Customer Reviews

Gypsy (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

"Gypsy" may well be one of the most indestructible works in American musical history. I have heard Ethel Merman, Angela Landsbury, Rosalind Russell, Bette Midler, and Tyne Daly sing the part of Mama Rose and surprising to date my favorite has been Daly on the strength not of her singing voice but rather her acting ability which infused her songs with a characterization that I thought was right on the mark. While Bernadette Peters falls short of that standard, in my mind at any rate, she is certainly proves she is in that tradition on this 2003 Broadway Revival Cast album. The fact that many of the tracks include some of the framing dialogue helps underscore that point.

"Gypsy" is also proving itself to be the "Hamlet" of musicals, given how many times it has been revived with a very different group of actresses playing the part of Mama Rose. But then what mature actress would not want a change 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, this production features a relative unknown but superb cast with John Dossett as Herbie, Tammy Blanchrad as Louise/Gypsy, and Kate Reinders at June. Am I surprised by the quality of Peters' performance? Not really. I learned not to underestimate her abilities as a Broadway song and dance performer a long time ago.

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 palatable 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 plaintive "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 eruption 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.

I wasn't sure that I would like Bernadette Peters as Mama Rose, as I believe that Merman is unsurpassed in this role. But I was pleasantly surprised by Bernadette's performance. Some previous reviewers have criticised her voice as not being "operatic" enough. First,operatic voices are not suited to Broadway music. They are TOO large. The best voice for Broadway is what I like to call a "musical theater voice". This is a large,powerful, resonant voice, but not overpowering, as is usually the case with an opera singer. This is the voice of a Merman,a Drake,a Streisand, a Goulet. Bernadette Peters does not have this type of voice, but she does have a beautiful and distinctive voice which she can project out over the footlights to great advantage. She is also a gifted actress who acts best with her song performances. After listening to her Mama Rose, I can say that her characterization is unique and superb. What Merman achieved with vocal power, Peters achieves with depth and nuance.
So, get two recordings of GYPSY, Merman's for the sheer majesty and power of her performance, and Peters' for her insight and unique interpretation.

I had the good fortune to see Gypsy during previews, and while I thought it needed some work, Ms. Peters was incredible, giving a new, sexier twist to Rose.

Her vocal performance on this CD tops her live performance. The raw power and emotion she lends to the 2 show-stopper numbers, "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Rose's Turn" is amazing! I think her rendition is by far the best recorded, with the possible exception of the original... Ether Merman.

The instrumental arrangements were uniformsly good. I also enjoyed the bits of dialogue that were added from Rose's reprise of "Small World", to the Incidental Music when Louise sees herself in the mirror, to "Let Me Entertain You". It underscores the maturing of Louise into a star.

As for Tammy Blacnhard, and the rest of the cast on this recording, they were passable, but nothing great. If I could have given 4 1/2 stars, I would have, but Ms. Peters performance slone leaned my ranking toward a 5!

Well worth the buy!

I have had this recording since it came out, and it is amazing!! The role of Momma Rose has been played by many wonderful women, but I simply cannot listen to it with anyone other than Bernadette! What I love about this album is, after hearing so many different renditions of the character 'Rose', I feel that Ms. Peters gives it something special! She takes it to a new level, one where you begin to realize what Rose has been doing everything for right after she loses June. When most people think of the song 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' they think of it as a happy song...but with this version you hear the pain, and the will to keep going from the very beginning! I had seen the show before I bought the CD and what you get off the recording is what you get in person!! I would recommend this to anyone who is a theatre fan!!

This is an absolutely stunning CD--IF you've seen the musical on Broadway...otherwise something may be lost in the translation. Bernadette Peters gives an amazing, awe-inspiring performance as Mama Rose--and sings her heart out while she's at it.
Ms. Peters is PERFECTLY cast as a ROSE for the new millenium--strident, monstrous, yet strangely appealing, she defines this character more than any other actress with the possible exception of Ethel Merman (the original). The Bette Midler version totally pales by comparison to this masterpiece starring the queen of Broadway in her best performance to date.
Let's not forget, Ms. Peters is ACTING here, so when her voice is hoarse, it's MEANT to be hoarse; when her voice cracks, it's for a reason--she's angry, she's vengeful, she's--well, let's just say it here--losing her grip on reality. She is playing, after all, a hideously self-obsessed woman who will do ANYTHING for fame and glory, at the expense even of her children.
The final number, 'Rose's Turn,' is a magnificent and shattering experience to see on the stage: Peters' performance here is by turn resentful, hateful, self-pitying and, finally, brave. Rose's breakdown during this final number is an awesome thing, all caught forever on this recording.
If you've ever wanted to experience the absolute FINEST Broadway has to offer--see 'GYPSY.' You will never forget it. And to remember it forever, buy this CD.

