Gypsy
at Harriton High School

Reviewed on April 13, 2018

Grace Willey
Unionville High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 1

"Everything's Coming Up Roses" for Harriton High School's recent production of "Gypsy". With superb vocals, hilarious characters, and professional choreography, the show "entertained" audiences of all ages.

With music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "Gypsy" has been a Broadway classic for decades. The production debuted in 1959, and it is loosely based of the story of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous Burlesque dancer. It follows the story of Rose, a mother determined to make her daughters famous. Rose lives vicariously through her two daughters, June and Louise, and tries to experience a life she never had.

Gypsy's ensemble was relatively small, but they brought tremendous energy to the stage. The dance numbers, choreographed by Vidhi Dwivedi, Blandine Heron, and Adelle Wilkin, were technically sound and well developed. All of the characters, no matter how small their role was, brought something unique to the show.

Leading the cast of characters was Allegra Greenawalt (Rose). With powerhouse vocals and a commitment to her character, Greenawalt was the backbone of the production. Along with her crazy stage mom, Anna Fleming (Gypsy Rose Lee) transitioned flawlessly from an awkward and quiet teenager to a sophisticated woman when she becomes Gypsy Rose Lee. Adding similar talent to the show, Jon Zamsky (Herbie) was perfectly loveable and committed, and he really stood out in "Small World". Completing the dysfunctional quartet, Analyn Sil (June) was a true triple threat with entertaining dance numbers, strong vocals, and a sweet, innocent character.

Some notable features roles included those of Nina Gold (Tessie Tura), Jacqueline Kelly (Mazeppa) and Harleigh Myerovich (Electra). The three strippers were comical, entertaining, and they made "You Gotta Get a Gimmick" a show stopping number. Other standout performances were had by Jamie Eisner (Baby June) and Maddie Lefkowski (Baby Louise). The two contrasted each other perfectly and were excellent in "May We Entertain You". Similarly, Benjamin Newman (Tulsa) gave a great performance of "All I Need Is The Girl", which really lifted up the show at the end of Act 1.

For all the success of the cast, the crew must also be commended. Led by stage managers Hannah Goldman and Willow Kaminski, the stage crew was professional and accomplished quick set changes with ease. The costumes designed by Miranda Brennan and Lily Strailey were also well done and perfectly appropriate to the show. The few sound mishaps were recovered quickly and were completely forgivable given the difficulty of the show and the size of the cast.

Overall, "Gypsy" was exactly what it should be: hilarious, tragic, and entertaining to watch. Between the talented cast and the professional crew, the show was a huge success.

Kyle Mackey
Upper Moreland High School
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer - 2

"Gypsy" at Harriton High School was a show that makes you say "Holy cow!" after seeing it, with its strong vocals and impressive student leadership. From colorful costumes to dynamic dancing, the production left a powerful impression.

The musical originated in 1959, and is loosely based on the story of the mother of Gypsy Rose Lee, a famous striptease artist. Rose, a several times divorced mother of two kids, wanted nothing more than to make her children into stars. She travels the country with her two daughters who perform the same child's act, despite their aging. The musical follows their upbringing as they grow from toddlers into young women.

Harriton's production of "Gypsy" was a wonderful rendition of the classic musical, and the great passion of the students was clear. Seeing that basically all of the technical aspects of the show, from costuming to lights, as well as a full student orchestra, were run by students truly encapsulates the passion that high school theatre should stoke.

Rose, the bold and driven mother of the two girls, was superbly played by Allegra Greenawalt, who captured the snappy and hard-shelled character well. However, she also displayed great diction and vocal range in songs like "Some People" and "You'll Never Get Away From Me". Her counterpart, the intrepid Herbie, was nicely played by Jon Zamsky, skillfully carrying the character's emotional struggle throughout the entire show.

There were also a number of skilled supporting actors, like Louise played by Anna Fleming. Fleming's chemistry with her family- Rose, Herbie, and June- on the stage was amazing, gluing the family together. The burlesque ensemble was also a highlight of the cast, featuring Tessie Tura, Mazeppa, and Electra played by Nina Gold, Jacqueline Kelly, and Harleigh Myerovich respectively. Additionally nearly all the characters performed their choreography well, both June and Baby June (Analyn Sil and Jamie Eisner) showed exceptional talent in their dancing.

The students of the Harriton Theater Company took on the challenge of leading all of the technical aspects of the musical, and it had some great results. Particularly amazing were the costumes, headed by Miranda Brennan and Lily Strailey. The costumes of the strippers were especially noteworthy, featuring one that lit up like Christmas and another with silky butterfly wings. Although the sound tech of the show had a couple of bumps along the road, the powerful projection of the vocalists powered through it and their voices were still heard even in the back of the theater. Students even wrote their show's choreography, a feat rarely matched in high school theater.

