March 20, 2025: Jule Styne: Gypsy, 1959
Class Preparation
Recommended Reading:
- Broadway: The American Musical: pp.258-259, 266-271 (“Everything's Coming Up Roses”--Gypsy)
- If you own Stephen Sondheim's Finishing the Hat, his memoir (and personal lyrics encyclopedia), re-read the chapter on Gypsy (pp. 54-77)
- Here is a special treat for those who actually look at the class website before class (it could also be a spoiler alert!) My usual practice is to play the "Opening Number" without any commentary. However, I had been thinking about using Gypsy's Overture, and then today (March 17), THIS ARTICLE appeared on Playbill.com. It's essentially an interview with Gypsy's musical director Andy Einhorn, and he explains some of the issues in restoring "original" orchestrations as well as some of the subtle changes arranger Daryl Waters contributed. It also contains a link to a YouTube video of the orchestra playing the Overture on stage at the (newly refurbished) Majestic Theatre. Don't worry, I'm still going to use this as the opening number.
Links & Playlists
Playlists:
- Gypsy: A Musical Fable (1959 Original Broadway Cast Recording with Ethel Merman)
- Gypsy (2003 Broadway Revival Cast Recording with Bernadette Peters)
- Gypsy (2008 Broadway Revival Cast Recording with Patti LuPone)
- Class 7 Videos