Sunshine and Lollipops

I love this song. And here is the amazing Patti Lupone's rendition from the 2008 Tony Award ceremonies. Out of context, it has an uplifting lyric, and great melody. In the context, though, of its source, Sondheim's "Gypsy" , it is terrifying. Mama Rose, abandoned by her elder and talented daughter, turns to Gypsy, untalented and used to playing the bottom half of the stage donkey, and she wants no part of Mama's plan. A brilliant moment on the Broadway musical stage.

I lived next door as a kid to Mitzi Green who was a popular juvenile star (I think she appeared in the Andy Hardy series). She was married to the actor/director Joseph Pevney. Their son was a boyhood chum and a nice guy. I remember him being away one summer, and it turned out he was in the chorus for Gypsy while his mom played Mama Rose in Las Vegas. At the time I didn't know. But that must have been some experience for him.