Jodi Benson became Mama Rose in five days.
In 2023, the actress best known as the voice of Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” hadn’t performed in a stage musical in more than 20 years. But an opportunity came up. Would she lead “Gypsy” — the celebrated musical co-penned by Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents — at a production in Fort Myers, Florida?
And would she do it with her daughter, Delaney, portraying Rose’s daughter, Louise?
“I just went for it,” Benson said. Two “lightly staged” shows evolved into a full production with only five days of rehearsals. Though they pulled it off, Jodi and Delaney felt like they were “shot out of a cannon.”
Exhaling after the run, they pondered what might lie ahead for their Rose and Louise.
“We kind of said, boy, it would really be nice if, in the future, we could get one more shot at it,” Jodi said, “having a full rehearsal, having tech and getting a chance to really tackle these characters.”
This week, they get that chance, thanks to OFC Creations Theatre Center in Brighton.
Both Bensons return to “Gypsy,” the latest in OFC’s ongoing Broadway in Brighton series, which brings accomplished, professional performers to its regional theater productions. The show opens Jan. 30 and runs through Feb. 16.
OFC’s “Gypsy” gave Jodi and Delaney more prep time, as they arrived in town two weeks ahead of opening. On a gray Wednesday, Delaney and fellow cast member Mitchell Canfield lit up the stage practicing a tap number with OFC’s choreographer Caeli Carroll. Delaney, two years out of college and based in the New York City area, said revisiting Louise with dedicated time allows her more creative freedom.
“Knowing that I have twice as much rehearsal time kind of lets me settle into my character and not feel like I have to rush building a character arc,” she said. “I can have more time to play.”
“Gypsy” premiered on Broadway in 1959, based on the memoir of Delaney’s character, Louise, who eventually became a burlesque performer named Gypsy Rose Lee in the ‘30s. It’s one of the most celebrated musicals of all time, with several successful revivals (including its current production starring Audra McDonald at the Majestic Theatre on W 44th St.).
In addition to its pedigree, there’s the subject matter of the work itself: a tempestuous relationship between a bumptious stage mom and her two daughters.
Delaney quickly pointed out the real-life dynamic with her mother isn’t remotely like that of Rose and Louise. She called her mother supportive, more “anything I can do for you” than “you need to do it this way.”
But during their Florida “Gypsy” experience, she saw a different side of her mother.
“The first time that we hit a pretty dramatic emotional scene, she literally scared me,” Delaney said. “I was welling up with tears because I had never heard her raise her voice like this.”
Jodi agreed. “It was pretty weird for both of us. But we trust each other on stage,” she said. “I trust her completely, and she’s such a great scene partner.”
CITY spoke to the actresses separately; in the middle of Jodi’s phone interview, Delaney texted her mother to run lines for a scene.
“She is the ultimate professional,” Jodi said.
The Bensons were fittingly together when Delaney received a milestone call: She’d landed the role of Ariel in a 2024 Miami production of “The Little Mermaid” stage musical. Jodi was naturally supportive, if initially a little hesitant given the inevitable comparisons.
“I didn’t know that she had auditioned for it,” Jodi said. “We giggled about it, and I just said to her, ‘Honey, you do what’s best for you and your career. You do not have to do this role. She knew that walking in, but she felt like she was ready for it.”
“Gypsy” offers the Bensons a chance to continue deepening their bond both on and off the stage. Helmed by OFC’s executive and artistic director Eric Vaughn Johnson, the show hinges on the complicated relationship between Rose, Louise and Rose’s other daughter, June, portrayed by Claire Kennard.
Johnson said the presence of professional actors working here in Rochester gives the company’s Broadway in Brighton series its thrust.
“I think it’s fascinating that someone like this is living among us for this many weeks,” he said. “Not just the show and the experience and the rehearsals and all that, but going to Starbucks and going to the library and going to things in the area.”
In addition to Jodi and Delaney, the show boasts another reunion. Tripp Hanson, who portrays Rose’s flame Herbie, appeared with Jodi in the 1992’s “Crazy For You” on Broadway, a production that landed Jodi a Tony nomination.
Just over a week before opening night, the cast gathered at OFC for photos and a run through of three musical numbers. Jodi locked in for the show’s most famous song, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” embracing her daughter as Rose simultaneously embraced Louise.
Thanks to OFC, the Bensons have a bit more time to get to know their characters — and these new stage versions of each other, too. For Delaney, it’s been a bit of an unexpected education.
“I hear about all these stage moms and how they’re harder on their kids,” she said.
Since it wasn’t like that for Delaney, she can appreciate it and use it in the show: “How cool [is it] to completely transform?”
And for Jodi, “it was very interesting to switch hats from a mom to a co-worker to sharing the stage with [Delaney],” she said. “It was just a dream fulfilled of a lifetime.”
“Gypsy” runs Jan. 30 through Feb. 16 at OFC Creations Theatre Center. More information and tickets here.
Patrick Hosken is an arts reporter for CITY. He can be reached at patrick@rochester-citynews.com.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
