Favorite Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee in "GYPSY"?

Well, I've only seen Tammy Blanchard on stage and she was terrific, so I'll go with her! I saw the movie too, and Natalie Wood was only OK, in my humblest of opinions.

Anyone else like Cynthia Gibb?

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Oh, wait. The first time I saw Gypsy ,Tammy was out - so I saw her understudy Ginifer Flowers (?), and she was great too, but Tammy filled out the shape of a stripper much better!

Tammy Blanchard's cheek bones are orgasmic.


I know orgasmic is the best word, but it's all I can think of at the moment.

That girl is gorgeous.

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I really liked Cynthia Gibb in the TV movie, and the girl who played Dainty June as well.

I forgot about the MOW. I still stick with my original choice.

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thanks to those who contributed their thoughts so far.

My all time favorite would have to be Crista Moore. Not only was her transformation from gawky Louise to sexy-as-all-hell Gypsy Rose Louise amazing, but she was one of the only ones that had a terrific set of pipes on her. That girl can sing! Her Strip routine was so damned near erotic. The night I saw it the audience rose to their feet and gave her a standing ovation.

Honorable mention: Natalie Wood, mainly because I felt she really connected and related to the struggles of a young woman trying to break free from the grip of a domineering stage mother. It really showed in her performance. She may not have been an amazing singer but in my opinion she did a more than adequate job. She was also incredibly beautiful at the end of the film. She was schooled by none other than Gypsy Rose Lee herself and her strip routine is dead-on.

Updated On: 1/2/05 at 10:35 PM

Acting: Natalie Wood
Singing: Tammy Blanchard

-vincent

It's a pretty thankless role.

"The Strip" transformation isn't the test, for me. Everyone I've seen do the role in a major production has managed to pull that off. Some better than others, sure.

But I've never seen an actress do a convincing "Little Lamb." It invariably comes out either mawkish or mannered.

Veuve -- is Little Lamb the fault of the song or the actress...I agree with your callout that no one has pulled it off -- in the sense of the "story" it is a good song for plot/character development purposes, but it rarely comes across well...perhaps one of the low moments of the best book musical...

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I agree Veuve...the one time Gypsy often comes to a halt...I totally get what the authors are trying to impart...but I must admit, it is the scene of the show where I almost "cringe"...(if anyone repeats that in public I will deny it - I do have my dignity)

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My favorite would probably be Kate Shindle, whom I saw play it about 3 years ago. I also very much enjoyed Crista Moore in the Tyna Daly revival.