Gypsy is loosely based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her struggle with her mother, Mama Rose, whose name has become synonymous with “the ultimate show business mother.” Mama Rose is a wildly determined stage mother trying to make her two young daughters into famous vaudeville performers. At first, she focuses on the younger, cuter June. But when June runs off to marry her beau, Tulsa, Rose concentrates on her other daughter, Louise. Vaudeville was dying while burlesque was being born and Louise, filled with hidden talent, becomes a star.