Jacquelyn Piro Donovan and Bob Walton Will Lead GYPSY at Riverside Theatre

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, will present one of Broadway's greatest musicals, Gypsy. Gypsy will play the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre from March 6 - 25, 2018.

Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, Gypsy follows indomitable stage mother Mama Rose as she chases vicarious success and stardom through her daughters on the Vaudeville circuit. When younger daughter, June, elopes; Rose turns her attention to her older, less talented daughter, Louise, who eventually becomes the acclaimed burlesque stripper named Gypsy Rose Lee.

With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the show is based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee. With a score that features songs that have since become standards, the show helped launch the career of Sondheim. "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Some People," "Let Me Entertain You," "Together, Wherever We Go" and of course "Rose's Turn" are among the musical's highlights.

Since Gypsy's premiere in 1959 starring the legendary Ethel Merman, Broadway has enjoyed four revivals, all of which have provided a unique take on the musical and its characters. Much of the show rests on the central casting of Rose, and each actress who takes on the challenge brings something very different to the role. The original production opened on Broadway on May 21, 1959 at the Broadway Theatre, transferred to the Imperial Theatre, and closed on March 25, 1961. Produced by David Merrick, the production was nominated for 8 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, but did not win a single award. The only award Ms. Merman won for her portrayal of Mama Rose was a Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theatre Album. Subsequent revivals starred Angela Lansbury (1974), Tyne Daly (1989), Bernadette Peters (2003), and Patti LuPone (2008). A 1962 movie adaptation starred Rosalind Russell, and a 1993 television adaptation starred Bette Midler.

Riverside Theatre's production of Gypsy is Directed and Choreographed by James Brennan and stars Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Rose), Bob Walton (Herbie), Austen Danielle Bohmer (Louise), Charity Van Tassel (Dainty June), Christian Probst (Tulsa), Pam Bradley (Electra), Sue Cella (Tessie Tura), Mary Callanan (Mazeppa) D.C. Anderson (Georgie, Pop), Ray DeMattis (Uncle Jocko, Weber), Olivia Fanders (Baby June) and Quinn Wood (Baby Louise).

The ensemble cast includes: Michael Peter Deeb, Adena Ershow, Chloe Fox, Brady Miller, Chris Robertson, Rachel Schimenti, Jennifer Seifter, Robbie Smith, Kelsey Stalter, and Madison Turner.

Riverside Theatre's production features six local boys and girls who study at The Children's Theatre. They are cast as Newsboys and Jocko Girls, children in June and Louise's original Vaudeville acts. Newsboys and Jocko girls include: David Calahan, Caleb Cope, Victoria Dowdell, Kristina Gregg, Charlotte Nafe, Bryce Roux, and Jenna Smith.

The production crew includes: Anne Shuttlesworth (Music Director), Cliff Simon (Scenic Design), Kurt Alger (Costume & Wig Design), Michelle Habeck (Lighting Design), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Design), Mark Johnson (Production Stage Manager), and Amy M. Bertacini (Assistant Stage Manager). Casting was done in New York by Wojcik / Seay Casting.

Gypsy performs March 6-25, 2018 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets start at $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Opening Night, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

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