Gypsy
CLosed - September 8 - 25, 2022
Opening Night September 9th
Book By: Arthur Laurents
Music By: Jule Styne
Lyrics By: Stephen Sondheim
Directed and Choreographed by: Lee Ann Payne
Music Direction By: Rick Reynolds
Regarded by many as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart, and sophistication.
The celebrated score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim boasts one glorious hit after another, including: “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” “If Momma Was Married,” “All I Need Is the Girl,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick,” “Small World,” and “Together Wherever We Go.”
Cast & Production
Show Cast
In Alphabetical Order
*Actors appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
| Agnes/u/s Louise | Trixie Aballa |
|---|---|
| Tessie Tura/Mrs. Crachitt | Lisa Appleyard |
| Toreadorable | Eriette Atanante |
| Toreadorable | Lilia Bernstein |
| Mazeppa/u/s Rose | Jill Collister |
| Tulsa | Tommy Consunji |
| Toreadorable | Chloe Fong |
| Toreadorable | Autumn Gallati |
| Newsboy | Tristan Gunderson |
| Young LA | Leo Itzkovitz |
| Newsboy | Stephen Kanaski |
| Baby Newsboy | Akira Lohia |
| Toreadorable | Marisa Lopes |
| Pop/Others | John Mannion |
| June | Melissa Momboisse |
| Baby June | Allison O’Leary |
| Rose | Stephanie Prentice* |
| Baby Newsboy | Priscilla Qi |
| Herbie | Chris Reber* |
| Louise | Makena Reynolds |
| Newsboy | Alex Rosenberg |
| Electra | Deborah Rosengaus |
| Young Louise | Riley Savage |
| Young Kansas | Rhys Townsager |
Production team
| Director/Choreographer | Lee Ann Payne |
|---|---|
| Music Direction | Rick Reynolds |
| Stage Manager | River Bermudez-Sanders |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Gabrielle Simpson |
| Costume/Hair/Wig Designer | Sharon Peng |
| Lighting Designer | Pam Gray |
| Sound Design | Brandie Larkin |
| Set Designer/Producer/Company AD | Randy O’Hara |
| Prop Master | Rosie Issel |
Bios
*Actors appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
Trixie Aballa
Agnes, u/s Louise
Trixie is excited to be making her Hillbarn debut! She was recently seen as Mimi in “RENT” at Marin Musical Theatre Company. A local Bay Area performer, she was raised in Pinole and currently lives in San Francisco. Trixie graduated from SF State University, majoring in Theatre Arts (2016). Past credits include: Petra in “A Little Night Music” (42nd Street Moon), Svetlana in Chess: In Concert (42nd Street Moon), Cynthia (u/s) in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (Contra Costa Musical Theatre), Erzulie (u/s) in Once on This Island (Contra Costa Civic Theatre), Little Red in Into the Woods and Little Sally in Urinetown (both at SFSU). Enjoy the show! 🙂
Lisa Appleyard
Tessie Tura/Mrs. Crachitt
Lisa is incredibly grateful to debut at Hillbarn in one of her all time favorite musicals! She has been fortunate to perform in six shows over the past year and is thrilled to be a part of live theatre’s is spectacular comeback. Recent performances include Hamlet (Queen Gertrude), La Cage Aux Folles (Marie), Cockettes Are Golden (Harlo), Sylvia (Kate), and Mamma Mia! (Tanya). Other favorite roles: A Chorus Line (Sheila), Gypsy (Louise) & The Rocky Horror Show (Magenta/Usherette). Lisa teaches sixth grade math & science at Park Day School, coaches cross country & track, and is mom to Julian and Austin.
Eriette Atanante
Toreadorable
Eriette Atanante is a graduate of San Francisco State University, with a BA in Theatre Arts. Her credits include: Quake (Dr. Clerk), The Brecht Effect (She/Regine Lutz),The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Marcy Park), and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Sally Brown). She thanks her family and partner for their support.
Lilia Bernstein
Toreadorable
Lilia Bernstein is thrilled to be making her Hillbarn Theater debut in Gypsy. She has performed in numerous productions around the Bay Area. Some of her favorite credits include the title role in Matilda (Spark of Creation), Louisa in The Sound of Music (Throckmorton Theater), Girl in Blackbird (Firescape Theater), Emily in Roe (Los Altos Stage Co), Turkish Fig in A Christmas Carol (American Conservatory Theater), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Broadway by the Bay), and It’s a Wonderful Life (San Francisco Opera). Lilia also enjoys tap and jazz dance and playing the guitar and ukulele. @liliabernstein
Jill Collister
Mazeppa/u/s Rose
Jill is excited to make her debut with Hillbarn as Mazzepah. Previous roles include: Jack’s Mom in Into the Woods & Rosie in Mamma Mia at Berkeley Playhouse, Georgie in The Full Monty, CCMT, (Shellie Award Outstanding supporting actress) Broadway Divas, Forbbiden Broadway, OMG, (Shellie nominee) & Joanne in Company, Town Hall Theatre. Jill holds a Master’s in Musical Theatre from SDSU. She lives in Alameda, with her cool teen son, Edison & needy French Bulldog, Clarabell. Need more Jill in your life? She also has a podcast, Brokenhearted Blockbuster. Listen wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Jill on Instagram @jilltt
Tommy Consunji
Tulsa
Tommy Consunji is proud to play Tulsa in his 5th production at Hillbarn. He has trained at the American Conservatory Theater, studied with private vocal coaches and dance studios in the Bay Area, and participated in numerous musical theater workshops and masterclasses. Previous roles include Specs in Newsies, Tony Delvecchio in Disaster, Bobby Strong in Urinetown, and The Beast in Beauty and The Beast. Offstage, Tommy is a Music Artist/Music Producer and YouTuber. Tommy is a sophomore in college majoring in Music Production. He thanks his family for their support!
