Theater Review: Gypsy a Rave at NSMT

North Shore Music Theater reopened with “Gypsy”, after being closed for one season. Thanks for our own angel, musical theater believer producer Bill Hanney. Mr. Hanney launched the 2010 Broadway musical series and greeted the cheering, exuberant theatergoers opening night. When Bill Haney was introduced before Act I, the crowd jumped up, applauded, hooted, whistled and hollered in gratitude for his reopening this theater. Thank you so much, Bill Haney, NSMT”S shining star and angel.

Gpysy and star Vicki Lewis soar in this lively, fun show. Many of the songs became popular standards including “Small World,” “Everything's Coming up Roses,” “You'll Never Get Away from Me,” and “Let Me Entertain You.” DO NOT MISS THIS OUTSTANDING MUSICAL -- it’s great.

Standing ovations rocked the theater-in-the round 1100+ seats throughout the night, both for Bill Haney and for the stunning performances and production. And especially for Vicki Lewis as Rose. Impeccable voice, riveting performance, and energetic movement riveted my attention on her throughout the show. She was in almost every act.

Gypsy, the 1959 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents, is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist. The show focuses on her mother, Momma Rose, "the ultimate show business mother." Rose ultimately alienated both girls, and stole her daughters’ youth. But funny isn’t it, both girls did became stars – June became June Havoc, Louise, Gypsy Rose Lee.

Momma Rose’s ambition, chutzpah, verve, nerve, drive, talent and unrelenting personality led her to take her two young daughters from “humdrum” Seattle into tawdry show business, then the “big time” excitement of Vaudeville. Throughout the years, June (June Havoc) headlined the musical act while Louise sewed costumes and played the back end of a cow. Rose constantly assailed her for having no talent.

In Gypsy, Vicki Lewis is a big Star with her incredible voice and charisma. My one critique is she is ageless throughout the show. I wish makeup would have added a bit of age to her, maybe grayed her auburn hair a bit.

The production values include gorgeous, colorful costumes, just-enough set, great use of the central stage’s elevator and bright lighting. The ensemble cast is superb. As young Baby June, Sarah Safer is superb; Amanda Lee Lavergne, as older June, terrific; Hannah Piispanetn, as young Louise, very good. Gypsy is crisply directed and choreographed by Richard Sabellico. Except for a few flyaway hats and a scarf, it was smooth as silk. The creative team also includes Nick DeGregorio (Musical Director) whose orchestra sounded gorgeous. Campbell Baird (Scenic Designer), Jose Rivera (Costume Coordinator), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), James McCartney (Sound Designer) and Gerard Kelly (Wig Designer).

Catherine Walker as older Louise, is lovely, convincing as the girl who desperately wants her mother’s love and attention, then, gorgeous as she Gypsy Rose Lee, the beautiful star of burlesque who transcended that genre. Louise’s onstage transformation from no talent, awkward girl in baggy clothes to a confident, comic innovative “stipper” is the audience, and I, cheered. In an onstage seamless sequence of slinky sequined gowns, plain Louise became a glamorous, sensual woman we applauded.

By the end, Momma Rose was jealous as Louise finally breaks the stranglehold Momma had on her. Vicki Lewis’s dramatic “Momma’s Turn” was stunning, ending with her belting our her song, standing atop the rising mid-stage oval, throwing out her arms as the theatre was ringed by light bulbs spelling out “ROSE.” Her dream. The audience gave this number an ovation.

Rose’s ambition led her to leave a hum-drum life living with her father and daughters her in Seattle, and performing in kiddies like Uncle Jocko’s, she wanted to head to Los Angeles and ultimately get on the Orpheum vaudeville Circuit.

The opening number, “May We Entertain You”, featured blonde Baby June, Baby Louise, and the act singing, ‘May We Entertain You.” It’s not a very good act, but Momma Rose forced Uncle Jocko to award them the prize for his kiddies show.

“Some People” showcased Vicki Lewis’ magnificent voice and acting, as she explained why she wasn’t content to paying rent. Her father didn’t want her to leave, but she sold her father’s gold retirement trophy to get the $88 she needed for new costumes for her Baby June act, began hitching to LA with the girls and gathering up young boys along the way to star in the Act I This clever staging had the chassis and driver of a car, chug around the stage, picking up other hitchhikers, until they arrived in LA. A quick exit and transition, from young to older was seamless.

Two of the funniest scenes in the musical were “Mr. Goldstone, I love You,” when Mr. Goldstone visited Rose at her seedy boarding house to tell her the act was going to be in the Orpheum Circuit. Herbie, Rose’s agent and boyfriend, signed the deal, as the family shoveled eggs rolls, spare ribs, and other Chinese tidbits onto his plate.

The transition from young to older June and Louise was cleverly done as strobe lights flashed on and off during a “young” dance, then stopped flashing to reveal grownup June and Louise and ensemble in the same costumes. This was typical of the professional staging, involving dozens of scenes and years

Another fun number, which had the audience and me, howling, was the hilarious burlesque striptease number “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” featuring Laurie Gamache as Tessie Tura, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Mazeppa and scene- stealer Jan Neuberger as Electra, the three strippers Louise roomed with in the burlesque house they’d been mistakenly booked into.

Herb, finally fed up with Rose who insisted Louise could do a modest strip routine, left Rose. Rose quickly recovered her shock, and started coaching Louse, as the three strippers – looking very much over the hill – coached her in “You Gotta Have A Gimmick.” Electra, the least glam, lit up the lights on her costume. Yow, maybe we do need burlesque?

Indomitable Momma was heartbroken and angry when teenage June left to live her own show biz lives. But it didn’t take her longer than one song to rebound, and she soon went and recruited new girls to travel with her in a new act starring the long-suffering and talent less Louise.

Eventually, Louise became a big star and left Rose, too. "The emotional, dramatic, "Rose’s Turn," at the end of the show reveals, finally, after Louse has left her, too, what motivated Rose. Throughout, Rose never apologized, picked herself up after every setback, and went onward. But Rose did turn “baby,” in real life June Havoc, and Louise, in real life “Gypsy” Rose Lee into true stars.

Featured in the cast are Nisa Ari, Richard Bell, John Allen Biles, Jack Doyle, Alliy Drago, Hayley Driscoll, Amanda Frennier, Laurie Gamache (Tessie Tura), Sarah Hicks, Tony Johnson, Amanda Lea LaVergne (June), Trey Mitchell, Matthew Moore, Jan Neuberger (Electra), Marty Passante, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Mazeppa), Eric Shorey, Sarah Safer (Baby June), Matthew Simpkins, Diane Terrusa, Catherine Walker (Louise), Kirby Ward (Herbie), and Pearce Wegener (Tulsa). Pearce Wegener, as Tulsa, was grown-up June’s boyfriend, and his tap dancing was outstanding.

Young actors and actresses from the North Shore, who might have a show business career in their futures, also appeared.

Tickets for GYPSY are from $35 - $65. Performances are July 6 - 25, Tue – Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets: call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or in person at 62 Dunham Rd. Beverly, Massachusets. Next shows are "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat:" Aug. 3 to 22, starring "American Idol" finalist Anthony Fedorov.

For more on North Shore Music Theatre and its upcoming season, visit www.nsmt.org or call 978-232-7200.