aprii 1. 2005 * jUSt OUt39
port security? [Last November in Fort Laud
erdale, Fla., LuPone was subjected to what
she called “a breast exam” by a screener with
the Transportation Security Administration.
The previous September, changes in airport
security increased the number and intensity
of “pat-downs” after two Chechen women
blew up a Russian jetliner.]
PL: 1 was just one of many. There were so
many articles written, and so many women
complained.... These Chechen women had
bombs strapped to their midriffs, and so now
[rhe government] can feel women’s tits?
...This is a very scary and dangerous place
we’re living in.
FS: Did the incident change your views
on those issues at all?
PL: No, I’ve always had strong opinions
about them. That’s why I got in trouble;
I spoke up. I didn’t take it. I asked a friend who
said, “It happens to me all the time—I wear a
padded bra.” I said, “You let it happen?” A lot
of women just t(x>k it because we’re a bunch of
lemmings and afraid for our lives, but they’re
pitting us [Americans] against each other. Each
of us is a potential terrorist, and each of them
[TSA officials] is a potential idiot.
The problem was communication. 1’11 do
what you want, but you have to tell me what
you want. They wanted me to take off my shirt,
and I told them I would be exposed, so then
they moved me into secondary screening.
Then a woman came over and, without asking,
I felt up my breast. And not with the back of her
| hand. I said, “What is going on?” They wouldn’t
| tell me.
FS: But the policy has been changed now?
PL: They are not allowed to touch women
on the breasts any longer...1 was only instru-
j mental in bringing it to the front. There was a
woman who went to rhe [American Civil Lib
erties Union]. There was going to be a lawsuit.
There were just enough women who said this
I has gone too far.
FS: Who would play Patti LuPone in the
t movie of your life?
PL: Patti LaBelle. Everybody calls me Patti
LaBelle, so she might as well play my life. She
never gets called Patti LuPone, but 1 always get
Patti LaBelle.
FS: How have you been able to sustain
your voice and career for more than 30
years?
PL: 1 wish I knew...I was blessed with a
strong set of pipes. jH
performs Matters of the Heart at
7:30 p.m. April 5 to 8, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
April 9 and at I and 6:30 p.m. April 10 at
Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W? Clay St. Tickets are
$ I0-$46 from 503-241 -1802 or Ticketmaster.
PATTI L u P one
F loyd SKLAVER appears as Evita in the privacy
of his own home.
A comedic story of unconditional love, acceptance,
and "coming out" in a Texas family.
TRIANGLE
PRODUCTIONS!
with the generous support of
April 8 - May 7, 2005
Theater! Theatre! 3430 SE Belmont
$19/advance $23/at door
For tickets call
quartet. (The sophisticated minor-key arrange
ment of the Rodgers and Hammerstein chest
Patti LuPone • Varese Records
nut “A Wonderful Guy” makes you hear the
song with new ears.)
The CD Matters of the Heart is a revelation.
Overall, though, one is reminded of just
Patti LuPone, who was paro
what a remarkable instrument
died in Forbidden Broadway as
LuPone’s voice is—able to go
an imperious, inarticulate diva,
from
full brassy belt to a
Patti LuPone
has produced a recording of
hushed whisper without so
enormous intelligence and
much as a breath. Her rafter
beauty.
raising takes on Sondheim’s
The collection of 20 songs,
“Not a Day Goes By” and
only a handful of which were
“Back to Before” (from the
written for the theater, draws
musical Ragtime) are guaran
from contemporary pop com
teed to give you goose bumps.
matter«» ox the heart
posers as varied as John
Throw in some comic turns,
Lennon, Paul McCartney and
and Matters of the Heart pro
Judy Collins. LuPone’s versions
vides not only a texthxik les
of rock ballads are surprisingly effective, partic
son on how to craft an emotionally satisfying
ularly her cover of The Hollies’ “The Air That
concert experience, but a fitting testimony to a
I Breathe.” She is aided throughout by exceed
supremely talented artist.
ingly classy arrangements for piano and string
—FS
Matters of the Heart
503-239-5919
Purchase online
WWW. tripro.org
1
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3106 NE 64th
Portland, OR 97213
503-280-8080
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