Sondheim Not Ready to Approve Barbra Streisand-Helmed GYPSY

According to a report on Lemonade.com, Stephen Sondheim, lyricist for the classic musical GYPSY, is not keen on the idea of Barbra Streisand taking on directing duties for an upcoming remake of the 1962 film.

The sites Brendan Lemon reports, "According to my spies, the biggest roadblock in [Streisand's] way is Stephen Sondheim, the show's lyricist, who so far has withheld his permission for her to direct."

Streisand has been determined to make a reboot of the 1962 film in which she would play 'Mama Rose. The original musical comedy-drama was produced and directed by Mervyn LeRoy with a screenplay by Leonard Spigelgass, based on the book of the 1959 stage musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable by Arthur Laurents, which was adapted from Gypsy: A Memoir by Gypsy Rose Lee. Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics for songs composed by Jule Styne. The film was remade for television in 1993.

GYPSY was last seen in a production that was first presented by Encores! from July 9 to 29, 2007 with Patti LuPone playing Rose, and direction by Arthur Laurents. Principal casting included Laura Benanti in the title role of "Gypsy/Louise", with Boyd Gaines as "Herbie", and Leigh Ann Larkin as "Dainty June."

Streisand has appeared on Broadway in I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE and FUNNY GIRL. She has also received a special Tony Award. Her film work includes FUNNY GIRL, FUNNY LADY, YENTL, and NUTS. She has won numerous awards including the Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy awards.

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