, I found myself giving Patti a standing ovation in the privacy of my very own living room."
–Carol Burnett

"In her autobiography, LuPone, with characteristic wit and theatrical humor, recounts her life story, both when she was feeling like Les Miserables and when everything was coming up roses."
Entertainment Weekly
"Every aspiring actor needs to read Patti LuPone's saga...In this book, she is hard-hitting, funny, candid, truthful and she bursts off the page as the same dynamo we often see onstage."
-Liz Smith, The Women on the Web

"Though personal and professional battles are charted, the tone is, like LuPone's conversational style, more chatty than catty, littered with earthy, often self-effacing humor...[A] mix of frankness and warmth."
USA Today

"Patti LuPone, with honesty and humor, gives a brave and candid account of an astonishingly unique and brilliant performer’s journey to reach Broadway stardom."
–Angela Lansbury

"Anyone who has seen Patti LuPone perform on stage is well aware of her daring, risk-taking artistry. Now she has channeled her considerable talent from the stage to the page and the result is a frank, funny and totally captivating memoir about her life on and off the stage."
–Jane Fonda

"For some rare performers, there is a place beyond commercial success, popularity with audiences, and honors within an industry. A special place where they are both respected and adored--even envied--by other performers for their wealth of talent. These are actors who sing, as opposed to singers who act. They bring an actor’s range of thought about character and truth and psychology.  Among them, none has more talent, more courage, and more emotive power than Patti LuPone.  When Patti LuPone comes on stage, you don’t always know what will happen, but you know it will be among the greatest work by any stage actress in theatre, ever. Ever. As everyone in our business knows, Patti…is Patti."
–Alec Baldwin

“One way we differ from other countries is we have no history of royalty....except on Broadway.  Hail to the Queen!  I love you like a sister Patti, and your memoir is one befitting the majesty of who you are."
–Joe Mantegna

"Ms. LuPone's voice and passion come through loud and clear. The book contains the same no-holds-barred attitude with which she attacks a role."
-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Patti LuPone: A Memoir is a not-to-be-missed treat."
-Broadway.com

"This honest look at the trials and tribulations of making it as a Broadway star will be of interest to aspiring actors and those who love musical theater."
Library Journal

“Award-winning actress LuPone shares the story of her life in the theater in this intimate and frank memoir… Patti chronicles her professional and personal life with relish. LuPone’s many fans will appreciate the insightful look at her career-defining roles in Evita, Les Misérables, and more. In these sections, LuPone chronicles her process for achieving these iconic performances in great depth and offers a frank perspective on the often unseemly business side of the theatrical world… LuPone ultimately reveals her deeply felt passion for theater and music.”
Booklist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
PATTI LuPONE swept the 2008 theater awards winning the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Rose in the critically acclaimed Broadway production of the classic musical Gypsy. LuPone has twice been nominated for an Emmy Award, has won two Grammy awards, and has numerous film, television, and on- and off-Broadway stage credits to her name. A five-time Tony nominee and two-time winner, LuPone was the first American actor to win Britain’s Olivier Award. 
To read more about the amazing life of Patti LuPone, please go HERE to her bio on her website.
Photo by Ethan Hill

MY REVIEW:
As a fan of Broadway musicals, and their stars, Patti LuPone is one I have always adored watching. I have followed her career somewhat and so was thrilled to have a chance to listen to her new Memoir on Audio Book, PATTI LUPONE-A MEMOIR.  The audio book is even better than I thought because Ms. LuPone (Patti from here on out now that “we” shared these hours together) reads it herself. I think it might be better to describe it as she performs the audio book as she puts the same energy and her stellar talent to great use in it. I could see her in my mind as I listened.

Patti doesn’t hold back or spare anything in sharing the high and the low points of her career and personal life growing up as an actor. She goes all the way back to when her father was a principal of an elementary school and she was a child with her twin brothers in Miss Marguerite’s dance class at the age of four in Northport, NY. She moves into the 1950’s when the LuPone Trio would go around to different civic clubs to perform and even talks about the Ted Mack Amateur Hour and how they performed and she overheard what she believes was another performer talking about his winning before the competition had even started...it was fixed!

The memoir moves on as Patti grows up and attends Julliard and becomes part of John Houseman’s GROUP I  in the Drama Division at the school. This group later evolved into what has become legendary and known by all as the ACTING COMPANY, still so prestigious and ongoing today! It was in the infancy of that group when they toured by bus around the country that Patti’s relationship with Kevin Kline began and lasted on and off for years.

