Luckiest Productions and One Eyed Man Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co present Gypsy
Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
It appears that once a decade the Broadway theatre plays host to the musical fable that is Gypsy. It is a piece that bridges an older style of show with that of a musical with deeper meaning. Its 1959 debut became a two year hit for the legendary Ethel Merman and since then the baton for the central role of Mama Rose has been passed along to that actress and singer prepared to take on the musical theatre equivalent of King Lear.
Comparisons in the theatre are inevitable and much has been written about recent large scale Broadway and West End productions of Gypsy. This is the first time I have seen it apart from the 1962 film version. In that Rosalind Russell played the lead, a fine actress more than a great singer. In the Hayes Theatre
production Blazey Best plays Rose whose performance skills as an actor compensate for what she may not have as a singer in this role. The result is a fine balance in this scaled down version with 9 players and a 4 piece band.
Ms Best’s interpretation of Rose is full of energy and with a very clear psychology . She appears to be always on the move, multi-tasking all the while. This action allows us to feel the wonderlust and share in her quest and drive to make her daughters Vaudevillian headliners. The tragedy is that the act they are touting about town is lousy and everyone knows it, except Rose. The star of their act is Baby June played with great vim and vigour by Jessica Vickers and later on, as the older June, by Sophie Wright. Ms Wright plays her scenes very well as the trapped daughter whose sudden escape manifests the fate of older daughter Louise and the members of the back up troupe The Newsboys. Mark Hill as Tulsa, a Newsboy who has been working on his own act, sings and dances up a storm in the show-stopping number “All I need is the girl” .
Anthony Harkin plays the ever suffering Herbie, Rose’s fiancé. Mr Harkin captures that element of a man stuck between staying or leaving. Herbie is the male equivalent of Adelaide in Guys and Dolls – often overlooked and whose feelings are of secondary concern. He finally makes his choice and Harkin is superb in these second act scenes. Rob Johnson and Matthew Predny play a multitude of roles who seem to be forever changing costume. Their versatility as performers and singers is always eye catching and on the ball. I must highlight Jane Watt’s work – especially as Tessie Tura, a very gifted comic actress and singer indeed. Finally there is Laura Bunting as Louise. This role is truly written as the ‘the girl waiting in the wings’. When she rises to full stature as Gypsy Rose Lee (whose real life memoirs are the basis of Gypsy) Ms Bunting 
gives full meaning to the notions that her time in the spotlight is for her, though coupled still with the desperate need for her mother’s love and attention.
Gypsy examines motherhood, loyalty and tenacity. All three are under the microscope warts and all. The actors have had their talents excellently nurtured and supported by the creative team of Richard Carroll (Director), Cameron Mitchell (choreographer), Joe Accaria (Musical Director), Damon Wade (Associate Musical Director), Trent Suidgeest (Lighting Designer), Camden Young (Sound Designer) and Alicia Clements (Designer). The work done behind the scenes by Cara Woods (stage manager), Kayla French (assistant stage manager), Patrick Howard (production manager) and Alana Canceri (wardrobe supervision) must be biblical in its proportions. The musicians are exceptional – Marty Holoubek (Upright Bass), Abi McCunn (Woodwinds) and Lindsay Page (Brass, Accordion and piano).
Mark G Nagle – Theatre Now & On The Town
Gypsy
Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee
Original production by David Merrick & Leland Hayward
Entire production originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins
18 may – 30 June 2018
Mon 6.30pm, Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Wed and Sat matinees 2pm (No performance on Monday 11 June)
Venue: Hayes Theatre
Theatre Company: Luckiest Productions and One Eyed Man Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co
Duration: N/A
