Coco — a six-month-old phantom teacup poodle — will play the role of Chowsie, Rose’s beloved dog, in the revival of the classic Arthur Laurents Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim musical. Chowsie — “short for Chow Mein,” says Rose — appears throughout the first of the act of the musical, which stars two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters in the role of Rose.
William Berloni, who is Gypsy’s animal trainer, found the two-and-a half pound dog in Alabama, following a nationwide search. The musical will also feature a live lamb, although that casting has yet to be announced!
Produced by Robert Fox, Ron Kastner, Roger Marino, Michael Watt, Harvey Weinstein and WWLC, Gypsy’s official opening is scheduled for May 1. The production features original choreography by Jerome Robbins and additional choreography by Jerry Mitchell. Jodi Moccia is the associate choreographer and Peter Lawrence the associate director.
Joining Peters onstage are Tammy Blanchard (Louise), John Dossett (Herbie), Kate Reinders (Dainty June), David Burtka (Tulsa), Heather Tepe (Baby June), Addison Timlin (Baby Louise), Heather Lee (Tessie Tura), Julie Halston (Miss Cratchit/Electra), Kate Buddeke (Mazeppa), Brooks Ashmanskas (Mr. Goldstone/Pastey), Michael McCormick (Uncle Jocko/Cigar) and William Parry (Pop/Mr. Kringelein). Maureen Moore, who stoodby for Peters during her run in Song & Dance, will also standby for the star in this production.
The Gypsy company features Matt Bauer (Yonkers), Graham Bowen (Swing), Benjamin Brooks Cohen (Kansas), Macintyre Dixon (Phil/Mr. Weber), Joey Dudding (Farmboy/Georgie), Wally Dunn (Character Man), Brandon Espinoza (Farmboy), Tim Federle (Farmboy/Bougeron-Cochon), Eamon Foley (Newsboy), Jenna Gavigan (Hollywood Blonde), Sarah Jayne Jensen (Hollywood Blonde), Molly Kallins (Balloon Girl), Dontee Kiehn (Hollywood Blonde), Ginifer King (Hollywood Blonde), Julie Martell (Hollywood Blonde), Pamela Remler (Swing), Stephen Scarpulla (Newsboy), Chandra Schwartz (Agnes), Alexandra Stevens (Balloon Girl/Baby June u.s.), Cathy Trien (Maid) and Jordan Viscomi (Farmboy). The creative team includes Anthony Ward (scenic-costume design), Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (lighting design), Acme Sound Partners (sound design) and David Brian Brown (hair design). With orchestrations by Sid Ramin and Robert Ginzler and dance arrangements by John Kander, Gypsy features musical supervision by Patrick Vacariello and musical direction by Marvin Laird, the latter Peters' longtime musical director.
Tickets for Gypsy are available at the Shubert Theatre box office (225 West 44th Street) or through Telecharge at (212) 239-6200.
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Actress-singer Bernadette Peters is currently in rehearsals to play Rose in the much-anticipated revival of Gypsy, which begins previews March 31 at the Shubert Theatre. Peters won Tony Awards for her performances in Song & Dance and Annie Get Your Gun, and she has also starred on Broadway in Mack & Mabel, On the Town, Sunday in the Park with George, The Goodbye Girl and the original production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. Peters was recently inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame where she sang selections from her newest CD, the Grammy-nominated "Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers & Hammerstein." Her numerous screen credits include Emmy-nominated turns for "Ally McBeal" and "Bobbie's Girl," a Golden Globe-winning performance in "Pennies from Heaven" and roles in "The Jerk," "Silent Movie," "Bobbie's Girl," "Pink Cadillac" and "The Last Mile." She will also be seen in the upcoming Michael Douglas film "It Runs in the Family.”
