"Gypsy" Opens Stoneham Season
Leigh Barrett Stars As Mama Rose

Stoneham Theatre will kick off its 2007-2008 Season with "Gypsy," one of Broadway's most memorable musical fables.  Elliot Norton Award-winner Leigh Barrett (below, right, with Eve Kagan) will star as Mama Rose, the ultimate backstage mother.  Directed by Stoneham Theatre’s Associate Artistic and Education Director Caitlin Lowans, performances are set for September 13 – 30.

With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "Gypsy" is based on the memoirs of entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee.  Set against the freewheeling days of vaudeville and burlesque, "Gypsy" explores raw ambition, jealousy, family relationships and the bittersweet loss of innocence. At the story's center is Rose, an overbearing stage mother determined to turn her two young daughters into stars.

"Gypsy" was an instant hit when it opened at the Broadway Theatre in 1959 starring Ethel Merman. With a score showcasing songs like "Let Me Entertain You," “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” and "Everything's Coming Up Roses,” subsequent Broadway revivals have starred Angela Lansbury (who also did the role in London), Tyne Daley and Bernadette Peters.  Rosalind Russell starred in the Warner Brothers film version while Bette Midler brought the role of Rose to television audiences.

The large ensemble cast includes Eve Kagan as Louise and Lauren Wood as Dainty June, with Scott H. Severance (Herbie), William Nash Broyles (Tulsa), Shannon Lee Jones (Tessie Tura), Rebecca  Zaretzky (Electra), Vanessa Schukis (Mazeppa), Phil Crumrine (Yonkers) and Ron Brinn (Pop).  With Emily Pinto as Baby Louise and Emily Sheeran as Baby June, several area young performers will also appear in the production including Andrew Barbato, Brian Conry, Ariel Harrist, Christina Kent, Rebecca Lerman. Jack Libresco, Jakob Michaels, Stephanie Moskal, Allison Russell, Jaclyn Sabogal, Alex Swaim and Tristan Viner-Brown.

For tickets and information call the box office at 781-279-2200 or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES:

Pay What You Want performance / ASL interpreted:
Saturday, September 15, 4 p.m. 

Post-Performance Talkback with members of the creative team
Sunday, September 16, 2 p.m.

Photo Credit: Paul Lyden

-- OnStage Boston