Gypsy Cast & Crew Announced
CLT is proud to announce the cast of their next production, Gypsy, taking the stage this April. Written in 1959 by Arthur Laurents and music by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy tells the story of famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee. The story is told from the perspective of Gypsy’s mother, Mama Rose, who is a hard pushing show business mom. Rose is determined to make a star of her talented daughter, June. But when June finally has had enough of her mother’s constant pushing and decides to leave, Rose switches her focus to her other daughter Louise. Louise is then brought to a burlesque house and “learns the business.” She is launched on her career of success – but what happens to Rose in the process?
The pivotal role of Mama Rose will be undertaken by Jennine Cannizzo of Portland. Audiences will remember Jennine as the Matron “Mama” Morton in CLT’s recent production of Chicago. Her bombastic voice is a necessity in the role of Rose; a role which has been called the female King Lear, with singing! Ethel Merman once made her reputation in this role, featuring both songs “Everything’s Coming up Roses” and “Rose’s Turn.” In the role of Louise is Joanna Clarke, also of Portland, who goes from being a wallflower to arguably the best known stripper in history. June, Louise’s “more talented” sister, will be played by Mackenzie Richard. Both Louise and June also have younger incarnations within the show, being played by Maria Groover and Zoe Dinnerstein, respectively. CLT favorite Michael Litchfield will portray Herbie, Rose’s hapless love interest and the much put upon manager for the girls.
There are a number of wonderful cameo roles in this production. In the show stopping “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” three strippers (Mazeppa, Electra, and Tessie Tura) educate Louise in “the business.” Mazeppa, the horn player, will be portrayed by Nicole Chase, Eileen Messina will “light up the stage” as Electra and Renee Mahon Davis will dance “the ballerina” Tessie Tura. “All I Need Now Is the Girl” is another show stopping number, which will be undertaken by Chris Hodgkin in the role of Tulsa.
The rest of the cast includes Graci Gillen, Molly Gouette as News Boys; Zach Gagne, Mason Lagasse and Maxwell Draper as Farm Boys; Louise Groover, Ansley Watson, and McKayla Prophett as Toreadorables and Sophie Messina as Agnes; and Jim McKinley, Roger Philippon, Mitch Thomas, Phil Vampatella, Dan Crawford, Scotty Venable, and Ernie Gagne in character roles throughout the production.
The Director for this production of Gypsy will be Paul G. Caron. Known to CLT fans primarily for his work directing music (just recently for Chicago as well as CLT’s Gypsy in ‘92), Paul “crosses over” every few years to direct. Rebecca Caron, an established CLT Music Director (and Paul’s niece) will be serving as the Music Director. Adam Blais will be responsible for the choreography, bringing the “bump and grind” front and center! Brandon Chaloux will serve as assistant director to the production Completing the Directorial team is Kay Warren serving as Producer. Kay also serves as CLT’s Executive Producer.
It takes an array of people to stage a production of this size. The Stage Manager for Gypsy will be Jackie McDonald. Stephen Brakey will serve as Assistant Stage Manager. Jackie and Stephen will be assembling a team to ensure that set changes happen quickly and fluidly, keeping the audience very much in the moment as the show progresses from location to location. Karen Mayo, CLT’s Executive Director, will be undertaking the task of costuming the cast – which means finding period costumes ranging from suits to stripper outfits. Karen, too, will have a team to assist her in finding, adapting or making over 100 costumes. Sound and lights will be designed by CLT’s popular technical team, Tom Anderson and Richard Martin, respectively.
Producer Kay Warren will be wearing an extra hat – that of undertaking finding and organizing props. She will be assisted in this task by Sue Caron. Local architect and CLT Board Member Bill Hamilton will be designing the many and unique sets, ranging from interior apartments to burlesque theaters. These sets will in turn be decorated by Jessica Henson. Completing the crew, CLT Artistic Director John Blanchette will manage the print publicity and CLT Marketing & PR Chair Danielle Eaton will manage the digital media.
Gypsy will run March 31, April 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Show times are 7:30pm with matinees at 2pm.
Order Tickets HERE or call the Box Office at 207-783-0958.
CLT is a local, volunteer driven, non-profit organization.
