"GYPSY"

Shoreline Players Production of "GYPSY" was a huge success! We would like to thank everyone (Directors, cast, crew and appreciative audiences!) who helped make this production "one of Shoreline's best musicals ever!"

We would like to share with you some of the highlights of the creation and production of this show through the following pictorial essay. The images may download slowly and you may have to refresh this page several time for your computer to download them all, but be patient - it's worth it. Enjoy!

Who's Who on the Crew

Director - Andre DeWilde
Assistant Director - Betty DeWilde
Music Director - Jim Sapp
Producer - Brian Marvin
Assistant Producer - Mary Beth Fauchs
Choreographer - Amanda Mayville
Set Construction - Mark Lee, Jack Carlson
Set Decoration - "Wooden Nickel", Anne Powers, Sam Knuth
Set Painting - Margaret Derthick, Diane Loch
Stage Manager - Jay Wells
Props - Julie Pulda, Jean Gonzalez, Joan Shively
Lighting & Sound - John Parsons Makela
Publicity: Tom O'Malley
Costumes - Jan Carlson, Joan Robinson, Judy Reeder, Janis Angus, Pam Idema, Laura Asmus, Bethany Myers, Cheryl Rudolph, Jill Samotis, Carolyn Schwedler
Made-up - Debbie Adams, Carolyn Schwedler, Cindy Schwedler, Jill Samotis
Hair Styles - Hair Stop
Tickets - Karen Hoenes
House Chairperson - Maripat O'Malley
Playboard - Mary Beth Fauchs
Photography - by Michaels, Oscoda Studio

Cast of Characters

Uncle Jocko - Mark Lee
George - Camron Herriman
Baby June - Nicole Jackson
Baby Louise - Carley Rae Rudolph
Rose - Casey Makela
Stage Manager - Jim Dion
Pop - Tom O'Malley
Weber - Ed Reeder
Herbie - Mark Lee
Louise (Gypsy) - Marion Makela
June - Patricia Idema
Tulsa - Jason Franks
Yonkers - Tristan Peach
Angie - Camron Herriman
L.A. - Danny Wimmer
Kringelein - Brian Marvin
Goldstone - Pat Copland
Miss Cratchitt - Phyllis Fannin
Patsy - Denise Freeland
Tessie Tura - Amanda Mayville
Mazeppa - Judy Reeder
Electra - Jill Samotis
Cigar - Tom O'Malley
Announcer - Jim Dion
Maid - Phyllis Fannin
Cow-Back Half - Kayla Kerentoff
Auditioning Kids - Abby Reeder, Denelle Wilson, Danny Wimmer, Andrew Bernau Boy Scouts & Newsboys - Brianna Dalton, Brittany Lynch, Abby Reeder, Danny Wimmer, Andrew Bernau, Mykel Lee Toreadorables & Hollywood Blondes - Angela Roberts (Edna), Denelle Wilson (Marjorie May), Datie Killingbeck (Dolores), Kayla Kerentoff (Geraldine), Natalie Rapp (Gail), Samantha Lariviere (Agnes)
Phil (Press Agent) - Camron Herriman
Bourgeron-Cochon - Pat Copland


Click on any of the following pictures to see an enlarged graphic!


Shoreline Players production of "GYPSY" was Directed by Andre DeWilde with Assistant Director Betty DeWilde. Music Director was Jim Sapp.

Andre & Betty DeWilde



Music Director Jim Sapp hard at work fine tuning just moments before a performance!


Auditions for GYPSY took place in August 2003. There were many children and adults who tried out for the various roles and after several weeks the cast was assembled and the work of blocking each scene began.

Director Andre DeWilde (back to camera) thoughtfully blocked scenes with artistic detail to get the most out of each actor and to ensure every character came alive. Choreographer Amanda Mayville (stage right, white shirt) worked with Andre to create exceptional dance routines that would fit the scenes and be entertaining. Here, Andre & Amanda work with Marion (stage left - Louise/cow) & Patricia (June) in the farm scene.

Choreographer Amanda Mayville (stage left) carefully worked with the performers in every scene to create stylish and workable routines that would complement the settings Director Andre DeWilde created (Andre is seated with back to camera working with Amanda). Amanda made sure everyone learned their steps and had the remarkable ability to instill confidence in each person she worked with!


Very early weeks of rehearsal, blocking act 1, scene 9 with Director Andre DeWilde & Mucic Director Jim Sapp (left to right, backs to camera).
Actors from stage right - Mark Lee (Herbie), Phyllis Fannin ("Miss Cratchitt"), Marion Makela ("Louise"), and Patricia Idema ("June").
L - Marion Makela (Louise) & R - Patricia Idema (June) blocking.
Click here to hear Marion ("Louise") in early music rehearsal under the guidance of Andre DeWilde & Music Director Jim Sapp. This file will take several minutes more to download than all of the graphics.


Click here to hear Patricia ("June") & Marion ("Louise") in early music rehearsal under the guidance of Andre DeWilde & Music Director Jim Sapp. This file will take several minutes more to download than all of the graphics.


