Gypsy is based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous burlesque stripper. The musical focuses on her overbearing mother, Rose, the quintessential stage mother, as she pushes Gypsy (then known as Louise) and her sister June into life on the vaudeville circuit, forever trying to break into the big time.

One of the greatest musicals of all time, Gypsy features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. It was directed by legendary director/choreographer Jerome Robbins and the original 1962 production starred Ethel Merman as Mama Rose.

It has been revived several times, first as a London production featuring Angela Lansbury as Rose and Zan Charisse as Louise, which eventually transferred to Broadway in 1974, and a more recent Broadway revival starring Tyne Daly as Rose in 1989. Gypsy was made into a motion picture with Rosalind Russell as Rose and Natalie Wood as Louise in 1963, and into a TV movie with Bette Midler in 1993.

“I found [the Sondheim Celebration's Company] to be completely delightful. Almost all of the numbers excited and energized me, and most of the scenes were about as pitch-perfect as you can get. I just sat there with a big smile on my face the whole show.

Which is not to say that it is perfect...”
- popcornonmyknees

Explore the rest of the Finishing the Chat Community Forum

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