Gypsy at the Philharmonie de Paris, the magnificent revival of a Broadway classic

It has captivated audiences in New York and London, but it had never been presented to French audiences until now! Luckily, that’s all changed and with flying colors! For four exceptional performances from April 16 to 19, 2025, the musical Gypsy has set up shop at the Philharmonie de Paris. An extraordinary venue for an extraordinary show since this great Broadway classic was born in 1959, with a book by Stephen Sondheim and music by Jule Styne. 

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©Jean-Louis Fernandez

In a staging by Laurent Pelly, this new version blends original songs in English with dialogues translated into French, taking us on a journey through the four corners of the United States, from Seattle to New York and Los Angeles in between. To breathe new life into this masterpiece, some of the most magnificent voices, recognized in both the French and international scenes, have been chosen: Natalie Dessay, Neïma Naouri, Medya Zana, and Daniel Njo Lobé. It only took a few opening notes played by the Paris chamber orchestra to transport us into that beloved Broadway atmosphere, assuring us we'd leave this show absolutely enchanted.

A flawless performance

It's a thunder of applause from a A packed house resonating in the Philharmonie de Paris on the evening of the first of four performances of Gypsy. For 2 hours and 30 minutes, the artists take us on a journey through America in the 1920s. Through this stage adaptation of the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, we find ourselves alongside Rose, a woman with bigger-than-life ambition, hopelessly in love with the world of theater, who dedicated her life to putting her daughters, June and Louise, in the spotlight.

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With an almost astonishing precision, Natalie Dessay steps into the shoes of Rose, following in the footsteps of Audra McDonald and Imelda Staunton. It's as if she has been embodying this character forever, the soprano – who retired from the operatic stage in 2013 – shines in her role as a mother determined to make her daughters stars. Dressed in red with her blonde hair pulled back in a bun, she fills a stage lined with lights, sporting only a simple black chair as decor, with her presence and energy. What appears to be a minimalist set at first glance is ultimately filled with the sparkle of the actresses and the brilliance of their voices. 

From a Broadway classic, it’s precisely strongly projecting voices that are expected. Far from the traditional belting and the clear, bright, and open timbre that performances usually rely on...

Neïma Naouri, the star of Gypsy

When the beautiful and talented June, Rose's little protégée, escapes her mother's dreams of glory to join the man she just married, it’s on Louise that Rose sets her sights. Already remarkable in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Lido last year, Neïma Naouri has proven to us once again.and plus its excellence, both in terms of its quality of play and its vocal precision. 

©Jean-Louis Fernandez

Discreet and initially relegated to the background — even taking on the role of a simple and somewhat ridiculous cow — she unfolds her personality right from the second act to seize the main role that her mother, unknowingly, occupied. From Louise, the less pretty and awkward child, she transforms into Gypsy Rose Lee, a confident woman, independent and the trendy star that every American cabaret covets. While older versions of Gypsy ended with a tortured Rose singing "Rose's Turn", realizing that her sacrifices were driven only by her thirst for recognition, this one opts for a glorious, uplifting, and touching conclusion. But perhaps you’ve already heard too much. Join us at the Philharmonie until April 19, to get the complete story! 

Gypsy, a musical fable