LuPone's Gypsy Revival Sets March 1 Closing Date

The Tony Award-winning revival of Gypsy will play its final performance at the St. James Theatre on March 1, 2009, the conclusion of star Patti LuPone’s scheduled engagement. Directed by the show’s author, Arthur Laurents, Gypsy began previews on March 3 and officially opened on March 27. The show will have played 388 performances and 27 previews upon closing.

Gypsy received seven nominations at the 2008 Tony Awards, winning one each for LuPone and her co-stars, Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti. It also received six Outer Critics Circle Awards including LuPone and Benanti, four Drama Desk Awards including LuPone, Gaines and Benanti and three Drama League Awards, including the Distinguished Performance Award for LuPone.

Led by LuPone as Rose, the tyrannical stage mother, Gypsy features Gaines as the good-hearted Herbie and Benanti as Louise, the introvert who transforms herself into infamous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. Also featured are Leigh Ann Larkin Dainty June, Tony Yazbeck Tulsa, Marilyn Caskey Electra, Alison Fraser Tessie, Lenora Nemetz Mazeppa, Bill Bateman Mr. Goldstone, Jim Bracchitta Uncle Jocko, Sami Gayle Baby June, Katie Micha Baby Louise, Bill Raymond Pop and Brian Reddy Weber.

Rounding out the ensemble are Beckley Andrews, Andrew Boyer, Nancy Renée Braun, Jacob Clemente, Kyrian Friedenberg, Matt Gibson, Sarah Marie Hicks, Steve Konopelski, Matthew Lobenhofer, Nicole Mangi, Matty Price, Lisa Rohinsky, Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero, Jessica Rush, Alicia Sable, John Scacchetti, Geo Seery, Rider Quentin Stanton, Dorothy Stanley, Pearce Wegener and Emma Zaks.

The new production of Gypsy was based on the New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars production, which enjoyed a three-week run in July of 2007. Originally staged on Broadway in 1959, the show features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, as well as now-classic songs such as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Rose’s Turn” and “Some People.”

Gypsy features scenic design by James Youmans, costumes by Martin Pakledinaz Grease, Thoroughly Modern Millie, lighting by Howell Binkley Xanadu, Jersey Boys, hair by Paul Huntley Young Frankenstein, Grease and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier A Catered Affair, 110 in the Shade.