Patti LuPone performs on Fire Island for her most ardent fans

Last weekend on Fire Island in New York City, away from the lights of Broadway, Patti LuPone performed at Ice Palace nightclub for some of her most adored fans. These diehards, sometimes referred to as LuPonettes, included a man who saw Mrs. LuPone in the 1979 production of "Evita" and another who had a caricature of her tattooed on his back.

Ben Rimalower, who arrived hours before the doors opened, stood at the front of the line. "I first fell in love with Patti when I saw the 'Evita' commercial," he said. "I've seen her live hundreds of times, but never on Fire Island. Nowhere else will Patti find an audience that understands her like here. »

Opened in the 1970s, the Ice Palace is an institution in Cherry Grove, a hamlet on Fire Island known as a summer haven for New York's gay community. York. In addition to her Friday night underwear party, her stage has hosted Chita Rivera, Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming.

"Patti has performed in the biggest venues around the world. world, but for her to play here is about connecting with her most fervent fan base," said club co-owner Daniel Nardicio. "Her fans will be screaming and crying for her here."

Ms. LuPone, 74, gave two sold-out performances of “Songs from a Hat,” in which she sings randomly selected tunes. white piano by her musical director, Joseph Thalken, she gave herself entirely to must-haves like “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Meadowlark”.When she performed Sondheim’s number “I Never Do Anything Twice”, she was brandished a riding crop.

In the edited interviews below, his fans reflected on why they can never get enough of LuPone.

Jack Swerdlin

Accountant

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