Theater News

An Even Smaller World: Gypsy to Close on February 28

It has just been announced that the Broadway production of Gypsy, which was directed by Sam Mendes and stars Bernadette Peters as the domineering stage mother Rose, Tammy Blanchard as Gypsy Rose Lee, and John Dossett as Herbie, will close on Saturday, February 28 after 33 previews and 347 regular performances.According to a press release issued this afternoon, “The producers stated that the current extreme weather conditions in New York, which have caused an industry-wide decline in ticket sales, contributed to the decision to close the production.”

In his review of the production for TheaterMania, David Finkle wrote that “Individual scenes still have the ability to silence or rouse an audience, depending on what’s transpiring. Some sequences — like that first act finale, where Rose wails while Louise and Herbie quail, and that second act finale, where Rose finally shines the spotlight on herself — have the ability both to silence and rouse.”

As for Peters’ performance, Finkle wrote that the star “takes the ominously thrilling ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’ and javelins it to the back of the auditorium, where it penetrates the wall and vibrates well into intermission.” But he added that, as of opening night, “Peters hasn’t as yet formed a consistent characterization. From vignette to vignette in the episodic script, she seems to be starting anew rather than picking up momentum.”

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Gypsy

Closed: May 30, 2004