Savvy BroadwayWorld.com visitors have noticed a new message up on Telecharge.com for those purchasings tickets to Gypsy's final performances.
The message reads: "IMPORTANT NOTICE: This performance of "Gypsy" may be filmed for future purposes. Please be advised that stationary and moving cameras may be placed throughout the theatre as we attempt to capture this historic production on film."
No further information was available at press time regarding filming.
The award winning, critically acclaimed smash hit production of GYPSY will play its final performance at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the conclusion of Tony Award winner Patti LuPone's scheduled engagement. Directed by theatrical legend and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, GYPSY will have played 388 performances and 27 previews by the time it closes. The current production of the great American musical, which also stars Tony Award winners Boyd Gaines as "Herbie" and Laura Benanti as "Gypsy," began preview performances on Monday, March 3, 2008 and officially opened on Thursday, March 27, 2008.
"I know I speak on behalf of my partners when I say that this production has been one of the most gratifying endeavors of our professional careers. Legendary director Arthur Laurents assembled a superb company lead by the incomparable Patti LuPone. And, while we wish GYPSY could entertain us all much longer, it has become clear to us that there is no way to replace the irreplaceable" said Roger Berlind, lead producer of the show.
GYPSY was awarded three 2008 Tony Awards, one for each of the show's three stars: Patti LuPone (Leading Actress in a Musical), Laura Benanti (Best Featured Actress) and Boyd Gaines (Best Featured Actor). The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards in total, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Arthur Laurents), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Martin Pakledinaz) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Dan Moses Schreier). In addition, GYPSY was nominated for six Outer Critics Circle Awards (boasting wins for LuPone and Benanti), four Drama Desk Awards (including wins for LuPone, Gaines and Benanti) and three Drama League Awards including the "Distinguished Performance Award" for Patti LuPone.
Produced by Roger Berlind, The Routh o Frankel o Baruch o Viertel Group, Roy Furman, Debra Black, Ted Hartley, Roger Horchow, David Ian, Scott Rudin and Jack Viertel, GYPSY opened to rave reviews:
"There are times, thrilling and rare, when a show slaps the sense clean out of a critic and when the proper reaction is awe, delight and gratitude. This GYPSY is a stunner: an achievement that no one who loves musicals, no one who loves theater, no one at all should miss." - Adam Feldman, Time Out New York
"As directed by Arthur Laurents, this incarnation of GYPSY shines. Decades seem only to have sharpened Laurents' vision." - Ben Brantley, New York Times
