Here She Is, Boys! Here She Is, World!

Gypsy – Porchlight Music Theatre

 

Ever since Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim teamed up back in 1959 to create this “Musical Fable” that would forever define stage mothers everywhere, this show’s popularity has never diminished. Revived several times on Broadway, the musical is a favorite with regional and educational theatres everywhere. Originally written for Ethel Merman, Mama Rose, the show’s main character, has been played by such theatrical luminaries as Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, and on film and TV by Rosalind Russell and Bette Midler. And while some critics have labeled Rose as “horrific” and a “monster,” the best actresses playing this iconic role have triumphed by finding the character’s humanity.

This is so evident in Michael Weber’s beautifully directed production that opens Porchlight Music Theatre’s 24th season. He’s assisted by Chris Carter, whose choreography is first-rate. The most recent Rose in Chicago is an actress who was born to play this role: E. Faye Butler. This gifted actress is an absolute force of nature. She’s a six-time Jeff Award-winner, and has performed on almost every Chicago stage, as well as Off Broadway, in several National Tours, and in regional theatres all over the country. Ms. Butler creates her own special breed of tigress for this production. When, at the end of Act I, her daughter June and the boys have all walked out on her, E. Faye Butler takes Rose’s profound sadness and turns it into quiet ferocity, singing her anthem to self-deceptive optimism, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.”

In Act II, Ms. Butler attempts to recreate her dream for Louise but, until opportunity drops in Rose’s lap with the word “Star” on it, she’s decided to maybe finally walk away from show business. However, with the chance to turn Louise into a star, Butler’s unbridled lust for fame and power becomes uncontrollable. Not until she finally acknowledges the rationale behind everything she’s tried to accomplish (her astoundingly performed “Rose’s Turn”) does the woman accept defeat. And even then it’s questionable.

E. Faye Butler uses her strong vocal talent to gently caress and coax Sondheim’s brilliant lyrics from Styne’s melodies. The result is that most of her songs play like musical monologues (“Small World,” “Some People”); the actress brings a richer, deeper understanding to the music that’s become so familiar to theatre fans. However, when Ms. Butler really lets loose and sings, she belts her songs out of the park. This is a Momma Rose who’s not only driven by ambition and the ghosts from her past, but she’s as realistic as the lady who sat next to you today on the #151 bus.

Jose Antonio Garcia creates a strong, in-control Herbie who provides a great sparring partner and love interest for Rose. The ex-talent agent and traveling candy salesman, who wants nothing more than to marry and settle down, does everything possible to woo his lady love. Garcia is completely believable as this sweetly tragic, self-delusional man who hopes that by helping Rose achieve fame for her daughters he can finally convince her to take a walk down the aisle. Of course we know this will never happen and, unlike Rose, Herbie eventually throws in the towel and leaves.

Aalon Smith and Daryn Whitney Harrell, as Rose’s daughters, Dainty June (Havoc) and Louise (who will eventually become Gypsy Rose Lee) are both excellent. These ladies possess killer voices and great acting chops. Their comic duet, “If Momma Was Married” hides all their pain beneath humor. While Ms. Smith gets to strut her stuff in endless variations of “Let Me Entertain You,” demonstrating strong dance skills and a terrific voice, Ms. Harrell shows a Louise who gradually develops into a young lady, before our eyes. Her woeful “Little Lamb” has never sounded lovelier nor more touching. Watching Ms. Harrell’s face as she sadly reacts to Rose’s manic “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and during Tulsa’s “All I Need is the Girl” (sung and danced by terrifically talented triple-threat, Marco Tzunux), is quite moving. But it’s when Louise, draped in a sparkly evening gown, one of hundreds of beautiful costumes by Bill Morey, looks into the mirror and whispers, “I’m pretty, Momma. I’m a pretty girl,” hearts can be heard breaking all over the theatre.

The rest of the cast is stellar. The children are all excellent, especially Izzie Rose and Jillian-Giselle, as Baby June and Young Louise. Melissa Young, Dawn Bless and Honey West (who also plays a droll Miss Cratchitt) play a trio of strippers, Tessie Tura, Mazeppa and Electra, who bump and grind the bejesus out of “You Gotta Get a Gimmick.” David Fiorello’s musical direction, including his full, brassy, six-member onstage orchestra, is outstanding. Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s flexible scenic design, dominated by a gigantic movable, proscenium arch, complete with an act drape, provides the icing on this delicious theatrical cake.

Rose claims that she’s not going to die from sitting, but from getting up and getting out. Once Chicagoans hear about this fabulous production, every savvy theatergoer will be following her example by getting up and out to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in order to experience Michael Weber’s never-to-be-forgotten production. This is a chance to see the fabulous E. Faye Butler, one of Chicago’s finest musical actresses, in role that seems written especially for her. It’s is a production of a show that keeps its musical promise to Entertain You and Make You Smile.             

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

 

Presented October 12-November 25 by Porchlight Music Theatre at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Pkwy, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 773-777-9884 or by going to www.PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.