She is the author of "Patti LuPone: A Memoir."
Early life
LuPone is of Italian (Sicilian [1]) descent. [2] She is a graduate of Northport High School. LuPone was part of the first graduating class of Juilliard’s Drama Division.
Theatre
In 1972 John Houseman took his beloved class and formed The Acting Company, making them America’s foremost nationally touring repertory theater company. Her stint with the Acting Company lasted from 1972 to 1976, and she was featured in such works as The School for Scandal, Women Beware Women, The Beggar’s Opera, The Time of Your Life, The Lower Depths, The Hostage, Next Time I’ll Sing to You, Measure for Measure, Scapin, Edward II, The Orchestra, Love’s Labours Lost, Arms and the Man, The Way of the World, and The Robber Bridegroom, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. In 1986, alumni members of The Acting Company joined forces for a West End revival of The Cradle Will Rock in which LuPone played Moll, and for which she received an Olivier Award. Ms. LuPone is an important player in contemporary American musical theater. She made her Broadway debut in the play Three Sisters Her first leading role in a musical was The Baker’s Wife, which did not make it to NYC. She has performed on Broadway in works by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim and others. She won a Tony Award for Evita in 1980.
In 1987, LuPone landed the role of Reno Sweeney in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes, for which she won the Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Musical. LuPone’s return to Broadway was supposed to be with the musical Sunset Boulevard, however Andrew Lloyd Webber breached LuPone’s contract by recasting her role for the New York production. LuPone subsequently sued Webber, but the two settled the dispute out of court with a hefty settlement in favor of LuPone. After this LuPone was so disappointed, it took her a year to return to the stage. In 1996, LuPone returned to Broadway in a triumphant fashion in a concert style celebration of her career called Patti LuPone on Broadway for which she received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. Also in 1996 LuPone was asked to replace Zoe Caldwell in the Terrance McNally play, Master Class for which she received rave reviews and later performed in the West End. In 2001 she starred along side Peter Gallagher in the Broadway revival of Noises Off. Other Broadway credits include Working (1978), Oliver! (1984), and Accidental Death of an Anarchist (1982).
LuPone has worked with David Mamet since 1977, acting in his plays, including The Woods (1977), All Men Are Whores (1977), The Blue Hour (1978) The Water Engine (1978), Edmund (1982), and The Old Neighborhood (1997)
Ms. LuPone has been a part of many semi-staged concerts of musicals in New York such as the Encores! production of Pal Joey (1994) opposite Peter Gallagher and Bebe Neuwirth; Sweeney Todd (2000) opposite George Hearn and Audra McDonald; Can-Can (2004) opposite Michael Nouri; Candide opposite Kristin Chenoweth; and Passion (2005) opposite Michael Cerveris and Audra McDonald.
LuPone’s triumphs in the opera world extend to Kennedy Center’s production of Regina, The world premier of Jake Heggie's To Hell and Back, and the Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny opposite long time friend Audra McDonald and directed by John Doyle with the Los Angeles Opera.
She has three one-woman shows that she performs across the country: Matters of the Heart, Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda, and The Lady With the Torch, which sold out Carnegie Hall.
She originated the role of Fantine in the Royal Shakespeare production of the musical Les Misérables, becoming the first American actress to win the Olivier Award. LuPone returned to the London to portray Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard in the West End.
LuPone recently starred on Broadway as Mrs. Lovett in John Doyle’s new staging of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Ms. LuPone was nominated for a Tony Award for this role.
A regular star at the Ravinia Festival’s annual Sondheim concerts in Highland Park, IL, Ms. LuPone has had starring turns in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (2001), A Little Night Music (2002), Passion (2003), Sunday in the Park with George (2004), Anyone Can Whistle (2005), and Gypsy (2006).
With her unanimously rave reviews from the Ravinia production of Gypsy, LuPone was offered the opportunity to star in a new production of Gypsy, directed by Arthur Laurents, who had directed Tyne Daly and Angela Lansbury in previous Broadway revivals. This production launched a new Broadway performance series, Encores! Summer Stars, a spin-off of the popular Encores! series. The Encores! Summer Stars production of Gypsy is scheduled to open July 9, 2007.
