Film role widens singer's renown

The singer-actress will play a role in the upcoming CBS series based on 'Greek Wedding.'
By MILAN PAURICH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Since understudying on Broadway for Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl" nearly four decades ago, Lainie Kazan has been a veritable show business force of nature.
"I'm a singer who loves to act," Kazan said in a recent telephone interview. "When you sing, you're all of who you are -- it's total self-expression. Acting is only a small part of who I am, though. I have to adjust my personality and use only parts of myself to play a character, so it's not the fullest I am as an artist."
Audiences who go to see Kazan next Sunday at Stambaugh Auditorium can expect to see every inch of the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" star's talent when she takes the stage.
New generation
Considering the fact that Kazan has been headlining concerts in Las Vegas since the 1960s, when she hung out with the likes of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, it must seem more than a little strange that an entire new generation of fans only knows her from comic roles in films like "Greek Wedding," "Beaches," and "My Favorite Year."
"I'm primarily a balladeer, a torch singer really," Kazan explained. "I love all the great ballads from the '30s up through today: 'The Man That Got Away' -- I understand that one really well; 'Body and Soul; 'I'm a Fool to Want You' ... for a singer, it just doesn't get any better than that."
Although she considers it only one facet of her instrument, Kazan's acting career couldn't get any hotter than it is right now.
New visibility
The unprecedented success of "Greek Wedding," the most unlikely cultural phenomenon of the past year, has given the veteran performer a level of visibility she's never known before. "I can't go to the supermarket anymore," she laughed. "I think people from every walk of life -- and every age and ethnic group -- have seen the movie."
Not that Kazan is complaining. "I thought we made a lovely little picture that might be shown in a couple of arthouses, so its mushrooming success has really been staggering for everyone involved."
Asked about Oscar buzz that pegs her as a likely Best Supporting Actress nominee next February, Kazan was nonchalant. "It's very exciting, but I'm not taking it too seriously. Sure, it would be grand to get recognized for my work. But if it doesn't happen, that's all right, too. I'm in a great movie and just overjoyed to have been a part of it."
She's already picked up supporting actress laurels at the Detroit and Rochester film festivals for her performance in "Greek Wedding."
TV series
After a November engagement at the Suncoast Hotel in Vegas, Kazan reports to work on an upcoming CBS spinoff of her blockbuster film.
"I'm thrilled to be doing the show. Everybody from the movie except John [Corbett], who has another series commitment, will be in it. My only concern is that the scripts are as funny, clever and warm as the movie itself. But I think we'll be OK since Nia [Vardalos] will be in the driver's seat," she said. "The network is talking about a March airdate for the series premiere."
Around the same time, Kazan will once again be seen on the big screen in "Gigli," co-starring with Al Pacino, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez for director Martin ("Scent of a Woman," "Beverly Hills Cop") Brest. "I have a small but wonderful part as Ben's very intense, very tough mother," she explained.