Rehearsals took place three to four nights a week. Sunday afternoons were added in October as the Pit was brought together and music rehearsals became more intense.

Here are some candid pictures of just a few of the many musicians who made up our fantastic Orchestra! Many of these fine artists traveled several hours (one way!) from out of town to contribute to this production.




There was simply a phenomenal amount of work achieved by a group of remarkable people who all worked hard to make this production a success.

The exceptional costuming was a result of a complicated process that involved studying each character's role(s) and then creating and fitting garments that were both true to the era and appropriate for the stage. This seemingly insurmountable task was accomplished under the skillful direction and partnership of two of the most accomplished seamstresses that have ever worked with Shoreline Players; Jan Carlson and Joan Robinson. Costume design and custom sewing began the very moment the show was cast and involved many, many late nights of sewing and alterationos by both Jan & Joan and their had work really gave the show its colorful vibrance. Jan and Joan worked tirelessly and with an attention to detail that allowed each and every character in this production to perform their roles with the confidence of knowing that their costumes were exquisite! Many of the costumes were custom made for the performers - including the stunning gown that "Gypsy" Rose Lee dazzled her audience in (and out of!). We were fortunate that Jan was also able to procure a cow head from Mary Anne Potter of Kansas that was just perfect!

Mark Lee ("Uncle Jacko" & "Herbie" - as well as one of the set designers) and costume designer Jan Carlson with the Cow head - Thanks, Jan, for locating that wonderful prop!


Jan Carlson (L) worked hard to transform Marion Makela (R - "Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee") from an unassuming, overlooked, untalented sister to the glamorus Gypsy Rose Lee.




Marion Makela (L) with Joan Robinson who also worked on every detail of the wonderful costumes in this show.
Joan was calm and reassuring during the most stressful moments and "Rose" & "Gypsy" greatly benefited from her thoughtfulness.



Our Stage Manager, Jay Wells was especially dedicated to all of the endless backstage details. Jay had a great backstage crew who all worked hard behind the scenes with him, (on set design/construction and props). They ensured that the show went smoothly.

Stage Manager, Jay Wells (R) with his daughter Christina who worked with props.
Stage Manager Jay Wells (R) with one of his handy crew, Lowell Miller - Jay was in constant communication with the lighting & sound Manager - John Parsons (pictured below) and they worked carefully together on the details via remote head-sets. John & Jay created a few moments of levity to lighten the mood and ease pre-show tension - as when John would radio down false alarms for Jay to operations check certain possibly faulty garment mechanisms ("made you look"!).

Lighting and sound were professionally managed by John Parsons Makela.
Lighting & Sound Manager - John Parsons Makela (R), pictured with Anne Powers who kept John (and everyone backstage!) well fed on delectably tasty treats including her famous Scottish Shortbread. John was delighted to reacquaint himself with that cultural culinary masterpiece which he hadn't had since he performed with Shoreline Players in the musical "Annie Get Your Gun" 10 years prior. He said it really brought back wonderful memories!


Anne Powers (L - props) and Casey (R - "Rose") minutes before the curtain opened for Act 1, scene 1. This show was a reunion of sorts for these two ladies as Casey and Anne had performed together with Shoreline Players 10 years prior in the production of "Annie Get Your Gun". Casey was "Annie" and Anne was the Choreographer and one of the dancers in the show.



Casey ("Rose") with two wonderful backstage props ladies - L - Julie Pulda, R - Jean Gonzalez!


Before each show, there was the important task of getting all of the actors in make-up and costumes. We had a wonderful group that carefully worked with actors to make them look just right for the stage!







Mark Lee getting made up for his role as "Uncle Jocko" as Camron Herriman ("Angie", "George" & press agent "Phil") looks on.
Mark also played "Herbie" in the show.



Pam Idema working on Tom O' Malley's make-up for his role as "Pop".



Jill Samoitis (L - "Electra") touching up make-up onTristan Peach (R - "Yonkers")



Pat Idema (L - "June") & Marion Makela (R - "Louise"), partaking in some last minute dilly-dalleying.
"Well come on, get your make-up on, there ant' much time!!"



Nicole Jackson (R - "Baby June") with her Grandmother, Janis Angus, who worked with costumes and make-up and helped Nicole get ready.
Nicloe is holding "Mari-May's China", an adorable Shih-tzu who played the role of "Chowsie Wowsie".


Marion Makela (L - "Louise") & Carley Rae Rudolph (R - "Baby Louise").



Carley Rae Rudolph (L - "Baby June") and Patricia Idema (R - "June").



Ed Reeder - "Mr. Weber"



Jim Dion (L - "Announcer") with Camron Herriman (R - "Angie", "George" & press agent "Phil").
Make haste gentlemen - time's a wastin'!




Amanda Mayville (Choreographer & "Tessie Tura") and Marion Makela ("Louise"/"Gypsy Rose Lee").
Amanda Amanda worked very closely with Marion to create "Gypsy's" strip scene.



Casey Makela ("Mama Rose") back stage with Mari-May's China ("Chowsie Wowsie")



Go to page 2 for more pictures of Shoreline Players production of "GYPSY"!

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