LaVergne, Walker, Ward et al. Join Lewis in North Shore Music Theatre's GYPSY, 7/6 - 7/25

Bill Hanney launches the 2010 Broadway musical series at the new North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) with Vicki Lewis starring in GYPSY. A veteran of the stage and screen, Vicki Lewis is most remembered for her 5 seasons playing Beth on the NBC sitcom, "NewsRadio." The multi award winning Broadway classic GYPSY runs July 6 - 25, 2010, with press night scheduled for July 8 at 7:30pm.

"Like North Shore Music Theatre, Gypsy is a classic! With its masterful story telling, beautiful music, dazzling costumes and a top notch cast, the audiences are sure to be entertained and excited for the return of NSMT!" said Bill Hanney, NSMT's new owner and producer. "Our new Artistic Director, Evans Haile, and I are confident that this show will set the perfect tone for our inaugural season at NSMT."

Gypsy, the 1959 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents, is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Momma Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother." Gypsy follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The musical contains many songs that became popular standards, including "Small World," Everything's Coming up Roses, "You'll Never Get Away from Me," and "Let Me Entertain You."

Gypsy will star stage and screen actress Vicki Lewis as Rose. Best known for her role as the quirky secretary Beth in the NBC sitcom "NewsRadio." Vicki has also starred in the NBC sitcom "Three Sisters" and the WB animated comedy "Mission Hill." Her guest appearances include "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Seinfeld" and "Murphy Brown." Vicki has had recurring roles on "Home Improvement," "Caroline in the City," "The Norm Show," "Grace Under Fire," "Phenom" and "The 5 Mrs. Buchanans." Film appearances include Finding Nemo, Mousehunt, and Godzilla. On stage, recent Broadway credits include Damn Yankees and Chicago and appearing with Peter Gallagher and Patti LuPone in Pal Joey at the New York City Center. Vicki recently released "East of Midnight," her debut solo album and works steadily onstage in LA and voicing characters for television and film projects.

Also featured in the cast are Nisa Ari, Richard Bell, John Allen Biles, Jack Doyle, Alliy Drago, Hayley Driscoll, Amanda Frennier, Laurie Gamache (Tessie Tura), Sarah Hicks, Tony Johnson, Amanda Lea LaVergne (June), Trey Mitchell, Matthew Moore, Jan Neuberger (Electra), Marty Passante , Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Mazeppa), Eric Shorey, Sarah Safer (Baby June), Matthew Simpkins, Diane Terrusa, Catherine Walker (Louise), Kirby Ward (Herbie), and Pearce Wegener (Tulsa).

Local children performing in Gypsy include: Andover, MA resident Aliya Victoriya Druth (age 9); Gloucester, MA residents Andrew Murdock (age 11), Cheyenne Beauparlant (age 11), Heather Beauparlant (age 9), and Isaac Beauparlant (age 6); Millis, MA residents Uatchet Juch (age 10) and Nekhebet Juch (age 10); Peabody, MA residents Harrison Gray (age 11) and Shane Braz (age 10); Salem, MA resident Leo Santoro (age 11); Winchester, MA resident Hannah Piispanen, (Baby Louise, age 10); and Woburn, MA resident Harold McDavid (age 6).

Gypsy will be directed and choreographed by Richard Sabellico. The creative team also includes Nick DeGregorio (Musical Director), Campbell Baird (Scenic Designer), Jose Rivera (Costume Coordinator), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), James McCartney (Sound Designer) and Gerard Kelly (Wig Designer).

Tickets for GYPSY are priced from $35 - $65. Performances are July 6 - 25, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets: call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or in person at 62 Dunham Rd. Beverly.

Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on July 13 after the 7:30 pm performance July 24 after the 2 pm performance; Out at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception on July 22.

Since 1955, NSMT has become one of the most attended theatres in New England, with approximately 250,000 patrons annually. With a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, NSMT has received numerous industry awards including Elliot Norton Awards, IRNE Awards, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and the Moss Hart Award. Under new ownership in 2010, NSMT continues to annually produce a musical subscription series and an annual production of A Christmas Carol along with celebrity concerts and children's programming.