“Gypsy” at Ocean State Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            Gypsy” currently at Ocean State Theatre is an energetic, spirited splendid production which features the talents of Artistic Director Aimee Turner as Rose, the ultimate show business mother and Gypsy’s mom. It’s a 1959 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Gypsy is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother." It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee's sister, the actress June Havoc.

            While the musical is showing its age, the acting and singing make it fun anyway.

            Aimee Turner, artistic director of Ocean State is stage mother Rose. Rose is obsessed in making her daughter June a star and later her daughter Louise. She will connive,  cajole, do whatever it takes to convince someone to hire her girls and advance their careers. She is bossy, like a bull in a china shop, determined and relentless. And if she seems to care too much about her goals for her daughters perhaps there is more than just a slight twinge that it is derived her disappointments about her own life and not being able to pursue such dreams. Turner is excellent in the role, a virtual human hurricane as she tramps through offices in search of more for her girls with unbridled energy and ruthless resolve. She is excellent with “Some People” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” as well as “You’ll Never Get Away from Me” her duet with Herbie.

            Christopher Swan is Herbie, the once former agent, now candy salesman, hooked back into being an agent again by the ever manipulative Rose. He is a good hearted man who genuinely cares for Rose and her daughter as well as the young women enticed into the act to trot about the country with them to all sorts of backwater vaudeville houses replete with cornball acts galore. Swan does a fine job in the role, convincing at every turn and shows a warmth that the girl’s mother lacks. He is good in “Have An Eggroll Mr. Goldstone” and “Together Wherever We Go.”

            Kristin Wetherington is the grown Louise, a shy, terrified young woman who struggles to get free of her mother’s over dominating personality and her sister June’s leading the act until she leaves to elope and wash her hands of her show and her domineering mother. She is outstanding in “The Strip” “If Momma Was Married” with her sister June, played by Juliettte Salway.

As far as the younger version of Gypsy and her sister June, Abigail Page as Louise and Victoria Cardi as June are just fine talented and energetic in their roles. They shine in “Let Me Entertain You.’

The rest of the supporting cast is solid and offer fine support to the principals.

            Russell  Garrett directed and choreographed the show with flair and style. Despite the somewhat dated material, particularly in the first act, he keeps it on course and enjoyable. Musical director Justin P. Cowen keeps the singers and the orchestra he conducts on track and agreeable.

            Scenic designer Kimberly V. Powers provides imaginative sets which evoke backstage at a vaudeville theater and elsewhere effectively.

The first act mostly revisits bad vaudeville acts and what often passed for entertainment in those days, being corny and barely bearable. Despite the fact it seems dated, the production keeps being entertaining with the fine performances throughout.

            Gypsy" runs through Aug. 2 at Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd. Warwick. Tickets are $39-$54. Call (401) 921-6800, or visit oceanstatetheatre.org.