Weill composed the ballet that has a libretto by Bertolt Brecht and was originally choreographed by George Balanchine. The ballet depicts the same character, portrayed by an actress (LuPone) and a dancer. Weill's wife, Lotte Lenya, originated the role.

Most recently seen in the Arthur Laurents-helmed revival of Gypsy, LuPone has starred in the world premieres of Sunset Boulevard and Les Miserables, as well as productions of Anything Goes, Oliver!, Working, The Old Neighborhood, Master Class, The Cradle Will Rock, Sweeney Todd and Pal Joey. She currently tours with An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, and her other solo evenings Matters of the Heart, The Gypsy in My Soul and Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.