upcoming

Gypsy

What:

The North Coast Repertory Theatre continues its 26th Season with the musical Gypsy with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  The productionopens at 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 20 with a benefit performance for the cast and crew.

Gypsy is based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with “the ultimate show business mother.” It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee’s sister, the actress June Havoc.  The musical contains many songs that became popular standards, including “Small World,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” and “Let Me Entertain You.” Gypsy is frequently considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-20th century’s conventional musical theatre art form and is often called the “book musical.”

Director Xande Zublin-Meyer has been active in theatre in Humboldt County for over twenty years as teacher, actor and director.  Much of that time has been spent working with young people in local schools.  She is the director of Instantaneous Theatre, a youth theatre group she created over ten years ago.  She has appeared on stage at NCRT and with Humboldt Light Opera as well as in Shakespeare in the Park in Arcata.  Gypsy is the sixth production she has directed at NCRT.  Previous directing credits include Something’s Afoot, Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss Me, Kate and Little Shop of Horrors.

Zublin-Meyer describes the play as “a look into another world—the world of vaudeville as it was fading away.  Written as a showcase for Ethel Merman, the show features one great song after another.”  Zublin-Meyer adds that “the play concerns the difficulties of separating our own desires and ambitions from those our parents hold for us.  More specifically, the musical deals with one woman’s single-minded quest to experience fame vicariously through her daughters.  Of course, there’s lots of singing and dancing along the way.”

The talented cast features Dianne Zuleger as Rose, David Powell as Herbie, Christina Comer as Louise, and Nanette Voss as June.  Scenic and lighting design is by Daniel Lawrence and costume design is by Kimberlee Brown and Karen Kenfield.  Music direction is by Tom Phillips.  David Moore will stage manage the production.

Gypsy opens at 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 20 with an opening night gala that includes a champagne reception after the show.  This performance will also serve as a benefit for the cast and crew.  All seats for opening night are $16.00.  The performance on Friday, May 21 will be a benefit for Aldergrove Charter School; tickets are $16.   The performance on Saturday, May 22 will be a benefit for Temple Beth El; tickets are $20. Regular ticket price of $16.00 for all seats will begin on Friday, May 28.  The run will continue Fridays and Saturdays through June 19.  There will be one additional regular Thursday performance on June 17.  All evening performances begin at 8:00 PM.  There will be three matinee performances at 2:00 PM on Sundays, May 30, June 6 and June 13.  NCRT is located at 300 Fifth Street, Eureka.  For reservations, group rates, or more information, please all 442-NCRT (6278).  www.ncrt.net.

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