Leigh Barrett to Lead GYPSY at Lyric Stage; Cast, Creatives Announced!

GYPSY has announced its cast and creative team at the Lyric Stage Company of Boston.

With book & lyrics by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, suggested by memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the production will be directed and choreographed by Rachel Bertone, with music director Dan Rodriguez. The original production was by David Merrick & Leland Hayward and was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

Performances run September 1 - October 8, with a press opening slated for September 3, 2017. There will be a one-day sale on August 1 - tickets $35/$25 for first 11 performances of each production.

"Everything's Coming up Roses" in this classic musical based on the memoirs of burlesque mega-star, Gypsy Rose Lee, and her stage-mother, the iconic Mama Rose. In the tradition of My Fair Lady, Avenue Q, and Into the Woods, Gypsy will once again prove that the intimate Lyric Stage is the perfect place to experience the very best of the American musical theatre, especially the work of the brilliant Stephen Sondheim.

Featuring: Remo Airaldi*, David Alea, Steven Barkhimer*, Leigh Barrett*, Anna Chensny, JorDan Clark*, Shannon Lee Jones*, Brady Miller*, Davron S. Monroe*, Kathy St. George*, Kirsten Salpini, Kira Troilo, and Todd Yard.

Scenic Design, Janie E. Howland**. Costume Design, Rafael Jaen**. Lighting Design, Frank Meissner, Jr.** Sound Design, Andrew Duncan Will.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA)
** United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829

CAST:

Leigh Barrett* Rose

Kirsten Salpini Louise

Kira Troilo June

Steven Barkhimer* Herbie

Brady Miller* Tulsa

David Alea Yonkers/Ensemble

Todd Yard Uncle Jocko/Ensemble

Remo Airaldi* Pops/Cigar/Ensemble

Kathy St. George* Mazeppa/Ensemble

JorDan Clark* Electra/Ensemble

Shannon Lee Jones* Tessie Tura/Ensemble

Anna Chensny Agnes/Ensemble

Davron S. Monroe* Ensemble

Performances of GYPSY will run September 1 - October 8, 2017, playing Wednesdays, Thursdays - 7:30pm, with Wednesday matinees - 2pm, September 6 & 20, plus Fridays - 8pm, Saturdays - 3pm & 8pm, and Sundays - 3pm. There will be a post-show Q&A with the artists: September 3 & 17, after the 3pm performance. All events take place at The Lyric Stage, 140 Clarendon Street, Copley Square, Boston, MA 02116

Tickets start at $25: Seniors - $10 off regular price; Student rush - $10; Group rates available. Contact the Box Office at 617-585-5678 or go online at lyricstage.com.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Rachel Bertone (Director/Choreographer) returns to the Lyric Stage after choreographing Company last season. Direction/ Choreography: Showboat (Reagle Music Theatre), Carousel (IRNE Award, Best Choreography), The Wild Party (IRNE Award, Best Musical), Barnum, Musical of Musicals, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Creative License. Choreographer credits: West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Billy Elliot, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Les Misérables, City of Angels, Big River, Animal Crackers, A New Brain, Floyd Collins, Lucky Stiff, and The Marvelous Wonderettes. Assistant Director credits: Fiddler on the Roof, Les Misérables, South Pacific, and Bye, Bye, Birdie. As a performer, she has performed with several theatres and dance companies such as Lyric Stage, Reagle Music Theatre, Fiddlehead, Liars & Believers, Boston Ballet and Prometheus Dance. She serves on the faculties of The Boston Conservatory, A.R.T. Institute at Harvard, Emerson College, and holds a B.F.A. from The Boston Conservatory.

Remo Airaldi* (Pops/Cigar/Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage having previously appeared in Sweeney Todd and My Fair Lady. He has appeared in over sixty productions at the American Repertory Theater, including last season's Night of the Iguana, Lilly's Revenge, Cabaret, Endgame, Oliver Twist (also at Theatre for a New Audience and Berkeley Repertory Theatre), Island of Slaves (IRNE Award-Outstanding Actor), The Miser, Henry IV and V, and Waiting for Godot. Other credits: Seven productions with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company including last summer's Love's Labour's Lost, Exposed (Boston Playwrights' Theater), Mistero Buffo (The Poets' Theatre), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Central Square Theater), The King of Second Avenue (New Rep), Camino Real, Eight by Tenn, No Exit (Hartford Stage), and productions at La Jolla Playhouse, Geffen Playhouse, Cirque du Soleil, American Conservatory Theater, Walnut Street Theatre, Prince Music Theater, Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Serious Fun Festival, Moscow Art Theatre, and Taipei International Arts Festival. He is Lecturer in Theater, Dance and Media at Harvard University and was the Monan Professor in Theatre Arts at Boston College.

