Finding the inner star: my role in ‘Gypsy’

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was submitted by a cast member appearing in J*Company’s production of GYPSY–A Musical Fable. For the 2012-2013 Season, J*Company  presents a tribute to Barbra Streisand featuring GYPSY, soon to be revived in a film featuring Streisand herself. The J*Company play GYPSY runs March 1-17. All productions take place at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre.

By Mara Jacobs

SAN DIEGO — I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to play Gypsy Rose Lee in J*Company’s production of Gypsy. The story is about a mother, Mama Rose, who is determined to make her daughter, June, a star. However, with Mama Rose focusing so much on June, Louise, June’s sister is left neglected. With June getting pushed too far by her mother, she finds the courage to escape, leaving Louise to be the new focus.

I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to play Gypsy Rose Lee because we are similar in many ways. For one, we both go through the experience of finding our inner beauty and power. When I was younger I used to dress in boy clothes and wear my hair in a ponytail at the top of my head. Looking back at pictures of me in Middle School it is interesting to see the progression of how my style changes to match my personality. The same goes for Gypsy. In just one song, “Let Me Entertain You – Burlesque Version”, Gypsy begins to discovers who she really is and what she can become.  This character is pushing me mentally and emotionally and is helping me dig dipper to find myself even more.

This show is extremely important to me because it will be my 30^th show with J*Company. My family has been a part of this company from the beginning. However, my first show was Benjamin and Judah at the wonderful age of three. With every show I do at J*Company they help me grow as a young woman and an artist. For example, I go to High Tech High International and a big part of our school is being able to articulate what you are learning. Growing up in J*Company I‘ve had a head start to refine my ability to communicate with an audience.

I would have to say my favorite show that I’ve not been in is Next to Normal because it’s the only musical soundtrack that I love listening to without seeing the whole production. On the other hand, my favorite show I’ve participated in at J*Company was the most recent Fiddler on the Roof because I had the experience of playing one of my dream roles of Yente the matchmaker, as well as a Russian dancer, and a bottle dancer.

Theater is so much more than just words on a paper. It’s about understanding human motivation in a more tangible way. It’s about seeing the world in someone else’s eyes and then forming your own opinion. It’s about seeing how other people are treated and then reflecting how you treat other people. All I hope from the audience while experiencing Gypsy is they take something new from the story and learn from it because life is all about learning and growing.

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 Jacobs, 17, is a student at High Tech High International in Point Loma.