Gypsy (Musical, Original) opened in New York City May 21, 1959 and played through Mar 25, 1961.
- Theatre Owned / Operated by Trebuhs Realty Co., Inc.Produced by David Merrick and Leland HaywardBook by Arthur Laurents; Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee; Music by Jule Styne; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Musical Director: Milton Rosenstock; Music orchestrated by Sid Ramin and Robert Ginzler; Dance arrangements by John Kander; Additional Dance music by Betty WalbergDirected by Jerome Robbins; Choreographed by Jerome RobbinsScenic Design by Jo Mielziner; Costume Design by Raoul Pène Du Bois; Lighting Design by Jo Mielziner; Hair Design by Ernest Adler; Sound Design by Jack Mitnick; Associate to Mr. Mielziner: John Harvey; Assistant to Mr. Du Bois: Willa KimGeneral Manager: Jack Schlissel; Company Manager: Vince McKnightProduction Stage Manager: Ruth Mitchell; Stage Manager: Lo Hardin; Assistant Stage Mgr: James BronsonRehearsal Pianist: John Kander; Music Contractor: Morris StonzekPress Representative: Frank Goodman and Seymour Krawitz; Advertising: Fred Golden and Blaine-Thompson; Production Associate: Michael Mindlin, Jr.; Asst. to the Choreographer: Robert Tucker; Assistant to the Director: Gerald Freedman; Assistant to the Producer: Edward FullerRoseLouiseHerbieShowgirlFarm BoyArnold (and his guitar)JuneNewsboyMarjorie MayNewsboyFarm BoyAgnesNewsboyMazeppaGailDoloresFarm BoyElectraPopNewsboyTessie TuraShowgirlBalloon GirlThelmaKringeleinCigarShowgirlUncle JockoMr. GoldstoneBaby JuneShowgirlBaby LouiseMiss CratchittShowgirlL.A.Farm BoyEdna MaePasteyMaidWeberPhilGeorgeCowShowgirlAngieFarm BoyShowgirlTulsaFarm BoyYonkersFarm BoyBougeron-CochonCowStandby: George Gaynes (Herbie), Leila Martin (Louise) and Jane Romano (Rose)Understudies: Sterling Beath (Pop, Weber), Imelda De Martin (June), Ivy Ellen (Baby June), Jody Lane (Baby Louise), Peg Murray (Tessie Tura), Marsha Rivers (Electra), Joe Silver (Cigar, Kringelein), Willy Sumner (Kringelein) and Jan Tanzy (Baby June)
Broadway Theatre (May 21, 1959 - Jul 09, 1960)
NewsboyNewsboyGailYonkersThelmaFarm BoyNewsboyJuneAngieFarm BoyElectraClarence (and his classic clarinet)NewsboyMr. GoldstoneUncle JockoStandby: Vincent Beck (Herbie) and Julienne Marie (Louise)Understudies: Anita Gillette (June) and Harvey Hohnecker (Tulsa)Imperial Theatre (Aug 15, 1960 - Mar 25, 1961)
Theatre Owned / Operated by The Shubert OrganizationBalloon GirlTessie TuraLouiseBaby LouiseMazeppaElectraBaby June - SongsSung ByBaby June and Baby LouiseRoseRose and HerbieRose and EnsembleLouiseRose and HerbieLouise and JuneTulsa and LouiseRoseSung ByLouise and The Hollywood BlondesRose, Louise and HerbieTessie Tura, Mazeppa and ElectraRoseLouise and CompanyRose
- Awards
Tony Award®
1960 Nominee
Produced by David Merrick and Leland Hayward
Book by Arthur Laurents
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Music by Jule Styne1960 Nominee
Ethel Merman1960 Nominee
Jack Klugman1960 Nominee
Sandra Church1960 Nominee
Scenic Design by Jo Mielziner1960 Nominee
Costume Design by Raoul Pène Du Bois1960 Nominee
Directed by Jerome Robbins1960 Nominee
Musical Director: Milton Rosenstock
Gypsy Broadway Songs
Overview
Gypsy Original Broadway Cast Rarity
This tribute to burlesque was a star vehicle for Ethel Merman. The score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim includes the Merman standard 'Everything's Coming Up Roses,' and the song that is invariably used to introduce anything having to do with the strip tease, 'Let Me Entertain You.' A 702-performance hit in its original production (which is captured here), the show was considered the definitive Merman performance and the crowning achievement of her long career. (It marked her final appearance in a new Broadway musical, though she later appeared in revivals.) It is also considered one of the great American musicals of all time, balanced between the broad show business entertainment represented by composer Jule Styne and the modern, dark, psychological drama typical of Stephen Sondheim, who, as with his previous effort, West Side Story, was contributing only lyrics, though he would go on to write music and lyrics for a series of musicals from the 1960s on. ~ Marjorie Ellen Ruhlmann & William Ruhlmann