The award winning, critically acclaimed smash hit production of GYPSY played its final performance at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) on Sunday, January 11, 2009.
It was as expected, a magical day at the St. James, thunderous applause met every entrance, and the entire cast shared with the audience that certain alchemy that only a closing night of something special allows. Stage legends and Gypsy creators, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim took to the stage to join the cast as the they took the final bows at curtain call. While very little press was present at the closing matinee performance, BroadwayWorld was there to share in the emotional event. We were allowed to share these photos with you, due in large part to the generosity of the entire GYPSY production team.
Directed by theatrical legend and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, GYPSY played 332 performances and 27 previews. The production starred Tony Award winners Patti LuPone as "Rose," Boyd Gaines as "Herbie" and Laura Benanti as "Gypsy". GYPSY began preview performances on Monday, March 3, 2008 and officially opened on Thursday, March 27, 2008.
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.
GYPSY also starred 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," Katie Micha as "Baby Louise," Bill Raymond as "Pop," Brian Reddy as "Weber," and The ensemble of GYPSY features Beckley Andrews, Andrew Boyer, Nancy Renée Braun, Jacob Clemente, Kyrian Friedenberg, Matt Gibson, Sarah Marie Hicks, Steve Konopelski, Matthew Lobenhofer, Nicole Mangi, Matty Price, Lisa Rohinsky, Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero, Jessica Rush, Alicia Sable, John Scacchetti, Geo Seery, Rider Quentin Stanton, Dorothy Stanley, Pearce Wegener and Emma Zacks.
The hit production of GYPSY was based on the critically acclaimed New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars production which enjoyed a triumphant three week run in July of 2007.
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 winning legend 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."
Boyd Gaines and Patti LuPone embrace at the final Gypsy curtain call
Sami Gayle, Boyd Gaines, Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim and Patti LuPone
Sami Gayle, Boyd Gaines, Patti LuPone, Stephen Sondheim, Marilyn Caskey and Arthur Laurents
Boyd Gaines, Sami Gayle, Laura Benanti, Marilyn Caskey and the cast
Patti LuPone and Stephen Sondheim and the cast of Gypsy
'She was swell, she was great', farewell to Gypsy!
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