Gypsy (1989 New York Revival) [Cast Recording, Soundtrack]

Stephen Sondheim (Performer), Jule Styne (Composer), Tyne Daly (Performer), Jonathan Hadary (Performer), Crista Moore (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Stephen Sondheim, Tyne Daly, Jonathan Hadary, Crista Moore
• Composer: Jule Styne
• Audio CD (March 12, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording, Soundtrack
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J09
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,238 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Act 1. Overture - Original 1990 Cast

2. Act 1. Let Me Entertain You

3. Act 1. Some People

4. Act 1. Small World

5. Act 1. Baby June and Her Newsboys

6. Act 1. Mr. Goldstone

7. Act 1. Little Lamb

8. Act 1. You'll Never Get Away from Me

9. Act 1. Dainty June and Her Farmboys

10. Act 1. If Momma Was Married

11. Act 1. All I Need Is the Girl

12. Act 1. Everything's Coming Up Roses

13. Act 2. Together

14. Act 2. You Gotta Have a Gimmick

15. Act 2. The Strip

16. Act 2. Rose's Turn

Editorial Reviews

VideoHound's Soundtracks

The old girl from the world of showbiz, Mama Rose, proves both indestructable and a fine vehicle for singing female stars. Originally created by Ethel Merman, for whom it was written, the part has been variously handled by Rosalind Russell in the film version (not available on CD), Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, and more recently Bette Midler, among many others. The quintessential backstage musical, and for many the best ever written, Gypsy related the real-life story of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and her sister June Haver, and how each was shaped into a star of the first magnitude by their monster of a stage mother. With a fine, solid book by Arthur Laurents, and a splendid score by Jule Styne (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics), the show has endured through repeated revivals, losing none of its freshness and its strength, even though by now its plot and tunes have become remarkably familiar. The three recordings listed here are all superb in their own right, the personality of the actress playing Mama Rose being the main focus. Merman, the belter and originator of the part, is still the best, though the recording itself, an early transfer to CD from the original analog tapes, leaves a bit to be desired sonically. Tyne Daly, in the 1990 Broadway revival, added her own touch to the role, but without significantly altering it, in a performance that has its moments of excellence. As for Bette Midler, in the 1993 television treatment, she camps the part a bit, but she is also remarkably true to the spirit of the original in a performance that has been justifiably lauded. -- © 1998 Visible Ink Press. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tyne Daly takes her star turn at Mama Rose, February 12, 2001

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gypsy (1989 New York Revival) (Audio CD)

I am surprised that his third "original cast recording" of "Gypsy" featuring Tyne Daly as Mama Rose is my favorite. I love Bette Midler singing these songs, but for me Tyne Daly's characterization is right on the mark, probably because as great as Angela Landsbury, Rosalind Russell and Bette might be, Daly is the best dramatic actress in the bunch even if her voice is not the strongest in the group. I guess I am not surprised because Daly's Mary Beth Lacy is one of the finest characterizations in the history of television. Besides, the part Mama Rose, originally written for Ethel Merman, is to Broadway musicals what Hamlet is to Shakespeare. This is only a slight exaggeration when you consider how often this musical is revived and/or filmed, but what mature actress would not want to get a chance to do "Rose's Turn" on stage for a live audience? "Suggested" by the memoirs of legendary stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, "Gypsy" has Music by Jule Styne and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, with a book by Arthur Laurents, who directed this particular revival (Jerome Robbins did the direction and choreography the first time around). This production features Jonathan Hadary as Herbie and Christa Moore as Louise/Gypsy.

The legendary story of the ultimate Stage Mother who pushed her daughters to be vaudeville stars is well known by now. There might not be a more powerful ending to Act I in musical theater than Rose doing "Everything's Coming Up Roses" while her lover and her daughter watch on in absolute horror. Abandoned by her first born daughter June, at the moment when she should finally pack up and go home, Rose turns to the daughter she has ignored and predicts imminent stardom. The irony is palatible and there is nothing Louise can do to get away from her mom. Throughout the show irony invests every song with added depth of meaning from the opening "Let Me Entrain You" (which takes on a whole new meaning in "The Strip") to the planative "Little Lamb" sung by an abandoned Louise on her birthday to the false communion of "Together." The ultimate irony, of course, is the transformation of Louise into the legendary performer Gypsy Rose Lee since it is due to happenstance rather than the determined effort of Mama Rose. Her mother might force her out on stage, but the magic belongs to Louise and Rose will never forgive her for that betrayal. This is really a painful story of people caught by love in destructive relationships and it is absolutely impossible to turn away from what is happening. The reconciliation between mother and daughter at the end always seems somewhat forced to me, but then it is clear from the beginning that Rose only accepts love and life on her terms and there is nothing that Louise or anybody else can do about it, all of which comes out in the glorious final erruption of "Rose's Turn." "Gypsy" is truly one of the greatest of Broadway musicals. Final note on Irony: 20 years ago I saw June Havok--yes, the original Baby June--as Mrs. Lovett in a touring company of "Sweeney Todd." Apparently you can run from Mama Rose, but you can never get completely away.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's a great show, June 23, 2000

By 

Robert P. Chapski (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gypsy (1989 New York Revival) (Audio CD)

Tyne Daly is not the best singer to ever play Mama Rose, but she is a wonderful actress, although that sadly doesn't come out on the album. The production values are very high though so all of the songs are very enjoyable and the supporting cast is outstanding,

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a lovely recording, May 9, 2003

By 

Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gypsy (1989 New York Revival) (Audio CD)

GYPSY has been revived on Broadway several times over the years (not to mention the current Bernadette Peters revival that is going gangbusters), so its quite timely to be looking back on the 1989 revival starring Tyne Daly as the fearsome Mama Rose.

Tyne Daly may not be the best singer to grace the Broadway stage, but by heck she can really ACT these songs. Her Rose is a perfectly-realised creature that is totally believable. Her replacement in the show, Linda Lavin, had the vocal finesse but kept a certain restraint as to the dramatics of the part, so they both had certain strong points and weak points. Needless to say, Tyne Daly's Tony win was well-deserved.

The rest of the cast is sensational; Crista Moore (one of Broadway's most under-rated talents) is a knockout as Louise/Gypsy, while Jonathan Hadary's performance as Herbie is very impressive. The character of Herbie can get quite passive and requires a strong actor to lift it up. Hadary does quite well at this.

The three strippers; Electra, Tessie Tura and Mazeppa; are played by Anna McNeely, Barbara Erwin and Jana Robbins, are they are indeed fantastic. "You Gotta Get a Gimmick" is the comic highlight of the show, and a great number to boot. Sensational performances.

All-in-all, this recording of GYPSY is a must-own for fans as well as anyone who really cares about musical theater.