Summer Place Theatre presents 'Gypsy' Feb. 4-13
The Summer Place Theatre Inc, the premier community theater of Naperville since 1966, is proud to announce that they will be presenting the unforgettable musical, “Gypsy, “at Center Stage Theater - the newest theater and meeting venue in Naperville.
The Summer Place Theatre Inc, in collaboration with the Naperville Park District and Traveling Trunk Entertainment, has changed its traditional venue due to construction constraints in its regular location, Naperville Central High School's auditorium.
“We are so pleased to work with Center Stage Theater and Kandiss Hernandez and be a part of this site's first year of performances,” says Steve Zeidler, Summer Place Theater president and co-producer..
“Kandiss has created a wonderful space for performances, and we couldn't be happier to be creating this new relationship with her group.”
“Gypsy” is a true story, based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous burlesque artist – with the focus on the ultimate “stage mom” Rose. The music is written by Jule Styne and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim and has been hailed as one of the best musicals of all times, garnering numerous Tony Awards over the years for the original production, as well as the revivals.
Stars have yearned to play the lead part of Rose and everyone from Ethel Merman Daley to Bernadette Peters have performed this coveted part on Broadway, but Tyne Daley and Patti Lupone captured the Tony for Best Actress for their portrayal.
The Summer Place Theatre has assembled some of the best youth and adult talent in the community. With New York trained-actress, Sarah Conrad (North Aurora) as the lead role and young Kara Garland (Naperville) as the adorable Baby June – audiences of all ages will enjoy this high-energy show. And a special touch to the show include married couple Brianne DeFrang (Louise) and Michael DeFrang (Tulsa) playing opposite roles – their dance is just touching!
The remainder of the cast include:
Uncle Jocko/Cigar: Steve Zeidler (Lombard)
Georgie/Stage Hand/Weber/Kringelein: Ian Emerson (Naperville)
Balloon Girl/Hollywood Blonde Thelma: Fernanda O'Brien (Naperville)
Audition Youth: Shannon Piper (Naperville), Grace Carlson (Naperville)
Clarinet Boy Clarence/Stage Hand/Bourgeron-Cochon: Brandon Piper
(Naperville)
Baby June: Kara Garland (Naperville)
Young Louise: Sophie Michael (Naperville)
Rose: Sarah Conrad (North Aurora)
Pop/Pasty: Ted Waltmire (Oak Brook Terrace)
Newsboys: Ryan Casey (Naperville), Kyle Ekonen (Plainfield), Connor Payne
(Naperville)
Herbie: Keith Carlson (Naperville)
Dainty June: Jen Schmidt (Downers Grove)
Louise: Brianne DeFrang (Naperville)
Tulsa: Michael DeFrang (Naperville)
LA: Brett Baleski: (Naperville)
Yonkers: Connor Relyea (Shorewood)
Gladys: Amanda Walsh (Naperville)
Mr. Goldstone: Bob Fieseler (Naperville)
Marjorie May/Miss Cratchitt: Amanda Walsh (Naperville)
Agnes: Lauren Hrunek (Wheaton)
Thelma/Renee: Marcela O'Brien (Naperville)
Dolores: Jordan Piper (Naperville)
Mazeppa: Suzanne Compton (Naperville)
Tessie Tura: Katie Piper (Naperville)
Electra: Phyllis Guasta (Naperville)
Production Team:
Director: Michael Vaughn (Lisle)
Choreographer: Shawn Quinlan (Forest Park)
Producers: Lynn Hodak (Lisle), Jeff Sand (Wheaton), Steve Zeidler (Lombard)
“Gypsy” will be performed at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 4-12 and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 6 and 13 at the Center Stage Theater, 1665 Quincy Ave., Suite 131 in Naperville. Tickets are $17; $14 for students and seniors; $10 for children, age 5-12. Please call (630) 355-7969 or e-mail boxoffice@summerplacetheatre.org.
Center Stage Executive Director Hernandez states, “I'm so pleased to have a theater company with such deep roots in Naperville perform at Center Stage.”
The Summer Place Theatre, Inc has been Naperville's community theatre since 1966. Founded by Donald Jamison and Dr. Donald Shanower of North Central College, the first seasons were held in a circus tent on an empty parking lot with seats donated by a local movie house. After several tornadoes the site was replaced with an outdoor pavilion, which, thanks to the Great Blizzard of 1979, was again replaced. Since that time the company moved to Naperville Central High School and remained a part of the community until last summer. They look forward to continuing their history of past success with a successful partnership and a classic show that everyone is sure to love!