Paul and Corey Cross the Streams is a bi-monthly podcast in which hosts Paul Pakler and Corey Pepper watch and review streaming content. It’s the Great American Podcast where two friends learn about life as they float down the river of streaming services.
Let’s put on a show! It’s season 8 for Paul and Corey Cross the Streams, and this season we’re watching musicals. It’s a singular art form with a dynamic history, and we get to listen to a lot of cast recordings…
This week, Corey chose what is arguably the greatest book musical of all time, Gypsy. This is also the first time that Paul and Corey watch a live recording of a musical and, in this case, a revival – Gypsy: Live from the Savoy Theatre (2015).
In the likely event that you haven’t seen this film, we strongly recommend you watch before listening. It is streaming for free on Tubi.
The show was first produced in 1959, with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents. It was a star-vehicle for Ethel Merman, who played the original Mama Rose. The musical was based on the 1957 memoir, Gypsy: A Memoir by Gypsy Rose Lee (a famous burlesque dancer and entertainer).
Before we get too much further in this episode synopsis, it must be said that the term was and is an unacceptable slur used about the Romani people. To the extent that the name of the show, the character, and the performer are what they are, we can understand them through a critical lens of culture, time, and consciousness, without endorsing or hand-waving.
With that in mind, the show really does earn its reputation of being the King Lear of musicals. The nuance and depth of characterization is incredible. The songs stand the test of time.
And in this production, the performances of Imelda Staunton as Mama Rose and Lara Pulver as Louise are astounding, while being surrounded by a cast of brilliant performers.
Paul and Corey discuss the psychology of stage mothers and Mama Rose, societal expectations of women and the commodification of their bodies, and how heartbreaking Gypsy is in the way it creates dramatic opportunities for these hurting people try their best to love each other.
It’s a great discussion of an excellent musical and production!
This Episode’s Focus: Gypsy: Live from the Savoy Theatre (2015)
Host’s Choice: Corey Pepper
Stream on: Streaming on Tubi; Rent on all the usual suspects
Corey’s Recipe Recommendations for This Episode: Spiced BBQ Lamb Ribs and Recipes to Turn Anything into an Eggroll
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Special thanks to Tobin for our incredible theme song and Dave Droxler for our podcast’s logo and artwork.
