Gypsy: Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti to star alongside Patti LuPone in Broadway revival

Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti are to star alongside Patti LuPone in a Broadway revival of Gypsy.

Gypsy is scheduled to open at the St. James Theatre on 27 Mar 2008, following previewd from 3 Mar 2008.

The new production will be based on the critically acclaimed New York City Center Encores! production which enjoyed a triumphant three week run in July of this year. LuPone will lead the cast in the role of 'Rose,' the quintessential stage mother, joined by Gaines as 'Herbie' and Benanti as 'Louise,' the daughter who transforms into the title character of Gypsy in this musical fable suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee.

The Encores! Summer Stars production of Gypsy, opened at the City Center on 14 Jul 2007, following previews from 9 July and ran through to 29 Jul 2007.

The production, once again helmed by Arthur Laurents, will feature chorepgraphy by Bonnie Walker (reproducing Jerome Robbins' original choreography). The creative team features James Youmans (sets), Martin Pakledinaz (costumes), Howell Binkley (lighting) and Gregory Clarke (sound).

Gypsy, score by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, tells the story of Mama Rose, an overbearing stage mother who is determined to break into the big time by pushing the vaudeville career of her younger daughter June. However, unwilling to tolerate her mother's manipulations, June elopes with a dancer.

Rose then turns all of her attention on her older and less talented daughter Louise. Eventually Rose's dreams come to fruition when she successfully transforms Louise into a famous burlesque stripper known as Gypsy Rose Lee, but her daughter's success does not bring Mama Rose the happiness see seeks.

Patti LuPone last appeared on Broadway as Mrs. Lovett in the 2005 revival of 'Sweeney Todd' for which she was nominated for a 2006 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. LuPone won the 1980 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Eva Peron in 'Evita' (1979). In 1985 she won Olivier Awards for 'Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical' for her wok in the London productions of 'The Cradle Will Rock' and 'Les Miserables' in which she originated the role of Fantine.

Boyd Gaines recently played Colonel Pickering in the Roundabout's Broadway revival of 'Pygmalion'. Gaines has won Three Tony Awards: 'Heidi Chronicles' (1989 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play), 'She Loves Me' (1994 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical) and 'Contact' (2000 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical).

Laura Benanti last appeared on Broadway in 'The Wedding Singer' (2006). Benanti has twice been nominated for Tony Awards: 'Swing' (2000 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical) and 'Into the Woods' (2002 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.)