THE PLAYERS CENTRE OPENS THE WILDE BROADWAY SERIES WITH THE AMERICAN CLASSIC “GYPSY”

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THE PLAYERS CENTRE OPENS THE WILDE BROADWAY SERIES

WITH THE AMERICAN CLASSIC “GYPSY”

 

Sarasota, Sept. 15, 2016 The Players Centre for Performing Arts opens their action-packed 87th Season on Sept. 28 with a show often referred to as the “Greatest American musical” – Gypsy. “Everything’s comin’ up Roses” in this 1959 classic. Loosely based on the memoires of famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, this show has delighted audiences for decades. With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents, the show follows the life of the ‘ultimate show business mother’ Rose, and her daughters Louise and June. With songs like “Let Me Entertain You”, “Some People” and “Rose’s Turn” it is frequently considered to be one of the crowning achievements in 20th Century American Musical Theater. Theatre critic Clive Barnes wrote “Gypsy is one of the best musicals” and described the character of Rose as, “One of the truly complex characters in the American Musical.”

 

Story:  The show opens at a vaudeville theatre where Baby June and Baby Louise are auditioning for a children’s variety act. It’s clear that Rose Hovick, the girl’s overbearing stage mother, is pushing the girls to succeed is show business. Rose eventually meets Herbie, who she entices to represent the act and be their official manager. She flirts with him and dangles the prospect of a romantic engagement between them. Herbie works hard with the girls and creates a new act, getting boys into it and setting up “Baby June and Her Newsboys.” The act enjoys some success, but as time goes on vaudeville begins to wane and the girls get older.

 

June eventually runs off with him to elope and become his dance partner. Rose is stunned that June has left her. Herbie tries to convince her to give it up and get married, but Rose refuses, telling them she will shift focus and make Louise the star instead. Rose starts rehearsing “Madame Rose’s Toreadorables” which is a reworking of the old act, with Louise in place of June. When they arrive at the venue they quickly realize it’s a burlesque house and Rose refuses to let Louise perform. As they pack to leave the theatre manager announces that the star attraction has been arrested for soliciting. Rose’s natural response is “my daughter can do it.” The rest is history, as Louise became the famous burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, a star in her own right.

 

Jared Walker is handling costumes, set design by Jeffrey Weber, with lighting design by Michael Pasquini.

 

*Behind The Scenes Glimpse* Early in the rehearsal process, Mama Rose (to be played by Players veteran Eve Caballero) suffered an unfortunate foot injury. Disappointed and saddened, she was forced to remove herself from the show. Thankfully, the baton was quickly picked up by seasoned actress Ellie Pattison. The Players is thankful to all of its volunteers and unsung heroes who are so quick to drop what they are doing and help because they know ‘the show must go on!’

 

 

Performance Dates:

September 28-October 16, 2016

September 28 at 7:30pm – Preview Night

September 29 at 7:30pm – Opening Night

September 28-October 1, October 4–8, 13-15 at 7:30 p.m.

October 2, 9 & 16 at 2:00 p.m.

 

Tickets:

$25 Regular

$30 Premium (rows A-E)

$12 Students 24 and under with valid ID

 

Group rates:

Groups of 10 – 24 save 25%             ($18.75 each)

Groups of 25 – 74 save 30%             ($17.50 each)

Groups of 75 or more save 35%       ($16.25 each)

 

Cast:

Rose – Ellie Pattison

Herbie – Joseph Giglia

Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee) – Ashley Figlow

June – Hannah Beatt

Tulsa – Brian Craft

Uncle Jocko/Goldstone – Michael Brown

Georgie/Patsey – Joshua Seavey

Balloon Girl – Eleanor Pratt

Clarence/Newsboy – Atticus Pratt

Baby June – Alanna Rife

Baby Louise – Riley Bloom

Mother/Waitress/Renee – Shelley Cairo

Weber/Kringelein – Bill Cairo

L.A. – Jonah Duchesne-Shaw

Yonkers – Casey Berkery

Angie – Ricky Bizzaro

Agnes – Elicia Sacco

Marjorie May – Beatrice Kelly

Doloris – Rylee Martin

Thelma – Kiley Berkery

Gail – Kaity Cairo

Pop/Cigar – Jack Morris

Mazeppa – Andrea Keddell

Electra/Miss Cratchett – Angela Benardo

Tessie – Cara Herman

Newboys – Kyle Ramon, Dylan Ramon, Tyler Gevas

 

 

The Players  Centre For Performing Arts

838 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota FL 34236, 941-365-2494, Fax: 941-954-0282

www.theplayers.org. Box Office: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and one hour prior to curtain time.

The Players Box Office is located on Tamiami Trail between 10th Street and Blvd. of the Arts.

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