FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7 2007
Press Contact: Joanne Barrett
617-547-2265 jbpr@comcast.net
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, STONEHAM THEATRE EXTENDS GYPSY THRU OCTOBER 7. GREAT SEATS FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES NOW ON SALE
GYPSY
Featuring Leigh Barrett as Mama Rose
Opens September 13
Stoneham Theatre Artistic Director Weylin Symes enthusiastically announces that the 2007 – 2008 season opener, GYPSY featuring Leigh Barrett as Mama Rose, will extend one more week through Sunday October 7 2007. Great seats for the five additional performances (Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 4pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm) are now on sale. Stoneham Theatre is located at 395 Main Street, Stoneham. Tickets prices are Adults $40, Seniors $35 and Students $20.00. For tickets and information visit or call the box office 781-279-2200 or purchase online at www.stonehamtheatre.org
Weylin says, “We want to thank both our old and new audiences for this resounding support of the opening musical GYPSY and the upcoming season in general.”
Three virtuosos of American musical theater wrote Gypsy – the book is by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Featuring songs "Let Me Entertain You," “ You Gotta Have A Gimmick,” and "Everything's Coming Up Roses,” the debut production, originally starring Ethel Merman as Mama Rose and directed by Jerome Robbins was an instant hit when it opened at the Broadway Theatre in 1959.
The production has since been made into three movies (one for television), and two Broadway revivals. Based on the memoirs of entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy tells the story of Rose, an overbearing stage mother who is determined to make her girls stars. Set against the freewheeling days of vaudeville and burlesque, Gypsy explores ambition, jealousy, family relationships and the bittersweet loss of innocence.
Teaming up with director Caitlin Lowans will be choreographer Kelli Edwards (ART’s Marvelous Party, New Rep’s The Wild Party) and Music Director Todd Gordon (New Rep’s Ragtime). The creative design team includes Gianni Downs (Set Designer), Christopher Ostrom (Lighting Designer) and Jenna Lourenco (Costume Designer) The large ensemble cast includes Eve Kagan (Louise), Lauren Wood (Dainty June), Scott H. Severance (Herbie), William Nash Broyles (Tulsa), Shannon Lee Jones (Tessie Tura), Rebecca Zaretzky (Electra), Vanessa Schukis (Mazeppa), Phil Crumrine (Yonkers), Ron Brinn (Pop), Anthony Cascio (Uncle Jocko) and Steve Turner (Kringelein). With Emily Pinto as Baby Louise and Emily Sheeran as Baby June, several area young performers will also appear in the production including Andrew Barbato, Brian Conry, Ariel Harrist, Christina Kent, Rebecca Lerman. Jack Libresco, Jakob Michaels, Stephanie Moskal,, Allison Russell, Jaclyn Sabogal, Alex Swaim and Tristan Viner-Brown. The nine piece band features Music Director Todd Gordon (Keyboard), Rick Copeland (Trombone), Tim Cote (Trumpet 1), Heather Katz-Cote (Reed1), Mick Lewander (Percussion), Scott Nicholas (Keyboard 2), Tom Stafford (Trumpet 2), Ben Stevens (Bass) and Jeri Reed (Reed 2).
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES: Previews: Thursday September 13 at 7:30pm, Friday September 14 at 8pm, and Saturday September 15 at 4pm (ASL interpreted and Pay What Your Want performance). Saturday September 15 at 8pm (Opening Press Performance), Sunday September 16 at 2pm (Post-Performance Talkback with members of the creative team).
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