Gypsy

Reviewed by Holly Bartges

“She descended from a long line her mother listened to.” The story of the ugly duckling is one thing; it’s a Fairy Tale. Fairy Tales are sometimes difficult to believe even though truth lurks behind the feathers. This ugly duckling story is history, truth and fact. With lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Jule Styne, and the Book by Arthur Laurents, the warhorse Gypsy remains a musical favorite. Rightly so, with its rich heart felt songs “Let Me Entertain You,” “Small World,” and the powerful “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” Gypsy traces the early life of the lady of wit Gypsy Rose Lee who became the greatest strip tease artist, Burlesque Queen of the 20th Century.

Amy Board stars in the Country Dinner Playhouse production of Gypsy.

Directed by producer Paul Dwyer, Country Dinner Playhouse brings this enchanting musical to vibrant and thrilling life with an extraordinary, talented cast.

By today’s standards, someone could legitimately scream abuse and exploitation by the quintessential stage mother Rose, who pushed, prodded and demanded attention for her two young daughters to live the Vaudeville spotlight.

Susan Dawn Carson explodes onto stage as she embodies this tough, exuberant, challenging woman. Carson displays power, strength and vulnerability Rose requires. Bold, brave, annoying Rose storms the Vaudeville circuit for star billing for talented daughter June (Amy Board) and her shy, reticent daughter, Louise (Nancy Sullivan).

A once upon a time not too successful agent turned candy vendor serendipitously crosses their path. A part sometimes just there. Marcus Waterman gives him heart, soul, determination and a personality of deep warmth.

The chemistry between Carson and Waterman provides an intimate dance of warmth, love, and companionship. The characters contain depth. He sees through her vibrato. His patience sits in juxtaposition to the high-strung instrument she consistently plays.

rityn Martin is a knock out performer as Baby June as is Melanie Cannioto as Baby June. Martin commands the stage while Cannioto who dances to hesitation steals the eye for attention.

The transition from June and Louise as children to grown-up girls takes the breath away. Strobe lights flickering, the young actors disappear. When the lights come up, the adults have moved in. It’s theatre magic and it works.

One of the many other magical moments, and there are several in this production, comes when Tulsa (Rob Costigan) secretly rehearses a new dance routine. Louise watches in the shadows as he sings “All I Need Is A Girl.” Louise silently shadows his moves. Costigan and Sullivan are magnificently exquisite. There was the wanting for Costigan to have taps on his shoes. The rhythm of the taps would aid and abet this poignant moment.

The barnyard scene comes up smelling like roses, and cows. June dances with the Farm boys and a cow. Louise nowhere to be seen has been relegated to the front end of the cow. Steven Turner kicks up his heels as the back end. Innovative, creative and more fun than a bowl of monkeys, or in this case, a pasture full of cows, Troy Rintala’s choreography shines.

The three strippers Sharon Kay White as Mazeppa, Alann Worley as Tessie, and Heidi Morrow-Hahn as Electra in their total outrageous costumes steal the moment with their song “You Gotta Get A Gimmick.” Smooth solid, enormously hysterical, Louise’s training begins.

The children: Kristina Benoist, D. J. Kearns, Molly Coates, and Caitlyn Coates are not only drop-dead adorable, but highly professional young actors. Remember their names. All of them, they are endowed with budding talent.

Christine Paterson turns Miss Cratchett, Grantzinger’s secretary of Grantzinger’s Palace in New York, as uptight as an E-string on a violin. She’s delicious in her horrification over the grueling demanding Rose.

Would there was time and space to mention all of the actors. There is not a slacker nor pretender in the entire cast.

This production of Gypsy is a warhorse, which just won one more race, a garland of roses hanging around the neck. Call early for reservations. Country Dinner Playhouse has a winner on its stage.