Ethel Merman "Everything's Coming Up Roses" Live Sondheim Styne Remastered "Gypsy"

[jonthesYT]

That's what Marie said. She lost her job because the tree was cut. She was an 'extra' in the "Goldstone" scene, but otherwise had nothing to do in the first act. "Gypsy" was actually not a huge hit so it was a combination of budget cutting and Laurents hating Robbins' tree. I think Merman was tired too. I can't prove it but suspect a la "Hello Dolly" she lowered the keys on her songs during the run which is why on the cast album they are higher.

[flagler88]

Sorry mis-read the strike happened in June 1960 and affected several shows, but the five week vacation from Jul 9th - Aug 15th was just Gypsy and it was only a vacation.

[flagler88]

Just discovered the vacation was due to a strike and Gypsy wasn't the only show to close for that period which started Jul 9th 1960 for Gypsy.

[flagler88]

Gypsy closed sometime around early July 1960 and re-opened Aug 15th 1960 after a five week vacation. So the bootleg circulating that says it is Merman's last show must be from earlier in the run as it has the Christmas bit in it, they also play auld lang syne at the end of the one I have, so I always assumed it was from NYE 1959.

[showtunestarpower]

Once again, Ethel proves that there was no "walking" in one of her performances. What a thrill. She was an absolute phenomenon. So unstudied, so real, so thrilling, so a gift from on high. Thank you for this incredible engineering job. I look forward to the whole GYPSY score from jonthesYT!

[jonthesYT]

PS I wrote an article on the Gypsy stripper Christmas tree, and Marie Wallace told me they closed for the summer and cut the tree when it re-opened (Kim Willa told me that it was Robbins' idea and Laurents hated it, so it has never been in an subsequent production). So they actually closed twice. As the barker mentions 'a salute to Christmas' at the end of the strip number I wonder if this was the 'first' closing.

[jonthesYT]

At that time either the producer or composer I think would put a reel to reel in the front row and sit with it. Given the many tapes Sondheim made of his shows it might have been him. I don't know who exactly, but that would explain it being complete. I cleaned and remastered the sound quite a bit. From the balance it was obviously to one side and right next to the pit. The orchestra is so clear you could sketch out the orchestrations from it. I boosted Ethel's vocal levels on some parts.

[me3775]

Ethel's still my girl! Thanks for posting. The original production closed in March 1961; what technology of the time was smuggled into the theater to record the source tape?? Battery-op Nagra under the raincoat? Curious. . .

[voyles2002]

OMG.  Deep appreciation, John. Thanks for all ur gifts!