By Merle Exit
Rockaway Theatre Co. may be a bit out of the way with a bridge toll along the route, but it is well worth the schlep for its current production of “Gypsy.”
Loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous striptease artist, “Gypsy” the musical — written by Stephen Sondheim, Jule Styne and Arthur Laurents — focuses on Lee’s rise to stardom and her turbulent relationship with her mother, Rose, the ultimate stage mother.
The plot follows Rose, played to perfection by Luisa Boyaggi, as she attempts to get her two daughters, June and Louise, on stage — any stage. But the show also details the hardships of life in show business.
Act I opens on a vaudeville theater stage in Seattle where a group of children, including Baby June (Amanda Summa) and Baby Louise (Abigail Summa), are auditioning for a spot in a new revue. As they sing “Let Me Entertain You,” it is obvious that June is the star. In fact, 6-year-old Amanda performs as if she were on a Broadway stage.
Enter Mama Rose, who quickly takes over the cattle call and begins to make demands of everyone involved.
Backstage at another vaudeville house, this time in Los Angeles, Rose meets former showbiz manager Herbie (David Risley) and the two sing “Small World,” describing all they have in common. Herbie soon takes over managing the young sisters’ act and becomes Rose’s latest beau after her three failed marriages.
Baby June soon becomes Dainty June, performed by Leigh Dillon, and Baby Louise grows up to be Louise, played by Kim Simek.
June will go off and marry while mama will now focus her attention on turning Louise into a star. That happens when Rose’s group arrives at a down-on-its-luck theater where the headliner stripper was a no-show.
Rose is so desperate for any chance at stardom — even if it is vicariously through her daughter — she pushes an uncomfortable Louise to head out on the stage.
However, it is not too long before Louise finds her niche and finds stripping leads to fame.
Rockaway Theatre Co. has found its own niche in the community theater world.
While many borough groups settle for a three-piece musical ensemble, here 11 musicians give the score a full orchestra sound.
There was a high standard of professionalism attached to the production as the performance was quite outstanding. Susan Warren Corning’s direction left no stone unturned as everyone was on cue and set changes timed well. Having those microphone headsets certainly helps in the way of projecting.
I’m not sure how talented the dancers are usually. In this case, the choreography was excellent, thanks to Catherine Leib, with the actors certainly doing a great job with splits, high kicks and tap.
As with any play there is one particular actor needing to be pointed out: Boyaggi, who certainly belongs on the stage. She proved to be a perfect Rose, in both her singing and acting abilities, with even a little bit of the Ethel Merman sound.
Pointing out actors from the cast list would be unnecessary as there was not any actor who did not put out 100 percent or seemed unbelievable including a few who did not even have lines. Don’t miss this one!
“Gypsy” continues through Aug. 3. For tickets call 718-374-6400.
