Many critics and writers opine that Gypsy Broadway's greatest musical masterpiece would not have been what it was without the exceptional acting talents of Ethel Merman. They bring out the fact that as a mother the aggressive and tyrannical yet likably understood character of Rose strongly portrayed by her was absolutely perfect. The success of Gypsy was mainly because of her and also because of its hilarious choreography. Ethel Merman was central to Gypsy in more ways than one. She was gifted with a booming voice and her brash personality was eminently suited for the stage-obsessed character of Rose.
It was then incredible that Ethel Merman lost out to Sound Of Music's Mary Martin when the turn to receive the Tony Awards came. Many critics consider this error by the judges of the Tony awards as the most idiotic one. The above original production of Gypsy debuted on Broadway on May 21, 1959 at the Broadway Theatre. It then moved on to the Imperial Theatre and ran a total of 702 performances in all, excluding the 2 previews. A high point of Gypsy was its direction and choreography both by Jerome Robbins. Although not destined to be a dance show, Robbins added charm to the plot by weaving in the vaudeville and burlesque styles of choreography into it. These were considered the most lingering aspects that gripped the minds of its audiences as they came out of the theatre.
Produced by David Merrick and with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy the musical received a total of 8 Tony Award nominations, yet surprisingly failed to win any. The show closed in March 1961. Gypsy was loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and focus on her mother Rose. The book was written by Arthur Laurents. Rose is the ultimate mother in show business. The plot revolves around the dream of Rose, and her efforts, to bring up her two daughters so they could become stage artistes. It portrays the trials and tribulations that a career in show business involves.
Gypsy contained a total of 17 songs in two Acts. Of them, Small World, You'll Never Get Away From Me, Let Me Entertain You, and Everything's Coming Up Roses became popular standards. Further revivals of Gypsy on Broadway occurred in 1974 (120 performances), 1989 (476 performances), 2003 (451 performances). Besides these, a current revival of Gypsy Broadway's multiple reincarnated musical show is on the cards. The latest reincarnation began at the St. James Theatre on March 27, 2008 with Patti Lupone in the lead role as Rose. Although, Gypsy Broadway's moneyspinner through its many reincarnations past, present, and future will stay in the minds of people for ever, its spark was really Ethel Merman.
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