It’s A Family Affair At Chanticleers Community Theatre
Story by Floyd Wayne
Pictures by Floyd Wayne

Families in Rehearsal (L to R, Top to Bottom) Bontadelli, Keating, Cowan, Weber, Kisch Gallagher, Fink, Bridgeman, Jones

Chanticleers Theatre, Castro Valley’s oldest community theatre, recently held auditions for their upcoming extravaganza musical “Gypsy.” The team of Al Fink, Michael Keating and Lori Beth Eisenstadt (director, musical director and choreographer) of last seasons “Fiddler On The Roof,” are back to mount another big show. In fact, Director Fink has cast over 25 actors to grace the intimate stage and work behind the scenes at Chanticleers, including multiple members of eight different families from local communities.

There are the Kisch Gallaghers(Oakland); the Bontadellis (Fremont); the Finks and the Webers (Dublin); the Keatings (San Lorenzo); and the Bridgemans, the Jones and the Cowans (Castro Valley) all in the show. Don’t miss “Gypsy” at Chanticleers—your neighbors might be in the show!

In addition, one of the area’s finest actresses and long-time Chanticleers favorite, Charlotte Jacobs, stars as Mama Rose. Stuart Fink plays Herbie; Kathleen Keating portrays Louise-turned-Gypsy; Leah Keating is June; and Zaiah Jones dances up a storm as Tulsa. The good-at-heart strippers are played by Dori Robinson (Tessie Tura); Mandy Brown (Mazeppa) and Barbara Gerber Jones (Electra).

“Gypsy” (written by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim) is based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with “the ultimate show business mother.” Memorable musical numbers include “Small World,” “Everything’s Coming up Roses,” “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” and “Let Me Entertain You.”

“Gypsy” opens on Friday night, October 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. at the Chanticleers Theatre at 3683 Quail Avenue in Castro Valley and will run every Friday and Saturday evening through November 21, 2010. Sunday matinee performances will be held at 2:00 p.m. on November 7, 14 and 21. There is no performance on October 24 or October 31, 2010 (Halloween).

Theatre goers attending the show on Friday, October 22, will be treated to Chanticleers’ Opening Night Gala after the show, including complimentary champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

Doors open ½ hour prior to performances. For reservations call 510-SEE-LIVE (510-733-5483). Ticket prices are $24 General, $20 Students and Seniors (55+) (and bargain night pricing of $18 for all seats on Friday, October 29).