Arthur Laurents obviously knows his material so well, he can innovate on his original innovations as he directs Patti LuPone in Gypsy, for which he wrote the book about a century ago. Music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim give us memorable tunes that are is a pleasure to hear in the theater and to hum as we leave. With Jerome Robbins' original choreography, terrific scenery by James Youmans, imaginative costumes by Martin Pakledinaz and fine lighting by Howell Binkley, this is a great show, made even greater by the superb cast including the beautiful, transcendent Laura Benanti as Gypsy; the smitten, long-suffering Boyd Gaines; the little phenom Sami Gayle as Baby June, Leigh Ann Larkin as Dainty June, dancer Tony Yazbeck (a Gene Kelly), and the hilarious trio of ancient strippers - Alison Fraser, Lenora Nemetz and Marilyn Caskey.
The entire ensemble is top-level Broadway. And it's all held together by a great star -- the dynamic, moving, funny Patti LuPone who shakes the chandeliers in her final number.
Gypsy is Broadway at its best.
