Broadway Comes to Eastsound: A Review of Orcas Center’s “Gypsy”

Updated April 26; originally posted April 23
By S. Jaen Black

Well, last night would have been a GREAT night for the barefoot bandit to go on a rampage since it seemed like everybody on Orcas was either on stage or in the sold-out audience for the opening night of Gypsy at the Orcas Center. This was a huge production, and the cohesiveness of the dozens of people who pulled it off can rest assured that their efforts paid off.  Hats off to director Deborah Sparks who, once again, proved to be a leader worth following as evidenced by this entertaining production. That is saying something for me who, until last night, would break out in hives at the mention of a musical.

Where to start…I know this is going to be a ‘War and Peace’ epic review because everyone in it deserves mention. Taking it from the top, Beth Baker, in the lead role of Rose, the mother of June and Louise, left no question as to her experience as a seasoned, professional performer. She was the quintessential bitch from hell, the kind of mother that requires hundreds of thousands of dollars of thoughtful therapy if there is a snowball’s chance in hell in having a happy life. But she looked mahvelous, a lovely woman, with great energy, a beautiful voice who held the course with her character, absolutely. Her costumes were perfect, and she looked great in them, especially the shoes, (I was on the front row…spent a lot of time looking at feet.)

Freddy Hinkle…who knew he could act or sing?  I have only seen Freddy pushing buttons, solving technical problems, but looky here at Mr. Techno doing a fine job as Herbie, the love interest of Rose and the agent for the ‘act’.  Sorry to say, Freddy’s shoes were not as impressive as his performance which gained momentum throughout the show.

Grace McCune had two roles, the main one portraying Louise, who was Gypsy Rose Lee, and not to diminish the second, which was that of the cow head, in which she exercised great comedic timing on her…moos.

Back to Louise, this role was extensive as the character transitioned from a young teen to the all-growed up Burlesque star.  She did a convincing job of playing the young, goofy, funny girl with no self-confidence, which, if you know Grace, is NOT the persona that walks around on this planet. In the end, she bloomed as the hot babe we all know and love with that huge voice. I have a lot of respect for Grace who continues to surprise us and participate in this community with all her performance skills.

Who’s next?? Ahhhhh,  Zach Knight who had a solo dance number, in addition to singing and acting. Even though, rumor has it, this was his absolute first time on a stage, he stepped up and seemed very calm, happy, and full of confidence.  Nice first outing!

Then out came the showgirls! Oh boy, they were fun, and no strangers to the Orcas Center stage.  Khadoma Collomby, Jyoti Pavitt, and Ali Boe didn’t have to stay up too late studying these roles. They are all beautiful women, always with a great sense of play and style.

Then, there were the strippers played by Emily Aring with a great bump, bump, bump.  Kristen Wilson delivered some great comedy with her role and that costume — kind of a slutty Trojan warrior gone bad — really fun. Finally the ever-malleable and entertaining Jamie Mulligan-Smith who has more fun with her body than the law allows on stage.

Four young women that did a great cohesive job of portraying the sidekicks in two different scenes, the Toreadorables and Hollywood Blondes, were Hannah Kate Lewis, (a GREAT whiner), Sabina Smith-Moreland, Hailey Thompson, and Grace Thompson.

There were upwards of 50 people in this play, people, but we’re winding down…The kids in this did outstanding jobs just to get to opening night.  I was sitting next to one parent who said she felt like the Orcas Center had become her second home, and she wasn’t complaining as the kids very much enjoyed being in the show.

Paris Wilson as Baby June was just delightful. She couldn’t be anymore than 9 years old, yet, she was a very accomplished  singer and dancer, and, boy, a career on the stage will be no surprise for this talented girl. Ariel Vergen, who plays the youngest Louise, touched the audience’s heartstrings as she portrayed Louise’s early days on the stage (and in her mother’s ambitions); always the game second fiddle to her talented blond sister.

As the characters aged, Hailey Thompson took on as the older, “Dainty June” and delivered some great song riffs too. Her real-life sister, Grace Thompson, played the older-though-not-full-grown Louise, and in acting and in singing sweet lullaby, she portrayed the sensitivity of the “ugly duckling.”

Aliza Diepenbrock, Olivia Brunner-Gaydos, Keith Light, Millie Kau, Finn Carpenter, Ronan Rankin, and Aidan Vergen were the team of the Little Newsies.  The Big Newsies include Adia Dolan, Hannah Brunner-Gaydos, Wylie Kau, Lily Ater, (also starring as the cow behind).  Besides all those listed above, let’s suffice it to say in the numerous other peripheral roles, there was not a dull penny among them.

The team of Joe and Susan Babcock have been together for thirty years, but never worked on a show together. Joe served as music conductor, while Susan was enlisted as choreographer. They should continue their collaboration onstage as well as off.

As for the workhorses that built all the sets, costumes, very great job.  All in all, I think choosing a show that did involve so many people was a good move because any time a community can get excited about collaborating, cooperating for so many weeks, it can only serve to strengthen us as a whole.

Gypsy will play Friday and Saturday nights this weekend at 7:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. It will also play next Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 1. Call 376-2281 or go to www.orcascenter.org for tickets.

s. jaen black