Stage Door News

Niagara-on-the-Lake: The musical “Gypsy” begins performances at the Shaw Festival May 10

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

It’s not a tease. Gypsy, the greatest American musical, is finally embarking on its highly anticipated run at The Shaw’s Festival Theatre beginning May 10. Stephen Sondheim’s timeless tale of sex, ambition and a longing for recognition is directed by Jay Turvey, with musical direction by Paul Sportelli and choreography by Genny Sermonia.

Kate Hennig is Momma Rose, the ultimate stage mother with an unrelenting hunger for success and stardom. Vicariously chasing fame through her daughters June (Madelyn Kriese) and Louise (Julie Lumsden), she is determined to make it in show business no matter what the cost. Loosely based on the 1957 memoir of the world’s most famous strip-tease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy features legendary songs of musical theatre, including “Let Me Entertain You”, “Rose’s Turn”, “Together, Wherever We Go” and the show-stopping “Everything’s Coming up Roses”.

This production of Gypsy also features the talents of Ariana Abudaqa, Matt Alfano, Andi Biancaniello, Jenni Burke, Jason Cadieux, Deborah Castrilli, Krystle Chance, Wren Evans, Kristi Frank, Élodie Gillett, Kyle Golemba, Damian Gradson, Joey Humphries, Nathanael Judah, Graeme Kitagawa, Allan Louis, Amanda Lundgren, Caitlyn MacInnis, Tama Martin, Allison McCaughey, Kevin McLachlan, Mike Nadajewski, Hannah Otta, Sofia Otta, Drew Plummer, Shakeil Rollock, Sebastian Samuel and Jacqueline Thair.

Set and costume designs by Cory Sincennes, lighting design by Kevin Fraser and sound design by John Lott create a lush love letter to the theatre during vaudeville’s final curtain call. Gypsy’s production team includes Stage Manager Dora Tomassi and Assistant Stage Managers Leigh McClymont and Théa Pel.

On stage at the Festival Theatre (10 Queens Parade) from May 10 to October 7 , Gypsy is recommended for audience members ages 12+/Grade 7+ and is sponsored by Mary E. Hill. Running time is approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes, including one intermission.

About: Gypsy – A Musical Fable

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 and Leland Hayward

Entire production originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins

Generously sponsored by The Slaight Family Foundation, the Shaw Festival’s 2023 season runs through to December 23, with a playbill featuring Mahabharata, Gypsy, Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, The Amen Corner, Prince Caspian, On the Razzle, Village Wooing, The Shadow of a Doubt, The Playboy of the Western World, The Apple Cart, The Clearing, A Christmas Carol and Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon. This season’s Outdoors @ The Shaw includes Mother, Daughter, The Game of Love and Chance, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing – One Act – in Concert, Coffee Concerts, Speakeasies, A Short History of Niagara, What’s in Your Songbook? and Gospel Choir.

Direct bus service from downtown Toronto and Burlington to Niagara-on-the-Lake is available on the Toronto-Niagara Shaw Express. Luxury buses are standard size wheelchair accessible, offer free Wi-Fi and have an on-board host. $29 return per person. Ticket to a 2023 performance is required. Please pre-arrange with the Box Office. Schedule is subject to change. Please confirm dates and times with the Shaw Festival Box Office. Visit www.shawfest.com.

Photo: Kate Hennig as Mamma Rose. © 2023 Shaw Festival.