BWW Reviews: Newman, Candilora Give Stunning Performances in Keeton Theatre's GYPSY

With Ginger Newman's bravura performance as Mama Rose setting the standard-along with a stunning portrayal by Christina Candilora as a young Gypsy Rose Lee-The Larry Keeton Theatre's production of Gypsy, the Broadway fable about stage mothers and their beleaguered children, has a lot to recommend it to theater-goers. Newman and Candilora are given strong support from Terry McLemore, Stella London, Cade Smith, Virginia Richardson and the trio of wizened strippers who urge the young Louise to "get a gimmick" (Jane Schnelle, Monykah Tyson and Emily Ann Cowart).

But despite those strong performances-and, again, Newman's remarkable transformation into the iconic, lamentable Mama Rose alone is worth the price of a ticket-the sparkle and polish, those magical elements that can make a production transcend its stagebound roots, The Keeton Theatre's Gypsy is inconsistent and sometimes downright plodding as the musical is brought to life. The production seems rather threadbare, its seams pulling apart, due to the uninspired production design(set and lighting is credited to Emily Rodriguez) and director Jamie London's rather workmanlike presentation of the timeless and engaging source material that features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents.

If you are willing to overlook those shortcomings, however, and to focus instead on the performances of the actors that London has wisely cast in their roles, you will find much to admire in this Gypsy.

Newman, playing a role that could have been written for her, is so mesmerizing in her performance that you can suspend any disbelief and be drawn completely into the story of Rose Hovick and her two daughters as they travel cross-country in pursuit of their ultimate dream of theatrical stardom. Newman approaches the role with a ferocity that makes Rose's character flaws all the more apparent, yet she wisely underscores that with an unfaltering love and devotion to her children that is at once compelling and disquieting. As expected, Newman's interpretation of the songs written by Styne and Sondheim is extraordinary; "Everything's Coming Up Roses" sends a chill up the spine as she shows off Rose's unbridled ambition and single-mindedness while she mourns the loss of her beloved June, while her rendition of "Rose's Turn" is beautifully sung and expressively acted, riveting your attention to her-at the number's end, you are likely to feel spent, so dramatic is Newman's turn in the spotlight.

Cast opposite Newman as the adult Louise who will become Gypsy Rose Lee, Christina Candilora gives a perfectly modulated performance. Shy and self-effacing as a young girl, Candilora's Louise seems genuine and heartfelt, making her transformation into the burlesque queen all the more effective and impressive. She sings "Little Lamb" with so much sweetness that it tugs at the heartstrings, her duet with Stella London to "If Mama Was Married" is gorgeously sung, she watches adoringly as Cade Smith (charmingly playing Tulsa) brings "All I Need Is The Girl" to life, and the moment when she gazes into a mirror and utters "I'm pretty, Mama. I'm a pretty girl, Mama," you find yourself totally captivated, dumbstruck by the dramatic arc of her character during the course of the show.

As a result, the scenes between Newman and Candilora are richly delivered, filled with emotion and drama that fairly crackle with intensity. Their scene in Gypsy's dressing room, just before Newman enacts the onstage nervous breakdown that is "Rose's Turn" is especially well-played, ideally setting the scene that plays out afterward.

As Herbie, Terry McLemore gives a warm portrayal that captures the essence of his character and which makes his eventual realization that Rose will never change all the more believable. His duets with Newman-"Small World" and "You'll Never Get Away From Me"-are nicely played, and his trio with Newman and Candilora on "Together Wherever We Go" is almost bouncy and fun.

As Dainty June, Stella London is the epitome of youthful promise, her wide smile and over-the-top performance in the vaudeville numbers making them excellent evocations of the real thing. Young Virginia Richardson, who plays Baby June, is London's doppelganger in the musical's early scenes and she shows why she is one of the most promising young actors to be found on a Nashville stage: she is the perfect Baby June, setting the bar high for the other youngsters in the cast.

Jane Schnelle (who does triple duty as producer, costume designer and the horn-blowing Mazeppa), Monykah Tyson (as Tessie Tura, "revolution in dance") and Emily Ann Cowart (as the eye-popping Electra) deliver the goods in the always-delightful "You Gotta Get A Gimmick." Each actress is given the chance to show what she's capable of in this tuneful salute to the women who made burlesque such an enduring entertainment and each one takes advantage of the situation. They, quite literally, stop the show!

Among the supporting cast, Cary Street is wonderful in a series of sometimes gender-bending roles, Bobby Milford is impressive as three (or was it four or five?) different men, and Melissa Husebo shows off her own brand of stylish flair in four different roles.

- Gypsy. Music by Jule Styne. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Arthur Laurents. Directed and choreographed by Jamie London. Musical direction by Ginger Newman. Presented by The Larry Keeton Theatre, Donelson. Through April 27. For details, call (615) 883-8375 or go to www.thelarrykeetontheatre.org.

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