David Alea (Yonkers/Ensemble) is a current senior musical theatre major at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and is making his Lyric Stage debut. Previous credits include West Side Story (Summer Rep Theatre), The Drowsy Chaperone (Summer Rep Theatre), Catch Me if You Can (BoCo), and Sister Act (Theatre By The Sea). He would like to thank his incredible family, friends, and his amazing cast and crew!

Steven Barkhimer* (Herbie) previously appeared at the Lyric Stage last season in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Warrior Class, and before that in Superior Donuts, The Underpants, and Book of Days (IRNE Award). A Resident Acting Company member of the Actors Shakespeare Project, he was recently in ASP's Midsummer Night's Dream and Winter's Tale, and appeared this summer at Opera House Arts in Stonington, Maine, in The Fantasticks. Steven wrote music and lyrics for Stoneham's original musical, Lobstergirl, and is the author of a series of original songs called Time Was. He is the director of award-winning productions of The Compleat Works of Wm Shakespeare and Fully Committed, is also the author of Windowmen (Elliot Norton Award, Outstanding New Script; IRNE Award, Best New Play; Kennedy Center Award, Best New Play).

Leigh Barrett* (Rose) has been seen at the Lyric Stage in Company, Sondheim on Sondheim, City of Angels, Grey Gardens, Souvenir, Nicholas Nickelby, Big River, Animal Crackers, Follies, A Little Night Music, Mikado, Nuncrackers, and Sunday in the Park with George. Recently Leigh appeared in Mud Blue Sky with Bridge Rep. Other area credits include Closer Than Ever, Ragtime, Threepenny Opera, Indulgences, Side by Side by Sondheim, The World Goes 'Round, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Wild Party (New Rep), Passion, Great American Trailer Park Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Drowsy Chaperone, Elegies, A Class Act, Adding Machine (SpeakEasy Stage), Marry Me a Little, Jacques Brel (Gloucester Stage), Alice, Sound of Music (Wheelock Family Theater), Company (Moonbox Productions), Gypsy, Picnic, John & Jen, You Never Know, Pal Joey (Stoneham Theatre), A Christmas Carol, Singing in the Rain, and Sweeney Todd (North Shore Music Theatre), and Car Talk, the Musical! (Central Square Theater). She is the proud recipient of two Elliot Norton Awards and two IRNE Awards. She is an independent vocal/acting coach in Reading. Love to HB and my boys Nick and Matt! LeighBarrett.com

Anna Chensny (Agnes/Ensemble) is making her Lyric Stage debut. Recent credits include 42nd Street, Show Boat, Crazy for You (Reagle Music Theatre), Bernstein's Mass (Boston Conservatory), Pride and Prejudice (Footlight Club), and Footloose! (Pittsburgh CLO). Anna is currently pursuing her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Many thanks to Rachel, Dan, all of her teachers, and Mom.

JorDan Clark* (Electra/Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage where she was previously seen in Camelot, Mr. Burns: a post-electric play, Light Up the Sky, and Death of a Salesman. Recent credits include Mrs. Packard (Bridge Rep), Significant Other (SpeakEasy Stage), Journey to the West, Arabian Nights (Central Square Theater), The Trumpet of the Swan, Pinocchio, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Wheelock Family Theatre), You for Me for You, She Kills Monsters (Company One), and Blue Window (Brown Box Theatre Project). Jordan holds a degree in Vocal Performance from The University of the Incarnate Word in her hometown of San Antonio, TX.

