Anna Hentz to Lead GYPSY at Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre, Begin. 8/30

One of musical theatre's most distinguished achievements, Gypsy, begins a three week run at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre on Friday, August 30. Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm and continue through Sunday, September 15.

With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, Gypsy is the quintessential theatrical story of a manipulative stage mother who channels her own frustrated dreams of stardom into her daughter, Baby June. It's the dying days of vaudeville and Mama Rose battles stage directors, theatre owners and hotel managers in her efforts to push her daughters toward stardom. Baby June is ultimately the less talented of Rose's daughters and it is the shy Louise who eventually becomes the famous burlesque stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee, causing Mama Rose to suffer a nervous breakdown. The legendary musical score boasts such classics as "Let Me Entertain You", "Together" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses".

The Open Air Theatre production of Gypsy features actress Anna Hentz in the role of Rose. Audiences of the outdoor venue have seen Anna in numerous roles over the past four seasons. She has played Auntie Em and Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man, Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray and Mama Morton in last season's hit, Chicago. Jamie Geddes, who was seen as Velma Kelly in Chicago, portrays June in Gypsy. Jamie was seen earlier this season in Young Frankenstein as Inga. In the role of Louise is Lauren Brader. Lauren's past roles on the Open Air Theatre stage include Grace Farrell in Annieand Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes.

The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre production of Gypsy will be performed on Friday, August 30, Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 at 7:30 pm. The musical continues for 2 more weekends through September 15. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children (ages 12 and under). Group discounts are available to groups of 12 persons or more. Tickets can always be purchased at the Open Air Theatre Box Office prior to the performance.

For complete information about the 2013 Summer Season of mainstage shows and children's theatre productions, directions and more, visit the website atwww.downtownpac.com. The Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre is located inside Washington Crossing State Park at 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road in Titusville, New Jersey. Box Office phone is (267) 885-9857.

To post a comment, you must register and login.