Rose's Turn

"Rose's Turn" is a song from the musical, Gypsy. It has been performed by such actresses as Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Patti Lupone and Bernadette Peters.

Synopsis

The song "occurs at the point when Mama Rose realises the frustrations of having little to show for the sacrifices that have left her with two seemingly ungrateful children." At this point in the show, Mama Rose is "a character whose dreams were too strong and whose heart held her own feelings hostage to make those dreams come true".^[1] She "finally drops her facade and admits her frustration and despair". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette argues the "unmasking of her psyche" takes place during the song.^[2][3]

Production

The song was written by Jule Styne with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. As the finale, it contains a number of callbacks to songs from earlier in the show. Bette Midler, who performed the show in the 1993 television movie, said the song is her favourite piece from the show: "It's a terrifying piece of music because it's one of the two most famous arias in the musical comedy lexicon, the other being 'Soliloquy' from Carousel".^[4]

Critical reception

Chicago magazine described it as "show-stopping".^[5] Philippine Daily Inquirer described it as a "blazing finale"^[6] The Hour named it a "showstopping tour-de-force".^[7] The Spokesman-Review wrote the song "may not match the other songs for lyrics and melodic value, but its emotional effect is riveting", and described it as a "magical moment"^[1] Boca Raton News names it a "torch song" and the "dramatic high point".^[2] Toledo Blade wrote "when [Mama Rose] sings 'Rose's Turn', a touching reflection of who she is and what she gave up for her daughters, we finally understand the passions that drove her".^[8] Eugene Register-Guard named it a "stunning musical soliloquy", adding "it's here where Rose pours out her true feelings, letting the rage and frustration of a stymied life explode".^[9]

References