Review: 'Gypsy' by Castle Craig Players in Meriden

Meriden, CT - I have seen the musical GYPSY enough times to recognize when a smart director puts his/her stamp on this classic to make it even better. Ian Galligan, a director who is wise beyond his years, has done just that to the production by the Castle Craig Players that opened on Friday evening. The musical fable comes together perfectly with a stellar cast led by Lauren Linn in the role of the ultimate stage mother, magnificent principal costumes designed by the iconic Bob Mackie and Anthony Ward and the insights of Mr. Galligan.

GYPSY A Musical Fable has a book by Arthur Laurentis, music by Jule Styne and memorable lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The fable was suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, and Ms. Linn does a mesmerizing job of bringing to life the strong personality of Louise and June’s ruthless stage mother.

The director, who has directed just about everything I have ever reviewed at CCP, decided to open the show with a foreshadowing of the tale as the adult Louise looks on during the overture. It makes perfect sense that the character of Gypsy Rose Lee, who read palms, would be able to tell her own fortune of her life before the action begins, and it made for a very strong opening in my mind.

Ms. Linn was the perfect choice for the role of Madam Rose in her Castle Craig debut. She belted out the lyrics and commanded the stage all the while. Congratulations on a brilliant debut with this company.

Voni Kengla (Vivienne in LEGALLY BLONDE at Richter) made it look easy to convey the character arc of the adult Louise in her CCP debur. I knew I had seen Bill Rodman before, and it turns out it was in I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE at Arts at Angeloria’s in Southington. He played both Uncle Jocko as well as theatrical agent Herbie, who loves Rose while she refuses to marry him.

Ainsley Dahlstrom (Gretl in THE SOUND OF MUSIC) was appropriately perky as Baby June and ten-year-old Madison Rella did very well as Baby Louise in her CCP debut. The tiny canine Lulah Mae played Rose’s pet Chowsie.

Mike Souney did well as Rose’s father and in the fun role of Mr. Goldstone, who makes the song “Mr. Goldstone” very comical, as well as the character Cigar in his CCP debut. Nick Ciasullo (CABARET,) a local music teacher and the director of children’s theatre company The Sherman Star Players, played Mr. Weber and Yonkers, then returned to the stage as Phil. 2019 Halo Award winner Logan Molinari (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) played both L.A. and Bougeron-Cochon.

It was so great to see the talented Chelsea Dacey (MARVELOUS WONDERETTES) back on this stage in the role of Dainty June. She will next appear as Sophie in MAMMA MIA at Little Theatre of Manchester. Tyler Ciasse (Link Larkin in Landmark’s HAIRSPRAY) danced beautifully as Tulsa in his CCP debut.

Lisa DeAngelis made the most of the role of the secretary Ms. Cratchitt, as did Dana Rudnansky, a rising senior at Wagner College, as the actress wannabe Agnes/Amanda/Agnes. CCP veteran Jennifer Del Sole was able to shine as Marjorie May and in the ensemble. Katie Kirtland (CHAPERONE) was Dolores and Renee and recent CCSU graduate and current PE teacher Arthur Canova played Patsey and George.

Kathy Wade (CURSE OF THE HOPELESS DIAMOND) was a riot as the stripper Tessie Tura, Lisa DeAngelis (CABARET) wore the light-up costume of Electra and oh my God, Marsha Howard Karp (BEYOND THERAPY at Phoenix Stage Company) was delightfully loud and “brassy” in the role of Mazeppa. Kudos to all of these three brave community theatre performers.

The adorable children’s ensemble was comprised of fifth grader Christopher Jaylin Mora, sixth grader Mateo Velasquez-Maineri and rising sixth grader Liani Torres.

Chris Coffey served as music director and conducted the small off-stage band, which will include Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theatre music director Marc Sokolson on piano during the Aug. 2-10 performances. Erin Coffey designed the choreography (with Tyler Caisse and Ms. Dacey as dance captains) in her CCP debut and Oliver Kochol was both stage manager and assistant director. Mr. Kochol will direct ALMOST, MAINE next season at CCP.

CCP co-founder Melanie Del Sole was the producer and set design, which was appropriately backstage stark, was done by Mr. Galligan and Mr. Kochol. Kudos to the wig stylers and maintainers Mary Dacey and Melissa McCarthy for making them all most flattering. Lighting designed by Dusty Rader (CABARET) added much.

A note in the program indicated that the production team was thrilled and honored to be showcasing the costumes from the 1993 made-for-TV movie of GYPSY that starred Bette Midler (which were designed by Mr. Mackie) and from the 2003 B’way revival with Bernadette Peters (which were designed by British designer Anthony Ward.) Of course Mr. Mackie’s designs are currently appearing in THE CHER SHOW on Broadway and won a Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical. Ms. Del Sole, Irene Ludemann and Mr. Galligan were in charge of the costumes.

I am grateful to Mr. Galligan for the perfect seat in the back of the house, where I shared my table with my colleague James V. Ruocco. It is always a pleasure to return to this cabaret-style theatre with table seating in the heart of (what is for me) nearby Meriden to enjoy a memorable production in this intimate space. I look forward to the 27th season which will include THE STAR-SPANGLED GIRL, ALMOST MAINE, NEXT TO NORMAL, STEEL MAGNOLIAS AND SWEENEY TODD, and a one-man show that will be announced soon. I am hopeful that I can see them all.

Castle Craig Players has been offering fine live entertainment in the heart of downtown Meriden since 1992 and parking is surprisingly easy directly behind the venue. Opening night was sold out so call for tickets soon. GYPSY runs through August 10, 2019.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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