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Gypsy

Cover to Sheet Music

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

45 parts, including 8-12 children who can sing and dance and a host of animals (lamb, monkey, dogs, cats, birds), 9 principals.

Large singing, dancing, and showgirl chorus.

Total cast, 40-60.

Musical Numbers:

  1. May We Entertain You - Baby June, Baby Louise
  2. Some People - Rose
  3. Travelling
  4. Small World - Rose, Herbie
  5. Baby June and her Newsboys - (Baby June, Newsboys)
  6. Mr. Goldstone, I Love You - Rose, (Boys)
  7. Little Lamb - Louise
  8. You'll Never Get Away from Me - Rose, Herbie
  9. Dainty June and her Farmboys - (June, Farmboys)
  10. If Momma Was Married - Louise, June
  11. All I Need Is the Girl - Tulsa, Louise
  12. Everything's Coming Up Roses - Rose
  13. Madame Rose's Toreadorables - Louise, Toreadorables
  14. Together, Wherever We Go - Rose, Louise, Herbie
  15. You Gotta Have a Gimmick - Tessie Tura, Mazeppa, and Electra
  16. Small World (reprise) - Rose
  17. Let Me Entertain You - Louise, Company
  18. Rose's Turn - Rose

Scenes and Settings

2 acts, 17 scenes, 11 full stage sets, 3 front pieces (a car, an American eagle with flags, and a barn with flags), 2 drops, front curtain representing the grand drape of three famous burlesque theatres. Original production used 1 large turntable.

ACT I

ACT II

Period and Costumes

Early 1920's to early 1930's: kids talent costumes, knickers, vests, funny hats, women's suits, dresses, and coats of the period. Men's suits and overcoats. Cow costume. Ermine coat, page jackets, light pants, top hats, pajamas and other nightclothes, white armed services costumes, Uncle Sam outfit, stripper costumes, g-strings, etc., briefly decorated girls forming Christmas tree, Spanish madam costumes, sophisticated strip dress, long white gloves, leather coat, spats.

Choreography

Tap, vaudeville song-and-dance routines, strip, bumps and grinds.

Lighting and Special Effects

Flexible lighting essential, seed lights on set, fireworks and smoke.

Orchestration


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