The evolution of burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee and her aggressive stage mother are the subject of the Musical Theatre Guild's next production, "Gypsy," running for five shows starting Oct. 15 at the Succop Theater.

Robin Kriley of Forward Township said she was looking for a challenge when she auditioned for the role of the stage mother, Mama Rose.

"It's been awhile since I've had a role I can sink my teeth into," Kriley said.

"My last few roles have been comedic in nature, and I just needed to stretch a little. The part of Rose is probably one of the most challenging in any musical, both vocally and emotionally, and certainly the most challenging role I've ever played."

Mama Rose represents an extreme stage mother who does as much as she can to see her daughters become famous.

"In her efforts to make her girls stars, she pushes and dominates June and Louise to the point that both ultimately pull away from her," said Kriley, who has appeared in more than 30 MTG productions since her debut as Laurie in "Oklahoma" in 1977.

"I've been watching video clips of other actresses who have performed the part of Rose: Ethel Merman, Patty LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Tyne Daly. They each have their own interpretation of Mama, and I'm pulling bits and pieces of each to make the part my own," Kriley said.

Her love interest, Herbie, is played by John Cooper of Butler.

"Since accepting the role of Herbie, I have been studying my lines virtually every day with the aid of my two daughters, Mikhalla and Lyric, who are also in the show," said Cooper, who is playing his first romantic dramatic role.

"Herbie is very similar to me so that it is hard to tell the two apart at times, except for the time and place we are in the show," Cooper said.

Skylar Ruth, an eighth grade student at Butler Junior High School, will play the role of the younger of the two daughters, Baby June.

"She is Rose's golden child," Skylar said.

"I hoped I would get this role; there weren't many parts for actors my age," said Skylar, who last was seen on stage in the Butler Summer Dramatics production of "Bye Bye Birdie."

"The biggest challenge of the role is trying to juggle the rehearsals, dance and school work," she said. "While I enjoy singing 'Let Me Entertain You,' I think my favorite song of the show is 'Rose's Turn.'"

Her less-than-golden sibling, Baby Louise, is being played by Jessica Ortiz, a seventh grade student at Knoch Middle School.

"She is the daughter who doesn't have any talent. She always has to take the backseat to her sister, Baby June," explained Jessica, who also appeared in Summer Dramatics' "Bye Bye Birdie."

"Since Baby Louise is the daughter with no talent, I have to practice dancing "one step behind" Baby June, which is hard to do because, as a dancer, I was trained to be on the right beat," Jessica said of one of the most difficult parts of the role.

"Playing a tomboy is a stretch for me, because I'm definitely a girly-girl," she added.

Another of the characters is a burlesque dancer named Tessie Tura, played in the MTG production by Jennifer Hicks of Marion Township.

"I am constantly reading lines, practicing my ballet solo in my kitchen and watching the movie," said Hicks, who hasn't been in a show since the half-time variety as a Butler High School Sequinette in 1992.

"My favorite song is 'Gotta Get a Gimmick,' mainly because this is the first song that I will ever perform on stage," Hicks said.

The musical is under the direction of Brady Patsy and Buddy Thompson.

<B>WHAT:</B> Musical Theatre Guild's production of "Gypsy"<B>WHEN:</B> 8 p.m. Oct. 15, 16, 22 and 23 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 24<B>WHERE: </B>Succop Theater at Butler County Community College<B>TICKETS: </B>$17 for adults and $15 for students, available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.<B>INFORMATION: </B>724-287-8243