Hoosac Valley to Perform 'Gypsy' This Weekend
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Hoosac Valley High School students will bring the Broadway classic "Gypsy" to the stage this weekend.
Musical and Technical Director Jacob Keplinger said he and Stage Director Nicole Boyer wanted to do something different this year for the spring musical.
"This one is different because it does not have a huge ensemble; it's a lot of small roles," Keplinger said. "We decided to go with a more trigonal Broadway style and this is from Broadway's golden era."
"Gypsy," music written by Jule Styne and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim, tells the story of an aggressive stage mother, Rose, and her two daughters, June and Louise, and their trip across the United States during the 1920s. The musical focuses on Rose but is loosely based on the memoirs of her daughter, famed burlesque artist Gypsy Rose Lee.
First performed in 1959, it depicts the adventures of Rose's family and frightening aspects of showbiz when Vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born.
Keplinger said more than 50 students are involved in the production and the show is student driven. Students have been rehearsing for two months.
He added that this time he decided to go with a larger traditional pit band instead of a rock combo.
Because so many of his own band students are on stage, he had to bring in community members from the Eagles Band and even a few Drury band students.
"A lot of the kids that would be playing in the pit band are on stage so I have to fill in with some people that can just sit down and play the part," he said.
Keplinger urged everyone to come see a classic show.
"It's a classic Broadway show and always put on a good show," Keplinger said.
The musical opens Friday at 7. Doors open at 6:30. The second performance takes place the same time Saturday.
Tickets are $10 adults and $8 for students and can be reserved online or purchased at the door.
Tags: high school production, HVHS, musical,
