Zoey Reese as Louise and Logan Scott Mitchell

The story is based on the 1957 memoir by Gypsy Rose Lee, the only striptease performer to nearly go mainstream. You wouldn't know the drama ultimately centers on Gypsy from the first act. The spotlight is on her storm-of-a-stage-mother Rose, and Rose's favorite performing child, June. Louise—who would go on to become Gypsy—is an afterthought. Rose considers her a no-talent best suited for supporting roles such as the front half of a cow.

As a stage mom, Rose is brutal. Her self-absorbed determination to make June a star is matched only by her seemingly endless supply of nervous energy. Early on, the daughters figure out this is Mom's trip, but what can they do? Their hackneyed vaudeville touring performances support the family, which includes the hapless-but-gentle Herbie who acts as the family's agent only because he is hopelessly in love with Rose.

When June elopes to escape her mother's domineering grip, Rose turns to Louise. Rose doesn't believe Louise has any talent, but what the heck. You gotta work with what ya got. Rose builds an act around Louise during vaudeville's finals gasps and they end up in a broken-down burlesque house that Herbie books them into by mistake. They're out of cash, so Louise gives stripping a shot over her Rose's objections. She's fabulous, and the rest is history.

Rose is the star of the first act, and Laurie Finnegan handles the blustery role with panache and verve. She manages to make this overbearing monster of a mother likeable, which is more than I can say for the lead in the touring Gypsy for a few years ago.

Louise is the star of the second act, and Zoey Reese is absolutely fabulous. She reminds me of a young Anne Hathaway with her engaging humility. Earlier this year she delivered a similar blend of modesty and confidence in the role of Maria in The Sound of Music. Until I saw Reese in the role of Louise I didn't realize that Maria and Louise have similar personalities. Both characters see the truth in the madness surrounding them and gently nudge their fellows into awareness. Part of Reese's charm in this role is casting—she clearly has the right personality—but certainly a good portion is old fashioned talent, which usually comes with abundant spoonfuls of hard work.

The entire cast is strong. Producer Myra Cochnar tops off a strong string of successful productions at Landmark with Gypsy, and Hal Simmons delivers excellent direction. I look forward to his direction of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum via Landmark early next year.

The choreography by Wendy Leverenz Baker is terrific and the music direction by Darby Fegan is spot on. Kudus to the entire production team. And it's always great to hear live musicians. Don't know whose idea it was to create banners announcing what city we were in at any given moment, but it works great.

Gypsy by Landmark Musicals will run through December 7, 2014. Performances are on Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. There will also be an extra matinee performance on Saturday, November 29 at 2:00 pm. Performances are held in Rodey Theatre at the UNM Fine Arts Complex. Tickets are $20, $22, and $24, with a $2 discount for students and seniors. For performance and ticket information, visit landmarkmusicals.org/, or call 505-925-5858 or 877-664-8661.

Photo: Max Woltman

--Rob Spiegel