In 1988, Daly appeared on the Dolly Parton TV variety show "Dolly", and sang (at her request) a duet with Parton. Broadway producer Barry Brown saw the show and, impressed by Daly's performance, decided to mount a revival of the musical "Gypsy" with Daly in the lead role of Rose. "Cagney & Lacey" had finished airing, and Daly agreed, and successfully tried out for the part. In April 1989, the Daly-helmed "Gypsy" revival began a 14-city U.S. tour; it was then presented on Broadway in November 1989.