'Ragtime' star rises to directing challenge

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Expect several dance numbers in "Ragtime," which premieres today at Diamond Head Theatre. Mary Gutzi, who has also played Emma Goldman on national tours of the show, will direct as well. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser 'Ragtime' A musical by Terence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow; produced by Diamond Head Theatre Premieres at 8 p.m. today; repeats at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 12 Diamond Head Theatre $12-$42; discounts for students, seniors and military 733-0274

Four eyes might help.

"Two hats indeed ... in initial rehearsals, while staging the show, I participated in scenes as Emma. But then I had to ask Zenia Zambrano (portraying Gidget) to sit in on scenes while I directed, so she learned Emma, too, so I could observe tech rehearsals and watch for lighting and sound cues, checking out the stage effects. Rising to the occasion has been a happy challenge."

Gutzi, remembered here for her earlier interpretation of Grizabella in "Cats," may have found the pinnacle of her stage career in Emma Goldman, the historical figure with a somewhat lurid past — an anarchist who believed in free love and fought for workers' rights and women's independence at a time when it was not fashionable.

Her presence here, now at DHT and this summer with Lisa Matsumoto's 'Ohi'a Productions in which she played a motherly dragonfly in "On Dragonfly Wings," is indicative of the changing wind in theater for legit performers.

But with the national stage industry taking a major shift, Gutzi has had to adjust to the flow. "Now we have a lot of TV and film people on Broadway stages," said Gutzi, a stage veteran of 30 years. "They're taking jobs from us (theater folks). That's unfortunate for us, artistically, but producers are looking at the bottom line. It's understandable, at the corporate level, but unsettling for us working stiffs. It's not to say that they're not qualified. But each time a new show opens, or a role becomes available, a TV or movie star is offered a major part, shifting the hierarchy in theater. The A group is now the B group, the B group is the now C group, and so on."

This trend includes Antonio Banderas in "Nine" and his wife, Melanie Griffith, in "Chicago" on Broadway. A recording star, Toni Braxton, is in "Aida," and the new fall season brings more screen magnets to light up the marquees: Hugh Jackman in "The Man From Oz," Heather Graham in "Recent Tragic Events," Ashley Judd, Ned Beatty and Jason Patric in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Farrah Fawcett in "Bobbi Boland," Patrick Stewart and Kyle McLachlan in "The Caretaker," John Lithgow in "The Retreat From Moscow."

"You can't fight the battle," Gutzi said. "A lot of the national tours are going non-union, too. So many of us (actors) are becoming producers, directors or organizing our own theater groups. Some are writing; it's quite an interesting time in live theater."

She's enthusiastic about revisiting Emma and "Ragtime."

"Emma is a part I've done several times before — in the American premiere in Los Angeles, with the company in Vancouver, B.C., in Chicago and in the national tour," Gutzi said. "And each time, she's an incredible woman, one you're not likely to forget once you do. I really get a chance to breathe her energy, and ultimately gain incredible respect for who she was. I've had the good fortune to do research with the Emma Goldman Papers in Berkeley, an incredible organization devoted to documenting the body of Emma's work."

And revisiting a show is never dull because of the changing dynamics. "It's all the wonder of live theater," Gutzi said.

With a production mounted in the Islands, Gutzi also hopes to research a longtime puzzle: "I've always wondered if Emma had some association or contact with Queen Lili'uokalani," she said.

In time, perhaps, she might find an answer.

To supplement her Island casting, Gutzi imported two secondary leads with theatrical credentials to portray Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Jerold E. Solomon) and Sarah (Crystal Williams).

"I'm familiar with Crystal's work, having done 'Ragtime' together, but I got to see Jerold's work on video and hear an audio recording he did with Crystal. They're friends; they communicate well together. To me as a director, that was important."

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