Noteworthy
Gypsy is notable for different reasons. It is said to be one of the best Broadway musicals in America. The acting and singing is superb. Many people find the songs in this musical to be extremely inspirational. Also, the play shows the struggles of the show business. It follows the life of a stereotypical "stage mom" trying to get her daughters to perform. Not to mention, the show is based off of the life of a stripper, which was something different and new with musicals.
Who wrote it?
Actors
Music - Jule Styne ("Let It Snow")
Lyrics - Stephen Sondheim ("Sweeney Todd" and "Maria" from Silver Linings Playbook)
Book - Arthur Laurents ("West Side Story")
- Rose - Ethel Merman
- Louise - Sandra Church
- Herbie - Jack Klugman
- June - Lane Bradbury
Broadway Runs
- The original opened May 21, 1959
- 702 performances
- Closed March 25, 1961
Who directed it?
Synopsis
Jerome Robbins - Worked on "Peter Pan," "The King and I," and "West Side Story"
“Gypsy” is a story about a mother who is desperate to get her two daughters into the show business. However, her daughter June runs off and gets married. This causes Rose to turn to her older daughter, Louise. Instead of headlining on Broadway as her mother had hoped, Louise gets into another type of show business and becomes a stripper. Rose is left alone with her dreams and aspirations for her kids.
Fun Facts:
- The most famous line was not in the original script
- Song "Little Lamb" was almost cut from the play, but Jule Styne wouldn't allow it
- Herbie was based on a real life Jewish man who left Rose after she asked him to change religions
- Imelda Staunton in latest revival
Based on Prior Work?
- Gypsy: A Memoir, an autobiography of Gypsy Rose Lee
- Tells her life story in three acts
- Starts with her childhood and touring with her sister
- Ends with Gypsy heading to Hollywood to start a movie career, although it was not too successful
- Became a New York Times best seller in 1957
- Inspired the musical and two movies
Critic Reviews
Many critics tend to consider "Gypsy" to be one of the best Broadway shows. Many critics rave on about how amazing Imelda Staunton is as Mama Rose. The rest of he cast and crew is also said to be outstanding, and, as Stephen Collins puts it, "Everyone in this company is superb in their part, everyone can really sing, really dance and really deliver the goods in terms of dramatic and comic acting. This is that rare beast: an exquisitely cast musical where the requirements of the parts have more importance in the casting process than potential box office draw or Twitter popularity." Collins also says that "the creative team is at the top of their game."
Awards
- The original run was nomiated for eight Tony Awards, but did not win any
- Awards include Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Actress in a musical
- The revivals also won many Tony Awards as well
Revivals and High School Performances
- Four revivals
- September 23, 1974 - 102 performances
- November 16, 1989 - 476 performances
- May 1, 2003 - 451 performances
- March 27, 2008 - 332 performances
- "Too provocative" for high schools to perform
Well-Known or Notable Songs
- "Let Me Entertain You"
- "Everything's Coming Up Roses"
- "Rose's Turn"
"Let Me Entertain You"
"Everything's Coming Up Roses"
"Rose's Turn"