MainStage Irving-Las Colinas presents GYPSY
GYPSY
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Suggested by memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee
Directed by Michael Serrecchia
Music Directed by Scott A. Eckert
Choreographed by Megan Kelly Bates
Administrative Producers
Joan Eppes and Tim Wallace
Technical Producer/Master Carpenter Dane Tuttle
Stage Manager Katelyn Kocher
Scenic Designer/Set Dresser Joseph Cummings
Lighting Designer Scott Davis
Costume/Wig Designer Michael A. Robinson/Dallas Costume Shop
Props Designer Louise Childs
Conductor/Keyboards Scott A. Eckert
Piano/Assoc Music Director Larry Miller
Trumpet Phil West
Woodwinds Andrew Stonerock and Michael Dill
Percussion Alan Pollard
Cast
Mary Gilbreath Grim
Sydney Hamil
Danielle Smith
Patrick Persons
Sophie Rose Kirkham
Kira Trees
Monkevis Edwards
Cole Brayton Lucas
Andrew Cave
Arhaan Iyer
Megan Kelly Bates
Mary-Margaret Pyeatt
Stephanie Felton
Michael A. Robinson
Brandy Raper
Evan Faris
Michael Serrecchia
Lena Gay
Cam Hayes
Emily Dye
Trinity Coursey
Valencia Long
Almaz Clawson
Corinne Wade
Mark Zantop
My thoughts on GYPSY or…this time for her.
From the first notes of the Overture from Music Director Scott A. Eckert’s dynamite band, you know that Gypsy is going to be a treat. Almost every song in this classic show is a stand-alone hit and in the hands of Director Michael A. Serrecchia and Choreographer Megan Kelly Bates, you best believe that this Gypsy hits the heights.
No need to recount the plot of this musical about the stage mother to end all stage mothers and her famous offspring as it is one of the most famous musicals ever and the part of Mama Rose is probably on the bucket list of every female identifying actor around. It is our good fortune that the part this time is portrayed by the astounding Mary Gilbreath Grim. Having recently seen Grim as Mother in Ragtime and Donna in Mamma Mia, I knew she would make Rose her own and it is indeed a marvel to listen to and watch Grim tear this part up. Grim captures every bit of Rose’s bulldog tenacity on her quest to make her daughter a star and gives the often less than admirable character a lovability factor as well. Grim’s eleven o’clock number “Rose’s Turn” is almost a mini play in itself as Rose lays bare all her own lost hopes for a career for herself in show business. Grim brings so much lightning and thunder to this final number that I expected the stage to cave in. I’ve seen Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, and Patti LuPone in this role, and I can say in all honesty that none of them were any better than Mary Gilbreath Grim.
Grim has some top-notch support in Gypsy, especially from her daughters Danielle Smith as Dainty June and Sydney Hamil as Louise. Both are appealing performers with big musical theater voices and their duet “If Momma Was Married” is a major highlight of the show. Much of the pleasure in Gypsy is watching the daughters on their separate journeys, in particular Hamil’s touching transition from the shadows to the limelight. Special kudos also to the charming Sophie Rose Kirkham and Kira Trees who play the daughters as younger girls
Patrick Persons, as the supportive agent/promoter Herbie who is devoted to Rose, has an incredibly fine singing voice and made me wish Herbie had a big solo number. Persons, a skilled performer who looks like a movie star instead of an agent, makes Herbie a poignant character who we want to see succeed.
As Louise’s “tutors” in the art of burlesque, Mary -Margaret Pyeatt as Electra, Megan Kelly Bates as Tessie Tura, and Stephanie Felton, who gives her fantastic all and then some, as Mazeppa nearly stop the show with “You Gotta Get A Gimmick.” It’s a raunchy, bawdy good time perfectly choreographed by Bates.
Monkevis Edwards, a newcomer to DFW stages, makes a suave, lithe, and winning Tulsa. He out Astaires Fred with his smooth honey voice. and agile moves. Edwards made “All I Need Is The Girl.” a number I wanted to instantly replay. You’re going to see this young man’s star rise.
Time and space prevent me from giving everyone in this cast of 25 and the amazing design team the recognition they deserve. I do want to single out Cole Brayton Lucas, who I have seen on stage many times and who appears as L.A. in the cast. Cole is a performer who brings pure joy to every show he is in and literally a one man bundle of happiness on stage.
Michael Serrecchia and his team have made this Gypsy unforgettable entertainment. This show may be 63 years old, but in the hands of this team and cast it shines like a newly minted silver dollar. Get over to Mainstage Irving-LasColinas let them entertain you..
