Let Me Entertain You (Gypsy)

"Let Me Entertain You" and "May We Entertain You?" are two songs from the musical Gypsy. The former is the more popular reprise of the latter. "May We" is performed by Baby June and Baby Louise, while "Let Me" is performed by Louise. The song was written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim

Synopsis

The Register Citizen wrote, "Baby June and Baby Louise crisscross the country, with June as the headliner dancing and singing 'Let Me Entertain You' while Louise - the future Gypsy - is just another backup dancer in the shadow cast by June's spotlight."
The Citizen also wrote, "The reprise of 'Let Me Entertain You' takes on new meaning as Louise - now billed as Gypsy Rose Lee - tantalizes male audiences while never actually taking off much more than a white glove." DC Theatre Scene added "this 'diehard' song shows her turning from a scared girl into an assured, star-class performer."

Analysis

Creative Loafing analysed the evolution from "May We" to "Let Me":

Critical reception

Allmusic said, Let Me Entertain You' is the song that is invariably used to introduce anything having to do with the strip tease." Friedriskburg.com described it as a "renowned musical number." CurtainUp calls it a "sister act" and "scary," due to the "frightening stage mother." Artsnats deemed it a "striptease reprise." Stage and Cinema called it "the running anthem." New York Theatre Mag noted the repetitiveness of the song's use throughout the musical, writing that one might "cringe through the eighteenth reprise of 'Let Me Entertain You.'" NipperTown wrote Let Me Entertain You' is one of several show-stopping tunes from the show."