Music Theater Works Presents GYPSY Review – Traditional Musical Delights

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Mary Robin Roth as Rose

Anyone wondering where to find remnants of the golden age of musicals will be thrilled to learn of this production of GYPSY presented by Music Theater Works. The beautiful proscenium theatre in the Cahn Auditorium is a perfect venue for this true-to-form musical. The audience is able to sit back and let the lavishness wash over them from start to finish.

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Mary Robin Roth and Lexis Danca

Stage Mother Horror

If you’re unfamiliar, the plot is quite simple. Rose has a dream to make her daughters famous on the Vaudeville circuit. She creates acts around her daughter June, which also include her daughter Louise to a far lesser extent. Though the girls’ own feelings seem to not even register as a small priority to Rose, she will stop at nothing to achieve this dream. It is quite clear from the start that Rose, in fact, is the epitome of reaching for one’s own dreams through their children.

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Lexis Danca and Clayton Cross

Music Theater Works Emphasizes the Music

The score written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim is brought to full life by an orchestra led by Roger L. Bingaman. The beauty of the overture is like a wave of pleasure that fills the entire room. This is the way to experience the music from one of the most famous examples of classic Broadway. If you’re a fan of the score already, the first few bars of “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” will give you chills. Frankly, it may do that even if you are new to the show despite not knowing what’s to come.

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Rosie Jo Neddy and ensemble

Mary Robin Roth does a fine job with her portrayal of the monstrous yet entertaining Rose. The stage mother persona is exemplified by her brash acting choices and somehow keeps the audience endeared to her. The finales of each act are given a hearty exclamation point by Roth’s bold renditions of Rose’s signature songs.

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Mary Robin Roth

The real stand-out in this cast, however, is Lexis Danca as Louise, the supposed “less talented and less appealing” daugher. Her singing voice is tragically underused but is stunning when we get the chance to hear it. Danca embodies the vulnerability of Louise with subtlety and grace. She never loses sight of the strength Louise has needed to survive her childhood.

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Lexis Danca

A scene-stealing performance is given by three wonderfully comedic actresses as sassy burlesque dancers explaining how one “gets ahead” in that business. Alexis Armstrong, Emily Barnash and Anna Dvorchak each give a hilarious performance.

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Emily Barnash, Alexis Armstrong and Anna Dvorchak

This show is for lovers of traditional musicals. It is performed well and the score is given all the respect it deserves.

Photos by Brett Beiner

Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read — Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.

RECOMMENDED

Top Pick For: Golden Age of Musicals Lovers
Not recommended for: Musical Haters

Note: an excerpt of this review appears in Theater in Chicago.

 

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Lexis Danca, Mary Robin Roth and Russell Alan Rowe

When:

August 19 - August 27

Saturday, August 19 at 8pm
Sunday, August 20 at 2pm
Wednesday, August 23 at 2pm
Thursday, August 24 at 2pm
Friday, August 25 at 8pm
Saturday, August 26 at 8pm
Sunday, August 27 at 2pm

 

Where:

Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson Street, Evanston

Tickets:

Start at $34. Ages 25 and younger half price

Online at www.musictheaterworks.com
By phone at 847-920-5360

 

Music Theater Works - GYPSY
Sophie Kaegi and ensemble
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