Gypsy the Musical first appeared in 1959 on Broadway under the title ‘Gypsy: A Musical Fable’. The show features music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and is loosely based on the memoirs of famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee. Although the main focus of the musical is on Rose, the archetypal show-business mother who raises Lee (Louise) and her sister June as they travel around America with their vaudeville act.
Gypsy is considered by many to be the greatest American musicals, and the role of Mama Rose is often called the ‘King Lear’ of the musical theatre canon. The show has appeared on Broadway no less than 5 times and continues to be produced by regional theatre companies around the whole of the USA. A UK production had not been seen in London’s West End since 1973! The West End revival of Gypsy marks the first showing of the widely celebrated musical in London in over 40 years!
The musical features songs that have since become show standards, and was famous for helping to launch the career of lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who went on to write complete musical scores of his own. “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, “Some People”, “Let Me Entertain You” and of course “Rose’s Turn” are all highlights of any production. Arthur Laurents wrote the book of the musical, and it is widely considered to be one of the classic examples of a traditional ‘book musical’ which became popular during the middle of the 20th Century.
This website provides information about the musical, including the various productions that have played on Broadway and in the West End. It also includes information on the film adaptations, as well as details of the upcoming film adaptation.
Isnt it about time that Gypsy returned to the West End?! Heard that there is talk about it returning, is anyone able to confirm if this is correct?
Well Jo….it has been confirmed that the show will run at the Chichester Festival Theatre in October 2014. Beyond that, we’ll have to wait and see!
I would love to see gipsy in the west end. My parents talked about it a lot.
i have never seen it. Paul Ogrady talks about it
at lot. I think its his favourite show. Perhaps it could be put on at the provancies. Perhaps P O could influence someone to put it on.
i have seen gypsy with tyne daly…linda lavin…bernadette peters…roz russell..bette midler…betty buckley patty lu pone…and in niagra on the lake, canada…they all added something to the part..i hope im,elda stanton makes it to the west end..i would come over from new jersey usa..to see it again
Please please bring it to london
So sad Chichester sold out!! Where else can I see Gypsy??
Please let me know if Gypsy comes to the west end
Would like to be informed if it comes to the West End
Saw the show in Chichester this week, it was amazing and Imelda Staunton was astounding as Mama Rose!!
If you haven’t seen it, get the dvd.
Here’s hoping that it transfers to the West End soon!! 🙂
Saw Gypsy last Wednesday evening when visiting London from NYC. It is magnificent. Being old enough to have seen all of the Madame Roses except Merman — I’m a day and a half too young to have seen her — Imelda Staunton gives by far the best interpretation I have seen. She is supported by a fabulous ensemble cast. Thanks to all for a wonderful evening at the Savoy Theatre and toi toi toi for tomorrow’s official opening performance.
I would love to know if there is any chance that this wonderful musical will go on tour. The Mayflower at Southampton would be fantastic.
No tour plans as of yet, Hilary!
We recommend you see it in London at the Savoy if you want to see the show this year.
Please can you tell me if Imelda Staunton will still be part of this production in August ??? Xx
At the moment there have been no cast change announcements. We believe Imelda will be playing the role through to 28th November, the date of the shows recent extension.
I am a great musical fan and have seen most musicals in London since the 1950s and I can say this musical starring Imelda Staunton has been one of the most moving that I have experienced.
We truly hope that GYPSY is a fantastic West End success as our first opportunity to visit London from the North East isn’t until January 2016. We will watch for further performance extensions.
Come on guys – bring the show out on tour to us poor people living a very long way away from London (Cornwall)!!
I have seen Imelda Staunton in Gypsy tonight. Wow! I go to the theatre a lot and I must say Imelda’s acting is the best performance I have ever seen in a musical. She is quite simply sublime! Feel very privileged to have seen it.
I have watched Natalie Woods film of Gypsy over and over. My husband and I are big theatre goers and I have said for a long long time that Gypsy should come to the Liverpool Empire and that Bill Kenwright should stage it. Now I have watched the BBC 4 showing with Emelda Staunton appearing in it. Please please please can this come upto Liverpool as not everyone can travel to London!!!!!
Everyone ells me to “get the DVD” of Imeda Staunton’s Gypsy but WHEN will it be available!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s time for the BBC to release the DVD and time for Imelda to take that performance around the UK. That would be a rare tour with the original West End star giving her five star performance from Plymouth to Aberdeen.
Just watched the 2015 London production with Imelda Staunton on Channel 13.
While the other women who played Rose are wonderful, Imelda Staunton took my breath away.
Don’t know how anyone could repeat a performance like that night after night.
AMAZING – never saw or heard of her before.
Never saw a female give a performance like this.
There’s a terrific performance of Gypsy on at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall this week (28/08/17-01/09/17)! Even if enthusiasts could get there in time, they’d find that it’s completely sold out! It’s an amateur company but they’re all stars nevertheless!