The iconic photo of “Rose Louise and her Hollywood Blondes” recreated by actors from Anderson High School’s GYPSY. Jordan Slemons, Katelyn Peters, Audrey Button, Megan Goodlett, Gretchen Baxte as the Blonde and Natalie Nuzzo as Louise. Photo by Jennifer Alessandrini/Violet Bowe Photography.
Gypsy Rose Lee was one of the most celebrate stage performers of the 1930s and 1940s, and later this month Anderson High School will present the acclaimed Broadway Musical based on her life story: “Gypsy, A Musical Fable.” Performances are April 29 and 30 at 7 pm and May 1 at 2:00 pm, and ticket information can be found at AndersonTheatre.com.
“Audiences can look forward to a lot of great songs, some really cool tap dance, and some amazing singing,” says Senior Isaac Delev, who is one of the show’s Assistant Stage Managers.
Audrey Platt, the show’s Co-Director, agrees. “What is remarkable, though, is that this is a true life story,” she says. “It gives an amazing snapshot of 1920s theatre, and also reveals the very personal story of Louise, the girl who became Gypsy Rose Lee, and her family. The relationship between Mother and daughters is powerful and truly authentic.”
“Louise is such an incredible character,” says Freshman Alexis Zoglio, who plays Baby Louise at the beginning of the show. “We get to watch her grow as a performer and as a person, and understand what leads her to make her huge transformation at the end of the show.”
The head of the family, and the most powerful character in the musical, is Mama Rose, who struggles to win fame for her two daughters, Louise and June, during the final days of vaudeville. Mama Rose has been called the world’s worst stage mom, but Ms. Platt believes she really is a sympathetic character.
“Rose embodies the strength of American optimism and the drive for success that is the quintessential American Dream,” says Ms. Platt. “She never gives up, she believes she can do anything…her tragic flaw is simply that she cannot really focus beyond her own self-interest.”
“Gypsy” explores the life of a historical show-business family, and the cast features a modern one as well. “The fact that six children from the same extended family get to perform together in one show is exciting,” says Jenny Goodlett, whose three children, two nephews, and niece play some of the young children who perform with Louise and June during the show. “Being in the ‘business’ pretty much all my life, I can tell you there are stage moms like Mama Rose,” she says, “But to us it is not about the fame, it is about the experience and the process and the joy it brings to the kids to share their hard work and talent.”
“The thing that makes ‘Gyspy’ special is the light that is shined on imperfection,” says Junior Kristin Amrine, who plays Miss Cratchitt. “Our leading woman in this show, Rose, is far from successful. We see her pain, her dreams, and her attempts at reaching greatness. It is even more miraculous that this is a real story.”
Senior Sally Modzelewski plays Rose, and could not be more thrilled to be a part of this production. “This is absolutely my favorite show ever,” she says. “Rose is one of the most complex roles in all musical theatre history, and the story of ‘Gypsy’ is a story of real people, who experience very real happiness and heartbreak. Everyone in the audience will be able to relate to something, whether it be Rose’s persistence, June’s need for freedom, Louise’s innocence, or Herbie’s love. Filled with comedy, drama, love, and loss, ‘Gypsy’ is a show you won’t want to miss!”
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 