Nemetz made her Broadway debut in the original production of Cabaret and later succeeded Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly in the original mounting of Chicago. She received a Drama Desk nomination for her performance in Working, appeared opposite Peter Allen in Up in One and was Liza Minnelli's standby in The Rink. Nemetz has also starred in the national tours of Sweet Charity, Cabaret, Bye Bye Birdie and Some Like It Hot.
After a limited engagement this past summer at City Center — the inaugural production of the Encores! Summer Stars series — the acclaimed mounting of Gypsy — starring LuPone and directed by Arthur Laurents — will begin previews at the St. James Theatre March 3 with an official opening March 27.
Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti, who played, respectively, Herbie and Louise in the City Center production, will repeat their roles for Broadway. They will be joined onstage by Leigh Ann Larkin as Dainty June, Tony Yazbeck as Tulsa, Marilyn Caskey as Electra, Alison Fraser as Tessie, and Lenora Nemetz as Mazeppa with Bill Bateman as Mr. Goldstone, Jim Bracchitta as Uncle Jocko, Sami Gayle as Baby June, Bill Raymond as Pop, Brian Reddy as Weber, and Emma Rowley as Baby Louise.
The ensemble will comprise Beckley Andrews, Nancy Renée Braun, Mindy Dougherty, Kyrian Friedenberg, Sarah Marie Hicks, Steve Konopelski, Matthew Lobenhofer, Nicole Mangi, Katie Micha, Matty Price, Andy Richardson, Jessica Rush, Alicia Sable, John Scacchetti, Geo Seery, Rider Quentin Stanton and Pearce Wegener.
Gypsy will feature scenic design by James Youmans, costumes by Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz, lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, hair by Tony Award winner Paul Huntley and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier. Gypsy features a score by Jule Styne (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) and a book by Arthur Laurents. The musical bowed on Broadway in May 1959 at the Broadway Theatre, playing 702 performances before closing at the Imperial Theatre, where it later transferred, on March 25, 1961. Ethel Merman created the role of Rose in the original production; subsequent Broadway Roses include Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly and Bernadette Peters. Merman and Peters were Tony-nominated for their performances; Lansbury and Daly won the coveted award.
Gypsy will be produced on Broadway by Roger Berlind, The Routh - Frankel - Baruch - Viertel Group, Roy Furman, Debra Black, Ted Hartley, Roger Horchow, David Ian, Scott Rudin and Jack Viertel.
During previews Gypsy will play Monday-Saturday at 8 PM and Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM. Beginning March 31, show times will be Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM. (There will be no performance Friday, March 28; a matinee has been added on Sunday, March 30).
Tickets, priced $42-$117, are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com. The St. James Theatre is located at 246 West 44th Street.
