Legacy of Mama Rose in “Gypsy, A Musical Fable” comes to MLT

Marblehead, Mass. – Even a quick skim of the celebrities who have played Mama Rose in “Gypsy, A Musical Fable” – on stage, in the movies and on TV – attests to the significance of this coveted role: stars like Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, Linda Lavin, Bette Midler, Patti Lupone, Betty Buckley, Rosaland Russell, Imelda Staunton, and also Liza Minnelli who wanted the role but was never asked.

Marblehead Little Theatre’s upcoming production stars Becky Ruccio as the driven stage-mother. “Rose is a supremely flawed character and a real tour-de force,” Ruccio said. “I’m working on bringing out her likability and charm so the audience will root for her while they watch her ruin every relationship in her life.”

Although, Ruccio says, the character is written to be overbearing, brash and selfish, she is playing Mama Rose with humor and appeal. “I am drawn to the fact that although Rose fails at everything, she persists.”

Ruccio is also enjoying digging into “Gypsy”’s classic score filled with iconic musical numbers. “We’re still early in the rehearsal process, so I am discovering new nuggets every day! I’m a sucker for big song-and-dance numbers, so it’s fun for me to watch ‘Dainty June and her Farmboys’ take vaudeville by storm.”

Ruccio anticipates “the hilarious stripper number, 'Gotta Get a Gimmick', is going to bring down the house!”

She adds, “I also love the juxtaposition that Rose and Louise’s relationship takes at the end. Louise becomes independent, while Rose is left vulnerable. I’m looking forward to exploring their relationship more, since it’s really the heart of the piece.”

Actor, singer, storyteller and activist Judith Black played Mama Rose in MLT’s 1991-92 season. ‘It’s a killer role…lost my voice almost every show. It’s really hard to angst and sing at the same time!” Black said.“It’s a show I saw five times when studying in London, when Angela Lansbury had the role. The power of the character, her will, upon which many lives rode, was always a fascination.”

Black explained, “There are two primary moments of profound emotional shift for Rose. The first is when June leaves to pursue her own life and career, and you see, within one song, a woman shattered, a woman creating a new dream, a woman recruiting to fulfill that dream. Then at the end, the scene in Louise’s dressing room, is when she is shattered yet again, but in the culmination, comes to grips with her daughter’s rejection and chooses in the last minute on stage, to stop fighting, and instead gently step aside and acknowledge the odd star she had created.”

Sometimes a role stays with you through time. “Most of my adult life,” Black says, “I’d open the fridge and perform 10 minutes of Rose for the carrots. The carrots always applauded.”

Come see Becky Ruccio and the entire cast and what makes Mama Rose and “Gypsy, A Musical Fable” such memorable American musical experiences. Tickets can be purchased online at mltlive.org. General admission tickets for all shows are $28 each with a special student rate of $20 for matinees. Show dates and times are also posted at mltlive.org.

Marblehead Little Theatre, located at 12 School Street in Marblehead, was founded in 1955 and is one of the oldest community theatre groups in New England. To read more about upcoming shows and events, the history of MLT, view a chronological list of productions, examine over 100 past show posters, and learn about the transformation of the old central fire station into the current MLT Theatre, visit mltlive.org. For more information, write to info@mltlive.org.