By Eva Trieger
ESCONDIDO, California –Long before language was codified, every culture passed on its values, traditions and dreams through storytelling. The Oral Torah was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. West African griots told stories through song and tales while traveling village to village. Choctaw storytelling offered creation stories, and the Irish have seanchai, the keepers and sharers of old myths and local news. And of course, Passover, is a beautiful example of the annual retelling of the story of liberation, encouraging every participant to imagine himself experiencing each part of the journey.
What is it about storytelling that is so magically compelling? In a telephone interview I discussed this topic with actor, author, musician and playwright Shari Lyon. Lyon has written and published several children’s books, all with an eye toward promoting compassion and empathy. Her series Read to Me, Sing to Me, focuses on animals who are anthropomorphized, allowing children (and adults) to witness conflict and resolution from a new perspective.
The books have beautiful illustrations and each contains music written for the specific tale. Additionally, Lyon wrote a book for the San Diego Zoo to honor its 100th birthday entitled Paws, Hoofs and Wings about 12 animals that were some of its first inhabitants. But Not Gino, was inspired by Lyon’s granddaughter, a middle sibling, as a reminder of her unique talents. Gino, a giraffe was shorter than his peers and was downtrodden until he discovered that he could sing!
Perhaps the passion project that made me want to know more about this gifted artist is the one-woman show she wrote, performed and toured that centered on the life of Edith Frank. Lyon drew upon her memory of reading The Diary of Anne Frank. As a ten-year-old she was horrified and saddened that people could be so cruel to each other.
After reading the diary a number of times, Lyon began to dig deeper and read more about Anne and her words. While Anne and Otto wrote with optimism, Anne’s mother was a pessimist and an introvert. She had no one to confide in while in the secret annex, with the exception of Miep Gies.
Lyon put together a fifty-minute monologue from Edith Frank’s perspective, and made it even more lifelike by pairing it with a soundtrack of the era — marching boots, sirens etc. Edith Frank Remembers was created.
Lyon felt it was important to take this piece of history to schools, synagogues and community centers to make certain that children and adults understood the degree of inhumanity we are capable of if it is not exposed. The show traveled to Santa Barbara, El Cajon, Poway and many other cities. Lyon was sad when she had to put it to rest. She is entertaining the idea of auditioning younger women to take up the mantle and bring the show back to schools and into the communities.
One particular incident Lyon shared gave me goose bumps. A teacher friend of hers was anticipating a class visit by a Holocaust survivor. At the last minute the speaker was unable to make it. The friend asked Shari if she’d be willing to fill in, seeing as she’d played Edith Frank. Initially, Lyon gave an emphatic “no!” but her friend assured her the kids wouldn’t know and by agreeing to represent a survivor, she could still share her important message.
The middle schoolers were so entranced by Lyon that they forfeited their lunch hour to stay and ask her questions. Another moving story resulted from a visit to a high school class. Facing burly football players, drama students and student leaders, Lyon shared her stories. After a Q&A, Lyon, out of costume, asked the students if they had any questions for her. A boy raised his hand and said, “Could I just hug you right now?” And a hug line of students formed to embrace the delighted Lyon.
So when did Shari Lyon first fall in love with writing and storytelling? Watching her mother writing, two-year-old Shari imitated the scribbling and announced to her Daddy that, “I wrote you a story” to which her dad replied, “Read it to me.” And she made up a story to go with the scribbles. Shari told me that her grandparents also were amazing storytellers. Though her primary interest was in music, an academic requirement dictated that she take a drama class. Thanks to a wonderful, yet demanding teacher, Shari found a love for the craft of acting.
Becoming a teacher in Michigan, Lyon taught Language and Performing Arts. She found herself taking on challenging roles and increasing her array of the arts including dance, music, writing and acting. Through this self-exploration, Lyon realized that she had the capacity to ignite the same passion in young people.
What’s next for this dynamic creator? Lyon told me that Del Norte High School has teamed up with PowPac to hold the second annual The Night is Young. This brief engagement (June 27 and 28) will feature plays written by young people, guided by mentors. Four of the lucky playwrights will have the opportunity to see their scripts come to life on stage at Del Norte High School. Treading the boards, Lyon will be appearing in The Savannah Sipping Society on Vista’s Broadway stage, keeping her acting muscles toned.
Look for Lyon’s books at book fairs. She was invited to join the Pirates of Treasure Cove who promote literacy and local authors at the Escondido Renaissance Faire. Lyon released a new book, Gryphon Quest: The Medallion, at the Ren Faire on May 3. Her books are available on Amazon and may also be purchased from her website: StoriesAlive88.com.
From our in-person and telephone conversations, it is apparent to me that Shari Lyon realizes she has a message to impart to all. She chooses to do this through written word, music and dramatic portrayal. When asked how one can make a difference in society, Lyon replied, “Humbly acknowledge the gifts you were given and figure out a way, every day, to use those gifts to encourage others to share their gifts.”
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the coverage of the arts.