Composer

:

Jule Styne

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1959

Average_duration

:

64:24

Gypsy is a musical that was composed by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents. The musical is loosely based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous burlesque dancer, and her mother, Rose, who was determined to make her daughters stars. The musical was first composed in 1959 and premiered on Broadway in May of that year. The original production starred Ethel Merman as Rose, and it was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. The musical was a critical and commercial success, and it has since become a beloved classic of the American musical theater canon. The plot of Gypsy follows the story of Rose, a stage mother who is determined to make her daughters, June and Louise, into stars. Rose is a force of nature, and she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. She drags her daughters from one small-time vaudeville act to another, always pushing them to be better and to work harder. As the years go by, June becomes disillusioned with the life of a performer and runs away to get married. This leaves Rose with only Louise, who is less talented than her sister and less interested in performing. But Rose is undeterred, and she continues to push Louise to become a star. Eventually, Rose books a gig for Louise at a burlesque house, where she is forced to strip down to her underwear and perform a suggestive dance. Louise is initially horrified by the experience, but she soon realizes that she has a talent for burlesque. She reinvents herself as Gypsy Rose Lee, a sophisticated and glamorous burlesque dancer, and becomes a star in her own right. The music of Gypsy is characterized by its catchy melodies and witty lyrics. The show features several memorable songs, including "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Let Me Entertain You," and "Rose's Turn." The music is also notable for its use of leitmotifs, which are recurring musical themes that are associated with specific characters or ideas. Overall, Gypsy is a timeless musical that explores themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the pursuit of fame. It has been revived numerous times on Broadway and has been adapted into several successful film and television productions. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the power of its music, its characters, and its story.

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