Chloe Fong
Tordeadorable & u/s June
Chloe is beyond excited to be joining the cast of Gypsy. Some past favorite roles include, Carrie in Carrie The Musical, Fredrika in A Little Night Music, and Baby Louise in Gypsy. When not on stage she runs track and dances competitively. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her. @_chloe_fong_
Autumn Galatti
Tordeadorable
Autumn is delighted to make her Hillbarn debut! Some of her favorite past roles include Bobby (A Chorus Line), Veruca Salt (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Cabin Child (ACT’s A Christmas Carol), Princess Buttercup (The Princess Bride), Ensemble (Sweeney Todd), and the Scary Child in an immersive Halloween show with Gregangelo’s Velocity Arts. She is a member of ACT’s Cabaret Ensemble and enjoys spending time with her friends and three cats. Autumn is a 9th grader at Drew High School in San Francisco.
Tristan Gunderson
Kansas/Pastey
Tristan is thrilled to make his Bay Area debut in GYPSY with an incredible company. He’s an experienced ballroom dancer & instructor, who enjoys playing his banjo. He was in the world premier of Monty Python’s Edukational Show for Theatrical Rights Worldwide. He’s also played Motel the Tailor in Fiddler, Not Dead Fred in Spamalot, and a member of the Cowboy Quartet in Will Rogers’ Follies. He completed 9/10ths of a Theatre Minor at Chico State but got distracted by his Mechanical Engineering Degree. He wants to thank his family, his Fiancée Kathryn, and his pup Penny for their support!
Leo Itzkovitz
Young LA (Newsboy)
Leo is 10 years old and in 5th grade at Fiesta Gardens International School. He recently performed in Hillbarn’s conservatory production of Shrek the Musical. Leo has seen many musicals over the years, and is so very happy to be part of the Gypsy cast. Leo also enjoys sketching, kung fu, roller coasters, and online gaming. He thanks the Gypsy Directorial Team team for this opportunity!
Stephen Kanaski
Newsboy/ Yonkers
Stephen Kanaski (Yonkers) is excited to return to Hillbarn for their production of Gypsy. Notable credits include Robert Martin in Drowsy Chaperone (Sonoma Arts Live), Angel in Rent (MMTC), Crutchie in Newsies (Hillbarn, SFBATCC Featured Actor Nomination), Franz in Rock of Ages (Palo Alto Players), Charles in the regional premiere of Sons of the Prophet (TBA Nomination Best Ensemble in a Play) and Alan in the West Coast premiere of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (NCTC), Justin Card in FantasticLand (Town Hall Theatre), Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (PSP), and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Illyria (6th Street Playhouse).
Akira Lohia
Young Newsboys
Akira Lohia is 8 years old and she is thrilled to be a part of the cast of Gypsy which will mark her first onstage performance. Akira loves to sing and dance – she has been training in performance singing and hip hop, ballet dance styles since she was 5 years old. Akira lives in Foster City with her parents and her little sister. In her free time, she loves to play the guitar, paint, read and put up (music and dance) shows for her family and friends. She would like to thank her music teacher Angela for connecting her to this opportunity and the incredible creative team of ‘Gypsy’ that have worked tirelessly to bring this show to life.
Marisa Lopes
Toreadorables, the Cow
Marisa is so excited to be making her debut with Hillbarn Theatre! She recently graduated from San Jose State with a Bachelor’s in Theatre Arts and a minor in Musical Theatre. Her favorite roles include Marty in “Circle Mirror Transformation,” Annelle in “Steel Magnolias” and Lord Arne in “The Grouch.” She hopes you enjoy the moosical!
John Mannion
Pop, Weber, Kringelein, Goldstone, Cigar, Announcers
John Mannion recently emerged from a 20-year off-stage hiatus. Since resurfacing, he’s been busy – appearing at Tabard (The Odd Couple), Foothill (Drood, Roe, The Diary of Anne Frank), Z Space (Shoshana in December), Palo Alto Players (All Together Now), and Sunnyvale CP (Big Fish). Decades ago, John was a musical theater director (Stanford), improv/sketch actor (Mumblypeg & ComedySportz), and rock musician/vocalist. An advertising executive by day, John regularly performs in Zoom rooms around the world. Massive thanks to his talented wife and daughters, mother, in-laws, co-workers, Studio A.C.T., and the entire Hillbarn team for their warm welcome and encouragement.
