Filipino Shines in Gypsy

by: Dino Dela Rosa
(Dino Dela Rosa writes for the entertainment section of the Virginia-based The Manila Mail)

I saw the matinee performance last Sunday of the Broadway musical “Gypsy” at the Little Theater Of Alexandria. Based on the memoirs of legendary ’30s entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee, it tells of her fiercely controlling mother Mama Rose who pushes her and her sister June into showbusiness during the Depression era, and the lengths her mother will go to make big stars of her kids. After it premiered on Broadway in 1957 with the great Ethel Merman as the original Rose, it had won many Tony awards and has been revived countless times.
The splendid production at the Little Theater Of Alexandria is a testament to the show’s enduring legacy. One of the cast members was Filipino-American thespian Mickey Daguiso who was exceptional in the role of Tulsa. He is the one and only son of local filmmaker Jun Daguiso.
Mickey developed a passion for the theater when he was a high school student in Bishop Ireton High School. He was nominated as Best singer in Under the Mattress when he was attending Bishop Ireton High School. He was a music director in Sound of music. In college at UVA he was in the Acapela group, Academical Village People (AVP) and also won best solo in country for the Collegiate competition for the song ” I want you Back” (Michael Jackson).
He played and participated in several stage plays, music plays in the DMV area. Mickey is pianist, plays several music instruments, was in the elite group of High School Band that travel to europe every year during his High School year in Bishop Ireton. Mickey is also a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, though he no longer practices the sport).
In “Gypsy,” Mickey gave an exceptional performance of Tulsa and he shined in his solo
number “All I Need Is The Girl” in which he mesmerized with his powerful belt and a flawless dance tap routine. He also did a very good job in the exuberant numbers “Mr.Goldstone” and “Dainty June And Her Farmboys.”
Mickey was part of a very talented cast. Nicky McDonell gave a tour-de-force portrayal of Mama Rosa, one of the greatest female roles ever written for the musical theater.
Sarah Jane Lilley was a marvel to watch from her transformation to sweet, shy Louise to
burlusque icon Gypsy Rose Lee. The delightful comic trio of Kathy Strand, Ashley Edmiston and Jennifer Strand as Mazeppa, Tessie Tura and Electra, respectively, stopped the show in their uproarious number “You Gotta Get A Gimmick.”
Besides “Gypsy,” Mickey has also appeared in the productions of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Sweet Smell Of Success,” and Follies.”
He also was music director for “The Musical Of Musicals.” His father June told me that he is very proud of his one and only son. Watch out for Mickey in upcoming productions.

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