Not many musicals are lucky enough to be graced by stars such as Ethel Merman, Bernadette Peters, Bette Midler and Patti LuPone. “Gypsy,” one of the longest running musicals since 1950, has had casts that include these prominent musical theatre stars, and will be performed by local theatre company, Theatre Tuscaloosa.
Adam Miller, managing director of Theatre Tuscaloosa, said although this isn’t Theatre Tuscaloosa’s first performance of “Gypsy,” director emeritus Paul Looney thought it would be a good idea to revisit some of their previous plays.
“Paul wanted us to revisit the show, as something on the bucket-list,” Miller said. “’Gypsy’ is such an iconic title in musical theatre, it has even been dubbed the perfect Broadway musical.”
The play tells the story of stage mother Mamma Rose, and her two daughters Baby June and Louise, and her trek to make her children famous through a touring vaudeville show. Like many stories of those seeking fame, things go awry and the favored daughter elopes and leaves the scene and the mother turns to her other daughter, who finds celebrity in the burlesque world.
Based loosely from the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the musical uses songs, characters and monologues to paint a picture of a mother who will do anything to get her daughters and inadvertently, herself-into the spotlight.
“The play features famous songs that you have heard about but didn’t know came from the musical,” Miller said. “It is an American musical in the cultural psyche.”
Miller said Theatre Tuscaloosa tries to maintain a balance of varying performances each season.
“We have tried newer productions previously such as the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Bear Country,” he said. “We try to have a good balance between comedies and dramas and musicals. Gypsy fit well into our season.”
Theatre Tuscaloosa originally performed the production in their 1991-1992 season, and a decade later, they are tackling it with new energy. Miller said they have been rehearsing for the play for two months and plan to continue working hard to pull off the large-scale production with over 65 participants.
“This is a big old show,” Miller said. “There a ton of people involved and has taken time to learn the choreography and complicated music. The show itself has moving pieces, lots of different drops and curtains. It took a lot of time to just build the show.”
Because of its status as community theatre, the organization is allowed to keep ticket prices low, but quality high and attract viewers from all around Tuscaloosa. Miller said the audience will enjoy not only the acting, but also the fantastic music.
“My favorite part is the music,” he said. “It has a fantastic score of iconic music and the best overtures that will transport you back to the era of vaudeville.”
In addition to a large cast of children and adults, Gypsy’s performance has a large representation of UA students and graduates.
“Audiences in Tuscaloosa like to come see shows they have heard of as well as see their friends and neighbors showcase their talents,” Miller said. “It’s a different feeling than going to see a Broadway show.”
Gypsy will be performed from July 13-22 in the Bean-Brown Theatre located at Shelton State Community College. Performance times will be a 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays. Tickets are $22 for adults, $14 for students, and additional discounts are available. Tickets may also be purchased on smartphones and scanned at the door for entry. For more information, visit theatretusc.com or call 205.391.2277.
