Basically, Gypsy is the story of an über stage mom, her relationship with her daughters June (Leigh Ann Larkin) and Louise (Laura Benanti), and what her daughters became in an attempt to control their own lives. Into this basic story line, weave Herbie (Boyd Gaines), a man who falls in love with Rose (Patti Lupone) but is constantly in conflict with Rose over her self-centered behavior. Also stick in a dancing cow, six boys who never age, and a slew of hilarious auditions and glorious costumes. Now, I wonÕt ruin the ending because it's quite a shocker -- but I will tell you that "Gypsy" does not actually refer to LuponeÕs character. Also, when I was asked whether it was a comedy or tragedy, I responded that it was bittersweet. No crying in the end but there's no laughing either.

Lupone did a beyond-fantastic job! She molded the character beautifully, adding a spark and loving twist to Rose that has never been seen before. She made a more star-struck Rose, causing a ruckus of laughter throughout the theater. But in her serious moments she had the entire theater riveted, on the edge of their seats watching her every move. Her vocal performance was thrilling to listen to. She added zeal and feistiness to extremely difficult and famous numbers full of high belt. I will say that this is the first time I ever saw a performer receive a standing ovation in the middle of a show. It occurred toward the end of LuponeÕs last number "RoseÕs Turn" and it was a glorious thing to behold!

Well there we go! She was so amazing that she got her own paragraph. And now on to the rest of the cast. Laura Benanti did a lovely job transforming her character from the shy, tomboyish, seemingly talentless girl, forced into the background (or one end of a cow costume) by her mother, into the gorgeous confidant woman she becomes (I won't spoil it, I swear!!). She had a lovely voice that went from tentatively girlish, as the perennial ten-year-old Louise into its full glory as the older Louise. Leigh Ann Larkin who played the frustrated-with-her-mother precocious young June also had a very pretty voice. I thought she might have played the character a tad too angry though. She was the talented spoiled child who was RoseÕs path to fame, thus making her more frustrated than angered by her lack of independence and the staleness of the family act. Boyd Gaines had a nice tone and color to his voice that really added to the duets he shared with Lupone. He portrayed the character of Herbie very compassionately and lovingly yet his inability to tolerate RoseÕs decisions showed that his love for her did not diminish his integrity in any way. He really pulled off the major conflict between his love of Rose and his absolute abhorrence of her disregard for anything that got in the way of her ambition.

What did I have a problem with then? Ummmm...nothing! *SHOCKER!* I thought the show was really well directed, and loved the fact that the director did not rely on LuPone to bring in the audience. The entire cast could have captured the audience with or without LuPone. They were all fabulous singers, actors and dancers. So yes! There is my stamp of approval. I recommend it for everyone because, despite the slightly off-color ending, once the curtain dropped, a silent acknowledgement of RoseÕs epiphany permeated the theater. It was really quite a beautiful thing.