WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Allan Gruet. May 27, 2007: The schmaltzy, blockbuster musical Gypsy, one of the greatest all-time book shows ever produced on the Broadway Stage, opens this week at Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford for a summer run. David Merrick and Leland Howard presented the original production, starring the one and only Ethel Merman as Mama Rose, along with Jack Klugman as Herbie, and Sandra Church as Louise.

WBT is very proud to star KAREN MASON as MAMA ROSE in our production of GYPSY. Karen has starred on Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and recording.  When it comes to singing she has few peers with her amazing voice that knows no bounds. She is a nine-time MAC Award winner and has won the MAC Award for Major Female Vocalist of the Year for six consecutive years. She also won the 2006 Nightlife Award for Major Female Vocalist and three Bistro Awards. Ms Mason originated the role of Tanya on Broadway in Abba’s Mamma Mia!, and was awarded a 2002 Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress.

 The Musical opened on Broadway in May of 1959, immediately becoming an over-whelming smash hit. It ran 702 performances, closing in late March of 1961. Although it was selling out and could have continued its run, Ms. Merman was beginning to tire, and the producers decided to make available what zest she still had for her role to audiences in other cities. Merman, along with most of the original company, toured with the production for eight months.

Later, a second company toured additional cities for another seven months. In 1962 Gypsy was released as major film starring Rosalind Russell, Karl Malden and Natalie Wood. There have been three major stage revivals over the years starring Angela Lansbury (1974), Tyne Daly (1989), and Bernadette Peters (2003). Television produced there own version of Gypsy with Bette Midler(1993), and this summer City Center Encores will present Patti Lupone in the title role, with the librettist, Arthur Laurents at the helm as director.

In addition to the superb book, the show has a wonderful score by the great Jule Styne and the brilliant lyricist, Stephen Sondheim. There isn’t enough paper to sing the praises of these two musical giants, because their contributions to the Broadway musical are so enormous. Every song seems so familiar, many of which have been popularized by famous recording stars. Some of the most familiar songs are “Some People,” “Small World,”  “You’ll never Get Away From Me,” “If Mama Was Married,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Together, Wherever We Go,” and the show’s anthem “Rose’s Turn.” As if this isn’t enough…..add Jerome Robbins, yet another theatre genius, as director/choreographer and there couldn’t be a more perfect mix.

The story takes us on a trip across the length and breadth of our country, visiting the seamy back stages of tank town theatres during the 1920’s when vaudeville was dying out, to the beginnings of  burlesque. Arthur Laurents’ riveting dramatic libretto tells the penetrating story of one of the most frightening aspects of show business: the ultimate stage mother embodied by Mama Rose, who relentlessly drives her two daughters, June and Louise around the vaudeville circuit, keeping their noses to the grindstone until one of them becomes a star.

WBT’S production of GYPSY will star Karen Mason (Mama Rose). Also starring Rick Hilsabeck (Herbie), Kelli Barrett (Louise),  featuring Sarah Peak (June), Inga Ballard (Mazeppa), KatherineKendall (Electra), Ann-Ngaire Martin (Tessie), & Jordan Nichols (Tulsa). Local children, Kayla Vanderbilt (Baby June) and Alexandra Bradsell (Young Louise). They will be double cast (TBA).

The production will be directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, associate director Jonathan Stahl, musical direction by John Daniels.  Set design by George Puello & Steven Loftus, costume design by Gail Baldoni, lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, wig & hair design by Gerard Kelly and sound design by Jonathan Hatton.

 Ms. Mason, the lead, has played Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, which she performed to critical acclaim and ovations on Broadway and Los Angeles for three years; Mazeppa in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Rosalie in Carnival (another Drama Desk nomination); plus featured roles in Torch Song Trilogy and Play Me a country Song.

Karen also won the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performances in And the World Goes ‘Round and starred Off-Broadway in her own show Karen Mason Sings Broadway, Beatles and Brian. Karen has numerous regional theatre credits and she has headlined in major concert halls and supper clubs in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles & San Francisco.

Ms. Mason has shared concert stages with such stars as Luciano Pavarotti, Rosemary Clooney, Liza Minelli, Michael Feinstein, Jerry Herman, John Kander & Fred Ebb among others. She has performed throughout the country with major orchestras, and has many CD recordings.

Opening Night is May 31. For information, go to www.broadwaytheatre.com