The cast preserved the Stephen Sondheim-Jule Styne score May 5 and 6 at the Clinton Recording Studios in Manhattan. Robert Sher, a multiple Grammy nominee, produced the CD, which will be released on the Time Life Records label.
The recording boasts several songs cut from the original Broadway production of Gypsy: "Three Wishes for Christmas," "Mama's Talkin' Soft," "Nice She Ain't," "Mother's Day," "Smile, Girls," "Who Needs Him?," and an alternate version of "Mother's Day," all featuring new orchestrations penned by Jonathan Tunick.
In a recent statement producer Sher said, "Time Life and Broadway make a perfect marriage. Gypsy is a great American classic and Time Life is the great American entertainment company, and what better team to reach the incredibly broad and ever-growing audience for top-caliber musical recordings."
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Following a critically acclaimed limited engagement at City Center in summer 2007, Gypsy — starring LuPone, Gaines and Benanti — began previews at Broadway's St. James March 3 and officially opened March 27. Gypsy librettist Arthur Laurents direct. LuPone heads the cast as that stage mother of all stage mothers with three-time Tony winner Gaines as the beleaguered Herbie and two-time Tony nominee Benanti as the wallflower-turned-world-famous-stripper Gypsy Rose Lee.
LuPone, Gaines and Benanti are joined onstage by Leigh Ann Larkin as Dainty June, Tony Yazbeck as Tulsa, Marilyn Caskey as Electra, Alison Fraser as Tessie, and Lenora Nemetz as Mazeppa with Bill Bateman as Mr. Goldstone, Jim Bracchitta as Uncle Jocko, Sami Gayle as Baby June, Bill Raymond as Pop, Brian Reddy as Weber and Emma Rowley as Baby Louise.
The company includes Andrew Boyer, Dorothy Stanley, Beckley Andrews, Nancy Renée Braun, Mindy Dougherty, Kyrian Friedenberg, Matt Gibson, Sarah Marie Hicks, Steve Konopelski, Matthew Lobenhofer, Nicole Mangi, Katie Micha, Matty Price, Andy Richardson, Lisa Rohinsky, Jessica Rush, Alicia Sable, John Scacchetti, Geo Seery, Rider Quentin Stanton and Pearce Wegener.
Gypsy features scenic design by James Youmans, costumes by Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz, lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, hair by Tony Award winner Paul Huntley and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier.
Gypsy is being produced on Broadway by Roger Berlind, The Routh - Frankel - Baruch - Viertel Group, Roy Furman, Debra Black, Ted Hartley, Roger Horchow, David Ian, Scott Rudin and Jack Viertel
The Encores! Summer Stars production of Gypsy played New York City Center July 9-29, 2007. It opened July 14.
Gypsy features a score by Jule Styne (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) and a book by Laurents. The musical bowed on Broadway in May 1959 at the Broadway Theatre, playing 702 performances before closing at the Imperial Theatre, where it later transferred, on March 25, 1961. Ethel Merman created the role of Rose in the original production; subsequent Broadway Roses include Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly and Bernadette Peters (as well as Linda Lavin, who took over for Daly). Merman and Peters were Tony-nominated for their performances; Lansbury and Daly won the coveted award.
The St. James Theatre is located in Manhattan at 246 West 44th Street. Tickets are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com.
