There are no lengths that some mothers won't go to for their children.
In Scarborough Music Theatre's debut show for this season, Gypsy, mama Rose gives "stage mom" a new standard during her relentless quest to make her children stars.
Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy is written by Arthur Laurents with music and lyrics by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. This show takes the audience into the world of vaudeville theatre and captures the excitement of show biz.
More importantly, it shows the hunger that goes with it and how it can wear on relationships, especially the fragile one between mother and daughter.
Rose (Heidi Michelle Thomas) is a single mom with big dreams of making her daughter Baby June (Emma Burke-Kleinman) into a vaudeville star. Her other daughter, Baby Louise (Candice Barkin), is "plain and untalented" and a mere supporting act.
From the first audition scene where the children sing Let Me Entertain You, we see Rose's determination. She will stop at nothing to get her daughters a gig. This leads them to Los Angeles and consequently, travelling all across the country.
Once in L.A., Rose finds help after meeting Herbie (James R. Woods), a former agent who decides to become one again in the hopes of winning Rose's heart.
All is seemingly well except for two things: vaudeville is on its way out and being replaced by burlesque, and the now older Dainty June (Amanda Franklin), leaves unexpectedly because she thinks her mother's acts are horrendous.
Rose is guided by visions in her dreams, and after we see one of them (Dainty June and Her Farmboys' complete with a cow), it seems June is correct.
But Rose is no quitter and decides to now focus her attention on the now older Louise (Natasha Negovanlis) and make her a star.
After a gig lands them in a burlesque hall, Louise soon sheds her skin and finds her talent, becoming the new star of burlesque as Gypsy Rose Lee. Now that she is a star, the tables turn and Rose is now at the mercy of a daughter who she always treated second best.
This show is full of moving performances, entertaining scenes and signature musical numbers such as Let Me Entertain You and Together. The children in this show did an excellent job singing and dancing, as did the other supporting cast.
The burlesque girls, Electra, Tessie and Mazeppa (Judy Gibson, Jill McMillan, Lisa Kapp) gave the show some much needed spice and wowed the audience in their fishnets and bustiers with their number Gotta Get a Gimmick.
This show opens big and ends the same way due to the amazing numbers Some People and Rose's Turn sung by Thomas. This lady has a huge voice that oozes emotion, strength and conviction. She owned the room during those songs and was a pleasure to watch.
Seeing Negovanlis's transformation from the shy, untalented Louise to the sultry Gypsy Rose Lee was amazing. Her talent was obvious as she played both roles with ease and believability. And Woods's portrayal of Herbie was sensitive yet strong while putting up with Rose and her obsession with stardom.
This musical boasts an extremely talented cast and because the story has a variety of themes, it's sure to please theatre-goers of all ages.
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The remaining performances of Gypsy are Nov, 7 and 8, 13 and 14, at 8 p.m. and matinees on Nov. 9 and 15 at 2 p.m., Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. Tickets are $24 and $20 for students and seniors on Thursdays and Sundays only. For tickets, call 416-396-4049.