Shari Lynn through her Rose-colored glasses

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Shari Lynn stars as Mama Rose in the musical "Gypsy," which will take its a first bow Thursday at Richardson Theatre. She says this musical is the one she'd most like a Broadway chance at. 'Gypsy' A musical by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, produced by Army Community Theatre Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; repeats Fridays and Saturdays, through Sept. 20 Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter $17, $14 adults; $10, $8 children under 12 438-4480, 438-5230, www.squareone.org/ACT Directed by Glenn Cannon Musical direction by Lina Jung Doo Also featuring David Farmer, Kate Ryan, Marcela Biven, Jakara Mato, Bryna O'Neill, Euphrosyne Rushforth

She's drawing from all disciplines as she prepares yet another leading role, as the quintessential stage mother in Army Community Theatre's revival of "Gypsy," premiering Thursday at Richardson Theatre.

We caught up with her and asked her five questions. With her passion for everything she does, she can get pretty windy. So listen up:

Q: "Gypsy" is yet another one of those grand-dames musicals and roles with a long and colorful history; how are you attempting to put your imprint on Mama Rose?

Answer: "Madam Rose was written for Ethel Merman, who was revered for her bombastic singing. She hadn't had a vehicle (quite) like this. I've never seen her, or Angela Lansbury, do the part, but I did see Tyne (Daly) and Bette (Midler, on TV) and Bernadette (Peters), who bring different aspects to Mama Rose. My own vocal quality and physicality, and (director) Glenn Cannon's insight, and all the actors I'm working with, help shape the role. I'm attempting to do a good performance; it's a character; I'm an individual, not trying to imitate."

Q: What's been the biggest challenge in tackling "Gypsy"?

A: "Keeping Rose tough, selfish and simple-minded, and not allowing her to show much tenderness or softness."

Q. How are the messages and themes in the show, dealing with show biz and with families, still timely for contemporary audiences?

A: "Rose lived vicariously, through her children's lives. She frequently says, 'I promise my baby we'd be a star.' Many children can associate with such selfish behavior, pushing for lives that bring no happiness. This kind of estrangement has been happening since the beginning of time, so it's still timely for audiences now."

Q: You lead two lives; well, maybe three. A teacher, a sometime stage actress; a nightlife singer. How does one help the other and how does one fuel the other?

A: "If it weren't for my singing, I may not have gotten my teaching job (she is in her fifth year at Hawai'i School for Girls at La Pietra, where she is music director, teaching music theory, voice, musical theater). I was considered for the job because of being known in the community.

"At that time, I had been performing 23 years here (now 28) but was not known as a teacher. They wanted someone with life experiences, and I've had experiences — in front of audiences, which prepared me to face a group of seniors. Teachers, well ... we gotta do our show, smile, keep up the positive (attitude), and hold 'em for 80 minutes, always be ready for a quick comeback.

"Students react to me differently after they see me onstage — at school, it's Miss Lynn, normal person; on stage, looking glamorous, I think they appreciate this other side.

"I was singing for years at Hale Koa (a hotel) and singing lost its pleasure a bit. Now I sing when I want to (with Del Courtney, for instance, once a month), and it's fresh, and a pleasure."

Q: If everything comes up roses and you could make your own deal, what role would you want to play?

A: " 'Gypsy,' on Broadway, now. Everybody needs something impossible to hope for. My favorite shows are 'Funny Girl,' 'Gypsy' and 'Hello, Dolly.' There are comedies and straight plays I hope for, too. Even a play or musical on Eleanor Roosevelt. But 'Gypsy' (in New York) would be ultimate.

"As a side note, from 10 on, my life was like Gypsy Rose Lee, with a Mama Rose in my life, a singing teacher, who worked with us for weeks, having us sleeping three or four to a bed because she was cheap, even making us work in a real burlesque theater when I was 17, with a fake ID, singing behind the curtain while the strippers stripped. ... ('Gypsy') parallels a good deal of my life; so I understand the people in this show ('Gypsy'), this woman with a daughter who forces her to be a star.

"I did the show once before, but I'm a different person now, and if I ever have the chance to do it on Broadway, I would ... take that chance."

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.