Louise Pitre to Lead GYPSY at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in February 2014

According to the Chicago Tribune, Broadway veteran Louise Pitre will lead GYPSY when it plays Chicago Shakespeare Theatre next year. Directed by Gary Griffin, the production will run at Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater, February 6- March 23.

In addition to headlining the Toronto, Broadway, and US touring company casts of Mamma Mia!, Louise is known for her signature performances as Fantine in LES MISERABLES (Toronto, Montreal, and Paris) and the title character in Edith Piaf. She also earned raves for leading roles in Annie Get Your Gun; Song & Dance; Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?; The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd; The Toxic Avenger; and A Year With Frog and Toad.

Inspired by the memoirs of famous burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee, this jewel of American musical theater was once described by The New York Times critic Frank Rich as "Broadway's own brassy, unlikely answer to King Lear." Rose certainly measures up! She is indeed the most infamous, domineering stage mother in history, determined to live out her dreams of fortune and fame through her daughters' vaudeville careers. Boasting one show-stopping song after another-such as "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Let Me Entertain You"-Gypsy continues CST's exploration of the Sondheim canon under the masterful vision of Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin.

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Chicago Shakespeare Theater is one of America's largest and most celebrated theaters, producing and presenting a year-round season encompassing more than 600 performances at its home on Navy Pier. Its productions are also featured around the globe at the world's most venerable theaters and festivals, including the Donmar Warehouse, Market Theatre of Johannesburg, Royal Shakespeare Company, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Grahamstown's National Arts Festival. Recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, Chicago Shakespeare's work has been recognized with three of London's prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, and by the Chicago theater community with 70 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Artistic Excellence.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST is dedicated to producing extraordinary productions of classics, new works and family fare; to unlocking Shakespeare's work for educators and students; and to serving as Chicago's cultural ambassador through its World's Stage Series, an initiative that brings the world's most exciting theatrical events to Chicago audiences and presents Chicago Shakespeare's work abroad. www.chicagoshakes.com.