Gypsy -- The 2003 Broadway Cast Recording
James Troutman
Date: 2003/10/26
Last revised: 2003/11/29
This is one of my personal favorite recordings go Gypsy. Bernadette Peters offers up a different side of Rose, finding not just her vulnerabilty but her sexiness as well.
This recording certainly gets the prize for including more of the score and dialog than any other, although by no means can it be considered a "complete" recording. It skimps mainly on the vaudeville numbers, which all things considered, is probably a good thing. On the other hand, it's hard to justify some of the bits that it does include, such as the snippet of a reprise of "Small World" and Louise's little scene just before the strip number. These bits are more effective when seen in context in the theatre.
Notes on individual numbers
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1 Overture (4:45)
One of my favorite renditions of this fabulous Overture. All other things being equal, it's the Lead Trumpet that makes or breaks this piece. Chris Jaudes has some stiff competition, but right now he's my choice for Best Trumpeter. -
2 May We Entertain You 0:51
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3 Some People 3:09
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4 Small World 3:24
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5 Baby June & Her Newsboys 1:58
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6 Mr. Goldstone 2:37
This number is usually a solo for Rose with the rest of the cast joining in at the end. In this version, the ensemble joins in a bit earlier than usual. -
7 Little Lamb 2:20
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8 You'll Never Get Away From Me 2:39
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9 Dainty June & Her Farmboys 2:03
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10 Broadway 1:38
Although this is not a complete version of the "Broadway" number, it does include the complete orchestral dance music, one of only two recording to do so (the other is the 1993 soundtrack). -
11 If Momma Was Married 2:59
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12 All I Need Is The Girl 4:21
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13 Everything's Coming Up Roses 3:37
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14 Entr'acte 2:19
The only recording of the "Entr'acte" to Act 2. Is it just me, or does the instrumental version of "If Momma Was Married" make it sound like a Richard Rodgers waltz? -
15 Madame Rose's Toreadorables 1:12
The only recording of this number. -
16 Together, Wherever We Go 3:55
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17 You Gotta Get A Gimmick 4:50
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18 Small World (Reprise) 1:15
The only recording of this reprise. -
19 Incidental Music 0:46
The only recording of the incidental music where Louise looks in a mirror and realizes that she is a pretty girl. -
20 Gypsy Strip (Let Me Entertain You) 6:35
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21 Rose's Turn 5:03
Peters really nails this number, but I'd stop short of describing her performance as the best. She has some stiff competition. -
22 Curtain 1:32
The only recording of the closing dialog.
Gypsy -- The 2003 Broadway Cast Recording
A Comparison of Gypsy Recordings
Related Gypsy Products
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Remastered Original 1959 Broadway Cast CD with Ethel Merman (includes four Bonus Tracks) -
Original 1973 London Cast CD with Angela Lansbury -
1989 Broadway Cast CD with Tyne Daly -
1993 Television Movie Soundtrack CD with Bette Midler -
2003 Broadway Cast CD with Bernadette Peters -
1962 Motion Picture DVD with Rosalind Russell (singing voice dubbed by Lisa Kirk)
1962 Motion Picture Soundtrack CD with extra bonus tracks of Rosalind Russel singing -
Gypsy Vocal Score -
Gypsy: A Musical -- The complete libretto (or book) of the musical
It's worth reading the Arthur Laurents libretto for Gypsy if only to savor his witty stage directions. E.g., at the end of the opening scene:
([Rose] is singing along with her girls when she sees the Balloon Girl, who has edged out from the wings. Still singing gaily, Rose removes her hatpin. The Balloon Girl backs into the wings as Rose marches after her, the hatpin extended like Joan of Arc's sword. Her dancing daughters watch, grin, and finish to a blare of music.)
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Gypsy: A Memoir by Gypsy Rose Lee
The musical is loosely based upon Gypsy's own memoirs. -
The Making of Gypsy by Keith Garebian
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Original Story by: A Memoir of Broadway and Hollywood by Arthur Laurents
Often gossipy, always engaging, this memoir contains loads of information not only about Gypsy but about all the other projects and people with whom Laurents has been involved.
Beliefs