Theater Reviews

Mar 1, 2008 - A road-company "Gypsy" worthy of Broadway is at Reno's Pioneer Center

By Jack Neal

It’s not from “Gypsy” but a paraphrase from “A Chorus Line.” “What they do for love” is apropos to this fine presentation of “Gypsy,” one of America’s very best musicals ever. “Gypsy” opened Friday night (2/29/08) in Reno before a near capacity crowd that loved every song, dance, laugh and tear that is the “Gypsy” experience, when it’s at its best as it is here.

On the road and doing five performances in three days is a grueling schedule, especially for a show that runs just a few minutes short of three hours (with intermission). That’s performing for love. Hats off to the knock-‘em-dead cast that lights up this terrific show. Each and every one is perfectly cast and wonderful in every way. Put another success notch on the belt of the Broadway Comes to Reno Series at home at Reno’s Pioneer Center. “Gypsy” has arrived in town and it’s better than ever.

With a book written by the exceptional Arthur Laurents based on memoirs of famed stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, superb music by Jule Styne, revelatory lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, directed and choreographed by the renowned Jerome Robbins, produced by theater legends David Merrick and Leland Heyward and starring the incomparable Ethel Merman, “Gypsy” opened on Broadway May 21, 1959, and has been coming up roses ever since.

Hats off, too, to the creative team that has re-created this sizzling musical. Sam Viverito’s direction is splendidly paced storytelling; his choreography is absolutely on target for the story that’s being told. Michael Hotopp’s scenic designs do what they should do - evoke the third-rate backstage, flea-bitten hotel rooms of a fading vaudeville scene. Paul Favini’s costumes are at once kick-in-the-pants fun and burlesque chic. Charlie Morrison’s lighting is the lighting that hides what needs to be hidden and brings a glow to what must be seen. Michael Borth has condensed the original Sid Ramin-Robert Ginzler orchestrations to what sounds like a six-piece heavily synthesized pit band that’s good, if a bit muddy. Borth’s musical direction, however, is extraordinarily supportive and precise.

The splendid Kathy Halenda follows a list of memorable Momma Roses and is just as memorable as her illustrious predecessors. The word sensational is overused in our overly hyped world, but sensational is as Halenda does. She sails through “Some People,” “Small World,” “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and scorches the earth with a gut-wrenching “Rose’s Turn” that’s Wagnerian in impact. Kathy Halenda “is” Momma Rose the mother of all stage mothers.

In the title role Missy Dowse moves from shy to star in a nicely modulated portrayal that’s vulnerable, assured and believable every show-stopping step of the way. A gifted actor, singer and dancer, Dowse is a Gypsy Rose Lee to be reckoned with. Ruby Lewis is Gypsy’s sister, June, and she, too, is excellent. Their duet, “If Momma Was Married,” is one of the show’s brightest spots.

“All I Need is the Girl” is the show’s solo spot for Tulsa, a young man dreaming of getting ahead and stardom. Samuel Linwood Kiernan is Tulsa and he makes the most of his time at center stage. Nicholas Hamel is Herbie, Momma Rose’s love interest and the glue that holds Rose and her clan together. Hamel is very solid. “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” sports three of the entertainment world’s most loveable strippers - Tessie Tura, Mazeppa and Electra. Respectively, if not respectfully, and to the delight of the audience, Loriann Freda, Rachel Abrams, and Maria Egler play the strippers in question and bump it to the hilt.

Claire Norden is a squeaky clean Baby June and she’s cute from the get-go. Kristina Lachaga is Baby Louise (Gypsy as a kid) and she’s a charmer as is every child and grownup in this outstanding all-singing, all-dancing troupe. Who could possibly ask for more?

“Curtain up. Light the lights. You’ve got nothin’ to do but hit the heights.”It’s “Gypsy.” It’s in Reno. It’s current. It’s choice. It’s too good to miss.

This Phoenix Entertainment production of “Gypsy” plays Friday, February 29 (the performance reviewed) at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 1 (2008) at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 2 (2008) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information call 775-686-6610 or go online at www.pioneercenter.com.