Question about the ending of gypsy- Page 2
Question about the ending of gypsy
#26re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/21/08 at 10:29pmI thought it was actually signifying the fading of her dreams.
#28re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/21/08 at 10:39pm
It's been so long since I've read Gypsy Rose Lee's memoirs but if I'm not mistaken Gypsy and her mother never reconciled. Before she died she'd told Louise something like "every time something bad happens to you it'll be me". She said that her cancer was a present from her mother.
I haven't seen the new show but from what's described here I'd think the new ending might be closer to the truth.
Edit: I found the quote of what Mama Rose is said to have told her daughter. "Wherever you go...I'll be right there. When you get your own private kick in the ***, just remember: it's a present from me to you."
#29re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/21/08 at 10:44pm
Well if they are going to change the show to reflect the truth...why not include things like the fact that when June left the act with Bobby Reed, she tried to have him arrested and then she pulled a gun on him at the police station? There are so many other REAL LIFE things that happened that are NOT a part of this musical. So why add anything?
Just do the musical!
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#30re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/21/08 at 10:45pm
But it's not about the truth, it's about the structure of the plot.
There are many differences in the play and the "truth".
It's fine to have different interpretations.
#31re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 9:27am
For all it's worth, this is the ending spelled out in the original complete script:
Rose: You know I had a dream last night (she links her arm through Louise's as they start slowly across the stage) It was a big poster of a mother and daughter--you know, like the cover of that ladies' magazine.
Louise: (Warningly) Yes, Mother?
Rose: (Stops moving) Only it was you and me, wearing exactly the same gown. It was an ad for Minsky--and the headline said: (she traces the name in the air) MADAM ROSE--(Louise gives her a look; Rose catches it and, moving her hand up to give Louise top billing, says) AND HER DAUGHTER, GYPSY! (They both begin to laugh as they walk off)
The Curtain falls.
******************************************************************** Having seen the original production at the Broadway Theatre back in 1959, I remember that the name GYPSY ROSE LEE in lights was ABOVE the proscenium, lit up during Louise's strip numbers at various theatres, and, during "Rose's Turn", only the name ROSE was lit. I simply don't remember what happened to the lights during that final dialogue and movement.
#32re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 9:29amYes Gypsy9 -- That is the ending! That's the one I have always seen and the one I prefer.
#33re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 9:45am
I dont understand what's so tough to get here. The same marquee lights that she imagined during Rose's Turn are imagined again. She sees them fade, but not completely. Her dream is still there, but she has accepted a bit that her stardom is not meant to be...she understands herself a little more, and her motivations. BUT, she's still Rose.
I think it was a brilliant change, but I understand if traditionalists feel differently.
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
#34re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 10:25amI feel the new ending is more tragic. Since the curtain falls on Rose reaching for the broken sign of her name in lights, she realizes that Rose's Turn will never play out for her. The original ending is more hopeful in that they exit together, but the look on the faces of all the Roses didn't give off an expression of hope as they exited.
#35re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 10:33am
(They both begin to laugh as they walk off)
Very 1950s. I like the twist Arthur and Patti put on that for 2008.
#36re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 10:44am
Lets have the next revival of Sound of Music end with the Von Trapp family going up the mountain to escape, then a pause...then some Nazis follow them.
Lets have the next revival of A Chorus Line end with the song One....then everyone but Zach exits. He pauses, then collapses from a mysterious new illness.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
#37re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 10:57am
Wait..what about GREASE..at the end, everyone goes off together with a ramma lamma lamma ka ding a da ding a dong except Eugene. He stands alone then takes a gun out of his lunch box.
This would better reflect today.
Or the next revival of GUYS AND DOLLS..it looks like a big happy wedding, but then Liverlips Louie announces the have found a better location for a crap game and every one runs off leaving Adelaide alone. She coughs. She has not developed a cold, but instead she has cancer.
This would be less 50's.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#38re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 10:57amEven better: Lets put Zach in the chorus line at the end! At the front!
Urban
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/05
#39re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 11:00amGypsy walks off stage, the curtain comes down and Rose wakes up next to Suzanne Pleshette.
#41re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 11:14amYes, the 92 yo man can do whatever he wishes to ruin his own musical. He certainly ruined it for me.
#42re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 11:19amGive that dog another bone!
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
#44re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 11:54am
I didn't get the sense that Louise was leaving her mother. I sensed that she just was laughing incredulously at her mother's continued delusions and then went out to the car to wait for her mother to "collect herself." I got the sense that Louise was not going to fan her mother's flames anymore.
Rose then realizes that no one is buying into her schemes anymore and see the faded sign. I just saw it as an extension of the original ending, not a total change. I loved the interpretation.
#45re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 11:56am
haha, Urban.
I personally love the new ending of the show. I think it makes more sense for Louise to walk off alone, laughing at Rose, not with her. actually, the first time I saw Gypsy, it annoyed me that there was a scene after Rose's Turn anyway. it felt like a throwaway scene with a slightly unrealistic happy ending. I think this one drives home how broken and pathetic Rose is.
but if we're playing the game where we make up new endings, I'd like for all of Gypsy to have taken place inside a snowglobe.
#46re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 11:58amI don't feel that Louise is laughing at her mother or mocking her, but more in disbelief or emotional exhaustion. Just my opinion.
#47re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 11:58amPerhaps all the characters should come back on stage (one of the ensemble members can dress up like the secretary lady) and all stand around as Rose delivers that line, then they can ALL laugh...like the ending of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon.
#48re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 12:05pm
Yes, the 92 yo man can do whatever he wishes to ruin his own musical. He certainly ruined it for me.
I'm sure you've ruined many more in your illustrious a-directorial career.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#49re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 12:07pm
Why do people want to see Rose as pathetic and broken?
She is a human being, sort-of.
We aren't talking about the real Rose but the Broadway Musical Rose. She has her moments of fun and wit and love,
She makes some mistakes, some Big mistakes but she also has courage and integrity (a little misplaced, maybe).
I certainly wouldn't want to watch a pathetic and broken woman for two and a half hours.
Whatever you say about her she does make the decision to have Louise strip in the first place and that is what makes Gypsy Rose Lee a star.
Mr. Laurents can do whatever he wants is true, but we can still have varied opinions also.
We are talking about the man behind NICK AND NORA!!!
#49re: Question about the ending of gypsy
Posted: 4/22/08 at 12:12pm
My favorite ending is the one seen last summer when this production was at City Center:
Rose and Louise start to walk off together and just before they exit, Rose turns to look back behind her (downstage) and the "Rose" sign has been lowered. She looks at it longingly, like a broken child, the lights on the sign flickering and going out as she looks on. Then it's a fade out to black as she grabs onto Louise and they exit, Rose looking back the whole time at what might have been.
For me, it's the perfect compromise. You get the two of them attempting some kind of relationship together, but ultimately, the last thing we see is Rose's longing. It wasn't so obvious and overt like the new ending.
That ending was simple and understated. Honestly, it was devastating. I cried for Rose at that point.
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