Playbill.com tells us that Richard Frankel productions has raised enough money and public enthusiasm to bring the Encores! Summer Stars series acclaimed mounting of Gypsy starring Tony and Olivier Award winner Patti LuPone to Broadway in 2008. The transfer will cost a reported nine million smackaroos, but many in the theatre-going community will gladly buy tickets to help offset the cost….

The current Broadway revival of Chicago started out as a sparsely staged Encores! presentation, and eleven years later, it’s doing just fine.

The entire cast will be offered the chance to repeat their roles, although LuPone is the only one officially cast so far.

Nancy Opel, who played Mazeppa and Miss Cratchitt is currently touring in the title role of The Drowsy Chaperone, so her availability might be in question.

Barring any extension, Boyd Gaines, the production’s Herbie, will have finished his run as Col. Pickering in the Roundabout’s Pygmalion by the time rehearsals start.

And Laura Benanti, aka Louise, has signed on to play the mother of an autistic child in Eli Stone, a new series on ABC projected for the mid 2007-2008 television season, which might be a difficult schedule to juggle.

Gypsy co-creator Arthur Laurents, who helmed the City Center run, will direct on Broadway as well.

Related Articles:

• Just Nine Million Bucks, Papa!
• Straight from the Chaperone's Mouth
• In the Spotlight: Nancy Opel

1 Comment to “She Had a Dream…”

1. Stevers — November 30, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
   

   I was blessed enough to see Gypsy twice this summer - what a treat and I can’t wait for the return!! When I read about this I instantly thought about Nancy Opel and her being on tour - wouldn’t a super replacement for her be Debbie Shapiro-Gravitte?

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