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Rating: 
Summary: Everything's coming up roses!
Review: I agree with everything in the previous review, especially the Russell versus Midler versions of the movie. This is a wonderful show, and I am the lucky woman who gets to play Rose in my local theatre's production. I bought this book because Tams-Witmark sends out "sides" for each role -- a small book that includes only the character's lines with just a few words of the cue before. Having the full script is a great help, but be aware that this book is slightly different from the version used by Tams-Witmark. I'm marking the changes in my full script and using it, though, because it's much more convenient.Do get the memoir Gypsy by Gypsy Rose Lee. It's amazing to see how much of this show was taken directly from the pages of her autobiography. Rose and Herbie were somewhat romanticized in the show, as was Tessie the stripper and many other aspects of the story -- hey this is Broadway! There can't be *too* much misery! But the cow really did come to Rose in a dream and really did get them on the Orpheum Circuit. They really did bleach a gaggle of girls' hair blonde. Both books are great reads.
Rating:
Summary: Everything's coming up roses!
Review: I agree with everything in the previous review, especially the Russell versus Midler versions of the movie. This is a wonderful show, and I am the lucky woman who gets to play Rose in my local theatre's production. I bought this book because Tams-Witmark sends out "sides" for each role -- a small book that includes only the character's lines with just a few words of the cue before. Having the full script is a great help, but be aware that this book is slightly different from the version used by Tams-Witmark. I'm marking the changes in my full script and using it, though, because it's much more convenient. Do get the memoir Gypsy by Gypsy Rose Lee. It's amazing to see how much of this show was taken directly from the pages of her autobiography. Rose and Herbie were somewhat romanticized in the show, as was Tessie the stripper and many other aspects of the story -- hey this is Broadway! There can't be *too* much misery! But the cow really did come to Rose in a dream and really did get them on the Orpheum Circuit. They really did bleach a gaggle of girls' hair blonde. Both books are great reads.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the Best Book Musical Ever!
Review: I am a student in Chicago's New Tuners Workshop, an organization devoted to the writing of new works of musical theatre. In our first year, we are required to read GYPSY. Our artistic director, John Sparks, considers GYPSY to be one of the finest book musicals ever written. The lead part of the Mama Rose is often considered the musical theatre equivalent of Lady MacBeth or Hedda Gabler. Lucky is the woman who gets to play her. Three women have played her on Broadway: Ethel Merman (in the original production), Angela Lansbury (in a 1970's revival) and Tyne Daly (in a 1990's revival). Lansbury and Daly both won Tony awards for their perfomances. Merman lost in 1960 to Mary Martin in "The Sound Music." She was robbed! Musical highlights of the show include the character defining "Some People," the desperate "Ev'rything's Coming up Roses" and the tour-de-force finale, "Mama's Turn." A majority of the songs are Mama Rose's, the result, apparently, of Ethel Merman's ego. Nevertheless, it works brilliantly. If you are looking for a version of this show on video, AVOID the Rosalind Russell version from the early sixties, in favor of the recent Bette Middler version. Not only is the Middler version more faithful to the original play, Bette does her own singing (Lisa Kirk sang for Russell) and her performance rivals Merman's. If you love musicals, you will love this book. Read it yesterday!
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the Best Book Musical Ever!
Review: I am a student in Chicago's New Tuners Workshop, an organization devoted to the writing of new works of musical theatre. In our first year, we are required to read GYPSY. Our artistic director, John Sparks, considers GYPSY to be one of the finest book musicals ever written. The lead part of the Mama Rose is often considered the musical theatre equivalent of Lady MacBeth or Hedda Gabler. Lucky is the woman who gets to play her. Three women have played her on Broadway: Ethel Merman (in the original production), Angela Lansbury (in a 1970's revival) and Tyne Daly (in a 1990's revival). Lansbury and Daly both won Tony awards for their perfomances. Merman lost in 1960 to Mary Martin in "The Sound Music." She was robbed! Musical highlights of the show include the character defining "Some People," the desperate "Ev'rything's Coming up Roses" and the tour-de-force finale, "Mama's Turn." A majority of the songs are Mama Rose's, the result, apparently, of Ethel Merman's ego. Nevertheless, it works brilliantly. If you are looking for a version of this show on video, AVOID the Rosalind Russell version from the early sixties, in favor of the recent Bette Middler version. Not only is the Middler version more faithful to the original play, Bette does her own singing (Lisa Kirk sang for Russell) and her performance rivals Merman's. If you love musicals, you will love this book. Read it yesterday!
Rating:
Summary: tHE BOOK IS GREAT, BUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE MOVIE?
Review: OK, Let's get the book out of the way first: The book is great, a faithful Broadway interpretation of the autobiographical book by Louise Hovick, better known as famed ecdysiast "Gypsy Rose Lee". Now, what I have a problem with are the reviews of this book in which the writers have lauded Bette Midler's cheesy TV movie version of the play and trashed the original film starring Rosalind Russell. What do Bette Midler OR Rosalind Russell have to do with reviewing this book? NOTHING! Love Rosalind Russell or love Bette Midler, both films are fabulous. You won't hurt Bette's feelings if you admit to loving the Russell version better. Now, if you want to review the movies, review the movies. If you want to review the book, review the book. GEEZ!
Rating:
Summary: tHE BOOK IS GREAT, BUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE MOVIE?
Review: OK, Let's get the book out of the way first: The book is great, a faithful Broadway interpretation of the autobiographical book by Louise Hovick, better known as famed ecdysiast "Gypsy Rose Lee". Now, what I have a problem with are the reviews of this book in which the writers have lauded Bette Midler's cheesy TV movie version of the play and trashed the original film starring Rosalind Russell. What do Bette Midler OR Rosalind Russell have to do with reviewing this book? NOTHING! Love Rosalind Russell or love Bette Midler, both films are fabulous. You won't hurt Bette's feelings if you admit to loving the Russell version better. Now, if you want to review the movies, review the movies. If you want to review the book, review the book. GEEZ!
Rating:
Summary: tHE BOOK IS GREAT, BUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE MOVIE?
Review: OK, Let's get the book out of the way first: The book is great, a faithful Broadway interpretation of the autobiographical book by Louise Hovick, better known as famed ecdysiast "Gypsy Rose Lee". Now, what I have a problem with are the reviews of this book in which the writers have lauded Bette Midler's cheesy TV movie version of the play and trashed the original film starring Rosalind Russell. What do Bette Midler OR Rosalind Russell have to do with reviewing this book? NOTHING! Love Rosalind Russell or love Bette Midler, both films are fabulous. You won't hurt Bette's feelings if you admit to loving the Russell version better. Now, if you want to review the movies, review the movies. If you want to review the book, review the book. GEEZ!
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