GYPSY A Musical in 2 Acts, 17 Scenes. Book by Arthur Laurents. Suggested by the memoirs (of the same name) by Gypsy Rose Lee. Music by Jule Styne. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Broadway Theatre, New York: Opened 21st May, 1959 - closed 11th July 1960, Transferred to the Imperial Theatre - 13th August, 1960 and closed 25th March, 1961 (total 702 performances) Piccadilly Theatre, London - 29 May, 1973 STORY: It is the 1920s, Mama Rose wants her daughters Louise and June to be stars. Uncle. Jocko is rehearsing his Kiddie's Show . Rose bludgeons him into hearing her girls, who render the opening number "May We Entertain You", but Jocko is not entertained, and Rose storms home. With just a little money, she pleads to Grandpa, she can sweep the girls to stardom in Los Angeles. Grandpa won't sell his gold plaque from the railroad company, but that's no problem to Rose. "Some People", she sings, "Some people ain't me!". She grabs the plaque, the girls and Chowsie the dog and is off to L.A. Herbie agrees to be Rose's agent, and they sing a friendly duet, 'Small World". Everyone sings the celebratory "Mr. Goldstone". Time passes and the troupe reach New York. Because of the depression times are hard. Herbie wants Rose to give up the act and marry him, but she says he must wait until her girls are stars. "You'll never get away from me'', she sings. They audition for the important Mr. Grantziger with the number "Broadway". He offers to make June an actress on condition that Rose keeps away from her. Rose rages out, leaving June and Louise lamenting their showbiz fate in "If Mama Was Married". They journey on. Tulsa, one of Rose's boys, is rehearsing a routine of his own; Louise joins in, and they sing "All I Need Is A Girl". On the railroad platform in Omaha Rose is deserted by the other boys; she hears that June, has married Tulsa and run away: the act is finished. The indomitable Rose switches her ambitions to Louise in "Everything's Coming Up Roses". In Texas, Rose is rehearsing Louise who has no talent and knows it: Herbie, Rose and Louise keep their spirits up with "Together Wherever We Go", The act is now Rose, Louise and Her Hollywood Blondes, and Herbie accidentally books them into a strip joint. Louise has a lesson from the strippers in "You Gotta Get A Gimmick", They decide to stay for two weeks at the joint, and then, Rose promises she will marry Herbie and finish the act. The last day comes; the star stripper has been arrested. Rose persuades Louise to take her place, The faithful Herbie at last walks out on Rose in disgust. In a reprise montage of "Let Me Entertain You" we see Louise hit stardom as the Queen of Strip, Gypsy Rose Lee. In the final scene Rose visits Louise in her star dressing room. Rose feels jealous and resentful that it is her dreams that have brought Louise fame. They quarrel and Louise goes. Rose sings ''Rose's Turn", wishing she had had Louise's chances. Louise returns to make friends with her mother before the final curtain. CASTING Total cast, 40-60. 45 parts, including 8-12 children who can sing and dance and a host of animals (lamb, monkey, dogs, cats, birds), 9 principals. Rose, stage mother, powerful voice, carries show. Baby June and Baby Louise, girls 7 or 8 who sing and dance well. Herbie, nice guy, intently helpful, sings. Louise, accomplished actress, sings well.
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