Of course, the ups and downs of various musicals, one being GYPSY, that she performed in many times over the years, first as Gypsy Rose Lee and later in her triumphant role as Mama Rose on Broadway! All was not always “coming up roses”, however,  as her well publicized Harold Prince production of EVITA that Patti says haunts her till this day with the Andrew Lloyd Webber involvement was spelled out. And not to be outdone, SUNSET BOULEVARD, where Patti starred as Norma Desmond in the London run only to be replaced by a “more commercial” name, that of Glenn Close who opened in L.A. and later moved on to Broadway. Patti found out through a gossip column that announced it and well, as she puts it, that little mess at least resulted in a LARGE settlement paying for her swimming pool but money couldn’t help the pain she still goes through thinking about how the whole thing went down.

With hits in SWEENY TODD and the latest success with her Tony Award winning portrayal in GYPSY, Patti also tells of her loving family-her husband Matt Johnson and how proud she is of her son, Joshua. This is a laugh out loud, eye opening memoir that I enjoyed a lot and especially with the fabulous Patti LuPone adding her talent by reading it. I hope many of you will get to enjoy this as well and learn a little about one of Broadway’s shining stars! I can’t wait to see what is coming next, Patti!
GIVEAWAY

I HAVE MY ONLY ONCE LISTENED
TO COPY OF THIS ENTERTAINING
AUDIO BOOK TO GIVEAWAY
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
READ THE INFORMATION AND REVIEW ABOVE AND COMMENT ON WHY YOU THINK YOU WOULD ENJOY THIS AUDIO BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: VISIT THE PATTI LuPONE WEBSITE'S PHOTO GALLERY HERE AND CLICK ON THE DIFFERENT PHOTOS OF PARTS PATTI HAS PLAYED AND READ ABOUT THEM. COMMENT ON ONE YOU FOUND INTERESTING

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED. PLEASE COMMENT ON ONLY ONE THIS TIME.

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OF THE "PRAISES" GIVEN ABOVE THAT YOU FOUND MOST INTERESTING. JUST NAME WHO WROTE IT OR THE ORGANIZATION IT CAME FROM

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST,
DECEMBER 3

GOOD LUCK!  

75 comments:

debbie said...

I would like to have the audiobook, because I have enjoyed her music. I would like to find out more about her.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I liked the library journal review.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the gingerbread cookie giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Steve Capell said...

She has been blessed with many memorable roles. I would love to listen to this audio book on her life. I also find it fascinating that she is the one that narrates the book. Most audio books are not narrated by their author ... that will make this that much better! Thanks for the opportunity.

holdenj said...

Not trying to make her sound too old, but she is definitely legendary and has had quite the career! I think it sounds fascinating.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

The photo gallery was certainly all encompassing. I really liked her pic as Lady Bird. She makes a wonderful looking Southern lady.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered The Confession giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I liked a lot of the comments from who would be her co-workers. Both Alec Baldwin's and Joe Mantegna's speak so highly of her in different tones.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

Patti's great! And the fact that she reads it is terrific. Now, if only she'd break into song, too.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I would have loved to see her in Gypsy.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered The Confession giveaway

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I liked all of the comments, especially Carol Burnett and Jane Fonda.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I'd like to listen to this audiobook because she is a legend and it is neat because she narrates it herself.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I found the photo of The Song Spinner interesting.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I entered Stronger Than Sin giveaway.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I like the one from Carol Burnett.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I like the fact that she reads her own book. I also like that Patti & you shared the hours together.
I am a big fan of hers and would love to win this giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I love her look in The Water Engine.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I have entered "The Confession" giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

Joe Mantegna says it best Hail To The Queen
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Unknown said...

It sounds like a good audiobook that I would love to listen to. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/4290049587814401


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Carol Burnett's( oh, I just love her) praise of this book makes it one that would be fascinating to listen to also


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

The Time Of Your Life sounds like the audience put on a show too



alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

As I have no idea what it takes to put on a Broadway show (I never seen one either) I think it would be very interesting to hear this from such a talented actress


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

hendy said...

Well I love memoirs and this book looks touching and funny. I love that she both wrote and read the book (and as an actress I'm sure she does a great job of it) because to me it will seem more authentic. I would love to hear her story.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Entered ALL 3 STIEG LARSSON BOOKS GIVEAWAY
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/HendyMartin/status/4310219513405441
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

I like the praise from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette describing the way she "attacks" both her roles and this book.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

Reading said...

I just love Broadway! I would be thrilled to win this memoir.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I entered the Steig Larsson giveaway.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I think I would enjoy this because I loved her on LIfe Goes On..I have also heard her music before and loved it..and also because my name is Patti also lol

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks

bloggingmom said...

