Last Weekend to See 'Gypsy' at Raven

One of Broadway’s most-revived and best-loved musicals, has its last shows of the run at the this weekend.

The Raven’s artistic director,is directing the production, which is a favorite of his.

“Gypsy is simply the best musical book ever written," Gellura said. "Starting with what musicians claim is the brightest of overtures, it explodes with wonderful music that you'll be singing long after
you leave the theater."

While purportedly the bio of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy is "really an exciting tale of the drive of Rose Havok, an ultimate stage mother whose dream it is to push her daughters to stardom, no matter what the toll on her own life, her family, and eventually the daughters themselves," Gellura said. 

"Featuring songs you'll know the minute you hear the first few notes, Gypsy ends with a powerful punch about the cost of stardom,” he added.

Adults planning to bring young kids should be aware that the play reflects the bawdiness of a burlesque show.

Of the 27 actors in this production, only five have performed on the Raven stage before. The long roster of actors is split into three distinct casts that reflect both the timespan of the story and the
evolution of the cast of characters in the play-within-the-play managed by Rose.

“It's really her journey to discovery that provides the drama to the show," Gellura said. "I believe that you’ll have to look very long to find characters in a musical (a medium known for one-dimensional characters) as complex as Rose, Louise ‘Gypsy’, and Herbie (the love interest).”

This production will not only expand the list of actors who have performed on the Raven stage, it will also expand the stage itself.

With 16 different locations reflected in Gypsy, the theater will need
to grow the stage to accommodate the many set pieces. The stage expansion will be a great addition for future acts performing at the Raven as well.

Gypsy’s musical director is Les Pfutzenreuter, who also leads The show’s choreographer is regional favorite Tony Gianchetta.

For show times and tickets,