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"Rose's Turn" is a song from the musical Gypsy. It has been performed by such actresses as Ethel Merman (who originated the role of Rose on Broadway), Bette Midler, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, and Imelda Staunton. The song is often regarded as the pinnacle of the eleven o'clock number.

Synopsis

The song "occurs at the point when Mama Rose realizes the frustrations of having little to show for the sacrifices that have left her with two seemingly ungrateful children." At this point in the show, Mama Rose is "a character whose dreams were too strong and whose heart held her own feelings hostage to make those dreams come true."^[1] She "finally drops her facade and admits her frustration and despair." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette argues the "unmasking of her psyche" takes place during the song.^[2]^[3]

Production

The song was written by Jule Styne with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. As the finale, it contains a number of callbacks to songs from earlier in the show. Bette Midler, who performed the show in the television movie, said the song is her favorite piece from the show: "It's a terrifying piece of music because it's one of the two most famous arias in the musical comedy lexicon, the other being 'Soliloquy' from Carousel."^[4]

Critical reception

Chicago magazine described it as "show-stopping."^[5] Michael Kuchwara, notable theater critic for the Associated Press, described it as a "blazing finale."^[6] The Hour named it a "showstopping tour-de-force."^[7] The Spokesman-Review wrote the song "may not match the other songs for lyrics and melodic value, but its emotional effect is riveting", and described it as a "magical moment."^[1] Boca Raton News names it a "torch song" and the "dramatic high point."^[2] Toledo Blade wrote "when [Mama Rose] sings 'Rose's Turn', a touching reflection of who she is and what she gave up for her daughters, we finally understand the passions that drove her."^[8] Kuchwara in another AP review called it a "stunning musical soliloquy," adding "it's here where Rose pours out her true feelings, letting the rage and frustration of a stymied life explode."^[9]

Glee version

"Rose's Turn" was featured on the Glee episode Laryngitis in 2010, sung by Kurt (Chris Colfer). It was released on the deluxe version of Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers the same year. This version of the song has seen a resurgence in 2024, being used on the social media platform TikTok in a trend where users reflect on times they have wasted as Colfer sings "All that work and what did it get me? Why did I do it?"^[10]^[11]

References

^ ^a ^b Sowa, Tom (October 11, 1983). "Big 'Gypsy' is rewarding despite flaws". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved September 26, 2017 – via Google News.
^ ^a ^b Sheffield, Skip (December 14, 1981). "'Gypsy' showcases art of McArt". Boca Raton News. Retrieved September 26, 2017 – via Google News.
^ Croan, Robert (September 20, 1989). "Daly does 'Gypsy' role her own way". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 26, 2017 – via Google News.
^ Boedeker, Hal (July 25, 1993). "Divine idea: Midler to star in TV 'Gypsy'". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved September 26, 2017 – via Google News.
^ Sullivan, Catey (February 17, 2014). "Gypsy Review: Thrilling, Frustrating, and Exceptional". Chicago. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
^ Huchwara, Michael (May 10, 2003). "Curtain up on energetic revival of 'Gypsy'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Associated Press. Retrieved September 26, 2017 – via Google News.
^ Staff (January 4, 1979). "Immortal 'Gypsy' Opening Jan. 17". The Hour. Retrieved September 26, 2017 – via Google News.
^ Gearhart, Tom (September 19, 1984). "Village Players Excel In Opener, 'Gypsy'". Toledo Blade. Retrieved March 24, 2020 – via Google News.
^ Huchwara, Michael (July 19, 2007). "LuPone makes herself at home in 'Gypsy' revival". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. Retrieved September 26, 2017 – via Google News.
^ Colombo, Charlotte (2024-02-27). "'All that work and what did it get me?': This classic 'Glee' cover is making us confess our deepest resentments". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
^ "The 'All that work and what did it get me' TikTok trend explained | indy100". www.indy100.com. Retrieved 2024-03-26.