Gypsy - 2007
The popular musical Gypsy closes out the Racine Theatre Guild’s 69th season, with the showbiz story of an overbearing stage mother who wants to make her two daughters stars. With outstanding music by Styne and Sondheim, the songs will echo in your mind after you leave the theatre. The show opens May 18 and runs four weekends through June 10.
Arthur Laurents wrote the book, Jule Styne wrote the music, and Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics for Gypsy, based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous burlesque star of the 1930s. But it is Gypsy’s mother Rose who is the subject of the musical. The role was written for Ethel Merman, who starred in the original production, along with Jack Klugman, when Gypsy opened on Broadway in 1959 and ran for 702 performances.
The resourceful and indomitable Rose pushes her two daughters, June and Louise, into a stage act in the 1920s. Vaudeville was on its last legs, but nothing stops Rose from developing an act to showcase her talented daughter June. The three take “Baby June and Her Newsboys” on the circuit, going from one second-rate theatre to the next, across the country.
Rose scrimps and saves and schemes and makes costumes out of hotel blankets. She picks up a theatrical agent, Herbie, who travels with the troupe and acts as surrogate father to all. As the girls grow up, the show becomes “Dainty June and Her Newsboys,” but it is sinking in quality and ending up at ever-poorer venues.
June finally abandons the act, eloping with one of the newsboys. Rose is still utterly determined to make her girls into stars, singing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” as she plans a way to feature the less talented Louise. Things don’t quite work out the way that Rose planned it, as they end up in a burlesque house in Wichita. When the star performer can’t go on, Rose volunteers Louise to fill in. Louise goes on to become Gypsy Rose Lee, the highest paid burlesque performer.
Gypsy has always been a smash hit on stage, with several notable revivals following Ethel Merman’s lead. The 1974 revival featured Angela Lansbury, the 1989 version starred Tyne Daly, and in 2003 Bernadette Peters played the strong-willed Rose.
The songs include “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “Small World,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick,” and “Together Wherever We Go.” The song “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” became Ethel Merman’s signature song and is a favorite in every production.
Critics praised the original 1959 Gypsy, and its revivals were honored with Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critic Circle Awards.
Call soon to reserve tickets at the box office for Gypsy. The show runs 15 performances, from Friday, May 18, through Sunday, June 10. For information or to reserve tickets, call the Racine Theatre Guild Box Office at 633-4218.
From the Managing/Artistic Director - Doug Instenes
Gypsy is the final show of our 69th season, and we then look ahead to a rousing 70th season at the Theatre Guild. We hope you’ll all join us for a celebratory year.
Why are we doing the musical Gypsy when we announced a year ago that we would be presenting Chicago? Whenever we select plays for a season, it is up to the licensing agent to grant us the rights to produce the play or not. If a show is running on Broadway or in Chicago, or in some cases, in Milwaukee, the publishing company will not allow us to present the same show.
We choose plays for the following season up to 16 months in advance of the production, and agents will only let you apply for permission 12 months ahead. So this time, Chicago was under restrictions to us, and we went with our alternate choice, Gypsy.
However, Gypsy has been on our short list for many years, because it has been a hit with theatres and audiences for nearly 50 years. It has great music, a compelling story, human interest and comedy. Not to mention, kids, animals and strippers.
As we close off one season, we like to thank our patrons and volunteers who make every production possible. Community theatre is like family, and we wouldn’t exist without the people in the seats and the volunteers on stage and behind the scenes who make every show sparkle.
We look ahead to Season 70 with great excitement. We think it’s a great lineup of comedies, dramas and musicals, from historic to contemporary. Please consider continuing or becoming a season ticket holder, to stay with the RTG for our 70th season.
Gypsy
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents
Sponsored by InSinkErator
Cast
Heidi Andes ....................June
Charlie Bauer-King .........Weber/Goldstone
Jacob Bedoian ................Newsboy/Trumpet
Michael J . Gerlach .........George/Yonkers
William Hammond ..........Newsboy
Matthew Harris ..............Tulsa
Melissa Hauner ..............Baby Louise
Meredith Johnson ...........Dolores
Jeselyse Klyzub Kalmar ..Newsboy
Stephen Kalmar II ..........Jocko/Cochon/Cow
Zak Keil .........................Pastey/Phil
Beth Larsen ....................Geraldine
Rachael Marie Lau ..........Louise/Gypsy
Joe Mooney ...................Kringelein/Cigar
Lillian Proctor .................Marjorie May
Nick Rogers ...................Angie/Cow
Alexia Sbarounis .............BabyJune
Gabhriel Scher ................Tessie/Cratchit
Russ Stetler ....................Rose’s Father
Samantha Sustachek .......Electra/Renee
Christopher Wild ............Herbie
Robbyn Wilks ................Mazeppa/Cow
Teri Wilson .....................Rose
Katie Wright ...................Agnes
Steven Wright .................LA
CREW
Director ..........................Doug Instenes
Music Director ................Greg Berg
Choreographer ................Kate Zavada
TD/Set Design .................Kurt Oian
PSM ...............................Ron Halvorsen
SM .................................Eric Guttenberg
ASM ..............................Kathy Berg, Fran Maccanelli & Geoff Greeley
Costumes .......................Bob Benson
Wardrobe ......................Ellie Hammond
Props .............................Katie Kowbel
Light Design ...................Mike Kurhajec
Light Tech. .....................Karen Magee
Sound Design .................Eric Goodwin
Sound Tech. ...................Heather Bumstead
Flyer ...............................Phil Paulsen
Spotlight ..........................David Sena
Make-up .........................Nicki Monaghan