Palo Alto Players stage musical theater classic, ‘Gypsy’

Its central character is Mama Rose, the stage mother from hell, who pushed and manipulated her daughters, Louise and June, toward what she hoped would be vaudeville success. In the process, she strained her finances and kept the girls out of school.

Although June showed more promise, she escaped her mother’s clutches by eloping with one of the boys in their act. She became actor June Havoc.

Rose then focused on the reluctant Louise, who eventually blossomed into Gypsy Rose Lee.

Director Janie Scott has assembled a 29-member cast ranging from kids to adults, each creating a believable character.

As Mama Rose, Caitlin Gjerdrum embodies the character’s fierce determination, apparently undaunted by one setback after another. She’s also a terrific singer who belts out such songs as “Everything’s Coming up Roses” and her finale, “Rose’s Turn.”

Portraying her daughters as young girls are Caitlin Segal as June and Phoebe Wagner as Louise. Segal’s June is featured in “Let Me Entertain You,” singing, dancing and, in another sequence, baton twirling, while Wagner’s Louise is clearly uncomfortable. She knows that she doesn’t have Louise’s talent.

However, they both sing well.

Their adult characters are played by Samantha Borthwick as June and Whitney Hisako Moore as Louise, both of whom are talented.

Another noteworthy performance comes from Ray D’Ambrosio as the long-suffering Herbie, who becomes the girls’ manager and falls in love with Rose. He hopes to marry her, but she keeps putting him off.

Three burlesque strippers add comic touches thanks to Kristina Nakagawa as Tessie Tura, Chloe Angst as the horn-tooting Mazeppa and Barbara Heninger as a decrepit Electra in “You Gotta Get a Gimmick.”

Scott’s direction is enhanced by choreography by Michael Saenz, especially his routine for Tulsa (Ralph Shehayed) in “All I Need Is the Girl.”

Kudos to music and vocal director Amanda Ku, who conducts from the orchestra pit.

Costumes by Jenny Garcia help to define the characters, as do the hair, wigs and makeup by Nicole Hoke.

Scenic design by Kevin Davies establishes each scene yet is flexible enough for quick changes. The sound is by Chris Beer, the lighting by Noah Price.

The Sept. 7 matinee featured two ASL interpreters seated house left who made the show accessible to the hearing impaired.

Theatergoers also saw some construction equipment and fencing around Lucie Stern Center, which is undergoing roof repairs.

Running about three hours with one intermission, this thoroughly entertaining production of “Gypsy” will continue through Sept. 21 in the Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. For tickets and information call (650) 329-0891 or visit paplayers.org.