Actress eager to finally debut as Mama Rose in Drury Lane's 'Gypsy'

Klea Blackhurst calls it "her role of a lifetime."

"When you're an actress in the theater, you reach that moment in your career when you realize age and experience has you ready for the 'Mama Rose' years, and I think that's a great time to be on the stage," said Blackhurst, who arrived to Chicago after the holidays to begin rehearsals as Mama Rose, the mother of all stage mothers in the legendary musical "Gypsy."

Blackhurst has not played "Mama Rose" in the past, nor had she ever been to Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook, Ill., prior to accepting the role.

"When I agreed to do this role, it was December and I was down in Sarasota, Fla., performing in a Christmas production," said Blackhurst during a break between rehearsals.

"What's so amazing was when the producers later announced that actress Andrea Prestinario would be playing my daughter Louise, I checked to see what she was working on at that moment, and I find out she's doing a show right in Sarasota and actually just across the street from where I'm working. Just as I'm about to walk over and meet her, I see this young actress wearing a wig cap coming towards me with a big smile, and it's her."

The six-time Tony Award-winning musical "Gypsy" began previews on Jan. 19 and officially opens Jan. 26 for a run through April 1.

Exploring the complex bond between a mother and daughter, "Gypsy" is based on the 1957 memoirs of burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee. Mama Rose is the stage mother wildly determined to turn her two young daughters into famous vaudeville performers.

For years, Rose focuses her attention on her younger, more talented daughter June, who eventually become actress June Havoc. But it was after June eloped with a dancer, Rose began to ruthlessly push her grand dreams of showbiz success onto her shy older daughter Louise.

Blackhurst admits she's a bit nervous to step into the high heels of one of the most famous stage characters of show business.

And even more pressure-intensifying is the fact that so many critics are eager to see how she does in the role, considering she's already made a career of performing so many of the favorite songs from the musical.

"Everything's Coming Up Roses" and other song staples have long been part of Blackhurst's popular New York cabaret show in tribute to the late, great Ethel Merman, who made the role of Mama Rose so iconic for the original 1959 Broadway run.

"The songs don't worry me, because I've been singing along with this soundtrack since I was 6 years old," Blackhurst said.

"It's the scenes with so many personal exchanges that I've been working so hard to nail. So many, many scene moments are like a freight train of emotions."

The Drury Lane production is directed by Drury Lane Theatre Artistic Director William Osetek. Considered to be one of the greatest American musicals ever written, "Gypsy" features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Arthur Laurents.

"Gypsy" also stars Francis Asher as stripper "Electra" and as her wardrobe shedding co-stars, Cheryl Avery is "Mazeppa" and Susan Lubeck as "Tessie Tura." Andrea Collier is June and Matthew Crowle is Tulsa.

It's choreographed by Jeff Award-winner Tammy Mader with the set created by Scenic Designer Martin Andrew.

As for the many other great ladies in addition to Merman who have played Mama Rose, such as the 1963 film version starring Rosalind Russell, the 1993 TV movie remake with Bette Midler and the 2008 Broadway revival with Patti LuPone, Blackhurst has her own favorite portrayals.

"I loved seeing actresses Linda Lavin and Tyne Daly on stage as Mama Rose," Blackhurst said.

"I just want my portrayal to be welcomed by the audience as a balance of unique and traditional."