The musical, which began previews March 31, 2003, and officially opened May 1, 2003, will have played 451 performances and 33 previews. Discussions are underway for a possible national tour of the musical with Peters reprising her role as the stage-mother-of- all-stage-mothers, Rose.
A closing date of Feb. 28, 2004, had previously been announced, but an increase in ticket sales allowed the show to remain open for a few additional months. In a statement at the time producer Robert Fox said, "The outpouring of support for Gypsy has been remarkable. I am very proud of this production and I believe it should not close while there is an audience eager to see the extraordinary performances of Bernadette Peters and the entire company in Sam Mendes' exceptional staging."
After a much-in-the-news preview period, Gypsy opened to mostly favorable reviews, including a rave from the New York Times. In his critique, Ben Brantley wrote, "Ms. Peters has created the most complex and compelling portrait of her long career, and she has done this in ways that deviate radically from the Merman blueprint."
Gypsy received four 2003 Tony Award nominations, including those for star Peters (Best Actress in a Musical), co-stars John Dossett and Tammy Blanchard (Best Featured Actor/Actress in a Musical) and Best Revival of a Musical. The musical also won a Grammy Award for its cast recording, which is available on the Angel Records label.
Produced by Robert Fox, Ron Kastner, Roger Marino, Michael Watt, Harvey Weinstein and WWLC, the Arthur Laurents-Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim musical features original choreography by Jerome Robbins and additional choreography by Jerry Mitchell. Jodi Moccia is the associate choreographer and Peter Lawrence the associate director. Peters is joined onstage by Emmy winner Tammy Blanchard (Louise), John Dossett (Herbie), Kate Reinders (Dainty June), David Burtka (Tulsa), Heather Tepe (Baby June), Addison Timlin (Baby Louise), Heather Lee (Tessie Tura), Gayton Scott (Miss Cratchit/Electra), Kate Buddeke (Mazeppa), Brooks Ashmanskas (Mr. Goldstone/Pastey), Michael McCormick (Uncle Jocko/Cigar) and William Parry (Pop/Mr. Kringelein).
The creative team includes Anthony Ward (scenic-costume design), Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (lighting design), Acme Sound Partners (sound design) and David Brian Brown (hair design). With orchestrations by Sid Ramin and Robert Ginzler and dance arrangements by John Kander, Gypsy features musical supervision by Patrick Vacariello and musical direction by Marvin Laird, the latter Peters' longtime musical director.
Tickets, priced between $60 and $100, are available at the Shubert Theatre box office (225 West 44th Street).
