Cessy Newmon
Words by Cessy Newmon
Rove over to the Alhambra for an evening of GYPSY for a wonderful time.
Take a colorful memoir, add a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and you get the fascinating fable that exceeds the infamy of the original character of Gypsy Rose Lee. While not biographical, the story is loosely based on the rise to fame of the one-time most successful stripper in the US.
Names can be a little confusing in this story, so here’s a brief aid: “Rose” is the mother. “Rose Louise” or “Louise” is the eldest daughter who becomes Gypsy Rose Lee.
The GYPSY cast is headed up by powerhouse actress and Alhambra mainstay, Lisa Valdini Booth. This role is particularly challenging given that she is almost never offstage. And when she performs “Roses Turn” at the end of the show, she shows you undeniably who is in charge of that stage.
Playing opposite such a powerhouse is no small feat, and Pete Clapsis more than holds his own as the beleaguered agent/boyfriend who follows Rose around the country, desperately in love with her, only for her to always push him aside to live through her girls.
At the beginning, it is actually Louise’s singer/dancer sister, June, who is showcased, with Rose focusing all of her energy on making June a star. Louise is in the background and is constantly told she has no talent. The roles of both Louise and June are played by two actresses each for a younger and an older version of the character.
Everly Doyle at 9 years old will sing, dance and cartwheel her way into your heart as Baby June. Delia Doyle, age 10, is talented and put into the background role of Baby Louise. She’s not as showcased by nature of the role, but she’s obviously a talented young lady.
There is a seamless dance transition from the younger to the older selves, when Tori D’Alessandro and Logen Cheatham take over as June and Louise. At first the focus is all on June, constantly forced into repetitive performances of routines from when she was a child. Ms. D’Alessandro has been beautifully paired with her younger self, matching the song and dance routines, but showing that she’s tiring of being held back by her mother.
When June elopes with Tulsa (Alexander Bianco), one of three young men who has been performing with the girls since they were all children, Rose decides that she’s going to make Louise the star. Vaudeville is on the decline, and Rose and Louise wind up in a Burlesque club to perform. Filling in for a missing star act, part of Louise’s costume falls down, and GYPSY is born.
While not in the stage production, it is Gypsy Rose Lee’s wit (she performed on What’s My Line a few times) and elegant vs. bump-and-grind performances that took her to stardom. Ms. Cheatum is an extremely credible Louise. She very nicely bridges the change from background supporting her sister to taking charge of her own life.
One number that must be mentioned is “You Gotta Get a Gimmick”. This is performed by three strippers played by Katie Nettle, Kathy Sanders, and Cathy Markel-Roddy, whose performance has the audience in stitches. Please note that none of the costumes in the show are overly risqué. You would see more exposure at Jax Beach.
I would comment on the overall set and costumes, but the truth is that I found myself so invested in the characters – and there is much more talent on that stage than just those named here – that everything else fell into background and I was immersed in their performances. Considering how character-driven this show is, that’s exactly how it should be.
GYPSY is at the Alhambra Theatre, 12000 Beach Blvd., August 22-Sept. 18 and Sept. 24-29, 2024. Ticket prices vary based on show and seating. For reservations and a look at the treats yet to come for the season, go to alhambrajax.com or call (904) 641-1212.
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