Gypsy Rose Lee News

Beginning July 18, everything's coming up roses as the Playhouse brings one of the greatest American musicals of all time to life…Gypsy! From the unforgettable first notes of its legendary overture to the final white hot spotlight, Gypsy is considered by many to be 'the best musical ever,' as it tells the story of the archetypal stage mother, Rose and her daughters June and Louise. Set during the 1920s fading vaudeville circuit, Gypsy portrays the rise of famed burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee and casts an affectionate eye on show business as she journeys across the country with her mother and sister during a time when Vaudeville was dying… and burlesque was born. Bold, brassy, yet remarkably charming, Rose puts today's Dance Moms to shame as she steamrolls everyone in her way to turn her daughters into child stars. When the younger, more talented daughter defects, Rose sinks all her hopes (and claws) into the elder.

Christopher Quigley and leads Jenna Mae Reck and Chris Ausherman brought the story of America's most notorious stage mother and her strong-willed daughter to life on the YLT stage

If anyone was destined for a career in the arts, it was Leslie Uggams. With a father who was a singer and a mother who was a dancer, it was appropriate that Leslie would be a professional by the age of six. She attended school with the composer, Marvin Hamlish and the son of Gypsy Rose Lee and Otto Preminger, Erik Lee Preminger. Ms. Uggams has worked with everyone from Ethel Waters to Kermit the frog. Yet, it is her latest venture that proves there are still many barriers to break for African Americans in the industry.

In April 2014, Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams would be starring as Rose in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) production of GYPSY: A Musical Fable July 10-20. This announcement quickly spread through social media circles and the theatre community and set off a firestorm of discussion on message boards and Twitter about casting an African American actress in this iconic role.

This week, THEATER TALK welcomes authors with two unique takes on American culture - James Shapiro, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, whose new book is Shakespeare in America, an anthology of writing about the Bard's impact on U.S. history; and Carolyn Quinn, author of Mama Rose's Turn: The True Story of America's Most Notorious Stage Mother, whose book illuminates the life of the character central to one of America's greatest musicals, Gypsy.

York Little Theatre will present GYPSY June 20-22 and 26-29 in the Studio. GYPSY takes place during the colorful life of the theatre in the 1920's. The musical tells the backstage tale of vaudeville entertainer turned burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and her overbearing mother, Rose. Rose battles directors, theatre owners and hotel managers in her efforts to push her two daughters toward stardom during the dying days of vaudeville.

In April 2014, Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal announced that Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams would be starring as Rose in Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) production of GYPSY: A Musical Fable July 10-20. This announcement quickly spread through social media circles and the theatre community and set off a firestorm of discussion on message boards and Twitter about casting an African American actress in this iconic role.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre's (CRT) 2014 Nutmeg Summer Series kicks off today. The three show season celebrates life backstage and behind the curtain. Two award winning musicals; A Chorus Line and Gypsy are matched with Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys, a comedy starring Jerry Adler (The Good Wife) and Richard Kline (Three's Company). The Nutmeg Summer Series runs today, June 5 through July 20, 2014 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the University of Connecticut-Storrs campus. Subscriptions to all three productions are now on sale. Single tickets will go on sale April 15, 2014.

A Small Fire opens tonight, May 30 for a limited run at New City Theatre, located at 1404 18th Avenue in Seattle, with a preview performance on May 29. Tickets are $25, $15 for students, and pay-what-you-can performances on May 29, June 9, and June 16. Due to the small, intimate performance venue, seating for A Small Fire is extremely limited.

Tony Winner Laura Benanti has signed with top talent agency CAA.

On Sunday, June 8, the same day as the nationally televised Tony Awards Ceremony, Civic Theatre of Allentown will present its 4th annual Tonys & Tapas Benefit to raise money for the theatre. Guests will enjoy vocal performances from recent productions, as well as appetizer samplings from some of the Valley's finest restaurants and caterers. There will also be a silent auction, open wine bar, and signature cocktails. The festivities will be held on Sunday, June 9, at 4 - 6:30 PM at Civic's Nineteenth Street Theatre.

The collaboration of Jules Stein and Stephen Sondheim on GYPSY provided the late Ethel Merman with a career boost into immortality. What isn't familiar about this material? Everyone knows the general outline of the play itself - 'Mama' Rose is 'Mommie Dearest' without the wire hangers; at the beginning of the play, she practically declares war on a quiet home life and, taking with her daughters June (the precocious and 'pretty' one) and Louise (the shy and recessive one), she practically declares war on domesticity and seeks to channel her dreams through their success.

Laura brings her highly acclaimed show In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention to the Orlando Cabaret Festival May 9 & 10.

Laura Benanti performs with The Skivvies (Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley) as 'Sexy Fosca' from Sondheim's 'Passion.' The mashup includes Sondheim's 'I Read', 'Loving You', 'No One Has Ever Loved Me', Beyonce's 'Pretty Hurts', Christina Aguilera's 'Beautiful', and James Blunt's 'Beautiful.'

Celebrating the release of her brand new CD, Live at 54 Below, Tony Award winner Laura Benanti, bares all in an evening filled with amusing stories, mesmerizing melodies and a dab of self-deprecating humor. This kooky and sexy Broadway and TV star will feature an eclectic range of music from the Great American Songbook to popular songs of today.

Bloomington Civic Theatre is proud to present Gypsy at the Schneider Theatre, starring Dora Dolphin as Baby June. Gypsy is directed by Zach Curtis, choreographed by Shannon Roberg, and musically directed by Anita Ruth. The show will run today, April 25-May 25, 2014.

Bloomington Civic Theatre is proud to present Gypsy at the Schneider Theatre, starring Dora Dolphin as Baby June. Gypsy is directed by Zach Curtis, choreographed by Shannon Roberg, and musically directed by Anita Ruth. The show will run April 25-May 25, 2014.

Benanti spoke exclusively to BWW about her guest starring role, her recent experience on NBC's live presentation of The Sound of Music and the possibilty that she will soon return to her 'true love,' the Broadway stage!