"Gypsy" was truly a show to remember with its fantastic execution by Harriton High School. After seeing that musical, I had a dream like Rose to see something created with so much passion again.

Madeline Gryskiewicz
Eastern Regional High School
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 3

To see one's name in lights, it takes every ounce of dedication available. Blood, sweat, tears, and above all, love, has to be poured into that dream. In the case of Gypsy Lee Rose, it was all true, just not for her. Bringing back to life the true narrative of her ascendance to fame, Harriton High School marveled audiences with their production of "Gypsy".

The iconic musical tells the story of Louise (Gypsy Lee Rose), but more importantly her mother Rose's struggle to make her baby "dynamite". Written by Jule Styne and with a score by Stephen Sondheim, "Gypsy" has appeared five times on Broadway and has been nominated for eight Tony Awards. Its shedding of light on a fascinating memoir has awed audiences for years.

The driving force of the show was Rose (Allegra Greenawalt). From the moment she literally hurled herself onto the stage, she masterfully projected egocentric and determined nature. She owned the stage with her powerful belt, particularly in "Rose's Turn". Her daughter Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee), played by Anna Fleming, maintained her innocence well and played off of her mother naturally, highlighting their relationship.

Also notable was the depth shown in Herbie's performance (Jon Zamsky). His steadfast pining after Rose and eventual defeat evoked a strong sense of empathy. Distracting the audience from the severity of the plot, Nina Gold's (Tessie Tura) flippancy and witty humor provided excellent comic relief. Though only featured in the first act, both Tulsa (Benjamin Newman) and June (Analyn Sil) left lasting impressions that carried through the show.

The ensemble as a whole should be given credit for their never failing energy shown in each scene. From balloon girls to newsboys, each member possessed charisma and a clear love of performing, leaving the audience well entertained.

The students' thrifted, hand re-made, and dyed costumes were equally as deserving of praise. Each burlesque costume and dress offered their own unique features and were very impressive. The set built by the stage crew was simplistic, well thought out and allowed the multi-location plot to unfold. They made the large stage feel centered and highlighted the grandeur of the 1920's aesthetic.

The cast should be commended for a very entertaining performance. They never lost their professional presence, despite minor technical difficulties. In its entirety, the cast, crew, and pit of Harriton High School paid excellent tribute to the ageless musical "Gypsy".

Bailey Collington
Interboro High School
Submitted for publication to GPC Website Review 4

"Everything's coming up roses!" in Harriton's production of "Gypsy", which details the story of Mama Rose amid her struggle to put her daughters'– and, of course her own, name in the papers. Harriton High School enraptured the audience with its telling of "Gypsy", with it's dazzling costumes and it's powerhouses of vocalists. 

"Gypsy" tells the story of Mama Rose, the one who perhaps originated the role of overbearing stage mom, as she struggles to make her daughters into stars despite the decline of vaudeville. With a book by Arthur Laurents and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy is a powerful and thought-provoking piece with musical numbers that have entranced audience members for generations.

Gypsy's leads possess a magnitude of vocal power, which quickly becomes the show's most notable and memorable feature. The costumes were vibrant and eye-catching, with close attention to detail. The crews‘ jobs were fairly simple and went out without a hitch, making the show flow smoothly and making it an even more enjoyable experience as the errors were minimal enough that they did not detract from the talent of the vocalists'.

From her first entrance, Allegra Greenawalt (Rose) had the audience captivated. Her vocal control, particularly in "Rose's Turn" and "Some People", was professional and precise, and her candid portrayal and performance never faltered. Rose's hesitant protégée, Louise, played by Anna Fleming, was endearing from the start. Her characterization was impressive, and her transition from meek and obedient daughter to confident and alluring star of burlesque in "Let Me Entertain You" was a standout moment in the show. 

The leads of Harriton's production of "Gypsy" were backed by a talented and energetic supporting cast who accurately portrayed the story through their own devotion. Standouts include the burlesque ensemble, who explained the art of their trade in "You Gotta Get a Gimmick". Nina Gold (Tessie Tura) gave a memorable performance, as she managed to capture the spunk and sass of her character despite a limited amount of time on stage. 

This student driven production is to be commended especially for their costuming work, which they modified to fit their show by hand. The costumes were all beautiful and clearly well put-together. In addition, the orchestra also consistently executed the difficult music well and the transitions flowed smoothly. 

The somewhat cautionary tale of "Gypsy" was marvelously captured at Harriton High School. The actors and actresses were as professional as they were talented, even in the face of any minor technological errors. This charming show provided heart, wit, and a feeling of compassion in all those who were privileged to see it.