GYPSY to Close Early on January 11, 2009

The award winning, critically acclaimed smash hit production of GYPSY, originally announced to close on Sunday, March 1, 2009, will now play its final performance at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) on Sunday, January 11, 2009.

Directed by theatrical legend and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, GYPSY will have played 332 performances and 27 previews by the time it closes. The current production of the great American musical, which stars Tony Award winners Patti LuPone as "Rose," Boyd Gaines as "Herbie" and Laura Benanti as "Gypsy," began preview performances on Monday, March 3, 2008 and officially opened on Thursday, March 27, 2008.

"Though we originally announced that GYPSY would play its final performance on March 1, 2009, due to these uncertain financial times my partners and I have made the difficult decision to close instead on January 11, 2009" said producer Roger Berlind.

GYPSY was awarded three 2008 Tony Awards, one for each of the show's three stars: Patti LuPone (Leading Actress in a Musical), Laura Benanti (Best Featured Actress) and Boyd Gaines (Best Featured Actor). The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards in total, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Arthur Laurents), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Martin Pakledinaz) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Dan Moses Schreier). In addition, GYPSY was nominated for six Outer Critics Circle Awards (boasting wins for LuPone and Benanti), four Drama Desk Awards (including wins for LuPone, Gaines and Benanti) and three Drama League Awards including the "Distinguished Performance Award" for Patti LuPone.

LuPone leads the cast in the role of "Rose," the quintessential stage mother, joined by multiple Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines (Journey's End) as "Herbie" and Tony Award nominee Laura Benanti (Into the Woods) as "Louise," the daughter who transforms into the title character of "Gypsy_Rose_Lee/">Gypsy Rose Lee." GYPSY also stars Leigh Ann Larkin as "Dainty June," Tony Yazbeck as "Tulsa," Marilyn Caskey as "Electra," Alison Fraser as "Tessie," Lenora Nemetz as "Mazeppa," Bill Bateman as "Mr. Goldstone," Jim Bracchitta as "Uncle Jocko," Sami Gayle as "Baby June," Katie Micha as "Baby Louise," Bill Raymond as "Pop," Brian Reddy as "Weber," and The ensemble of GYPSY features Beckley Andrews, Andrew Boyer, Nancy Renée Braun, Jacob Clemente, Kyrian Friedenberg, Matt Gibson, Sarah Marie Hicks, Steve Konopelski, Matthew Lobenhofer, Nicole Mangi, Matty Price, Lisa Rohinsky, Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero, Jessica Rush, Alicia Sable, John Scacchetti, Geo Seery, Rider Quentin Stanton, Dorothy Stanley, Pearce Wegener and Emma Zacks.

The new production of GYPSY was based on the critically acclaimed New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars production which enjoyed a triumphant three week run in July of 2007.

GYPSY, the musical fable suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy_Rose_Lee/">Gypsy Rose Lee, is written by three legendary theatrical giants. The book is by two-time Tony Award winning legend Arthur Laurents, with music by two-time Tony Award winner Jule Styne and lyrics by multiple Tony Award winner Stephen Sondheim. The 1959 blockbuster, originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, boasts a legendary score with such classic songs as "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Rose's Turn" and "Some People."

GYPSY features scenic designs by James Youmans, costumes by Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz (Grease, Thoroughly Modern Millie), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Xanadu, Jersey Boys), hair by Tony Award winner Paul Huntley (Young Frankenstein, Grease) and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier (A Catered Affair, 110 in the Shade).

Tickets for GYPSY are $117.00 - $32.00 and are available through Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com or by visiting the St. James Theatre box office. Premium seating is available. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Photo by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.