Minsky's Salute to Christmas from GYPSY

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 3:25pm

With Christmas just around the corner I thought I would describe the final burlesque turn that Sandra Church as Louise performed in the original Merman production in 1959.

The scene opened with some 15 showgirls draped around a giant Christmas tree, wearing ornaments on their heads and with ornaments covering their boobs. They hummed a religioso tune that was tacky and hilarious. Then two Santas pulled a huge present to stage center out of which popped Louise, draped in an ermine fur and wearing a giant headress of a Christmas tree ornament. The whole scene didn't take longer than 2 minutes but it was very funny and effective. It also was a very expensive scene since the showgirls were not used in any other part of the musical. When the show moved from the Broadway to the Imperial with its smaller stage, the number of showgirls was reduced, to save money,

In the liner notes of the recording of the Tyne Daly GYPSY, Arthur Laurents answered the question of why he substituted the "Garden of Eden" scene for the "Minsky's Salute to Christmas": he said simply that the latter just wasn't funny. Boy, was he wrong. The Christmas scene is one of the production photos of the 1959 GYPSY, on view at the Library of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. I have a copy of that photo on my living room wall. If I were more knowledgeable about computers I would be able to display the photo. Sorry!

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 3:29pm

You mean this one?



Credit to BrodyFosse, from his Gypsy thread.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 3:35pm

Yes, that is the scene, although my photo is different. Thank you!

[jejr]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 7:11pm

It was a wonderful scene and one that I vividly remember. It was extremely funny, but I can understand that it was very expensive. If Laurents didn't think it was funny, I seriously question his sense of humor.