I went and saw this show in New York earlier this year and it was phenominal. I'm happy to say that this CD is not much different. Bernadette Peters delivers one of her best performances ever in this show and the cd captures every minute of it. So if you are a big fan of Bernadette Peters, I'd highly recommend this album.

If you are a big Gypsy fan, I would also recommend this cd to add to your collection. It has the same old spark to it as the earlier casts do, and a nice new ring with the fresh voices.

And if you just plain love music, this is a wonderful addition to anyone's music collection. If you need to spruce up your musical selection of music, I would highly recommend this album since it has the favorite quality of the older musicals (ie the music man), but has the familiar voices of the stars of today.

So, unless you dispise musicals, I'd recommend this CD to anyone and everyone. ENJOY! Here she is boys!

I've read through what others have said here about Bernadette Peters as Mama Rose. I must side with the ones who, as I did, loved her in the role. It's a stunning performance! And, by the time 'Rose's Turn' comes along, it's shattering! I haven't heard the CD yet but am giving it 5 stars anyway since I saw the show at the Shubert. (Actually, I should probably give it 4 3/4 since, sad to report, the only number in the show that disappointed me - and it's a major number - was 'You Gotta Get a Gimmick': I couldn't agree with - I guess - the choreographer's idea that the three strippers should come off as pretty close to talentless since they're performing in a dive. Imagine how awful the film of 'Cabaret' would have been if Bob Fosse had a similar 'brainstorm'? But I digress...and am gonna give 5 stars anyway! And, besides, Bernadette isn't part of that number, so...) To tell the honest-to-God truth, I'm really tired of the high number of shows that are revived on Broadway, leaving less room for new work (and, yes, I understand about economics) but this just-about-pitch-perfect production made me forget I was watching a revival. The direction and the cast are top-notch...and, best of all -- sigh -- there's Bernadette in a heart-wrenching, marvelously complex and endlessly compelling interpretation of Rose. By all means, go see her!!!

This stellar effort is a pleasure from start to finish. While the supporting cast is uniformly great and the orchestra is wonderful and clearly up to the challenge of this score, it is the role of Mama Rose that makes or breaks a production of "Gypsy". While there was much discussion aroung the casting of Bernadette Peters in this part, she proves here that the role was waiting for her to inhabit it. She brings a human touch to the part that no other Broadway Rose has done before. She sings these standards intellectually, not just belting them but actually feeling them and their lyrics. Hearing Ms. Peters version of "Rose's Turn" is as dramatic on this CD as it was to watch in the theatre! This is first rate musical theatre and anyone who enjoys American musicals will want to own this. Bernadette Peters can do no wrong!

This legendary (there is simply no other word which applies) musical is one of the great marvels of the American Theatre, but those who continue to insist that it is owned, now and forever, by its brilliant original star, Ethel Merman, are missing what makes GYPSY so great--that it is SO emotionally resonant, so tightly written, so packed with feeling and genuine human feeling at every level--that it is always subject to a new interpretation. Merman gave an unforgettable performance some 40-plus years ago...now, in 2003, the brilliant force of nature known as Bernadette Peters is giving another. Different, yes--but no less powerful in impact. She is nothing short of a revelation as Mama Rose, and her powerhouse performance is one which should not be missed. Ignore the naysayers--she is the genuine article, and she REINVENTS this role. This magnificent CD comes astonishingly close to capturing this performance intact for the ages. Ms. Peters' recorded versions of these songs here are nearly as potent and emotionally devastating as the ones she is giving, eight times per week, at the Shubert Theatre. One of the great inspirations of this new CD is that it includes dialogue from Arthur Laurent's glorious book, and never-before-recorded elements of the magnificent Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim score, creating what amounts to an abridged, but completely satisying recreation of the show, rather than a mere "cast album" featuring highlights. From the first notes of the roof-raising overture, to the final, never-before-recorded "Curtain" music, this album is perfection. The perfect GYPSY CD--and an eternal record of an utterly spellbinding performance from Bernadette Peters and the wonderful GYPSY company which surrounds her. THIS IS A MUST!

Bernadette Petters is the true meaning of a show stopper in the role of Mama Rose, in what has become one of the biggest boradway shows of the 2002-03 season. The revival cast recording of "Gypsy" also features the great voices of John Dossett in the role of Herbie and Tammy Blanchard in the role of Louise. Featuring what has been called the greatest Broadway Overture ever and the songs, "Let Me Entertain You", "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Together, Wherever We Go", and the show stopping number "Rose's Turn" "Gypsy" keeps getting better and better. Featuring the music of Jule Styne, the book by Arthur Laurents and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim "Gypsy" is a one of kind cast recording. If you buy one Broadway cast album this year, this is it!