Often referred to as one of the great American musicals, “Gypsy” is brought to new life onstage in celebrated director Gary Griffin’s current production at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
With music by Jules Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, the musical grabs you from the gorgeous Overture—filled with snippets of one hit after the next—and doesn’t let go for 2 1/2 hours. Musical theater geek that I am, I’ve seen the show in one guise or another probably nine or 10 times over the years, and the material never gets old.
And what a production this is, from the delicious score carried out by a richly talented 14-piece orchestra, to the riveting comedy, drama and song ably delivered by the 26-member cast (including seven child actors), a dog and a lamb. It’s a production of epic proportions by any regional-theater standard.
The hilarious Marc Grapey (who pulls triple duty as Uncle Jocko, Cigar and Phil) opens the show, and we are soon introduced to the inimitable Mama Rose as she exhorts her daughter to “Sing out, Louise!” from the audience. She runs up on stage and takes over.
Canadian actress Louise Pitre is a force of nature. She may be small in stature, but onstage, she is a huge presence. As Mama Rose, she creates a tsunami of emotions, galvanizing the audience in her role as the stage mother you hate to love and love to hate. Her interpretation of this iconic role is pretty much flawless, colored with nuance and tinged with desperation, sadness, regret, ambition, and most importantly, love. Many famous actresses have tackled Mama Rose, including Patty Lupone and Bernadette Peters, but I found that often their histrionics overwhelmed everything else. Pitre’s may well be my favorite interpretation of the role to date.
You’ve seen Keith Kupferer in many roles on stage and screen; here, he hits all the right notes as Herbie, the poor schlub who dotes on Rose and her girls, Louise and Baby June. While his singing voice might not be a highlight, he plays the role just right. He’s got the physical presence to offset Pitre, and you’re on his side the whole way.
Erin Burniston (June) and Rhett Guter (Tulsa) are talented dancers with engaging stage presence. As Louise (later known as Gypsy Rose Lee), Jessica Rush embodies all the longing of a young girl who only wants her mother to love her. Content to live in her sister’s shadow, she is forced into the spotlight by a mother who is blind to all but her own dreams.
The score is filled with gems: “Let Me Entertain You,” “All I Need is the Girl,” “Together Wherever We Go,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and the stunning “Rose’s Turn.” And then there’s the showstopper, “You Gotta Get a Gimmick,” performed by a trio of strippers. It brings the house down, every time. You’ll never look at a trumpet the same way.
If you don’t yet have tickets for “Gypsy,” you had best make the call. This one will sell out on word of mouth alone. It is remarkable.
“Gypsy” runs through March 23 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit the theater’s website.
Photo: Michael Brosilow
