NEWS RELEASE 

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, presents one of Broadway’s greatest musicals, Gypsy. Presenting sponsor for Gypsy is Bobbie Olson with additional support from Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers’ Group. Gypsy plays the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre from March 6 – 25, 2018.

Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, Gypsy follows indomitable stage mother Mama Rose as she chases vicarious success and stardom through her daughters on the Vaudeville circuit. When younger daughter, June, elopes; Rose turns her attention to her older, less talented daughter, Louise, who eventually becomes the acclaimed burlesque stripper named Gypsy Rose Lee.

With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the show is based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee. With a score that features songs that have since become standards, the show helped launch the career of Sondheim. “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Some People,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Together, Wherever We Go” and of course “Rose’s Turn” are among the musical’s highlights.

Since Gypsy’s premiere in 1959 starring the legendary Ethel Merman, Broadway has enjoyed four revivals, all of which have provided a unique take on the musical and its characters. Much of the show rests on the central casting of Rose, and each actress who takes on the challenge brings something very different to the role.  The original production opened on Broadway on May 21, 1959 at the Broadway Theatre, transferred to the Imperial Theatre, and closed on March 25, 1961. Produced by David Merrick, the production was nominated for 8 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, but did not win a single award. The only award Ms. Merman won for her portrayal of Mama Rose was a Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theatre Album. Subsequent revivals starred Angela Lansbury (1974), Tyne Daly (1989), Bernadette Peters (2003), and Patti LuPone (2008).  A 1962 movie adaptation starred Rosalind Russell, and a 1993 television adaptation starred Bette Midler.

Riverside Theatre’s production of Gypsy is Directed and Choreographed by James Brennan and stars Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Rose), Bob Walton (Herbie), Austen Danielle Bohmer (Louise), Charity Van Tassel (Dainty June), Christian Probst (Tulsa), Pam Bradley (Electra), Sue Cella (Tessie Tura), Mary Callanan (Mazeppa) D.C. Anderson (Georgie, Pop), Ray DeMattis (Uncle Jocko, Weber), Olivia Fanders (Baby June) and Quinn Wood (Baby Louise).

The ensemble cast includes: Michael Peter Deeb, Adena Ershow, Chloe Fox, Brady Miller, Chris Robertson, Rachel Schimenti, Jennifer Seifter, Robbie Smith, Kelsey Stalter, and Madison Turner.

Riverside Theatre’s production features six local boys and girls who study at the Children’s Theatre. They are cast as Newsboys and Jocko Girls, children in June and Louise’s original Vaudeville acts. Newsboys and Jocko girls include: David Calahan, Caleb Cope, Victoria Dowdell, Kristina Gregg, Charlotte Nafe, Bryce Roux, and Jenna Smith.

The production crew includes: Anne Shuttlesworth (Music Director), Cliff Simon (Scenic Design), Kurt Alger (Costume & Wig Design), Michelle Habeck (Lighting Design), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Design), Mark Johnson (Production Stage Manager), and Amy M. Bertacini (Assistant Stage Manager). Casting was done in New York by Wojcik / Seay Casting.

Gypsy performs March 6-25, 2018 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets start at $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at http://www.riversidetheatre.com.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Opening Night, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

Performance Schedule:

March 6, 9, 10, 16 17, 23 & 24 @ 8pm

March 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 24 & 25 @ 2pm

March 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22 @ 7:30pm

Gypsy is sponsored by Bobbie Olson and is presented by Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers Group: Brad & Fran Anderson, Lois Appleby, Linda Aronberg, Anita Astrachan^, Carol Atkinson, Barbara M. Baldwin, David & Cynthia Bardes, Paul & Jayne Becker, Sam & Susie Bell, Dick & Sue Bergeman, Ted & Debbie Berghorst, Jerry & Anne Blatherwick , John & Anita Brennan, Peter & Susie Brinckerhoff, Bill & Laura Buck, Tim & Carol Buhl, Bill & Karen Campbell, Don & Rose Ciampa, Dottie Currie, John & Sue Dobbs, Bill & Laura Frick, Mary Jane Grant, Herb & Ann Gullquist, Bill & Eva Gurley, Duke & Gael Habernickel, Robert & Pat Hemingway Hall, Dick & Rosemary Haverland, Calvin & Sally Hills, Dave Horner, Ronald F. Hunt, Fred & Susie Kasten, John & Pam Kean, Paul & Nancy Knapp, Judy & Lou LaFage, Bill and Joy Lane, Whitney & Betty MacMillan, John & Marilyn McConnell, Ray & Sonia McGowan, Brooke Megrue, Ted & Dawn Michael, Bob & Susan Morrison, Wally & Peggy Nelson, Bobbie Olsen, Don & Connie Patterson, Ed & Pat Pavlish, Michael & Kathie Pierce, Connie Pitcher, Helen Post, Ted & Carol Price, Michael & Anne Rhoades, John Roberts & Juli Blunt, Ron & Nancy Rosner, Bill & Judy Schneebeck, Van Schreiber, Bill & Marlynn Scully, Ned & Emily Sherwood, Joe & Mary Alice Smith, Stephanie Smith, Dick & Stephanie Solar, Charlotte Stifel, Dick & Barbara Stockton, Doug & Dhuanne Tansill, John & Tobey Taylor, Marge Turley, Lorne & Heidi Waxlax, Pat & Carol Welsh, Ken & Liz Whitney, and Gail D. Williams.                                                                      ^ Bequeathed  

The 2017-2018 Season is sponsored by: Wilmington Trust, Fidelity Investments, Dale Sorensen Real Estate, The O’Haire Group – Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Sea Turtle Real Estate, Northern Trust, Indian River Press Journal, Vatland Honda, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Nelson Morgan Wealth Management – Merrill Lynch and Treasure & Space Coast Radio(WGYL, JACK FM, Ocean FM, B94, WTTB).

Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts