By Richard Schultz, August 2015 Issue.
Scottsdale Musical Theater Company
Here’s the ultimate story about an aggressive stage mother. Mama Rose is determined that her younger daughter, June, will have a successful career, but after June elopes, Mama turns all her attention on her older, less talented daughter, Louise, who eventually becomes a burlesque stripper named Gypsy Rose Lee.
Based on the 1957 memoirs of the legendary Gypsy Rose Lee, this iconic musical is set in the 1920s, a time when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born. Jule Styne’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics result in a spectacular score of Broadway classics, including “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” It’s a gripping story of one of the most frightening aspects of show business.
“We had been getting a lot of inquiries from around the theater community here on when we were going to do a kids show. Gypsy is the perfect answer,” said David Hock, Scottsdale Musical Theater Company Executive Producer and the show’s director and choreographer. “It is a family show with kids roles. We’re looking at the show through the eyes of Herbie, the agent who adores the kids and stands by Mama Rose, almost until the bitter end. Kids will enjoy the fun, adults will appreciate the more mature take on the story.”
Valley theater veteran Debra Qualtire (pictured) will headline the production as Mama Rose, and the title role of Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee will be played by Sarah Cassidy. Rounding out the cast are Zoni Award winner Terry Gadaire as Herbie, Alex Crossland as Tulsa and Madison Ottinger as June.
Gypsy
Aug. 20-23
Scottsdale Musical Theater Company
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
Tickets: $32 - $42 | 602-909-4215
scottsdalemusicaltheater.com
Theatrikos Theatre Company
There’s naked men afoot in Flagstaff. (Though this might not be news to some.) In this Americanized musical stage version, adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives’ enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. One of them, Jerry, declares that their show will be better than the Chippendales dancers because they’ll go “the full monty” — strip all the way. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.
Director Jan Rominger believes the characters get an opportunity to explore and challenge their beliefs, biases, misconceptions and values.
“There are multiple themes that resonate universally in this story such as self-acceptance including physical, emotional and gender roles, as well as a quest to find one’s life purpose,” Rominger said.
Her personal favorite song, she adds, is “You Walk with Me,” which is a ballad in the second act.
“Not only is this song so well written, it is also the pivotal and most poignant moment for the character who sings this song,” she said. “It’s the moment he publicly reveals his sexuality and self-acceptance.”
Rominger recounts an unexpected outcome in the shows auditions.
“I was pleasantly surprised at how many of our male auditionees were willing to go The Full Monty,” she said.
The Full Monty
July 24-Aug. 9
Theatrikos Theatre Company
11 W. Cherry Ave., Flagstaff
Tickets: $14-$19 | 928-774-1662
theatrikos.com
Herberger Lunchtime Theater
The Pandanda Players, who previously created M is for Marriage and Q is for Queen, bring C is for Clown, their newest alphabet Shakespeare play.
Audiences will discover the difference between a clown and a fool, and enjoy highlights from some of Shakespeare’s funniest characters. This delightful romp is filled with good old-fashioned laughs, witty banter, and maybe a pratfall or two
According to director Amanda Noel Trombley, the greatest challenge has been directing and acting at the same time.“My husband, Dan Trombley, and I write, direct and act in the show,” she said. “During rehearsals, it is just the two of us! Sometimes it is hard to take a step back and remember which hat I’m wearing at the moment.”
For these talented performers, Pandanda Players is their way of sharing a love of Shakespeare with audiences.
“We want to show them that there is no reason to be intimidated by the bard’s language,” she said. “We write the shows based on caricatures that are basically exaggerations of our own personalities.”
The creators combine scenes from well-known and often staged plays with lesser known scenes and speeches.
“We are doing a scene from Comedy of Errors where one of the characters essentially makes his body into a map to illustrate some of the verbal jokes,” she said.
And, true to Shakespearean form, audiences can expect cross gender casting – something the co-directors feel strongly about.
“Throughout the show, I play several male characters and we also include scenes from shows where women cross dress,” she said.
C is for Clown
July 28-Aug. 6
Herberger Lunch Time Theater
The Kax Stage
222 E. Monroe, Phoenix
Tickets: $6 | 602-258-9481
herbergertheater.org/lunch-time-theater
