"Gypsy," with book by Arthur
Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim,
is just about as perfect a musical as ever hit Broadway. Add
to this Ethel Merman in her last major role, and it’s easy to
see why the 1959 musical made Broadway history.
In this case, history certainly did repeat itself. A 1974 revival
of "Gypsy" earned Angela Lansbury a Tony and a 1989
version did the same for Tyne Daly, both for the role of Mama
Rose, which Merman had made famous.
Rosalind Russell played Rose in the 1962 film, and Bette Midler
took the role in a 1993 television production.
Why has "Gypsy" had so many revivals? Probably because
they just don’t make them like that anymore. "Gypsy"
has everything. It’s funny. It’s sad. It’s glitzy. It’s glamorous.
And it’s about time it had a Brooklyn revival.
The Narrows Community Theatre, under the direction of theater
veteran Betty Kash, has thrown itself wholeheartedly into presenting
"Gypsy," its 30th anniversary production. The result
is a production that is dazzlingly professional. From Baby June
and Baby Louise’s first warbling of "Let Me Entertain You"
to the final show-stopping soliloquy-song "Rose’s Turn,"
the production is sheer enjoyment.
Based on the memoirs of the legendary stripper Gypsy Rose Lee,
the musical tells the story of how Mama Rose (the show-stealing
Eileen Christensen), who was never able to fulfill her own theatrical
ambitions, becomes obsessed with making her two daughters, June
and Louise, vaudeville stars.
With the help of the long-suffering Herbie (the superb Tony Travis),
her boyfriend and agent, Mama Rose drags her daughters across
America hoping they’ll get their big break before misfortune
and disappointment break them.
"Gypsy" is a fast-paced musical and Kash has wisely
used a minimum of scenery to keep up the momentum even as the
family moves from Seattle to Dallas to Los Angeles to Akron to
New York City to Buffalo – and that’s just the half of it. Kash
makes up for the lack of scenery by creating a sense of time
and place with perfect costuming – from June’s cute baby outfits
to Gypsy’s slinky dresses.
Fortunately, "Gypsy" is a musical in which the lyrics,
music, dance and dialogue all capture so exactly the tawdry vagabond
world of vaudeville and burlesque that no more is needed to transport
the audience back to the 1920s.
Still, the large stage at the Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater
does sometimes look a bit barren, and it is only the immense
talent of Kash’s cast that makes the audience overlook this trivial
failing. Christiansen has a strong, vibrant voice that can be
heard up in the rafters. Even when she’s not singing, her presence
on the stage is electrifying – whether she’s bullying, wheedling
or charming her opponents into submission.
Travis is a wonderful, willing victim. When his ulcer acts up
and he clutches his stomach, we wince in pain. He too has a fine
voice, whether he’s singing alone or in the company of others.
"Gypsy" has some fine song-and-dance routines performed
by supporting actors, most notably "You Gotta Get a Gimmick,"
in which the three strippers, Miss Tessie Tura (Kathy Higgins-Misciagna),
Miss Mazeppa (Dawn Barry-Hansen) and Miss Electra (Karen Pawson)
explain their art to the awestruck and innocent Louise; and Tulsa’s
(Terrance Caufield) solo dance number.
The orchestra, conducted by Joe McLaughlin, with Michael Boshell
on piano, Pamela Tadross on synthesizer, Lauren DelRe on clarinet
and alto saxophone, Jim Colarusso on trumpet, Edward Arzewski
on trombone and Bob Sacks on drums, never disappoints. This group
of talented musicians not only supports the cast of singers,
but also provides an excellent overture and musical interludes.
"Gypsy" has given us so many
memorable tunes that even someone who has never stepped foot
in a Broadway theater can probably hum at least one song from
its score – whether it’s "Let Me Entertain You," "Small
World," "Everything’s Coming Up Roses" or "Together
Wherever We Go."
As Herbie predicted, burlesque has died
and vaudeville disappeared. But "Gypsy" lives on. Don’t
miss its latest incarnation by the Narrows Community Theatre.
The Narrows Community Theatre production
of "Gypsy" plays through June 24, Friday and Saturday
at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $15, $10 senior citizens,
$8 children under 12. The Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater is
located at 101st Street and Ft. Hamilton Parkway. For reservations,
call (718) 482-3173.
