Two theater groups team up for 'Gypsy'

Lowcountry residents who love music and dance may choose to see a Jule Styne musical, new balletic choreography, or both this week.

'Gypsy'

"You have to remember that between 1890 and 1930, women could make 100 times more money working in vaudeville than in a factory job," explains Keely Enright, artistic director of the Village Playhouse. "And so in 'Gypsy,' we see why such jobs were so valued; we also watch theater history evolve, as we witness the end of vaudeville and the beginnings of burlesque."

Enright is speaking of the famous musical "Gypsy," which opens Thursday as a collaboration between the theater group Company Company and the Village Playhouse, which this year has adopted as its theme "The American Experience."

"Nothing could be more profoundly American than this story of the real-life adventures of these two little girls following their mother across the country performing and living in hotels," says Enright. "When I was 4 years old, I saw 'Gypsy' and realized I wanted to devote my life to the stage."

With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, "Gypsy," which opened in 1959, contains some of the best-loved standards of the century such as "Let Me Entertain You," "Small World" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses."

After Enright conferred with her husband, David, co-founder of the Village Playhouse, they came up with a stage plan for the small, cabaret-style theater; next, they approached Maida Libkin, veteran musical director, who formerly accompanied Broadway shows, and invited her to direct this complex project.

Emily Wilhoit, who plays Gypsy Rose Lee, says that although the young girl (real name Louise) becomes a stripper, she also becomes one of the highest paid of all time, making between $750 and $1,000 a week working at Minsky's Burlesque theater at the height of the Great Depression.

"All Gypsy really wanted was her mother's approval, which she never really did receive," says Wilhoit.

Enright notes, "Mama Rose, to be portrayed by Kathy Summer, is considered the monster of all stage mothers, but I always sympathize with her. She lived at a time when women and immigrants had very few choices, and she just wanted something special for herself and her girls."

In the large cast, Johanna Schlitt will play the younger daughter, Dainty June, and Bill Schlitt will take the role of Herbie, Mama Rose's long-suffering sweetheart and manager. Choreography is by Johanna Schlitt.

"Gypsy" opens at 8 p.m. Thursday and will be performed at various times through Nov. 10 at the Village Playhouse, 730 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant. Tickets are $25 for the general public; $23 for senior citizens, and college and high school students; and $12 for younger students. To reserve tickets, call 856-1579 or purchase at the door.

Robert Ivey Ballet

The Robert Ivey Ballet, the ballet company-in-residence at the College of Charleston, will present its fall performance, beginning Friday, by premiering new works by artistic director Ivey and associate director Ashley Stock.

A new work, "Concerto," will feature the entire company with music by Shostakovich, choreographed by Ivey and Stock. Also, modern dance choreographer Eliza Ingle has restaged a work, "Sound Ages," to music by the famous French singer Edith Piaf.

New talent will be showcased by the choreography of students Jon Michael Perry and Lindsay Funderburk, who have created a contemporary pas de deux; also, returning students Annie Lewis and Jessica Crum will present modern pieces.

The guest artist of the evening will be Gabrielle Celeste, director of Celestial Stars, who will perform an original solo to music by James Horner.

The Sunday matinee will feature numbers from the evening performances, in addition to the Robert Ivey Youth Ballet, choreographed by Funderburk, and the College of Charleston Dance Ensemble, choreographed by Gretchen McClain, a new dance faculty member at the college.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Sottile Theatre at King and George streets. Tickets are $15 for the general public, and $12 for senior citizens and students, and may be purchased by calling 556-1343 or at the door.

Reach Dottie Ashley at 937-5704 or dashley@postandcourier.com.