LuPone, Benanti Reflect on the real Gypsy

CBS "Sunday Morning" producer Judith Hole sat down with actors Patti LuPone and Laura Benanti, the Tony Award-winning stars of the 2008 Broadway revival of the classic musical GYPSY to discuss the show and its real-life characters.

In the expansive interview, the two stars discuss the musical and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Gypsy Rose Lee.

Asked if the musical made Rose more sympathetic than we sort of know [of her], LuPone responded, "But how do we know that Rose was not sympathetic except for what has been portrayed in the musical? I mean, did anybody really know who Rose Hovick was before they wrote a musical called "Gypsy"? I don't think so. Everybody knew who Gypsy Rose Lee was. She had her own television show. She was a famous stripper. She was the darling of the literary set in New York, at a particular time. And there were rumors about Rose, [but] I don't think that anybody really knew who Rose Hovick was until the musical. And I think that gave her the reputation - or rather, that depicted her in a way - as a monster. Now, if you read Gypsy's book or we read June Hovick's two books or if you read "American Rose," they all depict her - well Gypsy Rose Lee is a little more gentle with her mother. However, she does say the same things that June says and that [Karen Abbott] that wrote in "American Rose," that she got what she wanted however she could. And there was brutality. She had a brutal side. So they all say."

Hole follows up with Benanti, asking "What attracted you, Laura, to Gypsy? I mean, a lot of the play, the character is awkward, sort of untalented. Kind of a schlump."

Benanti replied, "That's what attracted me to it. The idea of being able to have such... a fantastic arc. You know, so often when you play an ingýnue, you know, in whatever piece - theater, TV, film - it's kind of one-dimensional, and you're just wide-eyed and blinking at someone, and then someone saves you. And so, what I love about Gypsy is that she grew up an awkward tomboy, ignored - this is my perception of it, but, you know, ignored by her mother. You know, completely in the shadow of her tiny, adorable sister - and with the help of her mom morphed into this like vulpine creature, who is clearly so smart. Had no education. I was really drawn to being able to play a character who goes so far. Who has such a giant arc. And who I always thought had so much heart and determination and drive and intelligence. To be able to captivate an entire room of not only men, but women, without ever really showing your body. I mean, I just think that she was a genius. So, to me, it was like a great challenge to play her. And, of course, to work with Patti is one of the other reasons why I wanted to do this."

To read the interview, click here.

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