Gypsy to close on 1 Mar, at the conclusion of Tony Award winner Patti LuPone's scheduled engagement.
The award winning, critically acclaimed revival of Gypsy will play its final performance at the St. James Theatre on 1 Mar 2009, at the conclusion of Tony Award winner Patti LuPone's scheduled engagement.
Directed by Arthur Laurents - author of the musical - Gypsy will have played 388 performances and 27 previews by the time it closes.
"I know I speak on behalf of my partners when I say that this production has been one of the most gratifying endeavors of our professional careers. Legendary director Arthur Laurents assembled a superb company lead by the incomparable Patti LuPone. And, while we wish Gypsy could entertain us all much longer, it has become clear to us that there is no way to replace the irreplaceable" said Roger Berlind, lead producer of the show.
The current revival of Gypsy, which also stars Tony Award winners Boyd Gaines as 'Herbie' and Laura Benanti as 'Gypsy,' opened at the St James Theatre on 27 Mar 2008, following previews from 3 Mar 2008.
The musical opened to excellent reviews: "This new revival of "Gypsy" is by far the best yet." (New York Theatre Guide); "Wallop-packing revival.� (New York Times); "The stuff Broadway dreams are made of." (New York Daily News); "LuPone's electrifying portrayal lights up the theater like a mega-watt marquee." (Star-Ledger); "The joy doesn't stop until the final curtain comes down." (Associated Press) and "An incisively acted musical play with as much emotional resonance as showbiz pizzazz. (Variety).
Gypsy was awarded three 2008 Tony Awards, one for each of the show's three stars: Patti LuPone (Leading Actress in a Musical), Laura Benanti (Best Featured Actress) and Boyd Gaines (Best Featured Actor).
The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards in total, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Arthur Laurents), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Martin Pakledinaz) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Dan Moses Schreier).
As well as the show's three stars: Patti LuPone as 'Rose,' Boyd Gaines as 'Herbie' and Laura Benanti as 'Louise,' the musical also features Leigh Ann Larkin as 'Dainty June', Tony Yazbeck as 'Tulsa', Marilyn Caskey as 'Electra', Alison Fraser as 'Tessie', and Lenora Nemetz as 'Mazeppa', with Bill Bateman as 'Mr. Goldstone', Jim Bracchitta as 'Uncle Jocko', Sami Gayle as 'Baby June', Bill Raymond as 'Pop', Brian Reddy as 'Weber' and Emma Rowley as 'Baby Louise'.
Gypsy, score by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, tells the story of Mama Rose (LuPone), an overbearing stage mother who is determined to break into the big time by pushing the vaudeville career of her younger daughter June (Sami Gayle). 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 (Benanti). 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.
The production, helmed by Arthur Laurents, features choreography 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 is produced on Broadway by Roger Berlind, The Routh - Frankel - Barucho Viertel Group, Roy Furman, Debra Black, Ted Hartley, Roger Horchow, David Ian, Scott Rudin and Jack Viertel.
The new production of Gypsy was based on the critically acclaimed New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars production which enjoyed a triumphant three week run in July of 2007.
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