As the 1950s came to a close, Broadway continued to push and expand what could be done in a musical and what was expected of a night at the theater. Stars were becoming less powerful and less of a draw, though some stars found ways to maintain their status by proving that they had a place in the new style of show tha cared more about the truth of a character than simply star power. Once such star was Ethel Merman, and her final original stage role was also her greatest: playing Rose in 1959's Gypsy. Composer Jule Styne joined most of the West Side Story Team -- Robbins, Bernstein, and Sondheim -- to tell this story of the ultimate stage mother. It was Robbins and Sondheim, however, who created the show's 11 o'clock number, and one of the greatest star turns in Broadway history: "Rose's Turn." It has challenged Broadway divas ever since.
All clips are from the cast album of the 2024 revival of Gyspy featuring Audra McDonald and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.
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Recommended Reading/Viewing:
https://unhummable.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/breaking-down-a-song-roses-turn/
Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion)
