 was based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and starred Merman as her domineering stage mother Rose Hovick, possibly Merman's best-remembered performance.The musical opened on May 21, 1959, at The Broadway Theatre.In the "New York Post," Richard Watts called Merman "a brilliant actress," and Brooks Atkinson of "The New York Times" wrote that "She gives an indomitable performance, both as actress and singer."