Vicki Lewis to Star in GYPSY at Maltz Jupiter Theatre

Let us entertain you with one of America's most beloved classic musicals!

March brings the dazzling stage hit Gypsy to the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's stage. Inspired by the memoirs of the legendary burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, this story follows the dreams and efforts of a powerhouse stage mother to get her two daughters into show business.

With performances slated for March 21 - April 9, this Broadway smash will star celebrated stage, screen and television actress Vicki Lewis as Rose and features such unforgettable songs by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim as "Together, Wherever We Go," "All I Need Is the Girl," and "You Gotta Get a Gimmick." Everything's coming up roses in this Tony Award-winning hit musical!

"Gypsy has long been considered one of Broadway's great triumphs, and we are ecstatic to have the opportunity to reimagine it for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's audiences," said Andrew Kato, the Theatre's producing artistic director and chief executive. "We are especially excited to reunite the dynamic team of Tony Award-nominated director and choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge and Vicki Lewis, two Carbonell Award winners who earned critical acclaim for the Theatre's hit production of Hello, Dolly! in 2012."

A renowned director and choreographer, Milgrom Dodge's work on revivals, new musicals, and plays has been seen throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, South Korea, Denmark and the Middle East. A winner of multiple Carbonell awards for both direction and choreography, Milgrom Dodge's past Maltz Jupiter Theatre credits include Fiddler On the Roof, The King and I, Hello, Dolly!, Anything Goes and Master Class. Credits include the acclaimed Broadway production of Ragtime?(2010 Tony?Award nomination and the Helen Hayes Award).

"I'm drawn to stories that illuminate the human condition: stories about families; flawed characters with strong ambitions and giant dreams," Milgrom Dodge said. "It's been said that Momma Rose is the King Lear of musical theatre. Audiences are in for a very big treat, for our production stars Vicki Lewis as Rose. Vicki's ferocious portrayal of this classic character is one for the ages."

Beloved by South Florida theatergoers for her starring roles in the Theatre's productions of Hello, Dolly! and Annie, Lewis has an extensive career that includes starring on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revivals of Damn Yankees and Chicago, wowing television audiences as Beth on the hit series Newsradio and performing voiceover work that includes Finding Dory and Finding Nemo, among numerous other roles.

The cast will also feature Emma Stratton as Louise (whose national tour credits include Bullets Over Broadway and Anything Goes, in addition to much work regionally) and John Scherer as Herbie (seen previously at the Theatre in La Cage aux Folles, Annie and They're Playing Our Song, as well as on Broadway and in the film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's By Jeeves, in addition to other Broadway, off-Broadway, national tour, film, television and regional credits).

With a book by Arthur Laurents, the much-loved musical has earned many successes through the years. Gypsy's original Broadway production opened in 1959, starring Ethel Merman as Rose and earning eight Tony Award nominations. A West End production opened in 1973 starring Angela Lansbury, followed by a 1974 Broadway revival for which Lansbury won the Tony Award. Tyne Daly starred in the musical's 1989 Broadway revival (for which she also won the Tony Award) and Bernadette Peters played Rose in the show's 2003 Broadway revival, which earned four Tony Award nominations and broke box office records. Patti LuPone portrayed Rose in a 2008 Broadway revival, earning numerous awards (including the Tony Award for Lupone) - and Imelda Staunton portrayed Rose as the musical's recent and critically-acclaimed 2015 West End revival.

The New York Times called Gypsy "brilliant!" while The Arts Desk enthused that it "really is the perfect musical in every way." London Theatre 1 raved that "this incredible show will do more than just entertain - it will keep you on the edge of your seat, it will make you laugh and cry, and I challenge anybody not to give it a standing ovation."

Featuring a cast of 30 and a 12-piece orchestra, the musical will showcase the artistry of a dynamic creative team, including the innovative scenic design of Carbonell Award winner Michael Schweikardt, evocative lighting by Carbonell Award nominee Paul Miller, electrifying costumes by Leon Wiebers, music direction by Carbonell Award winner Helen Gregory and sound design by Carbonell Award winner Marty Mets.

Gypsy is sponsored by Marianne Glick and Michael Woods and Suzanne Niedland in loving memory of Art and Meg Niedland.; tickets start at $61. For showtimes and additional information, call (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org. For more information about bringing your group to the Theatre, contact group concierge Shannon Murphy at (561) 972-6117.

The not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida's preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state's largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws 100,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 7,758 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida's highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence.

Photo Credit: Alicia Donelan

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