Another American Broadway classic is currently gracing the stage at Alhambra Theatre & Dining in Jacksonville.
This time it is “Gypsy: A Musical Fable,” which opened at the Alhambra on Aug. 22 and will be showcased through Sept. 18 and then again from Sept. 24 to 29.
The musical is one that follows the tale of a mother who pushes her two daughters into the world of show business, one of which was Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous burlesque performer who released her memoir in 1957 and it was adapted into the musical two years later.
The play does an effective job of taking the audience through the roller coaster of emotion that is felt throughout, with everything from joy and excitement to sadness and heartbreak.
A combination of performer portrayal and stage lighting really helped capture the mood from scene to scene and it was excellently conveyed to the audience.
The family drama portrayed during the production is something that proved to be very relatable, as even if families are not confronted with the same circumstances, it brought about the family drama that many deal with to some degree.
Not only did the show focus on family on stage, but it also proved to be family-centered behind the scenes as well, as Tod Booth is the executive producer and director, and his wife Lisa Valdini Booth played the leading role of Mama Rose in the show.
It is the third time she has played the character, having done so in previous adaptations of Gypsy, so it was something she was quite comfortable with, and her performance reflected that.
Logen Cheatham played “Louise” and Torie D’Alessandro played “June,” and both seemed to work well with Booth, as their performances seemed to feed off each other as a true mother and daughter relationship would.
It was D’Allessandro’s first time performing at Alhambra, while Cheatham is performing her third show at the theater, as well as recently filming a Hallmark movie that is scheduled to air this winter.
One of the final leading roles was held by Pete Clapsis, who plays Herbie, the family’s agent.
Clapsis has become a regular at Alhambra with several performances of late since he did his first show in 2015.
The Alhambra’s food menu in conjunction with the show is unique, just like the performance itself, in that it features an Asian theme for both the first and second course, as the main course includes options, such as half-roasted teriyaki chicken, shrimp and scallop Lo Mein and sweet and sour pork rack.
