In Gypsy, Everything Comes Up Roses

Ocean State Theatre Company continues their summer season with the classic Tony Award-winning musical Gypsy. Though this trip through the vaudeville days of yesteryear feels a bit dated, everything comes up mostly roses thanks in large part to strong performances from the show’s lead actors.

Based loosely on the memoirs of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, the musical focuses mainly on her mother, Rose, and her exhaustive efforts to make her two daughters “stars.” Much of the production highlights the hardships of making it in “showbiz” and the toll it takes on marriage and family life.

We quickly learn that Rose’s ambitions have already cost her three marriages and, by show’s end, a chance at husband number four, which doesn’t seem to bother her: “After three marriages I want to enjoy myself.” And while daughter June, Rose’s clear favorite, embraces a chance at stardom, Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee) is not nearly as enamored by the spotlight.

The biggest hindrance in Rose’s quest for fame is Rose herself; she simply is not as talented or clever as she thinks she is. Each of her new schemes begin with the dreaded, “I had a dream,” a declaration that sends her daughters into hiding. “Why do you fill their heads with such bunk?” asks her father. Yet, despite her endless “dreaming,” all her routines and the choreography and songs remain the same; only the sets and costumes change. The biggest addition being a cow that suddenly appears in each act!

Then, when June elopes and leaves the show, an unfettered Rose turns her attention to Louise. Act II takes audience members through the seedier side of vaudeville until the tour literally hits bottom at The Bottom, a house of burlesque. Here a defiant Louise awakens and all her mother’s dream come true, or do they?

Once again OSTC’s set designers have done their part, nicely creating some backstage sets and Gypsy Rose Lee’s blinding majestic stage at Minsky’s Burlesque. They are really on their game during “Road between Seattle and Los Angeles,” cleverly simulating train travel.

The orchestra, lead by keyboardist Justin Cowan, also deserves some props. They are spot-on all night with trumpeters John Clark and Jeff Claassen sounding especially good.

The production itself is long — close to three hours including intermission — but moves along at a good clip, though a bit slower in Act II, which features more dialogue and less musical numbers than Act I. Many of the group numbers throughout also fall flat with lackluster choreography. And the children’s routines seem to rely solely on being cute and are not the crowd-pleasers they usually are.

Much of the production’s success revolves around solid performances by Amiee Turner as Rose, Christopher Swan as Herbie, Rose’s love interest, and Kristin Wetherington as Louise.

Turner, OSTC’s producing artistic director, ably shoulders much of the load. Even during some of Rose’s darker moments, Turner manages to make her likeable, if not sympathetic. While the role does not require tremendous vocal range, she deliverers a very powerful and determined “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” She is also terrific during “Rose’s Turn,” presenting a more humble Rose.

Swan proves a nice match for Turner, though I do wish his character had more of a presence throughout and sang more. He is especially good with Turner during “You’ll Never Get Away From Me.” His easy manner makes their instant attraction more believable. His pained facial expressions when Rose announces she is turning her attention to Louise are fantastic and telling.

Wetherington shines throughout, one is drawn to her even when playing June’s hapless sidekick. She is especially moving during “Little Lamb,” displaying a beautifully tempered voice.

Dan Reardon (Tulsa) emerges as the evening’s most versatile performer with a touching “All I Need Is the Girl.” With Louise by his side, this is the show’s most touching number where Reardon, with a natural and laid-back ease, shows off some nifty dance moves paired with a pleasant singing voice.

Tamra Stephenson, Jennifer Mischley and Taryn Mallard-Reid as well-worn strippers draw the loudest applause bumping, grinding and gyrating their way through a funny “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” while teaching Louise the finer points of burlesque.

OSTC’s Gypsy runs through August 2 at the company’s state-of-the-art theater on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick. For tickets or additional information, visit oceanstatetheatre.org.