SRT Closes GYPSY, Starring Bay Area Performer Heather Orth

Sierra Repertory Theatre will open its 33rd season with its production of Gypsy, playing March 3 through April 22 at Sierra Rep's East Sonora stage. A burst of trumpet opens the musical classic Gypsy, pulling audiences into the world of vaudeville and Broadway's fable of a fierce and focused stage mom with a desperate dream.

The musical's score includes a string of show biz staples, including "Let Me Entertain You," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Together Wherever We Go," "Rose's Turn" and "All I Need is the Girl."

"This show is right up there with The King and I, Fiddler on the Roof and My Fair Lady as far as great musical books," said SRT Artistic Director Scott Viets, who directs and choreographs SRT's production. "It's a show I've wanted to direct since I first came to SRT. It's genius. Take away the music and it stands alone as a perfectly crafted play.  Add all these fantastic songs and the show soars above the rest. It's the epitome of the Broadway musical and an age-old story of a parent living through her children – as long as they're children, she's got purpose and she's desperately holding on."

Based on the early life of celebrated entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee, the show tells the story of "Mama Rose" and her daughters, June and Louise. Rose is so hungry for show business fame, that she gives up everything in her drive to achieve it for her daughters. Rose first fashions a children's act to showcase her little star, June, and audiences tag along in their life on the road and the backstages of vaudeville. Time passes, the Depression hits and vaudeville fades, but Rose just won't give up. June finally runs off, but Louise stays. With Mama still pushing, they invent a new and unique persona – burlesque's most celebrated star, Gypsy Rose Lee. Rose is a bit reluctant at first, but Gypsy learns the ropes from some fellow strippers and makes her own transformation. 

Their story is captured in the book by Arthur Laurents, the music by Jule Syne and the lyrics by Steven Sondheim. Their premiered on Broadway in 1959, with Ethel Merman creating the iconic role of Mama Rose. It played for years with the original cast, and has had a steady string of revivals over the last five decades, with stars such as Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone playing Mama Rose.

Bay Area performer Heather Orth is Mama Rose and Samantha Bruce (the German stewardess in SRT's Boeing Boeing and the young wife in The Ladies Man) is Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee. The two paired up in a Bay Area production of the show last year for Broadway by the Bay, and Viets said several friends contacted him immediately to tell him how good they were.

"I got four different emails raving about Heather's performance," Viets said. "Heather just blew my socks off with her audition. I'm thrilled, and she's excited to revisit such a great role. And I already knew how talented Sam is from her previous work here – she's joining SRT as a company member this year."

SRT regular Michelle Foletta (Lily in SRT's Annie and young Tammy Wynette in Stand by Your Man) is younger sister Dainty June, SRT newcomer Jason Oles is Herbie, New York performer Jake Delaney is dancer Tulsa, and Lia Metz, Rori Nogee and Kaylie Olson are burlesque performers Tessie Tura, Mazeppa and Electra. Katie Harvey and Anastacia Muñoz play Baby June and Baby Louise, and Caleb Britt, Sabrina Jensen, Dominic Moreno and Gavin Williams are the "newsboys" in the children's act. Filling out the ensemble are Melody Britt, Lucas Coleman, Israel Cortez, Ryan Haberfeld, Kayla Hart, Krista Mensonides, Jim Shine and Madilyn Wold.

Viets is director and choreographer, and SRT's Mark Seiver is musical director. Joining them are guest scenic designer Noble Dinse, guest costume designer Nancy Pipkin and SRT's resident artists – lighting designer Christopher Van Tuyl, props master Mercy DeHerrera, orchestrator Sean Paxton, sound designer/engineer Ty Smith, and stage manager Doug Brennan.

SRT's production of Gypsy is presented with the help of its Platinum sponsor, Black Oak Casino, and SRT's 2012 Season Sponsor Clarke Broadcasting.

Gypsy opens Saturday, March 3 and plays through Sunday, April 22 at SRT's East Sonora Theatre. Thursday and Friday performances begin at 7, Saturday evening performances are at 8 and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2. Ticket prices range from $26 to $32 depending on the day of the performance. Children, group, senior and student discounts are available for select performances.

Opening night, March 3, is SRT's gala, a benefit performance that includes a pre-show reception, silent auction and dinner at the Elks Lodge, then a live auction and the opening night performance at the East Sonora stage. Tickets for the gala evening are $115 per person or $85 for season ticket holders. For gala reservations, contact SRT's Beverly Handelman at (209) 532-0502, ext. 112 or bhandelman@sierrarep.org.

For performance information or reservations, call SRT's box office at (209) 532-3120 or visit the theater's website at www.sierrarep.org.

Gypsy is recommended for age 13 and up. While some of the play takes place in the world of burlesque strippers, costumes are not particularly revealing. For more information on show content, see www.sierrarep.org.

Photo Credit: Rich Miller Photography

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