Photographs by Kat Stiennon Photography

With ‘Gypsy,’ it’s young Capital City Theatre’s turn

Wisconsin Gazette

CCT has upped the ante for this production by casting Broadway performer Michele Ragusa in the pivotal role of Rose, a character that has helped define the careers of Ethel Merman, Bernadette Peters and others who have played her. Broadway director Jeff Whiting will helm the semi-staged musical production, further strengthening the show’s pedigree in ways that CCT artistic director Andrew Abrams says will help the two-year-old company carve a deeper niche for itself in the Madison marketplace.

Michele Ragusa dazzles the audience in Capital City Theatre’s production. Her singing voice is reminiscent of Judy Garland in her prime.

~Isthmus

The Main Cast

Michele Ragusa, Mamma Rose
Liz Griffith, Gypsy Rose Lee
Sean Thomas, Herbie
Sara M. O’Connor, June
Sabra Michelle, Tessie Tura
Gail Becker, Mazeppa
Amy Welk, Elektra
KyLee Hennes, Baby June
Jane Hobson, Baby Louise

Madison actor Liz Griffith was Louise … Griffith imbued plenty of her own grim determination into Louise …Hers was one of the most authentic performances in the show.

~Madison Magazine

“Everybody needs something impossible to believe in,” Rose tells Herbie and Louise . . .it’s not hard to argue that her point extends to Cap City … They’ve shown us they can compile the national and local talent to do a modern show (last year’s production of "Violet") and, now, one of the all-time classics. Color us interested to see what they can do next year, when they plan to stage two shows.

~Madison Magazine