15.1 Gypsy Rose Lee on her wedding day: Erik L. Preminger. Gypsy Rose Lee on her wedding day: Erik L. Preminger.

15.2 Dainty June and Her Newsboy Songsters: Erik L. Preminger. Dainty June and Her Newsboy Songsters: Erik L. Preminger.

16.1 Louise at fourteen: courtesy of June Havoc and Tana Sibilio. Louise at fourteen: courtesy of June Havoc and Tana Sibilio.

16.2 Louise, "Bobby Reed," June: courtesy of June Havoc and Tana Sibilio. Louise, "Bobby Reed," June: courtesy of June Havoc and Tana Sibilio.

16.3 Gypsy, Mike Todd, George S. Kaufman: author's collection. Gypsy, Mike Todd, George S. Kaufman: author's collection.

17.1 Mademoiselle Fifi: courtesy of the Special Collections Department, Raymond H. Fogler Library, University of Maine at Orono. Mademoiselle Fifi: courtesy of the Special Collections Department, Raymond H. Fogler Library, University of Maine at Orono.

18.1 Minsky "Rosebuds" in court: courtesy of Ava Minsky Foxman. Minsky "Rosebuds" in court: courtesy of Ava Minsky Foxman.

22.1 Mayor Jimmy Walker and Betty Compton: New York Mayor Jimmy Walker and Betty Compton: New York Daily News/ Daily News/ Getty Images. Getty Images.

23.1 Rose Louise Hovick/Gypsy Rose Lee: Erik L. Preminger. Rose Louise Hovick/Gypsy Rose Lee: Erik L. Preminger.

25.1 Minsky's Republic: New York Minsky's Republic: New York Daily News/ Daily News/ Getty Images. Getty Images.

26.1 Gypsy at the Republic: Author's collection. Gypsy at the Republic: Author's collection.

27.1 Georgia Sothern: from the Georgia Sothern: from the Star and Garter Star and Garter souvenir program; author's collection. souvenir program; author's collection.

29.1 Rose Thompson Hovick's grave: courtesy of Carolyn Quinn. Rose Thompson Hovick's grave: courtesy of Carolyn Quinn.

33.1 Death of Ginny Augustin: courtesy of Carolyn Quinn. Death of Ginny Augustin: courtesy of Carolyn Quinn.

34.1 Gypsy and June, 1959: courtesy of June Havoc and Tana Sibilio. Gypsy and June, 1959: courtesy of June Havoc and Tana Sibilio.

35.1 Mayor La Guardia with Abbott and Costello: courtesy of Ava Minsky Foxman. Mayor La Guardia with Abbott and Costello: courtesy of Ava Minsky Foxman.

35.2 Minsky "Rosebuds" and comic: courtesy of Ava Minsky Foxman. Minsky "Rosebuds" and comic: courtesy of Ava Minsky Foxman.

36.1 June and Gypsy, 1964: courtesy of June Havoc and Tana Sibilio. June and Gypsy, 1964: courtesy of June Havoc and Tana Sibilio.

36.2 Michael Todd and Gypsy at the World's Fair: Eliot Elisofon archive, Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin. Michael Todd and Gypsy at the World's Fair: Eliot Elisofon archive, Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

KAREN A ABBOTT is the is the New York Times New York Times bestselling author of bestselling author of Sin in the Second City Sin in the Second City. A native of Philadelphia, she now lives in New York City with her husband and two African Grey parrots who do a mean Ethel Merman. Visit her online at www.KarenAbbott.net.