The Gypsy soundtrack includes bonus tracks.Curtain Up! The smash Broadway musical comes to life in this all new cast recording! It's the new 2008 revival of Gypsy, starring Tony and Olivier award-winner Patti Lupone as the indomitable Momma Rose. This classic American musical by Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim about a fractured family stars the larger than life, true Broadway diva Lupone heading the cast as the "stage mother of all stage mothers," determined to make a star out of at least one of her children. Four time Tony-winner Boyd Gaines is the beleaguered Herbie,a gentlemanly candy salesman and reluctant theatrical agent who loves Rose, and Tony-winner Laura Benanti is the wallflower-turned-world-famous-stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, one of Rose's two daughters.
Did we really need yet another recording of Gypsy, the 1959 classic by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim? After all we already have albums headlined by the likes of Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly and Bernadette Peters. The short, answer is an emphatic yes. The 2008 version stars Patti LuPone, superbly supported by Laura Benanti, Boyd Gaines and a luscious 36-piece orchestra. LuPone sinks her fangs into the role of the indomitable Mama Rose, and delivers the show's epic anthems ("Some People," "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Rose's Turn") with the right balance of manic energy and slightly cracked vulnerability. Touted in the liner notes as "the most complete recording of Gypsy ever," the album only adds more ammo to the arsenal of those who hold the musical as possibly the best of all time. There is not a single weak cut here. And because this production was directed by the book's author himself, Arthur Laurents, access was granted to seven goodies cut from the original production and tagged at the end. The highlight clearly is Rose's "Who Needs Him?," a torchy number that manages to pack a punch in just over a minute.--Elisabeth Vincentelli
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Stellar Cast Recording Showcases LuPone's Balls-to-the-Wall Turn as Mama Rose:
I had a dream.
I dreamed it for you, June.
It wasn't for me, Herbie.
And if it wasn't for me,
Then where would you be,
Miss Gypsy Rose Lee? Every Rose has her day, and Broadway diva Patti LuPone finally has her shot at what is probably the most celebrated female role in musical theater. I am going to be rather biased in my review since I just saw her perform it at the St. James Theater last week. Directed by now-ninety-year-old librettist Arthur Laurents (The Way We Were),... more info
Simply FABULOUS!:
I didn't think I'd like this recording as much as I did. I not only like it, I LOVE it! Highly recommended. Patti LuPone is sensational from start to finish.
Lupone's Gypsy:
We have have been waiting a long time for Patty Lupone to give us her interpretation of Mama Rose. She shines, she carries the show, but she does not overwhelm the rest of the cast. BRAVO
EVERYTHING COMES UP ROSES!!!:
I never got to see either Ethel Merman or Angela Lansbury on the role, but Rosalind Russell and Bette Midler would only hope to kiss the stage where Ms. LuPone stands. She's phenomenal, and you haven't seen this show if she's not in it. Best Gypsy Ever!!! Best Broadway Performer Ever!!! Period!
