Gypsy: A Musical Fable

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This article is about the musical. For the source book, see Gypsy: A Memoir.

Gypsy: A Musical Fable is the full title of a musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. (It is usually referred to as simply Gypsy.) It is frequently considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-20th century's conventional musical theatre art form, often called the "book musical." Gypsy is loosely based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her struggle with her mother, Mama Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother." It contains many songs that became popular standards, including "Small World," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "You'll Never Get Away from Me," and "Let Me Entertain You."

The original staging, produced by David Merrick, opened on May 21, 1959 and starred Ethel Merman and Jack Klugman, with Sandra Church in the title role. Choreography was by Jerome Robbins.

The original Broadway cast album is notable as Ethel Merman's first recording in the then-new stereophonic sound technology. (Motion pictures recorded in stereo had been steadily made since 1953, and stereo was first used on magnetic tape in 1954, but it was not until 1958, a year before Gypsy opened, that it became possible to use this technology on records.)

Contents 1 Productions 2 Songs 3 Awards and nominations 4 External links

[edit] Productions

In 1962, Warner Bros. released a film version, starring Rosalind Russell, Karl Malden, and Natalie Wood.

The musical has been revived three times on Broadway, running from 1974–1975 with Angela Lansbury as Rose, from 1989–1991 originally with Tyne Daly, later replaced by Linda Lavin, and most recently in 2003 with Bernadette Peters.

The musical was also adapted as a television movie in 1993 with Bette Midler playing Rose, and directed by Emile Ardolino. Cynthia Gibb portrayed Louise and Jennifer Beck portrayed Dainty June.

A 1998 production featuring Betty Buckley and Deborah Gibson at the Paper Mill Playhouse never made it to Broadway, but became a subject of some notoriety in the theatre community when e-mails from an anonymous cast member detailing the backstage behaviour of the stars became public. The author was eventually revealed as John Flynn, who has now done several New York stagings of his cabaret act (with parodies of Gypsy songs), Dances with Pitchforks, based on his experiences portraying "Non-Equity Farmboy 5".

In 2003, a Sam Mendes-directed production of Gypsy played at the Shubert Theatre. Bernadette Peters portrayed Rose, Tammy Blanchard portrayed Louise, and John Dossett portrayed Herbie.

On June 13, 2006, columnist Liz Smith in her syndicated column wrote that "the rumor was out" that Rob Marshall (director of the 2002 film Chicago) might reunite with Catherine Zeta-Jones (who played Velma Kelly in the Chicago film) for another film adaptation of Gypsy. (Syndicated, New York Post June 13, 2006, and Buffalo News on June 16, 2006, p. C3.) Smith wrote in her June 30 column in the New York Post that the other actress "on the list" to play Rose is Barbra Streisand. Finally, on November 22, 2006, New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel wrote that producer Harvey Weinstein "has his eye on 'Gypsy'", with Meryl Streep or Streisand starring as Rose and Zeta-Jones playing Gypsy Rose Lee.

The role of Mama Rose in Gypsy is regarded as the pinnacle of all diva roles in musical theatre, as seen by its frequent revivals with big name stars, a reputation that began with its original cast and the legendary Ethel Merman. However, in the most recent revival Arthur Laurents, book writer and previous director of the show, praised Bernadette Peters "as the best" Rose yet, bringing to the role a poignant "sense of vulnerability." Due to a poor marketing strategy ^{[citation needed]} and Peters' unfortunate respiratory infection during previews and early in the run, the Peters revival of Gypsy closed at a loss (losing little less than half of its $8 million capitalization according to the New York Times, February 3, 2004, p. E5), despite generally favorable critical reviews. Ms. Peters was nominated for a Tony Award, singing the Act II closer "Rose's Turn" at the 2004 Tony Award show (called an "electrifying performance" by Charles Isherwood, writing in Daily Variety, June 9, 2003), but did not win.

From August 11-13, 2006, Patti LuPone took on the role of Mama Rose in Chicago's Ravinia Festival production. She received much critical acclaim. She revealed that she was asked to replace Tyne Daly in the second revival on Broadway, she refused because it was Tyne's production and she would rather have her own production.

[edit] Songs

1. "Overture" - Orchestra
2. "May We Entertain You" - Baby June and Baby Louise
3. "Some People" - Rose
4. "Small World" - Rose and Herbie
5. "Baby June and Her Newsboys" - Baby June and newsboys
6. "Mr. Goldstone" - Rose, Herbie, ensemble
7. "Little Lamb" - Louise
8. "You'll Never Get Away From Me" - Rose and Herbie
9. "Dainty June and Her Farmboys" - June and farmboys
10. "If Momma Was Married" - June and Louise
11. "All I Need is the Girl" - Tulsa and Louise
12. "Everything's Coming Up Roses" - Rose
13. "Together Wherever We Go" - Rose, Herbie, and Louise
14. "You Gotta Get a Gimmick" - Mazeppa, Electra, and Tessie Tura
15. "Let Me Entertain You" - Louise
16. "Rose's Turn" - Rose

During tryouts, "If Momma Was Married" replaced "Mama's Talkin' Soft," which was recorded by Petula Clark and released as a single in the UK in 1959.

[edit] Awards and nominations

• The original 1959 production was nominated for the 1960 Tony Award for: Best Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Scenic Design (Musical), Best Costume Design, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Conductor and Musical Director.

• The 1974 production was nominated for the 1975 Tony Award for: Best Actress in a Musical (winner), Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical.

• The 1989 production was nominated for the 1990 Tony Award for: Best Actress in a Musical (winner), Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Costume Design, and Best Revival (winner).

• The 2003 production was nominated for the 2003 Tony Award for: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

[edit] External links

• Internet Broadway Database
• [ Gypsy at sondheim.com http://sondheim.com/shows/gypsy/]

Stephen Sondheim musicals

Saturday Night • West Side Story • Gypsy • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum • Anyone Can Whistle • Do I Hear a Waltz? • Evening Primrose • Company • Follies • A Little Night Music • The Frogs • Pacific Overtures • Side By Side By Sondheim • Sweeney Todd • Marry Me A Little • Merrily We Roll Along • Sunday in the Park with George • Into the Woods • Assassins • Putting It Together • Passion • Bounce