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re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer)

Posted by: Shutterbug 07:37 am EST 11/22/14
In reply to: re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer) - AlanScott 03:32 am EST 11/22/14

Alan,
Thanks for this thoughtful post. I agree. I would, however, expand on Sondheim 's explanation of GYPSY'S message. Even more disturbing than the message that our parents become our children, is the idea that for those who may be parents (and thus identifying with Rose - as opposed to Louise) is the idea that we will become the children. No one wants to hear that either. Rose's Turn, in particular, gives us the clearest and most frightening glimpse inside of Rose's mind. While we thrill to the powerful performance of a fantastic leading lady (Merman, LuPone, Peters, Daly), the song's subtext sends a different kind of chill down the spine.
SB


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re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer)

Posted by: AlanScott 04:08 pm EST 11/22/14
In reply to: re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer) - Shutterbug 07:37 am EST 11/22/14

Yes, it's not a happy show for parents either. No one really wants to be reminded of any of these things. A very good point.


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re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer)

Posted by: garyd 07:35 pm EST 11/22/14
In reply to: re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer) - AlanScott 04:08 pm EST 11/22/14

I guess I disagree to some degree. It is a work that is about choices and the consequence of choices. We took all three of our kids and, if provided the opportunity, will take all three grandkids. We took them to just about everything and, if they had questions, we just answered them. "Gypsy" is literate and entertaining and, historically, attracts significant theatre talent. It affords an exquisite opportunity to expose audiences of all ages to the musical theatre genre. (Of course, I saw the original, as I did with all of my first theatre experiences, with my grandmother who literally said "don't tell mama, just say we saw "Sound of Music". :))


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re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer)

Posted by: AlanScott 07:38 pm EST 11/22/14
In reply to: re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer) - garyd 07:35 pm EST 11/22/14

I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. If I had kids, I'd take them to see Gypsy, unless they had an aversion to the theatre, in which case I'd put them up for adoption.


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re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer)

Posted by: garyd 08:40 pm EST 11/22/14
In reply to: re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer) - AlanScott 07:38 pm EST 11/22/14

:)
I remember taking our youngest with us to see "The Crying Game". He was 11 or 12. At the end, we sat and watched the credits and he said: "so, we are sitting here in the dark so that no one notices that you brought your impressionable young teen to see this?"
Such a smart ass. Of course he saw "A Chorus Line " at 8. At 34 he emailed: "Okay, going to see "Company". Since I have been listening to it since I was born, I suppose it's about time I see the damn thing.".. Subsequent email: "Well shit. You DO NOT get to say I told you so".


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re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer)

Posted by: Delvino 08:35 pm EST 11/22/14
In reply to: re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer) - AlanScott 07:38 pm EST 11/22/14

I think kids identify with June and Louise, easily. Older ones, with Gypsy. It's a show about detaching, finding an identity. That's why the second act is so brilliant, of course; it takes us deep into the mother-daughter dynamic, raising the stakes once Gypsy is created and Rose's role wanes. It's that arc -- very real and universal, despite the show biz milieu -- that shakes people. Every child has to separate from a parent(s), every parent has to let go. It's scary real.


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re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer)

Posted by: Greg_M 12:31 pm EST 11/23/14
In reply to: re: Todays's Random Question: Gypsy (long answer) - Delvino 08:35 pm EST 11/22/14

I first saw "Gypsy" when I was 8 and thought Rose was a monster - If I were one of her kids I would have run away. . . far, far away


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