I have seen Patty on Broadway and watched her on television. I would love to know more about her life. It sounds like she is an amazing person.

bloggingmom said...

I entered the Debbie Macomber Christmas giveaway.

bloggingmom said...

I "like" Bookin with Bingo on Facebook.

bloggingmom said...

I follow BWB on Twitter.

bloggingmom said...

I am an email follower of BWB.

dag888888 said...

Saw Patti guest on Joy Behar's show and got interested in her memoir which she talked about on the show! As someone who has followed her career, this audiobook would be great!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Interesting that in 1985, Patti reprised her role as Fantine in Les Miz in London because it was the perfect theatrical experience with the perfect cast!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

The Library Journal praised Patti's memoir: "This honest look at the trials and tribulations of making it as a Broadway star will be of interest to aspiring actors and those who love musical theater."

Patti talked about some of her trials in her interview with Joy Behar last month!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered Stieg Larsson giveaway!


dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I'd love to win this audiobook because she references familiar things - Ted Mack Amateur Hour, all the musicals she's starred in. And because she reads it herself - that really appeals to me in an audiobook.

meah56[at]gmail[dot]com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I also entered Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff giveaway.

meah56[at]gmail[dot]com

Eileen said...

I saw her in Atlantic City years ago and more recently in Key West. I have been a fan for a long time.
I am a follower, and Bingo fan too.

Eileen
wiseowlreviews@aol dot com

Laura H. said...

I ADORE Patti LuPone!!! I first became a fan when she starred in "Life Goes On". It was one of my favorite TV programs and I was sad to see it go. I then had the privilege of seeing her in "Evita" and I've been a fan ever since. She has both a remarkable speaking and singing voice and if she does the reading for her own book, more the better. She is one talented lady!!!!

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

I'd have to say my favorite picture is that of her as Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard". She puts Gloria Swanson to shame!

BornjhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/9691765367902208

BornjhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered "The Swan Thieves" giveaway.

BornjhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

My but she had quite a few celebrities sing her praise! You can tell by the comments that she is extremely well respected among her peers. My favorite though was the comment by Alec Baldwin. His comparison of "actors who sing" versus "singers who act" was telling of his genuine respect and awe of her.

BornjhawkATaolDOTcom

Unknown said...

I'd love to read or hear in this case about her exciting life. It's far from what I've lived and I think it would be very intersting.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love the costumes in Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=107294156010883&id=100000641625482

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/48165690/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Romantic73/status/9944065558708224

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

SARAH DESSEN 3 BOOK SET GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like several praises but I think my fave is Jane Fonda's.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

We always had a long drive if we were going into St.Louis to watch a show, but I did love it, it's been a long time though. I'd love to read her story. shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I would have liked to see Evita.
and so many more!!!

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/9947370485710848

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=169591729738587&id=100001087052807

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

SARAH DESSEN 3 BOOK SET GIVEAWAY
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I liked what Angela Lansbury
had to say about it

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

+5 swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'd like to win this audio book for my wife and MIL. They'd both really enjoy it!

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/9949033153961984

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=143979785653406&id=100000609680005

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/48166197/

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

CHRISTMAS AT HARRINGTON'S GIVEAWAY

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

Alec Baldwin

jeff72768@yahoo.com

guettel78 said...

I'd love to win this audiobook because I've always been a fan of Patti's theater, television, and film work, and from her experiences in "Evita" and "Sunset Blvd," I'm guessing she has some pretty fascinating insights on Andrew Lloyd Webber! Plus, from reading her blog, I know Patti has a pretty colorful turn of phrase and never shies away from voicing her opinion, so I've no doubt her book will be completely worthwhile. Thanks!

gkaufmanss@yahoo.com

guettel78 said...

One role of Patti's I learned about through her photo gallery is her lead role in the musical "The Baker's Wife," written by Stephen Schwartz (of "Wicked" fame) - it looks like a very intimate, charming show, and Patti looked beautiful in the part. I need to find out more about this show!

gkaufmanss@yahoo.com

guettel78 said...

I tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/guettel78/status/10339215850082304

gkaufmanss@yahoo.com

guettel78 said...

I entered your Stieg Larsson giveaway as well. Thanks!

gkaufmanss@yahoo.com

guettel78 said...

I found Angela Lansbury's comment on Patti and the book the most interesting, seeing that they both played the lead role in "Sweeney Todd" decades apart -- I'd be fascinated to know how much the two have interacted over the years!

gkaufmanss@yahoo.com

/\Heather/\ said...

I love the theater! My first role was actually in Gypsy, so I can certainly appreciate her experience in that production, as well as the rest of them! So excited!
heatherpooh (hotmail)

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