Melissa Momboisse
June
Melissa is beyond thrilled to be back at Hillbarn Theatre in Gypsy! She previously appeared at Hillbarn in Newsies (Katherine) and Anything Goes (Hope Harcourt). Other favorites include: The Little Mermaid (Ariel) at Sol Treasures; Funny Girl (Fanny Brice) and Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit) at Throckmorton Theatre; Mamma Mia! (Sophie) at TVRT; Cabaret (Sally Bowles) at CT; Hairspray (Penny) at BAM; Heathers (Heather McNamara) at PSP; West Side Story (Anybodys) at CCMT; Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) and Anything Goes (Erma) at PCRT; SHOUT! (Red Girl) at SBMT; You’re…Charlie Brown (Lucy) at FMT; and Showboat (Kim Ravenal) at SF Opera. www.MelissaMomboisse.com
Allison O’Leary
Baby June
Allison is an 11 year old 6th grader attending Burlingame Intermediate School. At Hillbarn, she has previously been Freckles in 101 Dalmatians, her own character in Godspell, and Young Fiona as well as part of the ensemble in Shrek. Aside from acting and singing, Allison is an active dancer at West Coast Dance Conservatory. She would like to thank everyone for making this show happen.
Stephanie Prentice*
Rose
Stephanie Prentice is a Bay Area native, and has been a proud AEA member for 20 years. She has worked with many other Bay Area theatres including: 42nd Street Moon, PlayGround, San Francisco Playhouse, Shakespeare at Stinson, Shotgun Players, and TheatreFIRST. She is a graduate of the Santa Clara University Theatre and Dance program, where she taught as a member of the SCU voice faculty from 2005 – 2017. Stephanie is a PlayGround SF company member, PlayGround Associate Producer, and is also serving as the current Board Chair. Stephanie is also the Associate Casting Director, and Patron Services Director for TheatreFIRST in Berkeley. Most importantly, she is Aiden and Devan’s mom, and Dolores’ daughter. This is for my mom.
Priscilla Qi
Baby Tulsa
Priscilla is attending 2nd grade in Kids Connection elementary school. She spends her spare time on gymnastics, swimming, reading, drawing. She is fearless on trying new things like surfing and skiing. Her dream is to become a gymnastic olympic athlete and an artist.
Christopher Reber*
Herbie
Chris earned his MFA from The Actors Studio Drama School in NYC. Chris returns to Hillbarn after playing James in It’s Only A Play. Hillbarn credits include Anything Goes (Moonface), A Christmas Carol (Scrooge) and *The Full Monty (*Dave). Bay Area credits: The Producers (Cabrillo Stage); A Christmas Story, La Cage aux Folles, Jerusalem, Company (SF Playhouse); Peter and the Starcatcher, Cyrano, Rags (TheatreWorks); Pump Boys and Dinettes, Arcadia, Gunmetal Blues, Guys and Dolls, Talley’s Folly, Next to Normal (Jewel Theatre); A Christmas Carol 2.0 (San Jose Rep.). Chris is a proud member of Actors Equity.
Makena Reynolds
Louise
Makena is beyond stoked to be portraying Louise in Gypsy at Hillbarn. Most recently, she made her regional debut in Hello Dolly! at Pioneer Theater Company. They would like to thank Lee Ann, Rick, River, Randy, Sharon, the entire cast, and crew for all of their unconditional love and support. Makena would also like to thank her real life mother for everything, she wouldn’t be where she is without her. They hold a BFA in Musical Theater from The University of Utah. For Mea Ma.
Alex Rosenberg
Uncle Jocko, L.A., Cow, Bourgeron-Cochon (Dance Captain)
Alex (he/they) is a multi-faceted performance artist based in the Bay Area. Alex has a BFA in Dance from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where they have performed in works by Meghan Frederick, Randy James, Martha Graham, and Bill T. Jones. They most recently were seen at Hillbarn playing B.J. Gibson in The 1940s Radio Hour and off-stage as the Stage Manager for CLUE. Previous roles include: Newsies (Elmer), CATS (Pouncival), Avenue Q (Rod), Spelling Bee (Barfée). Off-stage, Alex is the Media Director for Zelda Universe, plays games poorly on Twitch, and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Digital Media Management from USC Annenberg. They thank their friends, family, and the entire Hillbarn team for their endless support and for putting up with them. https://linktr.ee/luca_starks
Riley Savage
Young Louise
Riley is thrilled to be back on the Hillbarn stage after performing as Peter Pan in this summer’s production of Shrek! Riley also performed in Godspell at Hillbarn last summer, and some of her favorite past roles include Molly in Annie at SCCT, and Bruce in Mathilda and Scuttle in The Little Mermaid, both with BBK. Riley is in the 6th grade and thanks her family for their support!
Rhys Townsager
Newsboy/Young Kansas
Rhys Townsager is 12 years old and in 7th grade. He’s been performing in shows since 2nd grade, the most recent being “Shrek” with Hillbarn Theatre Conservatory where he played Lord Farquaaad. In his spare time, Rhys enjoys jumping on his trampoline and dancing. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support!
