Gypsy

Everything?s Coming Up Roses in Pick Me Up Theatre?s Gypsy

Pick Me Up Theatre is bringing the smash-hit musical Gypsy back to York for the first time in 25 years.

Gypsy is best known for its ?stage mother from hell? - Momma Rose ? and her show-stopping number Everything?s Coming Up Roses. This feisty role has been played by everyone from Broadway legend Ethel Merman to our own Imelda Staunton in a recent West End production that scooped four Oliver Awards.

The indomitable Rose is played by Susannah Baines who won huge acclaim as Mrs Lovett in PMUT?s Sweeney Todd last summer ? a part also played by Miss Staunton before she starred in Gypsy.

?I?m a massive fan of Imelda so it?s great to be following her lead,? said Susannah. ?I thought I would never top the role from Sweeney then along came Rose. It?s certainly a challenge, but what a great part!?

The show ? with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim - is based on the true story of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, pushed into stardom by her mother who will do anything for success on the 1930s Vaudeville Circuit.

But Susannah believes showbiz mum Rose often gets a bad press and admits to sympathising with her on some levels.

?I know she can be a nightmare and people accuse her of being selfish but you have to remember Rose had nothing in her own youth and she?s determined to create a better life for herself and her daughters June and Louise.

?Admittedly she does steamroller people to achieve this! And the dreams she has for her girls were clearly once hers. But I can?t help loving her ? I believe she cares deeply for her family.?

Rose?s daughters are played by two of the company?s younger leading ladies, Maya Tether (Dainty June) and Maren Fageras Naevdal (Louise). June is a natural with high kicks and stage tricks while poor mousey Louise would rather be anywhere than in the limelight.

So imagine everyone?s surprise when it turns out Louise has a penchant for the promiscuous and becomes an international success with the world at her feet. Rose?s dream has come true. But be careful what you wish for...

Director Robert Readman has assembled a superb cast of some of York?s finest musical theatre performers for Gypsy ? including ?the three strippers? who always bring the house down with You Gotta Get a Gimmick , played by Katie Melia, Alexa Chaplin and Hayley Bamford (recent stars of the UK Premiere of Disenchanted!).

And Rose?s long-suffering love interest Herbie is played by Queen Margaret?s School Director of Drama Nick Lewis (Sweeney to Susannah?s Mrs Lovett).

Don?t miss the much-loved numbers Everything?s Coming Up Roses, Let Me Entertain You, Rose?s Turn and Together ? in Pick Me Up?s all-singing all-dancing production. Gypsy is on at the Grand Opera House, York, from June 28-July 1. Tickets from atgtickets.com/york, or 0844 8713024.

For more details please contact Jo Hird, 07969050490 jo.hird@mac.com