Since it’s Broadway premier in 1959, GYPSY has seen a steady stream of stars take on the leading role of Rose,-‘read more’ for details and an interview about TLP including Ethel Merman, Rosalind Russell, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone. For the production opening Timber Lake’s 55th season, the playhouse has welcomed back Broadway and television star, Saundra Santiago. Learn more in this interview with TLP’s Dan Danielowski
Ms. Santiago is known to audiences for her starring roles on “Miami Vice,” “The Sopranos,” “Guiding Light,” “One Life to Live” and more. She appeared on Broadway in A View From The Bridge, Chronicle of a Death Foretold and Nine, as well as a stint as Eva Peron in the national tour of Evita. But many local audiences have followed her career since her professional debut as a company member at Timber Lake in 1980.
Link: Gypsy at TLP
“I am thrilled and delighted to perform at Timber Lake again—particularly to perform a role I’ve dreamt about doing and have been studying for my entire life, Mama Rose. I will never forget performing Anita in West Side Story back in 1980, and meeting such wonderful talented people, many I am still in contact with today,” she said.
The musical tells the story of indomitable stage mother, Rose, as she traipses her daughters, June and Louise, across the United States during the 1920′s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born. As child-star June grows tired of her mother’s influence, Rose pushes the less-talented, over-looked Louise into performing. Little does Rose know, though, that somewhere within Louise, a star named Gypsy Rose Lee is waiting to get out.
TLP newcomer Olivia Kaufmann plays Louise, with Caroline Kasay as June. Guest star John B. Boss, a Chicago based actor who recently closed the national tour of The Producers plays agent and love interest Herbie.
The cast also includes the TLP resident company and six youth performers from the region: Avery Findlay, Nikki Honchell, Myah Ackeberg, Cora Dittmar, Laiken Haas and Avery Moran.
The summer season at Timber Lake continues with Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First Hundred Years, Rock of Ages, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Titanic and Gaslight. Subscriptions to see all six shows (including Gypsy) are available for $119 through June 12th. The Magic Owl Children’s Theatre at TLP will present a rock and roll musical version of The Three Little Pigs from the writers of Broadway’s Mary Poppins.
Gypsy runs June 2 through 12 at Timber Lake Playhouse, located at 8215 Black Oak Road in rural Mount Carroll, Illinois. Tickets are $17 to $25 and may be purchased at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or by calling 815-244-2035.
