BWW Reviews: Stray Dog Theatre Continues Stellar Season with GYPSY

Gypsy is the penultimate stage mother musical, but it's also a look at the decline of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque during the depression, and it's ultimately a look at how the famous stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee, made her debut in show business. Jules Styne (composer), Stephen Sondheim (lyricist), and Arthur Laurents (book) have constructed a sturdy classic that's interesting to watch at a time when reality television has essentially revived the TEd Mack Amateur Hour, and all the baggage that comes with that. Stray Dog Theatre continues their stellar season with a rousing production of this popular standard.

Rose is a difficult, driven woman. Already divorced a couple of times, she pours her energies into her daughters, June and Louise, especially June, who she has built an act around as the overly precious moppet, "Baby June". She stumbles across Herbie, a likable guy who immediately falls for her despite her pushy demeanor, and she he gets back him in the business of being an agent to help the act. Fast forward, he years have passed, the booking are slim, and June has outgrown the act. Even changing the name to "Dainty June" couldn't hide the fact that she was now a young woman. June splits, taking one of the male dancers, Tulsa, in the process and eloping. Rose is now left with only Louise to work her "magic", and the results are surprising, especially given the fact that Louise had been mostly ignored before June took off.

Deborah Sharn is simply terrific, fully capturing the bold, brassy character of Rose, and delivering powerful and moving renditions of classics like "Some People" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses". She's matched nicely with Ken Haller as Herbie, and Haller makes you root for his character admirably. Jennifer Theby-Quinn amuses as the spoiled June, ready to throw in the towel because she simply can't stand to be portrayed as nine year old any longer. Sabra Sellers does marvelous work as Louise, bringing pathos to her early work, as she sleeps on the floor of their room, while June gets a cot. And, Sellers does an amazing job transforming into the sexy and vivacious Gypsy Rose Lee. Michael Monsey adds to the shenanigans as a variety of characters, and Zach Wachter is quite good as Tulsa, a dancer with talent who tires of the grind of Rose's acts.

Pianist/Music Director Chris Peterson leads the talented ensemble which includes: Colin Lovett (bass), Dedra Mason and Emily Hood (flute and piccolo), Bob McMahon (Percussion), Harrison Rich (reeds), Gabe Newsham (reeds), and Bill Hershey (trumpet). They're consistently tight and nicely cover the scene changes.

Gary Bell's direction brings an intimacy to the show that enhances the dramatic elements considerably. J.T. Ricroft's choreography makes the necessary transitions from awkward to accomplished look easy. Tyler Duenow contributes another fine lighting scheme, and Alexandra Squibetta Quigley contributes the fine period costumes. David Blake and Justin Been have crafted a simple, but effective scenic design that keeps the action focused and the scene changes easier to achieve.

Stray Dog Theatre's finely honed production of Gypsy continues through April 20, 2013 at the Tower Grove Abbey.

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