Interview: Mary Martello in Arden's GYPSY

Mary started performing at seven and has continued through four kids and fifty years. She has earned 5 Barrymore Awards and 9 Barrymore nominations in Philadelphia area theaters.

Critics have called her "an untamable force of nature", "richly comedic" and "having the audience begging for more".

I caught up with Mary shortly after this week's opening of Arden Theater's "Gypsy" as she is starring in the lead role of Mamma Rose. Please tell us your approach to this iconic person.

Mary Martello: I read everything I could find on Rose Hovick and her girls and family. I read about the making of the musical in Laurents' and Sondheim's books. I listened to many recordings, read the script a million times, and got together with the director and musical director months in advance. I also went on a very focused rest and strengthening regime. I'm a mother of four and, while I did not have a stage mother, I did perform as a child, so I draw on the paradoxes in each of those experiences.

Mary trained at BoarsHead Theatre in Michigan, doing everything from Shakespeare and musical comedy to original plays and musicals: in Virginia at Barksdale Dinner Theatre, Theatre IV and Virginia Museum Theatre; in New York at Light Opera of Manhattan, The Public Theatre and a variety of off-off Broadway; in Colorado at the Denver Center Theatre; in New Jersey at Foundation Theatre, Passage Theatre and seven seasons at McCarter Theatre. Now a proud Philadelphian, she has had the privilege of working at the Arden, Azuka, Interact, Lantern, Peoples Light and Theatre, the Prince, the Walnut, the Wilma and 1812 Productions.

Pati Buehler: Like many of the 'stay -at- home Philadelphia actors" who have spent the better part of their careers with this love affair in Philly, what do you enjoy most about the Philadelphia Theater Community?

Mary Martello: The Philadelphia theatre community has a work aesthetic so much like the training I received from Thomsen and Peakes of the old Boars Head Theatre: the work comes first and the actors and theatre artists serve the play. And it's very satisfying to work with people you've come to know and trust, and there are many of those people here. Plus it's a great city!

Mary has played several key female roles in some of Philly's favorite theaters such as Mother Superior (Sister Act), Abby Brewster (Arsenic and Old Lace), Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Mrs. Peacham (The Three Penny Opera), Golda ( Fiddler on The Roof) and the Barroness in Café Puttare just to name a few.

Pati Buehler: While you've played the gentler matriarch-type ladies, you seem to lean to the meatier roles that truly bring out the feisty, fun female roles that seem so natural in you. Do you relate to these roles off stage? Are you the "Marmee" from Little Women at home or the "Carol Burnette" offstage too?!!

Mary Martello: I always like a little bad in my good and comedy in my drama...on and off stage!

Many have enjoyed you in several Philly productions. From the subdued tongue-in-cheek Mother Superior of Sister Act, the "shuffling old spinster" in Arsenic and Old Lace to the slightly mad Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and the "out of control" secretary in 9 to 5.

Pati Buehler: Do you have an interesting theater story to share or favorite role you've played?

Mary Martello: Do you have all night?! Anthony Heald, who is playing Herbie, and I worked together in the 1970s at the BoarsHead Theatre, so you can imagine the stories that come up...old and new. And my favorite role is always the one I'm playing at the moment.

For more information about Mary Martello visit her website www.marymartello.com

GYPSY plays at the Arden Theater, 40 N. 2nd St. Phila. Pa now and extended through June 25th! For tickets and information visit www.ardentheatre.org or call 215.922.1122

Production Photos: #1 Arden Theatre's "Gypsy" (Mamma Rose), Photo # 2 Arden Theatre's The "Three Penny Opera" ( Mrs. Peacham), Photo # 3 Arden Theatre's "Sweeney Todd" (Mrs. Lovett), Photo # 4 Walnut Street Theatre's " 9 to 5" (Roz- secretary). All photos courtesy of www.marymartelllo.com

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