"Gypsy" is one of those beloved chestnuts of the American musical stage that must be curated with care. There have been iconic performances by Ethel Merman and Patty LuPone, so any actress willing to tackle the role of Mama Rose cannot be a shrinking violet. The immensely talented Leigh Barrett has taken on the challenge; she rose to the occasion in the best performance of her career. From her first entrance until her final bow, she commands the stage and commands our attention. She brings the character of the original stage mother on an arc within which we can see the petals fall off of the rose as one by one her dreams devolve into nightmares. She fantasizes that her daughters, Louise and June, will always remain little girls and will always need her to run their lives and careers. Reality crashes in on her like a storm surge from Hurricane Irma. Her interpretations of "Some People," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," and "Roses's Turn" reinforce the reality that Ms. Barrett has made this role her own - with no need to compare her performance to any other that may have come before.
 |
| Leigh Barrett as Rose Kirsten Salpini as Louise "Gypsy" Lyric Stage of Boston Through October 8th Photo by Mark S. Howard |
Ms. Barrett is well supported in telling this heart-rending story. Director and Choreography Rachel Bertone is on a winning run of her own in terms of helming successful productions. Here, she has assembled a creative team and cast for this Lyric Stage production of "Gypsy" that excels in every facet of the show. Scenic Designer Janie E. Howland has conceived a simple and elegant set that features a golden proscenium, with large fans bracketing the sides of the stage. These fans serve to suggest the career of Gypsy Rose Lee as a famed stripper. The fans open and close as the action dictates - now concealing - now revealing, just like Gypsy Rose Lee's teasing act of a seductive ecdysiast.
The Costumes designed by Rafael Jaen beautifully enhance the definition of each character. The Lighting Design by Franklin Meissner, Jr. highlights the shifting moods of the piece, as does the Sound Design of Andrew Duncan Will. Music Director Dan Rodriquez leads a six piece orchestra that brings to life the familiar riffs and tunes of this beloved show.
The rest of the cast are universally effective in their roles.
- Steven Barkhimer is wonderfully dyspeptic as the longsuffering Herbie, ready to marry Rose whenever she consents. In the meantime, he goes along serving as manager for the tawdry act that they offer to a Vaudeville that is on it last legs, succumbing to the irresistible force of moving pictures. His duet with Rose, "Small World," is moving, as is the trio with Rose and Louise, "Together, Wherever We Go."
- Kirsten Salpini as Louise, aka Gypsy Rose Lee, also takes her character on a dramatic arc. Louise spends much of her life playing second fiddle to the more talented June, about whose stardom Rose has had many dreams. When June elopes with Tulsa, Rose is forced to try to create an act with the less talented younger daughter. The struggle for Louise to stand on her own feet and to set the trajectory for her own career is at the heart of this drama. Her duet with June, "If Mama Was Married," is a highlight, as is her sultry "Let Me Entertain You."
- Kira Troilo is excellent as June, gamely singing the same old songs in the lame old act that Rose keeps trying to foist on the Vaudeville circuit. She and Ms. Salpini blend beautifully in the aforementioned "If Mama Was Married."
- Brady Miller is charming as Tulsa, biding is time in the act as he quietly prepares for a career and life on his own with June. He shines in "All I Need Is The Girl."
- The three strippers who initiate Louise into the world of striptease almost steal the show in "You Gotta Get A Gimmick." Jordan Clark is an electrifying Electra. Shannon Lee Jones metamorphoses into the Monarch Butterfly Tessie Tura. Kathy St. George is the indescribable Mazeppa. This is the best depiction of a "mature" performer bumping and grinding since Andrea Martin won the Tony for her portrayal of Bertha in "Pippin." I could not stop laughing, howling, and applauding. This number alone is worth the price of admission.
 |
Kirsten Salpini as Louise
Jordan Clark as Electra
Kathy St. George as Mazeppa
Shannon Lee Jones as Tessie Tura
"Gypsy"
Lyric Stage of Boston
Through October 8th
Photo by Mark S. Howard
|
- The young performers portraying Baby June (Margot Anderson-Song), Young Louise (Cate Galante), Balloon Girl (Jessica Quaranto) and Clarence (Ben Choi-Harris) are impressive. Their challenge is that they must be talented enough to portray young performers with minimal talent. They pull it off well in the number "Baby June And Her Newsboys."
- The rest of this excellent cast includes David Alea as Yonkers, Todd Yard as Uncle Jocko, Remo Airaldi as Pop, Anna Chensny as Agnes, and Davron S. Monroe as Goldstone.
 |
| Cast "Gypsy" Lyric Stage of Boston Through October 8th Photo by Mark S. Howard |
"Gypsy" is based on memoirs by Gypsy Rose Lee, with Book and Lyrics by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne, and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
"Gypsy" will run through October 8th. Tickets are going fast, so order yours now to keep from getting shut out of this excellent opening show of the 2017-2018 Lyric season.
"Gypsy" will run through October 8th. Tickets are going fast, so order yours now to keep from getting shut out of this excellent opening show of the 2017-2018 Lyric season.
Enjoy!
Al
No comments:
Post a Comment