Hennepin Theatre Trust and Theater Latte Da's Gypsy
Dec 1, 2015

The Tony Award-winning GYPSY is the story of Mama Rose, the mother of all stage mothers, and her driving ambition to raise two daughters, Louise and June, in show business. The 1959 musical was based loosely on the memoirs of famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, written as vaudeville waned and burlesque stepped in. The musical features a book by Arthur Laurents. The music by Jule Styne combined with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim resulted in some of the most memorable songs ever written -- "Everything's Coming up Roses," "Together (Wherever We Go)," "Small World," "Some People," "Let Me Entertain You" and "Rose's Turn."

Under the insightful hand of Rothstein, Theater Latté Da's Artistic Director, this all-new production is a contemporary and dynamic vision of a classic work. The Minneapolis run stars some of the area's best stage talent. In addition to family members Barber and Brindisi playing Mama Rose and her stage daughter Louise, the cast features Tyler Michaels as Tulsa, Tod Petersen as Herbie, Shina Brashears as June, Emily Jansen as Tessi Tura, Kate Beahen as Mazeppa; and Derek Prestly, Matt Rubbelke, Ed Williams and Eriq Nelson in various roles.

With GYPSY, Hennepin Theatre Trust and Theater Latté Da are celebrating the fourth year of the Broadway Re-Imagined series. The collaboration began in 2013 with the popular Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, followed by 2014's Ivey Award-winning Cabaret and the groundbreaking Oliver! in 2015. The series taps both organizations' strengths to take a fresh look at Broadway musicals and craft innovative stagings from the musical theater canon featuring all local talent. The Trust and Latté Da have also worked together since 2008 on the annual production of All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, also created by a Rothstein-led team, and running December 16-20, 2015, at the Pantages.

GYPSY has been referred to as THE greatest American musical by such 'tough-to-crack' New York critics as Ben Brantley, Frank Rich and Clive Barnes. Among other things, they have compared it to King Lear and praise the complexity of characters such as Rose, who pits motherhood against the glitz, glamour, allure and pitfalls of showbiz.

"It's a thrill to tackle this masterpiece with an outstanding cast and an adventurous design team," said Rothstein. "Theater Latté Da's ongoing and successful partnership with Hennepin Theatre Trust at the historic Pantages Theatre makes this kind of large-scale work possible and enhances both organizations' shared commitment to expanding the art of musical theater."

Tom Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust, said, "Working with Theater Latté Da and Peter Rothstein inspires and delivers an extraordinarily engaging theatre experience for patrons. Broadway Re-Imagined opens new doors to local collaborations, showcases Twin Cities' talent and contributes to the vitality of WeDo, the West Downtown Minneapolis Cultural District."

Performance Related Opportunities:

- Director's Dialogue -- with Peter Rothstein, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2015, following the 1 p.m. performance

- Post Show Discussions -- Select Sundays (after 1 p.m. matinee) and Thursdays (after 7:30 performance) throughout the run: February 25, 28 and March 3, 6 and 10.

- American Sign Language Interpreted and Audio Described Performance, Thursday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.

- Open Captioned Performance, Sunday, Feb. 28, 1 p.m.

GYPSY runs February 13-March 13, 2015, at the Pantages Theatre as part of the Broadway Re-Imagined Series. Tickets for GYPSY go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Tickets range from $31.50-$56.50 (subject to change) depending on performance time and seating preference. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office, 805 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55402 (no service fees), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, through Ticketmaster by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. All prices include applicable facility restoration fees. Additional charges may apply. Groups of 10 are eligible for discounts and should call 612.373.5665 or email MinneapolisGroups@BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com for information and reservations.

Performance dates for GYPSY are February 13-March 13, 2015. Previews are February 13-19. Opening/Press night is Saturday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. Performance days and times may vary, please check for specific information. The standard schedule is Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

GYPSY is scheduled at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Pantages Theatre (710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403).

Hennepin Theatre Trust, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing WeDo, a thriving West Downtown Minneapolis Cultural District. Visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Theater Latté Da, founded by Peter Rothstein and Denise Prosek, is an award-winning Twin Cities musical theater company that combines music and story to illuminate the breadth and depth of the human experience. The company seeks to create new connections between story, music, artists and audience by exploring and expanding the art of musical theater.Theater Latté Da is a leader in the musical theater art form, having produced over 50 mainstage productions including 9 world premieres, 9 area premieres and dozens of productions celebrated for their bold re-imagination. Visit theaterlatteda.org for additional information.

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