TV Exclusive: 'GYPSY' CD Release Q&A

The 2008 Broadway Cast Recording of GYPSY (Time Life) currently leads the Billboard Cast Album Chart. The recording of this critically acclaimed new production has captured the #1 slot for cast recordings and charted at #58 on the Top 200 in Billboard magazine. In celebration of the recording and its unparalleled success, BWW TV is proud to bring you this exclusive look at the Gypsy cast's CD Q&A and signing that recently took place at the Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle.

The 2008 Broadway Cast Recording of GYPSY starring Tony® and Olivier® Award-winning Patti LuPone, four-time Tony® Award-winner Boyd Gaines and Tony® Award-winner Laura Benanti. The critically acclaimed new production, directed by theatrical legend Arthur Laurents, had its official opening at Broadway's St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) on March 27. The new Broadway cast recording of GYPSY is produced by multiple Grammy® Award nominee Robert Sher (Sugar Babies, Stephen Sondheim's Follies, The Wizard of Oz, 1776 (revival), Evil Dead The Musical and the recent Time Life release Annie: 30th Anniversary Cast Recording). The recording session took place May 5 & May 6 at Clinton Recording Studios (653 Tenth Avenue).

This new and most complete GYPSY recording features never-before-recorded songs that were cut from the original Broadway production including "Three Wishes for Christmas," "Mama's Talkin' Soft," "Nice She Ain't," "Mother's Day," "Smile, Girls," "Who Needs Him?," and an alternate version of "Mother's Day." Additionally, award-winning Broadway and Hollywood orchestrator Jonathan Tunick has created new orchestrations for the additional musical numbers. Tunick, a longtime collaborator with Stephen Sondheim, is one of the few artists who has won all four major American performing awards: Tony Award®, Academy Award®, Emmy® Award and Grammy® Award.

LuPone leads the cast as the quintessential stage mother "Rose." She is joined by Boyd Gaines (Journey's End) as "Herbie" and Laura Benanti (Into the Woods) as "Louise," the daughter who transforms into the title character of "Gypsy Rose Lee." GYPSY also stars Leigh Ann Larkin as "Dainty June," Tony Yazbeck as "Tulsa," Marilyn Caskey as "Electra," Alison Fraser as "Tessie," Lenora Nemetz as "Mazeppa," Bill Bateman as "Mr. Goldstone," Jim Bracchitta as "Uncle Jocko," Sami Gayle as "Baby June," Bill Raymond as "Pop," Brian Reddy as "Weber" and Emma Rowley as "Baby Louise."

The ensemble of GYPSY features Beckley Andrews, Nancy Renée Braun, Mindy Dougherty, Kyrian Friedenberg, Sarah Marie Hicks, Steve Konopelski, Matthew Lobenhofer, Nicole Mangi, Katie Micha, Matty Price, Andy Richardson, Jessica Rush, Alicia Sable, John Scacchetti, Geo Seery, Rider Quentin Stanton, Pearce Wegener, Andrew Boyer, Matt Gibson and Lisa Rohinsky.

GYPSY features musical direction by Patrick Vaccariello.

GYPSY, the musical fable suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, is written by three legendary theatrical giants. The book is by two-time Tony Award winner Arthur Laurents, with music by two-time Tony Award winner Jule Styne and lyrics by multiple Tony Award winner Stephen Sondheim. The 1959 blockbuster, originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, boasts a legendary score with such classic songs as "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Rose's Turn" and "Some People."

Tickets for GYPSY are $117.00 - $42.00 and are available through Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com or by visiting the St. James Theatre box office. Premium seating is available. Performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 8 PM, Wednesday & Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

Video shot and edited by E. Matthew Cady