-
-
Ad Space
(728 x 90)
-
-
Tools
-
Ad Space
(120 x 240)
-
Offers
-
Theater review
Gypsy
St. James Theatre. Book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Jule Styne. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Dir. Laurents. With Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti, Boyd Gaines. 2hrs 40mins. One intermission.
MOMMA FROM HEAVEN LuPone triumphs in Gypsy.Wow. Wow. Wow. The Broadway revival of Gypsy, starring the astonishing Patti LuPone, has now arrived at the—wow—at the St. James Theatre, and from the moment the—wow. Sorry, but: wow. There are times when a critic can calmly analyze the assets and demerits of a production; and there are other times, thrilling and rare, when a show slaps the sense clean out of him, and when the proper reaction is awe, delight and gratitude. This Gypsy is a stunner: an achievement that no one who loves musicals, no one who loves theater, no one at all should miss.
Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim’s 1959 masterpiece, based on the life of superstar stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, is the kind of show that makes hyperbole come true: It begins with one of the greatest overtures in Broadway history, and goes uphill from there. This production, directed by Laurents himself in a heightened style, delivers on all counts. It has the vim, guts and humor of a classic Broadway musical, artfully darkened by irony and psychological shading; it has a superb supporting cast, led by the impeccable Laura Benanti as Louise, the tomboy turned sexpot, and Boyd Gaines as Herbie, her doormat of an agent; and above all it has LuPone as Rose, the ferociously ambitious stage mother who domineers Gypsy from start to finish. This is the King Lear of musical-theater roles, and she inhabits it with breathtaking fullness and complexity. LuPone is giving the performance of a lifetime here: not just her lifetime, but Rose’s, and those of many in the audience as well. When she takes her bows—to earthshaking applause—it is as though the golden age of Broadway vitality were taking its curtain call. See Gypsy now. We may never see its like again.
Time Out New York / Issue 653 : Apr 2–8, 2008
Leave a comment
-
-
-
- Subscribe now and save 90%!
- For just $19.97 a year, you'll get hundreds of listings and free events each week, plus our special issues and guides, including Cheap Eats, Great Spas, Fall Preview, Holiday Gift Guide and more!
-
- Time Out New York respects your privacy. We will only use your e-mail address in order to contact you regarding to your subscription and to send you our weekly e-newsletter. We will not share this information with anyone.
-
-
Ad Space
(320 x 53)
Ad Space
(300 x 250)
-
On the blogs
Best of Broadway
-
Click on a show's page to see photos and video, listen to songs, order tickets and read TONY reviews.
New York's best: Theater
-
-
Most viewed in Theater
-
Ad Space
(160 x 600)
Ad Space
(160 x 600)
-
- Visit our sister sites:
- Time Out New York Kids
- Time Out Chicago
- Time Out London
- Time Out Worldwide
i have seen MANY musicals and worked with countless performers in the last 22 years. Gypsy 2008 is by no means a perfect production but as far as productions go.. this one still left me breathless.. Patti's Rose's Turn leaves you hit by a shockwave of talent and GREAT musical theatre... of which Broadway is Seriously lacking....... i second the Wow, and add another WOW!!!!!
OMG... Gypsy was amazing, i had the opportunity to view it on spring break and everything is excellent..... and thank God big hats haven't gone out of style lol...
truly deserving TONY's 6 stars
unbelievable evening
Happens I was at the matinee yesterday... are you limited to six stars?? Pity! It was a splendid performance. After Rose's Turn finale.., I was in awe. What a magnificent performer/perfomance/production. I could not believe Patti does 2 a day ?!?!
I have seen many, many broadway shows, and this is by far one of the worst I have ever seen. The first act was no better than a high school production.
I have seen many, many Broadway shows and this is by far one of the worst I have ever seen. I have seen better high school productions. The first act was just awful, and the second was just a bit better, but to say it is a show of which "we never may see its like again" I can only say I hope that IS true.!
Talk about ridiculous writing from a critic. Was it a passable production of a great show? yes. was it this good? absolutely not. if you call what patti lupone is doing on that stage acting, i may need to refer you to the school for schmacting - http://schoolforschmacting.blogspot.com
One of the 5 best pieces I have ever seen on Broadway in the past 35 years including the Brian Denehey "Death of a Salesman." It is what opera was meant to be: All the arts come together seamlessly and complementarily so that the whole (singing, acting, music, direction, silences, deep emotions) is from start to finish a whole, no part irrelevant to any other. A straight and sure arrow. Especially Rose (and I do not say "Patti" because there is only Rose on that stage when Patti plays her).
LuPone was STUNNING.
Along with August Osage County, the best show this season.
It was the best Gypsy I've ever seen. And I've seen a LOT.
Amazing amazing show.
I loved the show.
FanTASTIC show.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
There are times when a critic should get you head out of Patti LuPone's as*. This show is not that good.