If Diamond Head Theatre's production of "Gypsy" were set in modern times, Shari Lynn would be the obsessed soccer mom who tries to fire the coach after the team won the state title because her child didn't score a goal.

Soccer, basketball, football, music — take the most obsessive parent, the one who lives life vicariously through their child's success, and only through their child's success — and you have Mama Rose, Lynn's character in the DHT production.

The only difference is time: This one is set in the era of vaudeville and burlesque shows and is based on the true story of Gypsy Rose Lee, a burlesque entertainer who penned her memoir in 1957.

It's a tale of how a calculating mother — in this case, Mama Rose, played by Lynn — took her two children on the road to perform at all costs and spared no expense. She denied them friends and a childhood. Mama Rose, we learn, was a woman who would do anything to make one of her daughters famous.

"She was a dark woman who had demons," Lynn said. "Mama was a conniver, but she always felt like she was doing it for the girls, which of course wasn't true. In the end, you see she was really doing it for herself and by that time, it was too late. The damage was done.

"It's very scary when some parents don't realize what they're doing to their kids."

Lynn knows Mama Rose well. This is the third time she's played her since moving to O'ahu from Pasadena, Calif., in 1986.

She loves the role, she said, because it allows her to "stretch on many levels and to grow."

"Mama Rose is the King Lear role for women if you want to get Shakespearean," Lynn said. "I wouldn't spoil the ending, but there is a resolution at the end of this play, and that is part of what makes it great."

"Gypsy" was originally turned into a Broadway production in 1959 to showcase the talents of Ethel Merman.

Merman (1908-1984) was a Broadway star with a booming voice who shined in musicals and comedies.

"Ethel wanted this role to show she had depth," Lynn said. "She wanted to prove she wasn't just a loud singer who was funny."

Lynn said she has changed since she last took on Mama Rose 13 years ago, both physically and emotionally.

"Each time I play her, I think I bring a little more depth to the role," she said. "But it's physically draining to do this as you get older. Costume changes are so quick in this show, there's no time even for a sip of water. It's a very demanding role, and you have to have your energy up on stage constantly."

This DHT production is a reunion of sorts. Director and choreographer John Rampage also had the same roles in the last "Gypsy" performance Lynn had, and Emmett Yoshioka was also the musical director.

What's more, actor Dennis Proulx, who plays Herbie, had the same role in the prior performance.

Other cast members are Candes Meijide-Gentry as Gypsy Rose Lee and Lisa Konove, Cathy Foy-Mahi, and Camille Domoloan Michel as burlesque dancers Tessie Tura, Mazeppa, and Electra, respectively.

Chris Villasenor, who recently appeared in the lead role in DHT's "Peter Pan," is Tulsa.

"My goal when I perform is to make the audience feel better going out of the theater then they did coming in," Lynn said. "That's what entertainment is about. That's why you want to get out of the house. This one will make you smile, laugh and maybe even shed a few tears. I think 'Gypsy' is just a beautifully written piece."