Little Lamb -Gypsy

Ok people, let's talk Gypsy. I've been meaning to post about this show for a while now, since it's what many consider to be a Broadway classic. Once upon a time, in 1959 the dream-team of Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim got together to create this little show. It is based on the memoirs of famed burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, and tells the story of the ultimate stage mom, Mama Rose and her two daughters who are forced to perform from a very young age. Mama Rose was originally played to great acclaim by the iconic Ethel Merman, and has since been portrayed by some of Broadway's most famous divas, like Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, and most recently in 2008, Patti Lupone. But I'm not here to talk about Mama Rose. I wanna shed some light on her youngest, more neglected daughter, Louise. As a child, Louise was always considered second best to her more vivacious, perky sister, June. In this simple heart-wrenching song, Louise, who is probably well into her 20s, is given a little toy lamb as a birthday present. Still an innocent child at heart, since she has played one in their act her whole life, she wonders how old she really is. My absolute favorite version of this is Laura Benanti's portrayal of Louise from the 2008 revival, for which she was awarded a well-deserved Tony. Her voice is innocent, pure, and utterly gorgeous. (See the video below). Ok, I've blathered on long enough. Invite you to sing as Louise in this song.
Here are the lyrics:

Little lamb, little lamb
My birthday is here at last
Little lamb, little lamb
My birthday goes by so fast

Little bear, little bear
You sit on my right, right there
Little hen, little hen
What game should we play and when?

Little cat, little cat
Oh, why do you look so blue?
Did somebody paint you like that
Or is your birthday too?

Little fish, little fish
Do you think I'll get my wish?
Little lamb, little lamb
I wonder how old I am
I wonder how old I am
Little lamb

Here is Laura Benanti singing the song live for SiriusXM radio. She is perfection: