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.