Shannon Lee Jones* (Electra/Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage where she last appeared in Working. Broadway: Angelique in the original La Cage aux Folles. Tours include: A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly, Funny Girl, and the first national tour of La Cage aux Folles. Local Credits: Billy Elliot (Ocean State Theater), Mary Poppins (Wheelock Family Theater), Carnival (Gloucester Stage, Into the Woods w/Rachel York, Reagle Music Theater; World Goes Round & Cabaret at New Rep; My Fair Lady, Stoneham Theater: Best Little Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Foothills Theater ), and A Chorus Line (North Shore Music Theater). Regional : Mamma Mia, Gypsy, Hairspray, The Drowsy Chaperone, Anything Goes, and Mame (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Cabaret (Barrington Stage), Guys and Dolls (Long Wharf Theater). Television & Film: The Judge, Guiding Light, All My Children, and The Irving Berlin Special at Carnegie Hall. Shannon teaches the Alexander Technique at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Brady Miller* (Tulsa) is making his Lyric Stage debut. Recently, he has performed in the Boston area in A Christmas Carol (North Shore Music Theater) and on the national tour of 42nd Street. Other credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Mary Poppins, Swing! (Little Theater on the Square), and Fiddler on the Roof and South Pacific (Porthouse Theater). Brady is a 2015 B.F.A. graduate of Ohio Northern University. He is a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association. Many thanks to Rachel and the Lyric Stage team for this wonderful opportunity. For mom and dad! bradyamiller.com

Davron S. Monroe* (Ensemble) is returning to the Lyric Stage after having appeared in Camelot, Company, My Fair Lady, City of Angels, Sweeney Todd, One Man, Two Guvnors, The Mikado, Avenue Q, and Ain't Misbehavin'. Musical theatre credits include: Godspell (Moonbox Productions), Hairspray (Reagle Music Theatre), Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Children of Eden, Songs for a New World (premiere, Key West Symphony, Broadway Across America), Smokey Joe's Café, Cinderella, Streakin'!, a '70s musical revue, Sweet Charity, Brigadoon, and Show Boat. Cabaret: The All Night Strut. Opera: fully staged or concert/scene productions of Carmen, Treemonisha, Porgy and Bess, La finta giardiniera, Rigoletto, Lucia di Lammermoor, La fille du régiment, L'élisir d'amore, Così fan tutte, Die Fledermaus, The Tailor of Gloucester, The Gondoliers, Aida, and Die Zauberflöte. Mr. Monroe premiered the role of Thomas Edison in Juventas's New Music Group production of Light and Power. He has also appeared with many orchestral and vocal organizations, such as Boston Landmarks Orchestra (Lost in the Stars - a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech, and The Chariot Jubilee), the First Church UU, Belmont, the Brevard Music Center (finalist, Orlando Opera's Heinz Rehfuss Singing Actor Awards), Disney Entertainment's Voices of Liberty, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Key West Symphony (young artist), Houston Ebony Opera Guild, the New England Spiritual Ensemble, New England Voices, the Longy School Orchestra, and many other organizations throughout the greater Boston area. Davron is the first recipient of the Bob Jolly Award for up-and-coming local actors.

Kathy St. George* (Mazeppa/Ensemble) has appeared at the Lyric Stage in Light Up The Sky, Follies, Blithe Spirit, Adrift In Macao, The Gig, and Laughter On The 23rd Floor. Broadway: Fiddler On The Roof directed by Jerome Robbins. Off-Broadway: I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Six national tours. Kathy received the 2012 Elliot Norton Best Actress Award for The Divine Sister (SpeakEasy Stage). Also: Mame, Dear Miss Garland, Menopause The Musical, 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Stoneham), Showboat (Fiddlehead), Violet, Significant Other, Ruthless! (SpeakEasy Stage), 9 TO 5 (NSMT). IRNE Awards for Das Barbecue (New Rep) and And Now...Miss Judy Garland. Regional: Riverside Theatre, Barter, Long Wharf, Kansas City Starlight and more. B.S., M.Ed. Salem State University. kathystgeorge.com

Kirsten Salpini (Louise) is returning to the Lyric Stage after last season's Murder for Two. Boston area credits include: The Donkey Show (American Repertory Theatre), Jonah and the Whale (Stoneham Theatre), The Snow Queen (New Repertory Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Arts After Hours). Kirsten is also a pianist and singer/songwriter, working for Carnival Cruise Lines, Bobby McKey's, Hershey Park, and more. She is a film & commercial actor locally, and teaches with Watertown Children's Theatre. Up next: She Loves Me and The Irish...and How They Got That Way at Stoneham Theatre. B.F.A. Musical Theatre, Shenandoah Conservatory. kirstensalpini.com

