>RiverTowne Players Present "GYPSY: A Musical Fable"

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Abigail Leffler as Gypsy, Paige Ackiss as Herbie, Krissy Boccia as Mama Rose (Photo by: Montine Mayo)

Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Directed by: Derek Jordan
Musical Director: Anne Marie Skogsbakken
Choreographer: Amanda Stortz Pumphrey
Producer: Linda Roach

GYPSY is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, and focuses on her mother, Rose, the quintessential stage mother. It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform on stage. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee’s sister, the actress June Havoc. Mama Rose is an aggressive and domineering mother who pushes her children to perform. June is the more extroverted and talented child star while the older girl, Louise is shy. The audience is taken from the 1920’s Vaudeville circuit to Louise’s stardom as Gypsy Rose Lee in Burlesque.

GYPSY has been referred to as the greatest American musical by numerous critics and writers. From the overture to the end, the audience will be thoroughly entertained with show-stopping numbers that include “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Some People,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Small World,” “You Gotta Get a Gimmick,” and so many more.

Curtain up! Light the lights and fasten your seat belts. Here she is New Bern! Here’s Rose! The show will open July 21 at the Masonic Theatre, 514 Hancock Street, New Bern. Show dates and times are: July 21 (sold out), 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 8 p.m. and July 24 and 31 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $18.00 at the door and can be purchased at the Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle Street, New Bern.

For additional information, call the Bank of the Arts at 252 638-2577 or RiverTowne Players at 252 634-7877. Information is also available by visiting RiverTowne’s website at www.RiverTowneRepertoryPlayers.net. — Where Theatre and Community Come Together.

Submitted by: Linda Roach, Vice-President, RiverTowne Players