”Gypsy” to light up Red Barn Theatre stage 

The celebrated musical “Gypsy” aims to dazzle Red Barn Theatre audiences July 10-20. Considered by many critics to be musical theater’s crowning achievement, director/choreographer Cathy Jones Wolf and musical director John Dutmer team up to lead a talented “Gypsy” cast hailing from seven local communities.

It’s a story of an ambitious stage mother, played by Holly Dalsveen of Chippewa Falls, who fights for her daughter’s success in the show business world of the 1920s and 30s while secretly yearning for her own triumph.

Loosely based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, celebrated composers Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents showcase their talents with many, now standard, hits such as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Let Me Entertain You.”

Joining Holly Dalsveen on the Red Barn stage is Jeff Dalsveen, also of Chippewa Falls, who portrays Herbie. Madeline Sampo of Clayton is Baby June, and Scottie Bernard of Chetek is Young Louise. From Rice Lake, Elena Halbur plays Dainty June, Gabriella Meinen portrays Louise, Michael Kelly is Tulsa, Quinn Campbell is Agnes, Ella Kodesh is Dolores, Raegan Stearns-Kutyba is Margaret May, and Blair Campbell and Ava Workman make up the Youth Chorus.

From Chetek, Chris Thompson plays Electra, Nancy Erickson Dutmer is Mazeppa and Rachel Westberg portrays Miss Cratchitt. Cooper Antczak of Weyerhaeuser portrays Yonkers while Carol Houghdahl of Turtle Lake plays Tessie Tura. Rounding out the cast with each playing multiple roles are Ed Houghdahl of Turtle Lake and Jeremy Westin of Cumberland.

Displayed in the Red Barn Gallery will be the work of Rice Lake Hilltop Elementary School students who have developed creativity and fine motor skills through drawing, printmaking, color mixing, sculpting and weaving. Many of their projects are inspired by celebrated artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alma Thomas, Vanessa Brantley-Newton and Norval Morrisseau. Audra Norton is the art instructor at Hilltop.

All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. There is no Sunday performance. Single admission tickets are $20. Reservations may be made by calling 715-234-8301 or online at redbarntheatre-ricelake.com.

The Red Barn Theatre is located northeast of Rice Lake at the junction of Highways M and 48.