Gypsy Layne’s Final Curtain Call Comes to Bennington Theater This Valentine’s Day Weekend
BENNINGTON, VT — After nearly 16 years of glitter, grit, and fearless creativity, Gypsy Layne Cabaret & Co. will present its final performances at Bennington Theater this Valentine’s Day weekend, February 13 and 14, marking the end of a beloved era for the region’s burlesque and cabaret community.
Founded in 2010 by Nicole Rizzo, Gypsy Layne began as a grassroots, speakeasy-style production above the Red Herring in Williamstown, built with a handmade stage, borrowed lights, and vinyl records. What started as a risky local experiment grew into a celebrated regional troupe, helping establish burlesque as an inclusive, theatrical, and artistically rich performance form throughout Berkshire County and beyond.
Over the years, Gypsy Layne became known for its inventive blend of classic burlesque tease with comedy, magic, dance, and character-driven storytelling. Signature acts have ranged from sword-dancing and snake-charming displays to comedic sketches and genre-bending routines that emphasize humor and suggestion as much as spectacle.
The Valentine’s Day weekend performances mark the final shows ever for the troupe and will feature a specially curated “greatest hits” program. A retrospective celebrating the acts that have delighted audiences across New England for nearly two decades.
For Rizzo, the decision to close this chapter is deeply personal. “The truth is, I’m the one saying goodbye,” Rizzo said. “It was time. My life has changed, my kids need me, my business needs me — and more than ever, I need me. I’ve learned that dreams can reach an end or transform into something new.”
Central to Gypsy Layne’s mission has always been inclusivity and empowerment. Inspired by Rizzo’s early exposure to burlesque in Los Angeles, the troupe embraced the art form as one “for all bodies,” welcoming performers of all sizes, genders, and identities. For many cast members, the company became both a creative outlet and a chosen family.
While Gypsy Layne as a troupe is taking its final bow, its performers will continue working independently throughout the region, carrying the spirit of the company into new projects and guest appearances.
The Bennington Theater performances serve as a final love letter: a celebration of love, glitter, and gratitude for the audiences who made every shimmy, strut, and sparkle worthwhile.
WHAT: Last Dance with Gypsy Layne
WHEN: February 13 & 14, 7:30 PM
WHERE: Bennington Theater, 331 Main Street, Bennington, VT
TICKETS: BenningtonTheater.org
