The latest single-disc release of the original Broadway cast recording of Gypsy includes a demo recording of the cut song "Who Needs Him?" performed by Laura Leslie, as well as a four-minute 1990 interview between Michael Feinstein and Tony-winning composer Jule Styne, who discusses his work on Gypsy. The release also boasts a five-minute 1959 interview with the woman whose memoir served as inspiration for the Arthur Laurents-Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim musical, entitled "Gypsy Rose Lee Remembers Burlesque."
The "Gypsy: 50th Anniversary Edition" recording includes a handful of newly added production photographs and the restorations to the Jule Styne score that were part of the remastered 1999 reissue, including extended presentations of "Baby June and Her Newsboys," "All I Need Is the Girl," "You Gotta Get a Gimmick," "Let Me Entertain You" and "Rose's Turn."
Previously released bonus tracks include alternate versions of Merman's "Some People," Merman's take on "Mr. Goldstone/Little Lamb," Laura Leslie's "Momma's Talkin' Soft" and Bernie Knee on "Nice She Ain't."
Under the direction of Jerome Robbins, Gypsy premiered on Broadway in May 1959 at the Broadway Theatre and ran for 702 performances following a transfer to the Imperial Theatre. Featuring music by Styne, lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Laurents, the original production starred Ethel Merman, Jack Klugman and Sandra Church, all of whom were Tony nominated for their performances. Gypsy earned eight Tony Award nominations in 1960, including Best Musical, but went home empty handed.
Gypsy has received four Broadway revivals, featuring Angela Lansbury (1974), Tyne Daly (1989), Bernadette Peters (2003) and Patti LuPone (2008). Oscar winner Sam Mendes staged the gritty, Tony-nominated 2003 revival that starred Peters, while original book writer Arthur Laurents directed all other Broadway revivals of Gypsy. Laurents' 1989 restaging, starring Daly, earned the Tony Award for Best Revival. Screen adaptations of the showbiz musical include the 1962 film starring Rosalind Russell and the 1993 television remake starring Bette Midler.
The "Gypsy: 50th Anniversary Edition" is currently available in stores. For further information visit SonyMasterworks.
