Gypsy (musical)
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:23:18 PM Wikipedia source
Gypsy: A Musical Fable is a musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. It is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother." It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee's sister, the actress June Havoc. The musical contains many songs that became popular standards, including "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Rose's Turn", "Small World", "Together (Wherever We Go)", "You Gotta Get a Gimmick", and "Let Me Entertain You". It is frequently considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-twentieth century's conventional musical theatre art form, often called the book musical. Gypsy has been referred to as the greatest American musical by numerous critics and writers, among them Ben Brantley ("what may be the greatest of all American musicals...") and Frank Rich. Rich wrote that "Gypsy is nothing if not Broadway's own brassy, unlikely answer to King Lear." Theater critic Clive Barnes wrote that "Gypsy is one of the best of musicals..." and described Rose as "one of the few truly complex characters in the American musical."
Infobox
Music
Jule Styne
Lyrics
Stephen Sondheim
Book
Arthur Laurents
Basis
Gypsy: A Memoir by Gypsy Rose Lee
Productions
1959 Broadway 1973 West End 1974 Broadway revival 1989 Broadway revival 2003 Broadway revival 2008 Broadway revival 2015 West End revival 2024 Broadway revival
Awards
1989 Tony Award for Best Revival 2016 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival
Tables
· Stage casts
1959
1959
Characters
1959
Broadway
1973
West End
1974
Broadway Revival
1989
Broadway Revival
2003
Broadway Revival
2008
Broadway Revival
2015
West End Revival
2024
Rose
Rose
Characters
Rose
Broadway
Ethel Merman
West End
Angela Lansbury
Broadway Revival
Tyne Daly
Broadway Revival
Bernadette Peters
Broadway Revival
Patti LuPone
Broadway Revival
Imelda Staunton
West End Revival
Audra McDonald
Louise
Louise
Characters
Louise
Broadway
Sandra Church
West End
Zan Charisse
Broadway Revival
Crista Moore
Broadway Revival
Tammy Blanchard
Broadway Revival
Laura Benanti
Broadway Revival
Lara Pulver
West End Revival
Joy Woods
Herbie
Herbie
Characters
Herbie
Broadway
Jack Klugman
West End
Barrie Ingham
Broadway Revival
Rex Robbins
Broadway Revival
Jonathan Hadary
Broadway Revival
John Dossett
Broadway Revival
Boyd Gaines
West End Revival
Peter Davison
Broadway Revival
Danny Burstein
June
June
Characters
June
Broadway
Lane Bradbury
West End
Debbie Bowen
Broadway Revival
Maureen Moore
Broadway Revival
Tracy Venner
Broadway Revival
Kate Reinders
Broadway Revival
Leigh Ann Larkin
West End Revival
Gemma Sutton
Broadway Revival
Jordan Tyson
Tulsa
Tulsa
Characters
Tulsa
Broadway
Paul Wallace
West End
Andrew Norman
Broadway Revival
John Sheridan
Broadway Revival
Robert Lambert
Broadway Revival
David Burtka
Broadway Revival
Tony Yazbeck
West End Revival
Dan Burton
Broadway Revival
Kevin Csolak
Tessie Tura
Tessie Tura
Characters
Tessie Tura
Broadway
Maria Karnilova
West End
Valerie Walsh
Broadway Revival
Mary Louise Wilson
Broadway Revival
Barbara Erwin
Broadway Revival
Heather Lee
Broadway Revival
Alison Fraser
West End Revival
Anita Louise Combe
Broadway Revival
Lesli Margherita
Mazeppa
Mazeppa
Characters
Mazeppa
Broadway
Faith Dane
West End
Kelly Wilson
Broadway Revival
Gloria Rossi
Broadway Revival
Jana Robbins
Broadway Revival
Kate Buddeke
Broadway Revival
Lenora Nemetz
West End Revival
Louise Gold
Broadway Revival
Lili Thomas
Electra
Electra
Characters
Electra
Broadway
Chotzi Foley
West End
Judy Cannon
Broadway Revival
Sally Cooke
Broadway Revival
Anna McNeely
Broadway Revival
Julie Halston
Broadway Revival
Marilyn Caskey
West End Revival
Julie Legrand
Broadway Revival
Mylinda Hull
| Characters | Broadway | West End | Broadway Revival | Broadway Revival | Broadway Revival | Broadway Revival | West End Revival | Broadway Revival |
| 1959 | 1973 | 1974 | 1989 | 2003 | 2008 | 2015 | 2024 | |
| Rose | Ethel Merman | Angela Lansbury | Tyne Daly | Bernadette Peters | Patti LuPone | Imelda Staunton | Audra McDonald | |
| Louise | Sandra Church | Zan Charisse | Crista Moore | Tammy Blanchard | Laura Benanti | Lara Pulver | Joy Woods | |
| Herbie | Jack Klugman | Barrie Ingham | Rex Robbins | Jonathan Hadary | John Dossett | Boyd Gaines | Peter Davison | Danny Burstein |
| June | Lane Bradbury | Debbie Bowen | Maureen Moore | Tracy Venner | Kate Reinders | Leigh Ann Larkin | Gemma Sutton | Jordan Tyson |
