Everything’s Coming Up Roses
for Mariposa Arts Theatre’s
production of GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE
“Let me entertain you!” can be heard echoing through the rehearsal space for Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT) for their upcoming production of GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE.
Coming to the Orillia Opera House from November 7th to 17th, MAT is excited to present one of the greatest American musicals of the 20th Century. Written by Arthur Laurents and based on the real memoirs of striptease legend Gypsy Rose Lee, GYPSY tells the story of one fiercely devoted mother’s singular destructive ambition to find fame and fortune for herself and her two daughters as they tour through the vaudeville circuit of the 1920s and the ever-evolving demands and desires of show business. It features a show-stopping combination of unforgettable music and indelible characters which has helped it stay relevant and spellbinding 65 years after its Broadway debut in 1956.
The show highlights the complicated relationship between Rose, played by Finnie Jesson; and her daughters June, played by Alyse Squirrell; and Louise, played by Olivia Everett. Spanning from their early childhood growing up on stage in vaudeville acts, where young June and Louise are played by Charlotte Houldsworth and Charlotte Dionne respectively. Caught up in the fleury of a star-driven Rose is Herbie, a traveling salesman turned agent played by Ted Powers, and the dreamer chorus boy Tulsa, played by Stephen Dobby. The traveling troupe eventually stumble into a burlesque hall meeting the hilarious Tessie, played by Stephanie Anderson; Mazeppa played by Laura Macdonald; and Electra played by Anna Gagliardi, setting in motion a new trajectory to stardom. The ensemble cast features over 20 additional local talents with fun and hilarious side characters.
Seasoned MAT actor, Josh Halbot, steps into the director’s chair for the first time with a life-long passion for the musical. “Gypsy is one of the first musicals I remember seeing,” says Halbot, “It’s loud and funny and brassy, but also contains these intense moments of pure vulnerability and sadness.”
That iconic score, penned by Julia Styne with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is brought to life by an incredible 20-piece band under the musical direction of Sami Jo Whalen and band leader Robin Watson. With such staples as “Let Me Entertain You”, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and the showstopping “Rose’s Turn”, these performances will barely be contained by the Orillia Opera House’s Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium.
Behind the scenes, there are over 20 more production crew setting the stage. For audiences who saw 2022’s smash hit The Rocky Horror Show, many creatives are back for another round including choreographer Sheri Nicholls, costume designer Erin Hawke, set designer Brian Halbot, properties master Susan Mitchell and more! Their teams continue to grow with more interest from the community looking to be involved and volunteer in every aspect of the production.
For more information and tickets, visit www.mariposaartstheatre.com/gypsy or call the Orillia Opera House Box Office at 705-326-8011. Group rates are available where you can save $5 on each ticket for 10 or more tickets.
GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark, A Concord Theatricals Company (www.tamswitmark.com). Promotional photos by Laura Joy Photography.
