Artistic Director Michael Weber, known for envisioning big, bold innovative treatments of classic musicals, has raised the artistic bar at their new home in the Ruth Page Center. It is only the second season at Ruth Page, and 24th overall for the award-winning Porchlight organization, but Weber has now unlocked a fascinating new treatment of the classic Arthur Laurents book with music by Jules Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim that churns through the early days of Rose’s quest to make a better life than she had for her daughter’s June and Louise, who becomes the famous Gypsy Rose Lee.
It is vitally important to state at this juncture that Weber sets things up so simply, and with such fitting and expert attention to Styne’s beautiful music and the backstory, that you begin to wonder how all of this is going to play out. Then, in one sweeping motion, courtesy of scenic designer Jeffrey D. Kmiec and choreographer Chris Carter, we are catapulted into the vaudeville theater circuit and the heart of this wonderful story. That moment — and everything else about this glorious production of “GYPSY” — will take your breath away!
Among the principal roles, in a cast that numbers close to 30, there are standout performances from José Antonio García (Herbie), Aalon Smith, (June) and Daryn Whitney Harrell (Louise) who evolves into the sultry Gypsy Rose. Harrell and Smith shine in “If Momma Was Married” and the trio of Butler, García and Whitney deliver the fun and tuneful favorite “Together, Wherever We Go.” The Ensemble, which includes a slew of youthful performers, most notably the charming newcomer Izzie Rose (Baby June), are all terrific, as are the featured roles rendered by Marco Tzunux (Tulsa), Larry Baldacci (Uncle Jocko/Mr. Goldstone/Pastey) and Elya Faye Bottiger (Agnes).
Backstage at the burlesque house, nothing could be finer than having the enormous talents of Melissa Young (Tessie Tura), Dawn Bless (Mazeppa), and Honey West (Electra) in the horn-blowing, tassle-turning, electrifying number “You Gotta Get A Gimmick.”
