Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Gypsy Roams into Ravinia Tonight with Patti LuPone

Gypsy Roams into Ravinia Tonight with Patti LuPone

In a role that she was born to play, Patti LuPone takes to the stage this evening as Mama Rose in Gypsy at Ravinia Festival just north of Chicago. Backed up by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, LuPone will be joined by Jessica Boevers in the title role, Jack Willis (Herbie), Katie Rancourt (Baby Louise), Ashton Smalling (Baby June), Jen Temen (June), Leo Ash Evens (Tulsa), Derin Altay (Electra) and Jane Blass (Mazeppa). Performances run through Sunday at this outdoor theatre located in Highland Park, Illinois.

Stephen Sondheim -- who wrote Gypsy's iconic lyrics -- is scheduled to make a special appearance tonight for a pre-concert discussion with Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman at 6:45 pm (Sondheim made a similar appearance at last year's Ravinia Festival prior to one of the performances of Anyone Can Whistle, which also included LuPone, along with Audra McDonald and Michael Cerveris). Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis to those attending tonight's performance.

I have to admit to be wildly excited about this performance -- in fact, I've had my tickets since last December. I'll be sitting in Row Q at Saturday evening's performance and will have a review for you shortly after.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for tickets.
Related Stories:
O-Kaye Given to Temporary LuPone Replacement (May 18, 2006)

Labels: Chicago, Gypsy, Opening Night, Patti LuPone, Ravinia, Stephen Sondheim

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Friday, August 11, 2006