How well do you know the captivating world of Gypsy: A Musical Fable? Test your knowledge of this legendary musical, from its music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim to the unforgettable character of Rose, the ultimate stage mother. Dive into behind-the-scenes facts, cast changes, and iconic performances that have shaped the history of this theatrical masterpiece. Discover lesser-known details and see how much trivia you can recall from one of Broadway's most celebrated productions!
Adaptations
- Camille A. Brown choreographed the 2024 revival of Gypsy directed by George C. Wolfe.
- George C. Wolfe directed the 2024 Broadway revival of Gypsy, with previews beginning on November 21 at the Majestic Theatre.
- Universal Pictures was involved in developing the 'Gypsy' film remake with Streisand until 2015 when the project was put in turnaround.
- Despite initial confirmation, Arthur Laurents announced in 2011 that a film involving Streisand was no longer happening, only to be contradicted later when plans resumed.
- Barbra Streisand was in talks as early as 2011 to produce, direct, and star in a film remake of 'Gypsy'.
International Productions
- Silvia Pinal, who starred in the 1998 Mexican revival of Gypsy, is also known for being a muse of legendary filmmaker Luis Buñuel.
- In 1992, the Argentine production of Gypsy opened at the Teatro Astral in Buenos Aires with Mabel Manzotti starring as Rose.
- The 1977 Mexican production of Gypsy featured Marga Lopez as Rose and Claudia Islas as Louise, directed by Enrique Gómez Vadillo.
- The West End revival of 'Gypsy' opened on April 15, 2015 at the Savoy Theatre, starring Imelda Staunton as Rose, and won multiple Laurence Olivier Awards.
- The 1973 London production of 'Gypsy' featured Angela Lansbury as Rose after producers replaced Elaine Stritch due to unsuccessful ticket sales in anticipation.
Musical Composition
- The 1974 Broadway revival recording of 'Gypsy' was actually a remix of the 1973 London Cast recording.
- The musical 'Gypsy: A Musical Fable' features music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
- The 2011 production of Gypsy at Lyric Stage in Irving, Texas featured the full original orchestrations, which hadn't been heard since 1961.
- The original Broadway cast album of 'Gypsy' marked Ethel Merman's first recording using the new stereophonic sound technology.
- Stephen Sondheim, known for his later contributions to musical theatre, was initially hesitant to join 'Gypsy' since he was only asked to write lyrics, not the music.
- Ethel Merman, a prominent Broadway actress, was instrumental in ensuring Jule Styne composed the music for 'Gypsy', as she preferred him over the then less well-known Sondheim.
- The 1959 and 2003 Broadway cast albums of 'Gypsy' both won the Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Show Album.
- 'Mama's Talkin' Soft', a cut song from 'Gypsy', was recorded by Petula Clark and released as a single in the UK in 1959.
- During the pre-Broadway tryout of 'Gypsy', the song 'Nice She Ain't' was cut because Jack Klugman received it one week prior to opening and couldn't memorize the keys and staging in time.
- Famous composers Irving Berlin and Cole Porter both declined to work on 'Gypsy', leading the way for Jule Styne to take over the music composition.
Notable Tours
- Ethel Merman, who starred as Rose in the original Broadway production of 'Gypsy', led the first national touring company starting in March 1961.
- Bernadette Peters, who played the role on Broadway in 2003, described the character of Rose not as a monster, but as a traumatized woman driven by ambition due to her mother's early departure.
- An 'in concert' version of Gypsy at Alexandra Palace in 2022 featured seven actresses each playing Rose during different sections of the show.
Production Facts
- The 2008 Broadway revival of 'Gypsy' featuring Patti LuPone won several awards, including Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards for LuPone.
- Leslie Uggams was the first African-American woman to portray Rose in an Equity Production of Gypsy at Connecticut Repertory Theatre in 2014.
- Rosalind Russell won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy for her portrayal of Rose in the 1962 film adaptation of Gypsy.
- Bette Midler won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Rose in the 1993 television movie adaptation of Gypsy.
- The 2018 production at The Muny featured Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Rose, part of their historic centennial season.
- The 2015 West End revival of 'Gypsy' starring Imelda Staunton was uniquely recorded live at the Savoy Theatre and later broadcast on BBC Four.
- The live recording of the 2015 West End revival of 'Gypsy' was released on DVD in November 2016.
- Imelda Staunton won Best Musical Performance at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2015 for her role in the West End revival of 'Gypsy'.
- Arthur Laurents directed the 2008 Encores! production of 'Gypsy' at New York City Center, which later moved to Broadway and opened at the St. James Theatre.
- Patti LuPone portrayed Rose in a 2008 Broadway revival of 'Gypsy', which started as a concert production at the Chicago Ravinia Festival in 2006.
- Despite initial success, the 2003 production of 'Gypsy' closed on May 30, 2004, after 451 performances and 33 previews.
- Sam Mendes directed the 2003 revival of 'Gypsy', with Bernadette Peters playing the role of Rose.
- A new Broadway revival of 'Gypsy' began previews on March 31, 2003 and opened on May 1, 2003, at the Shubert Theatre.
- Tyne Daly won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Rose in the 1989 Broadway revival of 'Gypsy'.
- Angela Lansbury won the 1975 Tony Award for her role in the 1974 Broadway revival of 'Gypsy'.
- The original Broadway production of 'Gypsy' opened on May 21, 1959, and closed on March 25, 1961, after 702 performances and two previews.
- Arthur Laurents, the writer of the book for 'Gypsy', was initially not interested in the project until he realized the story's focus on the vicarious living of parents through their children.
- 'Gypsy' has been referred to by critics like Ben Brantley and Frank Rich as possibly the greatest American musical, noting its depth and the complexity of its characters.
- The character Louise in 'Gypsy' evolves from a background performer in a vaudeville act to a celebrated burlesque star, mirroring the real-life transformation of Gypsy Rose Lee.
- The character Rose in 'Gypsy' is based on Gypsy Rose Lee's mother and is known as the ultimate show business mother, pushing her daughters towards stardom with relentless ambition.
- 'Gypsy' is based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous striptease artist, and it highlights the demanding life of show business through her and her family's experiences.
