Two decades ago Paula Scrofano was a hit as Louise Hovick, the shy vaudevillian who eventually blossomed into stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, in the Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim musical “Gypsy” at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Before that, in 1979, she filled the same role in fine style at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Summit.
A year ago Michael Weber, artistic director at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Ind., came calling for Scrofano: After a 20-year absence, Weber asked Scrofano to return to “Gypsy,” this time not as Louise but as her mother, Mama Rose, a role that has made and broken acting careers since opening night on Broadway back in 1959. Faced with the formidable challenge of scene-stopping solo tunes such as “Some People” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” Scrofano wasn’t so sure she wanted any part of Mama Rose.
Because playing the part might make Scrofano feel old? “No, I’ve been playing mother roles on stage for the last 10 years. That felt natural to me.
“Those are tough songs that require a power belter. I never considered them in my repertoire,” says Scrofano, whose long career isn’t exactly notable for a shrinking-violet voice. (Scrofano may be remembered for ably tackling the robust title role in “Victor/Victoria” at the Marriott Theatre years ago). “I tried the songs at home in my dining room and I still wasn’t certain I could handle them. I told Michael I’d take the job if he’d agree to alter some of the songs by a half-key if we had to. He said that would be fine with him.”
As rehearsals were winding down before previews started last week, Scrofano still had some anxiety about being under-practiced. Just before New Year’s she closed a long run starring in “James Joyce’s The Dead” at Court Theatre. “I couldn’t rehearse the songs for `Gypsy’ at all while `The Dead’ was still running,” Scrofano explains. “It ruined my voice for the delicate songs that `The Dead’ required. So it’s ended up being a very short rehearsal period. But that’s nothing new for actors in the theater.”
As it turned out, the songs haven’t required much adjusting.
With Weber directing, the “Gypsy” cast also includes David Girolmo, who played Julian Marsh in Theatre at the Center’s production of “42nd Street,” in the role of Herbie, and Johanna McKenzie Miller, making her debut with the group, as Louise. Tesha Buss choreographed and the sets are by Robert C. Martin.
In other suburbs
For fans of the playwright Ray Cooney, there are dueling versions of his stalwart comedy “Run for Your Wife,” a 1982 farce about a London taxicab driver living a double-life with two women, on stage this weekend.
The theater department at Morton College (3801 S. Central Ave., Cicero; 708-656-8000) is presenting a 10th anniversary production, with five of the eight cast members who starred in the 1993 show at the school returning to perform. Directed by Dante Orfei. The other revival is being presented by Attic Playhouse (410 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park; 847-433-2660), with David Belew directing.
`Gypsy’
When: Saturday through Feb. 23
Where: Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Rd., Munster, Ind.
Price: $16-$30; 219-836-3255
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