| Tulsa | Paul Wallace | Andrew Norman | John Sheridan | Robert Lambert | David Burtka | Tony Yazbeck | Dan Burton | Kevin Csolak |
| Tessie Tura | Maria Karnilova | Valerie Walsh | Mary Louise Wilson | Barbara Erwin | Heather Lee | Alison Fraser | Anita Louise Combe | Lesli Margherita |
| Mazeppa | Faith Dane | Kelly Wilson | Gloria Rossi | Jana Robbins | Kate Buddeke | Lenora Nemetz | Louise Gold | Lili Thomas |
| Electra | Chotzi Foley | Judy Cannon | Sally Cooke | Anna McNeely | Julie Halston | Marilyn Caskey | Julie Legrand | Mylinda Hull |
· Awards and honors › Original Broadway production
1960
1960
Year
1960
Award Ceremony
Tony Award
Category
Best Musical
Nominee
Nominated
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Ethel Merman
Category
Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Jack Klugman
Category
Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Sandra Church
Category
Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Direction of a Musical
Year
Best Direction of a Musical
Award Ceremony
Jerome Robbins
Category
Nominated
Best Conductor and Musical Director
Best Conductor and Musical Director
Year
Best Conductor and Musical Director
Award Ceremony
Milton Rosenstock
Category
Nominated
Best Scenic Design
Best Scenic Design
Year
Best Scenic Design
Award Ceremony
Jo Mielziner
Category
Nominated
Best Costume Design
Best Costume Design
Year
Best Costume Design
Award Ceremony
Raoul Pène Du Bois
Category
Nominated
Grammy Award
Grammy Award
Year
Grammy Award
Award Ceremony
Best Musical Theater Album
Category
Ethel Merman
Nominee
Won
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1960 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Ethel Merman | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Jack Klugman | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Sandra Church | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Jerome Robbins | Nominated | ||
| Best Conductor and Musical Director | Milton Rosenstock | Nominated | ||
| Best Scenic Design | Jo Mielziner | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Raoul Pène Du Bois | Nominated | ||
| Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Ethel Merman | Won | |
· Awards and honors › 1974 Broadway revival
1975
1975
Year
1975
Award Ceremony
Tony Award
Category
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Nominee
Angela Lansbury
Result
Won
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Zan Charisse
Category
Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Direction of a Musical
Year
Best Direction of a Musical
Award Ceremony
Arthur Laurents
Category
Nominated
Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
Year
Drama Desk Award
Award Ceremony
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Category
Angela Lansbury
Nominee
Won
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Bonnie Langford
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Year
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Award Ceremony
Arthur Laurents
Category
Won
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1975 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Angela Lansbury | Won |
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Zan Charisse | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Arthur Laurents | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Angela Lansbury | Won | |
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Bonnie Langford | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Arthur Laurents | Won |
· Awards and honors › 1989 Broadway revival
1990
1990
Year
1990
Award Ceremony
Tony Award
Category
Best Revival
Nominee
Won
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Tyne Daly
Category
Won
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Jonathan Hadary
Category
Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Crista Moore
Category
Nominated
Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
Year
Drama Desk Award
Award Ceremony
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Category
Won
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Tyne Daly
Category
Won
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Jonathan Hadary
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Crista Moore
Category
Nominated
1991
1991
Year
1991
Award Ceremony
Grammy Award
Category
Best Musical Theater Album
Nominee
Nominated
