LuPone's GYPSY Heading to the West End?

Whatsonstage.com is reporting that rumors have resurfaced surrounding the possible transfer of the most recent Broadway revival of Gypsy, starring Patti LuPone, to the West End. 

The production, was 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."

Arthur Laurents directed his famed production for Encores!, which is based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother." It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee's sister, the actress June Havoc.

The Encores! production was so successful it moved to Broadway at the ST. James Theatre, opening in March 2008, with Patti LuPone, Boyd Gaines, Laura Benanti, and Leigh Ann Larkin reprising their roles. Arthur Laurents again directed and Bonnie Walker reproduced the original choreography by Jerome Robbins. The production closed on January 11, 2009 after 332 performances and 27 previews. The production won three Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards, in each case for the performances by LuPone, Gaines and Benanti. It was also nominated for Best Revival of a Musical, and Best Direction. The show was originally intended to close in March 2009 on Lupone's final performance, but closed in January due to decreases in ticket sales. 

Following the close of the show, West End producer David Ian was quoted saying that he was keeping "a close eye on what's shaking up and what's shaking down" in order to find the appropriate house for the large production, which boasts a cast of 30 and a 27 piece orchestra. 

No word yet on whether the Broadway revival cast would be returning to the production across the pond. 

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