Cast announced for Gypsy revival at Pitlochry Festival Theatre this summer
Casting has been announced for the upcoming revival of Gypsy at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the musical has a book by Arthur Laurents with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
Ben Occhipinti will direct the new production, the first in Scotland in 18 years, which runs from 19 May – 30 September 2023.
Gypsy‘s cast will feature Shona White (Jack Absolute Flies Again, Mamma Mia!) as Mamma Rose; Blythe Jandoo (The Maggie Wall Sunshine on Leith) as Louise; Patricia Panther (Peter Pan and Wendy) as June; Ben Stock (Grease and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Herbie; Oliver Cookson (Hay Fever, Travels with my Aunt) as Pop Rose/Mr Goldstone); Matthew Churcher (Animal Farm, Peter Pan) as LA/Cigar; Rachael McAllister (Little Women, A Christmas Carol) as Mazeppa; Robbie Scott (Peter Pan and Wendy) as Tulsa; Joseph Tweedale (The Meaning of Zong, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) as Yonkers/Weber; Jack Ward (Bridgerton) as Angie; Trudy Ward (As You Like It) as Electra/ Agnes, and Kristin Weichen Wong (Field- Something For The Future Now) as Tessie Tura.
Gypsy is directed by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Associate Director Ben Occhipinti (Blonde Bombshells in 1943 and co-director Sunshine on Leith, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) with design by Liz Cooke, lighting by Kate Bonney, musical direction by Rob Hiley (CATS nominated for Blonde Bombshells in 1943), choreography by Maggie Rawlinson and sound design by Lorna Munden.
Gypsy is one of the greatest and most dazzling of all musicals. Based on the tantalising comedic memoirs of famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, it tells the amusing and sassy story of pushy showbiz mother Rose, who travels across America with her daughters, Baby June and Louise, in search of success with their homemade vaudeville act.
When Baby June leaves the act to elope, Rose vows to make introverted Louise into a star, and will do almost anything to see her daughter break into the big time.
Featuring the iconic songs Some People, Let Me Entertain You, and the show-stopping Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Gypsy is set to be a cracking night out that will have audiences humming all the way into the night as they leave the theatre.
Director Ben Occhipinti said: “Gypsy is one of the most loved and powerful musicals ever written. I have wanted to direct it ever since I discovered the film years ago. I can’t think of another musical that brings the combined elements of drama, song and dance together in such a clear and joyful way.
“The combination of Sondheim’s exquisite lyrics and Styne’s beautiful melodies make Gypsy an enduring, powerful story. I can’t wait to bring it to life on the Pitlochry stage with such a talented and brilliant company.”
For more information and tickets, visit www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
