By Michael Buzzelli
The ultimate stage mother, Rose (Becki Toth), pressures her two daughters into show business, even though she wants to be the star in “Gypsy: A Musical Fable.”
Note: The term “gypsy” is a derogatory slur against the Romani people. The Romani (Romany ) colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group who traditionally led a nomadic, itinerant lifestyle. It is used in this review because it is the title of the show and the name of the character.
Rose is desperate to do anything for money (but work for a living). She begs her father, Pop (Patrick Palamara) for cash, and, when he doesn’t give her more, pilers his precious retirement plaque to get the dough.
She takes her daughters, Baby June (Adele Fejes, alternating with Jordan Leheny) and Baby Louise (Meira Molinero, alternating with Antoinette Bauer) on the road. Along the way, she spots some talent and grabs (kidnaps?) some additional kids to add to the act.
Rose and company meets Herbie (Carl Hunt) and the family stays on the road, striving to get to the Orpheum circuit (the biggest slice of the Vaudeville pie). Rose puts Baby June front and center, and relegates Louise to the background.
The kids grow up chasing their dreams. June (Ivy Ferris) and Louise (Laura Barletta) are aging out of their kiddie act.
Louise falls for Tulsa (Nicolas Sperandeo), but sister June runs away with him. Rose tries to make Louise the star, but she doesn’t have seem to have the It Factor her sister did. Its not until the traveling performers end up at rock bottom when they’re booked at a burlesque club that Louise finds her true talent and she becomes an adult entertainer, Gypsy Rose Lee.
While the material is dated, and the story has some old-fashioned elements, director Rob James and his team – music director Steve Baldanzi and choreographer Alex Manalo – get everything right.
Toth is brilliantly cast here, playing to all of her strengths. The part was designed for a belter of the best pedigree and that’s exactly what Toth brings to the role.
The kids are fun. They do a fantastic job. There are some hats that go flying off during their dance numbers, but it only adds cuteness to the chaos (the act isn’t supposed to be perfect).
Sperandeo has a few great moments, even if his time on stage is limited to the role, but he and the other “boys” do a stellar job.
There are some fun bits with the strippers from the burlesque show. Tessie Tura (Jenna Kantor) is a particular standout. Electra (Lisa Cavlovich) puts her gimmickry to work during the song, “You’ve Gotta Get a Gimmick,” and it’s hilarious. Laura Riviere’s costumes make the scene even more enjoyable.
Barletta is the hidden gem. It’s hard to play awkward and untalented and get away with it, especially when she has talent to spare. Her character transforms from mousy nerd to sophisticated strip tease artist over the course of show and she makes it work splendidly.
The music hall inside the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall has undergone a recent renovation. It’s hard to pinpoint if the sound has improved, or if it was the work of the sound designer, Jay Weaver. Let’s give him the credit for this show.
Set designer Keith Osbourne constructed some terrific sets. The stage crew worked tirelessly moving props and stages around on the darkened sets between scenes. The show probably didn’t need as much dressing as it was given, but they were all gorgeously created.
Baldanzi’s band was amazing. They rarely overpowered the singers -credit again to Weaver (and maybe the reno). The mics never blew out during the 11/6 show. In too many past productions at the venue the mics would punish the audience with reverb or the orchestra would drown out the singers, but it did not happen here.
It took a village of people to produce this show and they all did the work marvelously. Community theater gets a bad rap and that’s a shame, especially when it can be this good.
Note: While there is some mention of sexual inuendo and some scantily-clad ladies in the second act, there is enough wholesome charm to consider bringing the entire family.
-MB
“Gypsy” runs until November 15 at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. For tickets and additional information, click here.
