GYPSY

October 1, 2006.By Graydon Royce, Star Tribune.

Opening: After a few years of exploring new material, Theatre Latté Da goes back to a musical that ranks among the favorites in the classic American canon. But director Peter Rothstein promises a vaudevillian twist that enhances the cheeky naughtiness inherent in a story about a stripper, her mother and the burlesque business. Jody Briskey, who channeled Judy Garland in 2004’s “Beyond the Rainbow” at History Theatre, goes after another icon, Mama Rose. Tod Petersen is Herbie, the punching bag who is her comfort. Simone Perrin, who dazzled audiences in the recent Fringe Festival with “Tall Tale of a Broke Heart,” plays the title role. Latté Da continues each year to break the previous year’s box-office records on its way to midsized status in the Twin Cities market. Denise Prosek is musical director for this production. (Previews 7:30 p.m. Wed. and 8 p.m. Fri. Opens 8 p.m. Sat. and 2 p.m. next Sun. $15-$29; pay what you can next Sun. Loring Playhouse, 1633 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 651-209-6689 or www.latteda.org.)