THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607120199
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 56 lines
``Everything's Coming Up Roses'' for Jennifer Marie Miller this summer. The 17-year-old rising senior at Ocean Lakes High School landed the lead role in the musical ``Gypsy.''
The song is one of several well-known tunes from the play, which opens for five performances at Pavilion beginning Friday at 8 p.m. Shows will continue at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 6 p.m. July 21.
The play chronicles the life of Gypsy Rose Lee, who became the world's highest-paid stripper during the 1920s and '30s.
``We had a regional audition with hundreds trying out,'' said director Jeff Meredith. Miller, who participates in the Governor's
School for the Performing Arts, was chosen for the lead because of her range, he said.
``In the play, she makes the transition from a small, innocent 16-year-old to a sophisticated star,'' said Meredith. ``It's a difficult thing to do, and she brings it off very convincingly.''
Meredith is a Virginia Beach native and a 1965 Cox High School graduate. He came back home five years ago to found Commonwealth Musical Stage Company, a nonprofit entertainment company. He has directed Broadway plays and traveled the country working in the theater.
That appelation - nonprofit - is painfully correct, Meredith added.
``The play features a 24-piece orchestra and the scenery and costumes cost more than $100,000,'' he said.
``Gypsy'' is the musical show business memoir of Gypsy Rose Lee's life. The story is about the sacrifices made by her mother Momma Rose, played by Shauna Kelln, the ultimate stage parent.
Momma Rose pushed her two daughters out onto the stage and was the driving force behind their careers. Gypsy's sister June Havoc, played by Jennifer Coker, became an actress.
The play is not so much about Gypsy's fame as a stripper as it is about the relationship between the mother and her daughters, said Meredith.
``This is about human relationships,'' said Meredith. ``It's a 2 1/2 hour play and only the last 15 minutes deal with her performing as a stripper. This is about parents who do everything for the children, and what happens when the child grows up. Where does that leave the parent.''
Meredith stressed that the production is family entertainment. Families can attend this show and not have to worry about anything offensive.
``You know Gypsy Rose Lee never exposed herself on stage. She never took her clothes off,'' he added.
Other local cast members include Courtney Tierney, Susan Browney, Kathy Sanders, Dwight Marshall, Neal Schraeder, Dan Blanchard, Megan Gallagher, Polly Kindle, Tyler Marcum, Will Rice, Amelia Zontini, Missy Spruill, Tom McCraig and Rick Rodriguez. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Jennifer Marie Miller, seated, has the lead role in ``Gypsy,'' and
Shauna Kelln plays Momma Rose. The musical opens Friday at
Pavilion. by CNB