THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC
ABBA show keeps singer in the moment
It hasn’t even opened yet, and Mamma Mia! is “hands-down, the best show I have ever done,” according to star performer, Patricia Zentilli.
Playing Donna, the feisty, birth-control-challenged mother of Sophie (who is getting married and needs one of three possible fathers to walk her down the aisle), Zentilli is finding both bliss, and wisdom, throughout this blockbuster musical, running until March 18 in the Maclab Theatre at the Citadel.
“It is so fun and full of joy and we have this ensemble of incredible singers and dancers, and Laura Krewski’s incredible choreography. It’s just a dream,” says Zentilli.
The Edmonton-based singer, actor and dancer has played some pretty great musical theatre roles to compare with this latest turn, from Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (her inaugural role at the age of 12) to Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors to Marty in Grease. Blessed at a young age with the certain knowledge she wanted to perform, Zentilli also has assembled an impressive list of professional credits off-stage, including numerous television appearances on shows such as Lexx, The Rick Mercer Report and Blue Murder.
She performs regularly as a soloist on stages from Toronto to Halifax (where she was raised and went to university) in mediums from jazz to cabaret. Together with pianist Patti Loach, she has a CD, Pull Me Through. Zentilli also performs regularly at The Roxy on Gateway during PattyZee@TheRoxy, a themed cabaret night with special guests and accompanist Don Horsburgh. (Her next one is May 12.)
I talked with Zentilli about musical theatre role models, life lessons, and future plans.
Q Who are some of your favourite musical theatre characters, and why?
A Well, Donna (Mamma Mia!) teaches you to dream and reach for things, and not give up on your dreams. Every obstacle may have a lesson. Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), well, she’s kind and takes care of Lion and Tin Man. And Audrey, I love Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors). I would do that role again in a second. I love her big, open heart. From her, I learned there is strength to be gained from being vulnerable.
Q What are the lessons of musical theatre that you have
been able to bring to your life offstage?
A Musical theatre has taught me to strive to be authentic and in the moment. We all strive to do this, but sometimes it’s easier on stage because you are so focused on each moment and you have an audience watching. We are often distracted in day-to-day life; the stage reminds me to bring that presence, that focus, to my own life. There’s a great song in Mamma Mia!, Slipping Through My Fingers, that’s all about that.
Q Do you have a bucket list of musical theatre characters you would like to play?
A The more you know yourself as an actor and a singer, the more you know what is a good fit. I’ve played a lot on my wish list, I’ve been lucky. But I’d like to do Miss Honey in Matilda, the moms in Dear Evan Hansen and Next to Normal, and Fantine in Les Miz. They all have great songs to sing and I relate to the characters and feel I would be able to bring some of myself to them.
Q What’s the appeal of musical theatre, as compared to singing in a club or at a folk festival?
A It’s something about the storytelling. When I was 16, our family lived in France for a year and I saw Cabaret, with Ute Lemper playing the role of Sally Bowles. I never forgot that. You have people’s attention when you are in a musical. The songs are more act-able and that appeals to me. You’ll see this in Mamma Mia! Some songs are just perfect for the characters and how they are placed in the show. Plus, you get to sing with an orchestra.
Q How did you end up pursuing a musical theatre career out of Edmonton?
A I was at the Mayfield Theatre in 2008, playing Little Shop of Horrors, and that’s where I met Farren (Timoteo, her husband). But never in a million years would I have thought I’d end up staying in Edmonton; I was stockpiling money to move to New York. But then I came back to do Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 2009 and then Farren and I had this long-distance relationship. I really wanted to be a mom and I had met this fantastic man. And now we have Leo, who is seven years old, and I’ve been in Edmonton for nine years. There are parts I’ve had to turn down because my heart couldn’t bear being away from my family. There is always compromise and sacrifice, but my world is bigger than my career.
Q What’s the key to making a musical theatre career in Edmonton?
A You have to find ways to make money when you aren’t working. I paint paintings, that I sell. And I was also painting houses for a St. Albert company called Room with a Hue. There are so many inspiring theatre people in Edmonton doing so many things. It’s a city where there are so many festivals and performing venues. It’s a place that inspires me.