Who's the real star of Gypsy? Don't Miss Today's Weekly Blast
The Broadway Maven, David Benkof, interprets Broadway
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Shalom!
This week, The Broadway Maven looks at Gypsy and West Side Story:
• On Monday, February 14 at Noon and 7 pm ET, there will be a FREE Zoom class exploring the Sondheim-penned biomusical about a headstrong mother and a daughter with an unusual career path. Register here.
• On Thursday, February 17 at Noon and 7 pm ET, there will be a FREE Zoom class on the show whose most recent film adaptation was just nominated for seven Oscars. Register here.
• This Weekly Blast:
A) ponders who the real star of Gypsy is (included FREE in this preview edition);
B) links to a YouTube Gem that’s a name-that-tune quiz with one-second snippets of Broadway shows;
C) RAVES about a possible future show from Broadway’s greatest living composer-lyricist; and
D) links to a YouTube GEM about the differences between the two West Side Story films.
Despite the title Gypsy, it’s pretty easy to imagine Rose as the star of the 1959 Styne-Sondheim show. She looms large even during the few scenes she’s not in.
But a good way to think about the protagonist of a show is: “Who has the character arc?”
That’s clearly Louise.
From the start (“Some People”) to the middle (“Have an Egg Roll, Mr. Goldstone”) to the end (“Rose’s Turn”) the ultimate stage mother exhibits a mania and single-mindedness that barely wavers. She’s the same person at the end that she was at the beginning - the only real difference being that she’s stating openly what she always thought: that she should be the star.
Louise, on the other hand, starts timid and modest, telling her sister matter-of-factly that “I don’t have any talent.” As the show goes on, especially into the second act, Louise gains self-confidence, poise, and even verve as she embraces her role as a stripper.
To me, that makes her the star.
Gypsy, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and music by Jule Styne, is a Broadway classic that spotlights one of the greatest female roles in musical theater history: Mama Rose. A force of nature, the character gives her all to support the show business careers of her children - even though in her mind she's the one who should be the star. With unforgettable songs like "You Gotta Have a Gimmick"; "Everything's Coming Up Roses"; and especially "Rose's Turn," the show is a true landmark of the stage.
Watch (or re-watch) the video about how Sondheim writes lyrics, focusing on “Have an Egg Roll, Mr. Goldstone” from Gypsy. Choose another Sondheim lyric you really like and explain why you chose it in the comments section.
Note: links to register for ALL classes are ALWAYS available at TheBroadwayMaven.com.
• Monday, February 14: Gypsy (FREE, Noon and 7 pm ET)
• Thursday, February 17: West Side Story (FREE, Noon and 7 pm ET)
• Monday, February 21 Next to Normal with Pulitzer Prizewinners Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt (FREE, Noon ET ONLY)
• Thursday, February 24 Phantom of the Opera (ALL-ACCESS ONLY Noon and 7 pm ET)
• Monday, February 28 Assassins (FREE, Noon and 7 pm ET)
• Monday, March 21: Ain’t Misbehavin’ with Tony winner Murray Horwitz (FREE, Noon ET ONLY)
The Broadway Maven, David Benkof, helps students further their appreciation of musical theater through his classes, his YouTube Channel, and his Weekly Blast. Contact him at DavidBenkof@gmail.com.