Film
Among LuPone’s film credits are Witness, Just Looking, The Victim, Summer of Sam, Driving Miss Daisy, King of Gypsies, 1941, 'Wise Guys, 24 Hour Woman, Family Prayers, Bad Faith, and City By The Sea. She has also worked with legendary playwright David Mamet on several movies including , (The Water Engine, the critically acclaimed State and Main, and Heist).
Television
LuPone played Libby Thatcher on the television drama Life Goes On, which ran on ABC from 1989 to 1993. She has twice been nominated for an Emmy Award for the TV movie The Song Spinner, and her guest appearance on Frasier. LuPone’s further TV career includes a recurring spot on the last season of HBO’s hit series Oz. She had a cameo as herself in the episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Kelsey Grammer in 1998. She also played herself in an episode of Will and Grace entitled "BullyWoolley" 2005. She also appeared on the series "Ugly Betty" in 2007 as Mrs. Jean Wiener, the mother of Wilhelmina's secretary, Mark.
Known for her range and versatility, she once played Lady Bird Johnson opposite Randy Quaid’s Lyndon B. Johnson in the television movie, LBJ.
Recordings
LuPone recorded a duet with Seth MacFarlane (in character as Glenn Quagmire) on the 2005 album Family Guy: Live In Vegas.
LuPone released a new CD in 2006, of one of her shows The Lady with the Torch, on Sh-k-Boom Records. In December she released bonus tracks for that CD only on iTunes.
Selected recordings include:
The Baker’s Wife (Original cast recording)
Evita (Original Broadway cast recording)
The Cradle Will Rock (The Acting Company recording)
Les Miserables (Royal Shakespeare Company recording)
Anything Goes (Lincoln Center Theater recording)
Heat Wave (John Mauceri conducting the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra)
Patti LuPone Live (Solo Album)
Sunset Boulevard (World premiere/original London cast recording)
Matters of the Heart (Solo Album)
Sweeney Todd (New York Philharmonic recording)
Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Cast recording)
The Lady with the Torch (Solo Album)
The Lady With the Torch...Still Burning (Solo Album)
To Hell and Back (Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra World Premier recording)
Personal life
Her first name, Patti, is not short for “Patricia”; it is her mother’s maiden name. LuPone’s great-grand-aunt was the celebrated 19th-century opera singer Adelina Patti. Her brother is actor, dancer, and director Robert LuPone, and her other brother William is a teacher. When they were young they performed on Long Island as the LuPone Trio.
She had a long-term relationship with fellow Juilliard classmate Kevin Kline.
She married Matthew Johnston in 1988 on the Vivian Beaumont Stage at Lincoln Center after filming the TV movie LBJ, they had one child on 21 November 1990, Joshua Luke Johnston.
She currently resides with her family in upstate Connecticut.
Source: Wikipedia
Buenos Aires
Patti LuPone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm new--I want to say I'm just a little stuck on you
You'll be on me too!
I get out here Buenos Aires
Stand back--you ought to know what'cha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of star quality!
Fill me up with your heat, with your noise, with your dirt, overdo me
Let me dance to your beat, make it loud. let it hurt, run it through me
Tell the driver this is where I'm staying
Hello Buenos Aires!
Get this--just look at me, dressed up somewhere to go
We'll put on a show!
Take me in at your flood, give me speed, give me lights, set me humming
Shoot me up with your blood, wine me up with your nights, watch me coming
All I want is a whole lot of excess
Tell the singer this is where I'm playing
Stand back Buenos Aires!
Because you ought to know what'cha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of star quality!
And if ever I go too far
It's because of the things you are
Beautiful town--I love you
And if I need a moment's rest
Give your lover the very best
Real eiderdown--and silence
You're a tramp, you're a treat, you will shine to the death, you are shoddy
But you're flesh, you are meat, you shall have every breath in my body
Put me down for a lifetime of success
Give me credit--I'll find ways of paying
Rio de la Plata!
Florida!
Corrientes!
Nueve de Julio!
All I want to know!
Stand back Buenos Aires!
Because you oughta know what'cha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of Just a little touch of
Just a little touch of star quality!