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1990 | Tony Award | Best Revival | Won | |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Tyne Daly | Won | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Jonathan Hadary | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Crista Moore | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Won | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Tyne Daly | Won | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Jonathan Hadary | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Crista Moore | Nominated | ||
| 1991 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Nominated | |
· Awards and honors › 2003 Broadway revival
2003
2003
Year
2003
Award Ceremony
Tony Award
Category
Best Revival of a Musical
Nominee
Nominated
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Bernadette Peters
Category
Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
Award Ceremony
John Dossett
Category
Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Tammy Blanchard
Category
Nominated
Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
Year
Drama Desk Award
Award Ceremony
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Award Ceremony
Bernadette Peters
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Award Ceremony
John Dossett
Category
Nominated
Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
Year
Theatre World Award
Award Ceremony
Tammy Blanchard
Category
Won
2004
2004
Year
2004
Award Ceremony
Grammy Award
Category
Best Musical Theater Album
Nominee
Won
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2003 | Tony Award | Best Revival of a Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical | Bernadette Peters | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | John Dossett | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Tammy Blanchard | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Bernadette Peters | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Dossett | Nominated | ||
| Theatre World Award | Tammy Blanchard | Won | ||
| 2004 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Won | |
References
- Titled "Let Me Entertain You (Rose's Entrance)" in the 2015 West End revival
- Titled "Mr. Goldstone" in the 2003 revival, "Have an Eggroll, Mr. Goldstone" in the 2008 revival, and "Mr. Goldstone" ag
- Per sondheimguide , only Tulsa sings this song; per IBDB, both Tulsa and Louise sing the song, due perhaps to the fact t
- In the 1973 London and 1974 Broadway productions, this number featured an extended dance sequence in the middle of the s
- Titled "The Strip" in the 2008 revival and on the recording of the 1989 revival.
- Brantley, Ben. "New Momma Takes Charge" Archived 2019-07-24 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times, May 2, 2003https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/02/movies/theater-review-new-momma-takes-charge.html
- Rich, Frank (November 17, 1989 The Hot Seat: Theater Criticism for The New York Times, 1980–1993. Random House. 1998. IS
- Rich, Frank (November 17, 1989) "Review/Theater; 'Gypsy' Is Back on Broadway With a Vengeance", The New York Timeshttps://theater.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?pagewanted=print&res=950de1df163cf934a25752c1a96f948260
- Barnes, Clive (September 24, 1974) "'Gypsy' Bounces Back With Zest and Lilt" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machinehttps://www.nytimes.com/books/98/07/19/specials/sondheim-gypsy.html
- Millstein, Gilbert (May 17, 1959) "Culled From a Stripper's Past", The New York Times, p. X1
- Zadan, Craig (1986) Sondheim & Co., Second Edition, pp , pp , ISBN 0-06-015649-X
- "Gypsy at sondheimguide "http://www.sondheimguide.com/gypsy.html
- "Gypsy at IBDB"http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2743
- "Gypsy: A musical fable, St. James Theatre (3/27/2008 – 1/11/2009)"http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=475256
- iTuneshttps://music.apple.com/us/album/gypsy-original-cast-recording/98409465
- "Petula Clark discography" Archived 2012-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. PetulaClarkhttp://www.petulaclark.net/discography/discog5659.html
- Sondheim, Stephen, Finishing the Hat, New York: Alfred Knopf, 2010 p. 58-77 ISBN 978-0-679-43907-3
- Kerr, Walter. "Two Musicals We Need Have Checked In". The New York Times. December 17, 1989. p. H7
- Lunden, Jeff. "Stage Mother from Hell: Needy, Greedy Mama Rose" Archived 2010-11-14 at the Wayback Machine. NPR . Aprilhttps://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89512165
- Rich, Frank. "Theatre – 'Gypsy': Then, Now and Always". The New York Times. May 4, 2003. p (Retrieved May 6, 2008)https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06E3DD113DF937A35756C0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2