Kira Troilo (June) returns to the Lyric Stage after appearing in last season's Camelot. Recent local performing credits include Sister Act (NextDoor Theater), Hairspray (Palace Theatre), The Color Purple (Speakeasy Stage), The Wiz (Fiddlehead Theater Company), Les Misérables (Woodland Theater), A Chorus Line (Emerson Umbrella), and Parade (FUDGE Theatre Company). Recent choreography credits include The Little Mermaid, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida (Fiddlehead Theatre Company), Evita, Chicago, and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (Weston Drama Workshop). She is also a founding board member of the Regatta Players in Central Mass. Kira graduated with a B.F.A. from Emerson College.

Todd Yard (Uncle Jocko/Goldstone/Ensemble) returns to the Lyric Stage after appearing last season in Company. His recent credits include Barnum, The Wild Party (Moonbox Productions), Showboat, Carousel (Reagle Music Theatre), A Little Night Music (NextDoor Theater), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Vokes Players) and La Cage aux Folles (The Umbrella). Todd graduated from London's Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts musical theater program, and currently works as a software architect designing and developing cloud-based video solutions for a global client list.

Spiro Veloudos (Producing Artistic Director), now celebrating his 20th season as Producing Artistic Director of the Lyric Stage, directed Company and Camelot last season. In previous seasons, he directed Sondheim by Sondheim, Peter and the Starcatcher, Sweeney Todd, City of Angels, Into the Woods (Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards for Best Director, Best Musical, and Best Ensemble), One Man, Two Guvnors, Death of a Salesman (IRNE Award for Best Play),The Mikado, 33 Variations, On the Town, Avenue Q (Elliot Norton Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Ensemble, five IRNE Awards including Best Musical and Best Director), The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Elliot Norton Award for Best Production and Best Director, five IRNE Awards including Best Director), Big River, Superior Donuts, Animal Crackers, Blithe Spirit, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, and Kiss Me, Kate. Spiro received the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award from Salem State College. He was the recipient of the 2006 Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence. During his tenure, the Lyric Stage has earned numerous awards and honors including Elliot Norton Awards for Outstanding Production (Nicholas Nickleby, Speech & Debate, Miss Witherspoon, The Old Settler), and Outstanding Musical Production (Sunday in the Park with George); IRNE Awards for Outstanding Production (Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Settler, Glengarry Glen Ross), and Outstanding Musical Production (Grey Gardens, Urinetown: The Musical, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George). His numerous directing credits at the Lyric Stage include A Little Night Music (IRNE Award for Direction), Glengarry Glen Ross (IRNE Award), Sunday in the Park with George (Best of the Year in Boston's Globe, Herald, and Phoenix; Elliot Norton and IRNE Award for direction), Assassins (Best Production of 1998: The Boston Globe), Lost in Yonkers, Never the Sinner: The Leopold and Loeb Story (Elliot Norton Award, along with Assassins), and Speed-the-Plow (Elliot Norton for Outstanding Production). Mr. Veloudos received StageSource's Theatre Hero Award (2003) and was named Best Artistic Director by Boston Magazine in 1999. He serves as the president for the Producers' Association of New England Area Theatres, and is adjunct faculty in Performing Arts at Emerson College.

Matt Chapuran (Managing Director) was previously Managing Director of Stoneham Theatre, where he co-produced over 70 plays, musicals, concerts, and educational productions for an annual audience that grew to over 50,000. During his tenure, Matt ran the 2010 Boston Marathon with Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes in support of Stoneham Theatre's educational mission. At The Nora Theatre Company, Matt was Managing Director during the inception of a capital campaign that ultimately led to the construction of the Central Square Theater. Matt comes to the Lyric Stage from the Huntington Theatre Company, where he managed institutional giving. A graduate of Boston College with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College, Matt has performed, taught, and directed improvisation for two decades, most recently as a part of Babson College's M.B.A. program, as one half of the improv team The Angriest Show in the World, and as the director of An Improvised People's History of the United States. He lives in Jamaica Plain with his wife and their three daughters.

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