Temple B'nai Torah Rabbi to Star in Gypsy Production

is set to showcase a special production starting this weekend starring its very own Rabbi Marci Bellows.

Originally written and produced on Broadway in 1959, Gypsy, depicts the life of Gypsy Lee Rose, a famous striptease artist, and her typical show business mother, Rose.

According to the play's co-producer Charles Kirby, Bellow's leading role has showed a whole new side to a religious leader the community has known so well.

"Every Friday night I get to see her lead our congregation and I can tell from that she obviously has a beautiful voice but I had no idea how powerful she can be as a different role," said Kirby, a member of Temple B'nai Torah for more than a decade. "As Mama Rose, she is strong and confused and intense and a lot of things that Marci Bellows is not, but as an actress and singer she has amazing range."

"To see her, someone I know as such a sweet person from a religious point of view, perform such iconic and beautiful theatre numbers, is really a triumph," he added.

The temple's spring production is one featuring actors both young and old, something that Bellows' participation contributed greatly to.

"One of the best things about our Gypsy production is Rabbi Bellows' connection with these families," Kirby explained. "During auditions, entire families would come down and are now a part of the show. Her connection with so many people is what keeps this community so close."

Gypsy is set to premiere this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. with a second showing Sunday for Father's Day at 3 p.m. and the same schedule next weekend.