Musical Special featuring Shirley MacLaine in her tribute to chorus dancers colloquially known as gypsies Produced by Cy Coleman and Fred Ebb the special uses a selfreferential show business plot in which the star rehearses for her television special about the life of a dancer MacLaine performed a wide range of songs including Lucys Back in Town during which Lucille Ball made a surprise appearance The program won Outstanding Special ComedyVariety or Music at that years Emmys as well as awards for writing Ebb music composition Coleman and choreography Tony Charmoli