![\"Manny](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Gypsy_Linda_Manny_Allison_01webtop.jpg\")
<\/a>Several things are evident: \u201cGypsy\u201d has an iconic role in Gypsy Rose Lee\u2019s mother, Rose (originally played by Ethel Merman); it contains a poignant, unrequited love story; it has a dandy musical score that advances the plot; and it has one of the greatest 11th-hour songs ever written (\u201cRose\u2019s Turn\u201d).<\/p>\n If women had them, \u201cGypsy\u201d would be a ball-buster: It is exceptionally demanding vocally and decidedly iconic. Rose is quite simply a lioness training, guiding and propelling her not-so-talented kittens, Baby June (Katie Whalley Banville) and Louise (Allison Spratt Pearce) into vaudeville. In real life, June became actor June Haver and Louise, the world-renowned stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee.<\/p>\n Seeing a production played by anyone other than a splendid Rose is an excruciating experience, fraught with worry. Linda Libby is a top performer in any production anywhere (she performed the role at ion theatre in 2011). The woman has the supreme acting chops, the vocal capacity, and, yes, the balls to bring it off in Murray\u2019s meticulously cast production.<\/p>\n One may worry about certain areas of potential vocal strain, especially amid a vigorous schedule such as Cygnet\u2019s (seven performances each week), but there is never a doubt that experiencing Libby\u2019s performance is mountaintop, and all one can do is sit, awestruck in the dark.<\/p>\n Manny Fernandes is priceless as Herbie, the love-smitten manager of Rose\u2019s vaudeville troupe. He sticks with her and the kids through their childhood, providing stability and common sense. He stays long after his hopes of marrying Rose are dashed, throughout the prolonged death of vaudeville, and after the departure of June.<\/p>\n Finally, once Herbie witnesses the appalling desperation of Rose\u2019s hopes for Louise (Allison Spratt Pearce), he leaves.<\/p>\n The kids, young and older, are buoyant and believable, with Danny Hansen outstanding in the adult role of Tulsa, the dancer who strikes out on his own and elopes with June.<\/p>\n David Kirk Grant excels as all the fathers, uncles and impresarios, and finally as the jaded strip-show stage manager where the act finally breaks up and Louise\/Gypsy makes the talent and personality transformation that allows her to become a singular star on her own.<\/p>\n Marlene Montes, Kendra Truett, and Marci Anne Wuebben score indelibly as the trio of strippers that encourage her with \u201cYou Gotta Get a Gimmick.\u201d<\/p>\n Other songs are \u201cLet Me Entertain You,\u201d \u201cSome People,\u201d \u201cSmall World\u201d \u201cTogether, Wherever We Go,\u201d and \u201cEverything\u2019s Coming Up Roses.\u201d<\/p>\n Sean Fanning creates a snazzy proscenium scenic design replete with footlights; David Brannen is choreographer; Jeanne Reith, costume designer; Peter Herman, wig and makeup designer; Chris Rynne, lighting designer; and Dylan Nielsen, sound designer.<\/p>\n Other performers are Scotty Atienza, Emily Sade Bautista, Josh Bradford, Max Cadillac, Giovanni Cozic, Gabriella Dimmick, Sophia Dimmick, Hanz Enyeart, Matthew Garbacz, Hourie Klijian, Dallas Perry, Claire Scheper, Bailey Sonner, Lauren King Thompson, and Catalina Zelles.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>