Winthrop Playmakers's GYPSY to Open Tonight

The Winthrop Playmakers are thrilled to announce their upcoming production of the beloved musical Gypsy, opening June 18 at Memorial Hall at 151 Pauline Street in Winthrop. With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jules Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy has been hailed as one of the greatest musicals ever written by The New York Times.

Based on the life of Gypsy Rose Lee and set in the 1920s as the lights of Vaudeville are dimming, Gypsy tells the story of Mama Rose, an aggressive stage mother who, along with her daughters June and Louise, travels the United States hoping to catch the act's big break on the touring circuit. After stumbling into the world of Burlesque, Louise is thrust into the spotlight and comes into her own as Gypsy Rose Lee, and soon becomes one of the most famous Burlesque performers of all time.

Revived on the Playmakers' stage for the first time in twenty years, Gypsy includes such classics as "Let Me Entertain You," "Some People," "All I Need Is the Girl," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," and "Together Wherever We Go." This cast of over thirty-five local actors is directed and choreographed by Winthrop resident Jason Hair-Wynn. This show has been on Hair-Wynn's bucket list to direct for years. "Gypsy is perfect for the Winthrop Playmakers because this group can see itself in the persistence of Mama Rose's dreams. For almost eighty years, the Playmakers have been about coming together for the love of the theatre, for performing under the bright lights, and for giving anyone the possibility to find themselves shining on a stage," says Hair-Wynn.

Gypsy stars Susan Wentworth Austin as Rose, Amanda Arruda as Gypsy Rose Louise, Mike Haddad as Herbie, Amy Oldenquist as Dainty June, and with Haven Pereira as Baby June and Molly Girard as Baby Louise. Also featuring Bianca Marchetti as Tessie Tura, Kathleen O'Connell as Mazeppa, Lauren Amaru as Electra, and Ron Vecchia as Pop.

Jason Allen-Forrest, Brian Dion, Scott Forrest-Allen, Damien Dakotah LaCount, Brandyn Perry, Julie R. Schoenthal, Maxwell Stimpson, and Greg Sullivan are featured along with an ensemble including Gina Ansaldi, Josie Barry, Kaylin Barry, Heather Buccini, Jackie Bowden, Diego Clark, Autumn Dion, Laura Edwards, Kathryn Eno, Will Fafard, Carolyn Ford, Lucy Girard, Beatriz Holzbach, Grace Meidanis, Giuliana Mignone, Liza Nagle, Tegan Pereira, Aubrey Rocha, and Isabella Scampoli.

Tickets are currently on sale via the Playmakers' website, www.winthropplaymakers.com and can also be reserved via the box office line, 617-539-1175. For ticketing questions or to make group reservations, email tickets@winthropplaymakers.com. Performances are Saturday June 18, Thursday June 23, Friday June 24, and Saturday June 25 at 8PM and with matinees on Sunday June 19 and Sunday June 26 at 2PM.

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