US Marine Surprises Sister at Phoenix Productions GYPSY Curtain Call

On Friday, September 23, 2016, Keri Pentek, a U.S. Marine who has been away in 29 Palms for months, flew across the country to surprise her sister, Kate, for her performance as Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee), at curtain call of Phoenix Productions' GYPSY at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ.

The two sisters were inseperable until Keri's decision to become a US Marine and support her country, but that didn't stop Keri from supporting her sister as she took on an iconic role in the history of Musical Theatre and burlesque. " I went onstage for my bow and saw my sister Keri Pentek in her dress blues holding a bouquet of sunflowers in one hand, and her white cover in the other," says Kate. " Not only was her bun on point, but she also looked so beautiful and grown up. I was immediately both shocked and brought to tears and any of the problems that had been ailing me all day faded in an instant. No one has ever done anything so incredible for me, and I have never been happier than I was the moment I ran off the stage to hug her. She truly is my best friend and I love her more than words will ever be able to explain. I am so very lucky and honored to be able to call her my sister. This moment with her is a moment I will treasure for the rest of my life".

Indeed, the cast fills the stage with joyous tears as the bows are finished and Kate leaps into the audience and into her sister's arms. Watch the emotional reunion here!