Dream Casting

Dream Cast: We Pick Gilmore Girls, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Stars for the Gypsy Film

Amy Sherman-Palladino, creator of those beloved television shows, is in talks to direct a new film remake of the classic musical.

We cast Amy Sherman-Palladino's regulars in the (possibly) upcoming Gypsy movie.
We cast Amy Sherman-Palladino's regulars in the (possibly) upcoming Gypsy movie.
(© David Gordon/Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

With the news that Amy Sherman-Palladino might be directing a new film remake of Gypsy, we started thinking about whom we'd love to see in the central roles. Knowing that Sherman-Palladino, creator of Gilmore Girls, Bunheads, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, has a tendency to hire the same actors for many of her projects, we decided to dream-cast this beloved musical out of her Rolodex of talent, with performers from all three of those TV shows. (But apologies in advance that we couldn't find spots for Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel.)


Alex Borstein
Alex Borstein
(© Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

Rose — Alex Borstein (Susie on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Drella and others on Gilmore Girls)

Rose is larger than life and ferocious as hell, but with an unexpected soft side. We feel the same way about Alex Borstein, particularly in her Emmy-winning role as cantankerous Susie Myerson on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Susie doesn't let anything stand in her way, which would prove a great fit for the indefatigable Rose. But really, we just want to hear "Rose's Turn" in the Lois Griffin voice (among her non-Sherman-Palladino credits, Borstein voices Lois on Family Guy).


Rachel Brosnahan
Rachel Brosnahan
(© David Gordon)

Louise — Rachel Brosnahan (Midge Maisel on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

There's no question that the transformation of Midge Maisel from unhappy housewife to groundbreaking stand-up comedian parallels the journey of Louise, who starts off timidly in the shadow of her sister and ends up becoming a world-famous ecdysiast. This should be no sweat for Rachel Brosnahan, whose epic makeover from housewife to (soon-to-be) household name has already earned her an Emmy, and we know her turn as Louise will certainly entertain us.


Tony Shalhoub
Tony Shalhoub
(© David Gordon)

Herbie — Tony Shalhoub (Abraham Weissman on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

The character of Herbie in Gypsy is defined by being a pushover and a generally decent guy. And Tony Shalhoub, what a mensch! Even though his character in Maisel (he play's Midge's overbearing father) can be a little scary, he's still tinged with a bit of Herbie's signature bemused put-upon-ness. Shalhoub is also a Broadway regular, having most recently earned a Tony Award for his role in The Band's Visit, so we know he's got the chops.


Michael Zegen
Michael Zegen
(© David Gordon)

Tulsa — Michael Zegen (Joel Maisel on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

Like Joel, Midge's soon-to-be ex, Tulsa shirks a clever brunette in favor of an effervescent blonde. Also, we already know that Michael Zegen can dance because he pulled out a mean polka to "Shall We Dance?" in an episode of Maisel. So it's not too big a stretch to imagine him cutting a rug in "All I Need Is the Girl."


Bailey De Young
Bailey De Young
(© iDominick Visual Media/Wikimedia Commons)

June — Bailey De Young (Ginny on Bunheads, Imogene on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

Sorry to typecast, but Bailey De Young has played a perky blonde on not one but two Amy Sherman-Palladino shows (teenage dancer Ginny on Bunheads and now Midge's shiksa best friend Imogene on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). On Bunheads, she even gave us a taste of how she'll sound singing Gypsy classics like "If Momma Was Married" and "Dainty June and Her Farmboys" with her fictional audition for Bells Are Ringing. Sutton Foster spent most of that scene upstaging her, so we're all grateful that June doesn't share any stage time with Tessie Tura (see below).


Sutton Foster, Melissa McCarthy, and Kelly Bishop
Sutton Foster, Melissa McCarthy, and Kelly Bishop
(© Tricia Baron/GabboT, Wikimedia Commons/Tristan Fuge)

Tessie Tura, Mazeppa, Electra — Sutton Foster (Michelle on Bunheads), Melissa McCarthy (Sookie on Gilmore Girls), Kelly Bishop (Emily on Gilmore Girls)

Was there ever a better lineup of gimmicky strippers? We didn't think so. This is the casting order we have in mind, but honestly, there's no bad way to dole out parts among this trio. We'd be happy to see any one of them lend their finesse to the balletic Tessie Tura, or "uh uh uh" in Electra's light-up panties, or — no, Melissa McCarthy has to play the trumpet.

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The Band’s Visit

Closed: April 7, 2019