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Gypsy
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Jule styne
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by L. Walter Stearns
Music Direction by Eugene Dizon
Choreographed by Kevin Bellie
Produced by Porchlight Musical Theatre Co
At The Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL
Call 773-327-5252, tickets $27 - $30
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:45 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Through October 30, 2005
Rebecca Finnegan makes Mama Rose hers
Gypsy is my # 4 All-Time favorite musical and I have seen many terrific productions of this backstage gem. Porchlight Musical Theatre under Walter Stearn’s meticulous direction and Eugene Dizon’s expert musical direction has delivered a marvelous show. The clever set design (by Christopher Ash) utilizes every inch of The Theatre Building Chicago’s south proscenium stage clever conveys a realistic backstage feel complete with the orchestra efficiently on the second level.
This production, under Kevin Bellie’s classic choreography, danced excellently well. Besides the vaudeville numbers, Bellie has some cute bits in the “Mr. Goldstone, I Love You” number. Sean Hunt, as Tulsa, nails the “All I Need Is The Girl” number. The boys, Sean Hunt (Tulsa), Shawn Quinlan (Yonkers) and John Sessler (L.A.) dance their hearts out here.
Jess Godwin, as Lousie, makes the transition from a ‘no-talent’ vaudevillian to the slick stripper Gypsy Rose Lee smoothly. Jeny Wasilewski as Dainty June was precious. Both her and Godwin danced and sang their duet, “If Momma Was Married” in fine harmony. Mick Weber’s Herbie was a serviceable complement to the charismatic Mama Rose. The show stopper, ‘You Gotta Have a Gimmick” was a hoot with Lilli Anne Brown’s sexy Mezeppa (with horn), Christa Buck’s Tessie (with finesse) and the hilariously underplayed Electra (with lighting) from Abigail Trabue.
Featuring a brassy toe-tapping vaudevillian score from Jule Styne and clever lyrics for a young Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy is the quintessential backstage Broadway musical.
The ambitious, driven ultimate stage mother, Mama Rose is one of the great characters in all of American Broadway musicals. Any production of Gypsy depends on who plays Mama Rose. I’m delighted to report that Rebecca Finnegan was a knockdown hit! Rebecca comes off her amazing performance of Mrs. Lovett in Porchlight’s Sweeney Todd. Finnegan’s booming voice landed her numbers deftly. Finnegan knows how to command a scene and when she blurts out “Sing Out, Louise” and storms onto the stage—we know instantly that Rose is in charge here. Finnegan’s Mama Rose has that blend of toughness without being nasty; that staunch determination to make her daughter a star. Finnegan has terrific comedic timing that together with her gestures and vocal tones gives Mama Rose heart as she earns our empathy.
Finnegan is an outstanding singer who lands the “Some People” with grim determination; smoothly charms Herby in “Small World” and motivated Louise in the stirring anthem “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” Finnegan delivers one of the best ever renditions of the fantastic “Rose’s Turn,” where Rose lets loose all the emotions from a lifetime of dreams. Finnegan received a rousing standing ovation on opening night.
Gypsy is a classic story of vaudeville, of a mother’s living her life through her children and the rise of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famed stripper. Porchlight Musical Theatre’s production is first-class equal to finest productions I’ve seen. It’s still a mystery how they offer such polished entertaining productions and only charge $27-$30 per ticket?
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
September 11, 2005
Jeff Recommended
This show is eligible for a C.S.T. Equity Award
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