Stowe Theatre Guild's GYPSY Is A Family Affair

"Gypsy," the classic Broadway musical fable by Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, is about a famous stripper but it's also about family - specifically, domineering stage mother Rose and her two daughters, June and Louise. So it's fitting that Stowe Theatre Guild's upcoming production of "Gypsy" is also about family. Make that families - four of them.

Ryley Earle, age 7, is appearing in her first play as a Balloon Girl and a News Kid. Her older sister Barley, 10, is a Tap-Dancing Kid and a News Kid. The girls' mother, Abby Earle, who works in the Stowe town manager's office, just downstairs from the theater, plays Miss Cratchitt and, fittingly, a stage mom. They live in Eden and are participating in a Stowe Theatre Guild show for the first time.

Scott Weigand of Waterbury Center has been involved with Stowe Theatre Guild as both actor and director. He plays Herbie. His daughter Lily, 8, will play a News Kid and a Rich Girl in her first Stowe show. For music director Becky Millard and her husband, Roya Millard, of Montpelier, doing a show together is nothing new. They have worked on plays, musicals and burlesque shows together at Essex Community Players, Lamoille County Players and Green Mountain Cabaret. While Becky is conducting offstage, Roya will be on stage as Uncle Jocko and other roles.

"Gypsy" is being produced by Matt Pierce, who lives in Waterbury. He will play Mr. Weber and other characters. His brother Zach Pierce of Burlington is the sound designer for the show.

Performances are Wednesday through Saturday, June 13-30, at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall Theatre on the second floor of the Akeley Soldiers Memorial Building, 67 Main St. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for students and $14 for children 12 and under: stowetheatre.com or at the box office on show days if still available.

Written by: Kristin Silverman