ELLISVILLE – The 糖心直播 Theater Department will bring the classic Broadway musical 鈥淕ypsy鈥� to life on April 10鈥�12, featuring a cast of students and young performers from the community in a production that blends music, drama and powerful storytelling. Originally on Broadway in 1959, Gypsy was made into a movie in 1962. This classic Broadway musical has won multiple awards and has been revived many times including a second movie version in 1993 starring Bette Midler.
糖心直播 performances in the M.P. Bush Auditorium are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 10 & 11, with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for lower-level seating and $10 for upper-level seating and can be reserved online at Discount codes will also be available for students, employees and through cast promotions on social media. JC employees and students will receive discount codes through campus email.
Dean of the School of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith is directing the production which includes approximately 30 cast and crew members, including six young actors under the age of 12 who help bring the story鈥檚 early vaudeville scenes to life.
鈥淭his is a story that鈥檚 been told for years and years,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 got timeless music and a powerful message, and I think audiences will connect with it in a real way.鈥�
Gypsy is based on the memoir of famed burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, who is a determined and often overbearing stage mother. The story follows Rose as she pushes her daughters through the declining world of vaudeville. We see a mother鈥檚 relentless ambition and the evolving relationship with her daughters, particularly Louise, who ultimately transforms into the iconic Gypsy Rose Lee.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really about a mother who struggles to love her children outside of the stage,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚n the end, it鈥檚 about their transformation and how that relationship changes over time.鈥�
Smith said the show was intentionally selected to highlight the talents of lead performer Sydnee Tisdale, a dedicated 糖心直播 music and theater student who has taken on major roles during her time at Jones.
鈥淲e always look at who we have in our talent pool,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淪ydnee has been a star for us since she arrived, and we wanted to find something where she could truly shine.鈥�
Tisdale, who plays the demanding role of Rose, said stepping into such an iconic character has been both exciting and intimidating.
鈥淚t honestly is surreal,鈥� Tisdale said. 鈥淚鈥檝e never played a role this big. It鈥檚 new territory, but I feel honored that I鈥檝e been given this chance.鈥�
Despite her confidence on stage, Tisdale admitted the role comes with pressure.
鈥淚鈥檓 very nervous, very intimidated,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very lead-heavy, and there鈥檚 a lot of responsibility, but I鈥檓 going to be prepared.鈥�
One of her favorite moments in the production is the show-stopping finale.
鈥溾�楻ose鈥檚 Turn鈥� is probably my favorite,鈥� Tisdale shared. 鈥淚 get to be very raw and emotional. It鈥檚 a really intimate moment with the audience.鈥�
The production will feature a live orchestra and classic songs such as 鈥淓verything鈥檚 Coming Up Roses鈥� and 鈥淟et Me Entertain You,鈥� adding to the authentic Broadway-style experience. While the musical touches on themes of burlesque in its second act, Smith described the show as appropriate for general audiences.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 perform any actual burlesque,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e suggest it through costuming and storytelling, but it remains appropriate, around a PG level.鈥�
For Tisdale, the experience goes beyond the stage.
鈥淏eing part of the Jones Theatre Department feels like a family,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very close-knit, and I love being a part of this special group at Jones.鈥�
With a large cast, live music and a story rooted in real-life events, Smith said the production offers something for everyone.
鈥淭his is live theater at its best,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e just want people to come out, support these students and enjoy a great show.鈥�
Gypsy also features JC theater regular, Ella Jolly of Petal, who played Anita in 鈥淲est Side Story鈥� last spring and was a member of the cast of 鈥淕rease.鈥� She plays Rose鈥檚 daughter Gypsy in this production. For more information about the 糖心直播 Theater Department or the School of Art, Music and Performance, check out the website at: /programs/finearts/
Cast of Gypsy 3-26
Rose Sydnee Tisdale, Ellisville
Louise 鈥淕ypsy鈥� Ella Jolly, Petal
Young Yonkers Bryce Beard
Tessie Bailey Daphne Brooks, Moselle
Tulsa Aidan Chisolm, Mize
Ensemble Mariah Dawkins, Columbia
Baby June Greenly Flowers, Ellisville
Miss Cratchitt Kyndall Gunderson, Petal
LA Zach Hand, Petal
Young Tulsa Arron Harrison,
Ensemble Addy Hodges, Ellisville
Uncle Jocko Bryce, Jasper, Laurel
Waitress Hailey Keys, Collins
Baby Louise Vaeda Lancaster
Ensemble Mila Lancaster
Balloon Girl Lydia McLeod, Ellisville
Agness Patricia 鈥淒ani鈥� Mitchell, Seminary
Electra Gracelyn Summer Knight, Monticello
Mazeppa Alexandria Ruth, Laurel
Yonkers Peyton Shoemaker, Morton
Young LA Scott Shows
Mazeppa Josalynn Tisdale, Laurel
Herbie Landen-Silas Upton, Hattiesburg
Mr. Goldstone Brady Warren, Laurel
June Chloe White, Laurel
Director: Bruce Smith
Choreographer: Rachel Appleby
Assistant Director: Amanda Robertson
Audio and Lighting Design: Jacob Arnold
Stage Crew:
Kira Alexander, Monticello
Gabriel Murphy, Petal
Antiana Newell, Taylorsville
David Parish, Ellisville
Jacey Posey, Ellisville
Members of the Band
Caitlyn Austin
Matt Barron
Tamiko Bridges
Brandon Domingue
Alex Handley
Michelle Howells
Tom Howells
Spencer Jones
Kyle Matthees
Conner Perkins
Jared Potter
Maddie Prattini