USA: Broadway star Patti LuPone and cast reunite for a "Gypsy" revival on Broadway.

Record ID: 220512

  • Title: USA: Broadway star Patti LuPone and cast reunite for a "Gypsy" revival on Broadway.
  • Date: 4th April 2008
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MARCH 27, 2008) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ST. JAMES THEATRE EXTERIOR SIGN OF "GYPSY" BROADWAY MUSICAL POSTER OF "GYPSY" ACTOR MANDY PATINKIN AND WIFE KATHRYN GRODY ON RED CARPET ACTORS STEPHEN ROOT AND WAYNE KNIGHT ON RED CARPET ACTOR STEPHEN PASQUALE ON RED CARPET SOUNDBITE (English) ACTOR STEPHEN PASQUALE SAYING: "My wife Laura Benanti, Gypsy Rose Lee. Yeah, I'm so proud. She's totally brilliant in this. The best she's ever been, which is saying a lot so she's good in everything, so I'm really proud."
  • Embargoed: 19th April 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA5FYT6R29BIML9I0VF0KLLZJMD
  • Story Text: Tony Award winning actress Patti LuPone headlines the fourth revival of "Gypsy" at the St. James Theatre in New York City. LuPone stars as Mama Rose, the ambitious mother who attempts to get her daughters to fame and fortune.
    Though fast approaching fifty (50) years since its debut, "Gypsy's" theme of the harsh realities of fame and fortune has continued to resonate with Broadway audiences over the years, 'reviving' itself on Broadway in 1974, 1989 and 2003, as well as numerous off-Broadway productions.
    Arthur Laurents, author of the book loosely based on burlesque and striptease artist Gypsy Lee Rose's memoir, as well as director of the 1974 and 1989 revivals, returns again to direct the Broadway classic, along with composer Stephen Sondheim, who wrote the original lyrics of such classics as "Everything's Coming Up Rose" and "You Gotta Get A Gimmick."
    When asked if she considered it the best American Musical, actress Angela Lansbury, who took on the role of Rose in the 1974 revival, said: "Well, I wouldn't call it the greatest but I think it's, it's got the best book of any musical, and on the basis of that it's the best. It really is."
    Long considered by critics as the best American musical, Gypsy has passed in and out of Broadway since its original production in 1959. After a limited run at the New York City Encores! in 2007, Patti LuPone was asked to return to the stage for a 2008 Broadway revival. Boyd Gaines, a three-time Tony Winner, and Lauren Benanti, a two-time Tony nominee, were also asked to return to their roles, as Herbie, the ex-agent who agrees to manage the two girls, after some seductive persuasion from Rose (in the number "Small World"), and the eldest of the two daughters, Louise.
    Asked about his wife Laura Benanti taking on the role based on the real Gypsy Lee Rose, actor Stephen Pasquale ("Rescue Me") said: "Yeah, I'm so proud. She's totally brilliant in this. The best she's ever been, which is saying a lot so she's good in everything, so I'm really proud." Pasquale also expressed his hopes of some day being on Broadway, and admitted he was a bit jealous of his wife.
    Originally premiering at the St. James theatre in New York City for its 1989 production, "Gypsy" returned on opening night Thursday (March 27) to a packed and star-studded audience. Long considered born to play the role of Rose, Patti LuPone received a standing ovation, along with Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim, who acknowledged deceased composer Jule Styne, who wrote the original music for "Gypsy."
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