Photo Flash: First Look at Louise Pitre as 'Rose' in GYPSY at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

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. Pitre will be joined by: Rengin Altay (Miss Cratchitt/Electra), Erin Burniston (June), Molly Callinan (Mazeppa), Matt DeCaro (Male Ensemble), Maddie DePorter (Showgirl), Adam Fane (Angie),Betsy Farrar (Toreadorable), Landree Fleming (Agnes), Marc Grapey (Male Ensemble), Rhett Guter (Tulsa), Kelly Anne Krauter (Toreadorable), Keith Kupferer (Herbie), Jared Rein (Ensemble), Barbara E. Robertson (Tessie Tura), Cullen Rogers (Ensemble), Jessica Rush (Louise), Joseph Sammour (Yonkers), and Dana Parker (Toreadorable). Check out a first look at Pitre as 'Rose' in pre-production shots below!

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.

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.

Photos by Bill Burlingham