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| GYPSY question | |
| Posted by: dooey 08:03 am EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| I'm preparing a production of GYPSY and was surprised to see that the only version licensed by Concord Theatricals (Tams) includes Minskey's "Salute to Christmas" instead of the Garden of Eden sequence with all of Gypsy's clever banter about being an ecdysiast. All the major productions that I'm aware of include the Garden of Eden with Louise's monologue. Actually, from what I've read, Laurents wrote the banter for Louise in the original production during out of town previews, so I'm surprised it's not in the licensed version. I know I could write to Concord about this and request the change, but I'm assuming the answer will be no, and I would never change it without permission, of course. I'm just curious to know if others have encountered this situation and how you chose to address it. Thank you in advance for your insights! |
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| re: GYPSY question | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 03:57 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: GYPSY question - dooey 08:03 am EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| "Actually, from what I've read, Laurents wrote the banter for Louise in the original production during out of town previews, so I'm surprised it's not in the licensed version." No, he did not. I am surprised to hear that you have received a script with the Christmas sequence and without Louise talking to the audience. I was also under the impression that the script currently licensed has all the banter. A friend has directed the show twice at a community theatre he runs, and he did the revised version of the sequence. I am pretty sure that's the version he received. |
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| re: GYPSY question | |
| Posted by: dooey 06:09 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: re: GYPSY question - AlanScott 03:57 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| Sorry if I'm getting my facts wrong. I just read THE MAKING OF GYPSY and I'm currently reading MAINLY ON DIRECTING. In one of them, I *thought* it discussed how Robbins was pushing for more dance and vaudeville and burlesque-type acts and staged the Christmas scene for Minskey's. Laurents wanted to add lines for Louise to speak because Gypsy was known for her witty banter, but Robbins didn't think Sandra Church could pull it off. But Laurents wanted to try it. This was one of the points of tension between the two that seemed to drive Robbins away more, calling it "your show," meaning "Laurent's show." I don't have the books with me, so I can't be sure of exactly when that occurred or if I'm remembering it correctly. I'd love to hear the story as you understand it. I, too, was surprised to find the version without Louise speaking to the audience is the licensed version. That's what's on their perusal e-reader, anyway. I called to confirm with Concord and was told that's the only version that is licensed. |
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| One other thing | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 06:02 pm EDT 05/26/23 | |
| In reply to: re: GYPSY question - dooey 06:09 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| I think The Making of Gypsy is by Keith Garebian, and is from a series of books by him. I can't say that what I've seen of those books has given me any confidence in his writing. His research seems very incomplete, and he accepts hearsay and memory as fact. | |
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| Well, then I hope you are working on writing a good one | |
| Posted by: aleck 09:30 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: One other thing - AlanScott 06:02 pm EDT 05/26/23 | |
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| Or can suggest an alternative title that brings together all the known information -- hearsay and otherwise -- to read and reference instead. | |
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| re: Well, then I hope you are working on writing a good one | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 05:09 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: Well, then I hope you are working on writing a good one - aleck 09:30 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
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| I am too lazy, depressed and/or disorganized to write one. I would recommend looking at the Gypsy discussion in Broadway Song & Story, edited by Otis L. Guernsey (you may find it with McNally listed as the author if you're searching on used book sites), Sondheim & Co. and the two Laurents books. The standard recs, pretty much, except Guernsey, which is not that well-known. A really good book on Gypsy would be nice to have. Only one section of Broadway Song & Story is about Gypsy, but I think anyone who is a regular on this site would find the book very interesting. |
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| re: One other thing | |
| Posted by: dooey 11:15 am EDT 05/27/23 | |
| In reply to: One other thing - AlanScott 06:02 pm EDT 05/26/23 | |
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| Understood. So, I was just re-reading the chapter on GYPSY in Zadan's SONDHEIM & CO. and apparently, Laurents added the strip dialogue for the London version with Lansbury. I assume that means the original Broadway production stuck with the Christmas sequence for the full run. Plus, I finally got a chance to look back at Garebain's book, which affirms this. Sorry for misremembering and posting without verifying. I'm still puzzled, though, as to how and why all subsequent productions seem to have the Garden of Eden tribute instead of the Christmas tribute... |
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| re: GYPSY question | |
| Last Edit: AlanScott 06:32 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 06:31 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: re: GYPSY question - dooey 06:09 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| Yes, Laurents wanted to try giving Louise some lines during the strip sequence, and, yes, Robbins had no confidence in Sandra Church and didn't want to try it, but I never got the impression from the books that Laurents wrote much if anything at that time, given Robbins's negative reaction to the idea. If I've forgotten something that Laurents says in the books, please let me know. | |
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| re: GYPSY question | |
| Posted by: theatreguy40 03:45 pm EDT 05/25/23 | |
| In reply to: GYPSY question - dooey 08:03 am EDT 05/25/23 | |
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| Concord is usually not willing to go along with ANYTHING --- Just saying... |
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