By Ande Jacobson

Sunnyvale Community Players proudly opens its 45th season with the theatre classic – Gypsy – the story of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee’s mother Rose, the person who defines the archetypical stage mother. This well-known musical includes songs such as “Some People,” “Together, Wherever We Go,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and “Rose’s Turn,” along with several others that will be familiar to many audience members.

Director Kim Saunders is thrilled to have such a dynamic cast headed by Alice Hughes as Rose in the role that made Ethel Merman a household name. George Mauro plays Rose’s latest love interest Herbie, and Cami Jackson returns to the Sunnyvale stage to become Louise, better known as Gypsy Rose Lee.

Others in the cast include: Justine Caron, Gabrielle Catipon, Ori Gal, Jianna Gladfelter, Kaylie Gladfelter, Janelle Gruss, Haley Henson, Shayan Hooshmand, Danni Horwitz, Darrell Hubbard, Jacqueline Kehoe, Barbara Kelly, Mel Kent, Alison Koch, Braden Koch, Elizabeth Claire Lawrence, Sam Nachison, Joseph Payne, Stella Pietro, Larry Raboy, Sam Saunders, Julianne Shapiro, Melody Shapiro, Matt Tipton.

Musical director Jeff Hicks wants to present the full glory of the luscious Jule Styne score. His orchestra includes: Doreen Oroshnik, Claudia Zornow, Paula Sanchez, Ande Jacobson, Jack Stanley, Owen Hakes, Stephen Fernbach, Martin McHan, Keith Leung, Richard Krishnan, Stephen Holmes, Ed Lacina, Andy Scott, Matt Micheilin, Paul Olivo, Susan Schadeck-Chase, Greg Goebel, Gail Selburn, Gordon Bowman, Don Brownson, Darrell Kinder, Faye Yang, Marilyn Anderson, Lisa Kenny, Miho Nishi, Judy Diamond, Pam Robinson, David Lake, and Richard Lum, Brent Jorgenson, Bob Wylie, and Bruce Herman. Note that not all players play all performances.

Tickets are available online through the Sunnyvale Community Players’ website or by phone at 408-733-6611. The show runs Thursday – Sundays, 12 September – 5 October 2014.

Performances will be at the Sunnyvale Community Center’s Theater located at: 550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale CA 94087.

There will be no A Good Reed Review review for this one as yours truly will be sitting in the pit surrounded by a bevy of reeds contributing to the instrumental excitement of this production.

(Photo courtesy of Sunnyvale Community Players)