Kristen Finlay – Gypsy – music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents – Keyano Theatre Company, Fort McMurray, Alberta, 1995

After moving to Fort McMurray to teach, when Gypsy came up for auditions I was determined to not just be another girl in the chorus and although young for the role (28) I set my sights on Mama Rose. I approached it like work – reading biographies of Gypsy Rose Lee and taking extensive vocal lessons to prepare for the marathon that the show is. It remains to this day my favorite theatrical role.