The song Buenos Aires by Patti LuPone is a musical representation of the love and obsession that the singer has for the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. The opening lines "What's new Buenos Aires? I'm new- I want to say I'm just a little stuck on you" convey the singer's fascination and infatuation with the city. She wants the city to know that it's not just her who's in love with it, but the city has also left its mark on her. She goes on to say that the city is going to get a little touch of star quality from her.
The verses of the song describe the singer's love for the city in great detail. She asks the city to fill her up with its heat, noise and dirt, and let her dance to its beat. She wants to be shot up with its blood, wine and nights. The lyrics indicate that the city is a little rough around the edges, but that's what makes it unique and special. The singer acknowledges that if she ever goes too far, it's because of the things that the city has made her feel. The song ends with the singer listing out the names of different streets in the city and declaring that the city better be ready for her since she's bringing just a little touch of star quality with her.
Overall, the song Buenos Aires is a celebration of the city's vibrancy and energy, and the singer's love for it. It's a tribute to the unique qualities that make the city so special and an acknowledgment of how the city has impacted the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
What's new Buenos Aires?
What's new in this city? What exciting things should I expect to see and experience?
I'm new--I want to say I'm just a little stuck on you.
I'm new to Buenos Aires and I really like it here already.
You'll be on me too!
I will be deeply affected by the sights, sounds, and culture of Buenos Aires.
I get out here Buenos Aires
I am very excited to be here in Buenos Aires.
Stand back--you ought to know what'cha gonna get in me. Just a little touch of star quality!
I have a natural talent and charisma that sets me apart from others. Buenos Aires better be ready for me!
Fill me up with your heat, with your noise, with your dirt, overdo me.
I want to be fully immersed in the energy and culture of Buenos Aires.
Let me dance to your beat, make it loud. let it hurt, run it through me.
I want to fully embrace the music and passion of the city, even if it's intense and overwhelming.
Don't hold back you are certain to impress
I'm not afraid to try new things and push myself outside of my comfort zone to make an impact in Buenos Aires.
Tell the driver this is where I'm staying.
I'm ready to settle down in Buenos Aires and make it my home for a while.
Hello Buenos Aires!
I'm excited to officially greet the city and start exploring all that it has to offer.
Get this--just look at me, dressed up somewhere to go
I am confident and ready to take on any challenge or opportunity that comes my way in Buenos Aires.
We'll put on a show!
I'm ready to collaborate and work with others to create something amazing in Buenos Aires.
Take me in at your flood, give me speed, give me lights, set me humming.
I want to experience everything that Buenos Aires has to offer and be fully swept up in its energy and excitement.
Shoot me up with your blood, wine me up with your nights, watch me coming.
I want to fully experience the vibrant nightlife and culture of Buenos Aires and show the city what I'm made of.
All I want is a whole lot of excess
I want to fully indulge in everything that Buenos Aires has to offer and make the most of my time here.
Tell the singer this is where I'm playing.
I'm ready to showcase my talents and put on a great performance in Buenos Aires.
Stand back Buenos Aires! Because you ought to know what'cha gonna get in me.
Buenos Aires better be ready, because I'm going to leave a lasting impression on the city.
And if ever I go too far, It's because of the things you are
If I get carried away or do something extreme, it's because Buenos Aires has inspired and motivated me to be my best self.
Beautiful town--I love you
I have already fallen in love with Buenos Aires and all of its unique quirks and charms.
And if I need a moment's rest, give your lover the very best, real eiderdown--and silence
If I need to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, I know that the city has plenty of relaxing and luxurious options for downtime.
You're a tramp, you're a treat, you will shine to the death, you are shoddy. But you're flesh, you are meat, you shall have every breath in my body
Buenos Aires might have some flaws and imperfections, but I still love it and want to fully invest myself in everything it has to offer.
Put me down for a lifetime of success. Give me credit--I'll find ways of paying
I am determined to make it big in Buenos Aires and will do whatever it takes to achieve my goals and dreams, even if it means putting in extra effort and hard work.
Rio de la Plata! Florida! Corrientes! Nueve de Julio! All I want to know!
I'm excited to explore all of the unique neighborhoods and landmarks in Buenos Aires and learn everything that the city has to offer.
Just a little touch of, Just a little touch of, Just a little touch of star quality!
I might only need a little bit of encouragement or inspiration to shine like a star in Buenos Aires.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind