Monday, April 12, 2010

Around Town in April

Depressed because "Forum" is over and the next GCP show is a month away? Me too. But there's lots going on this month as school groups wind up the year with end-of-the-season shows! 

Here's the rundown (I got most of these dates from school calendars on their web sites, so let me know if anything's inaccurate):
  • "The Commedia Voyages of Sinbad," a creative version of Sinbad for family audiences, runs April 15-May 15 at the Thomas Center. Shows are free and are held on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m.
  • "Fiddler on the Roof," the classic musical about Russian Tevye and his family, runs April 21-24 at Gainesville High School.
  • "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," a musical based on Roald Dahl's book, runs April 23-May 2 at Buchholz High School.
  • "Curtains!," a musical murder-mystery whodunit, runs April 24-May 2 at P.K. Yonge.
Support our local schools and drama groups and have a great time!
xo xo GCP Girl

Join GCP in honoring Laura Carmichael!

The GCP will be honoring Laura Carmichael with a celebration and tea in gratitude for the generous gift she willed to the theater, which helped pay the mortgage for the new Vam York Theater building.  The event is Sunday, April 18, at 4 p.m., and is free to everyone.  Help the GCP thank this very special lady!

xo xo GCP Girl

Friday, April 9, 2010

"Forum" cast profile: Randall Dees

Randall Dees tries his hand at slapstick comedy as a Protean in "Forum"!

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
RD: The Proteans play several different roles throughout the show; they are basically idiotic comedy at its best (think the Three Stooges).

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
RD: I have been involved with theatre for nine years. Some of my favorite experiences were as tech director for the wonderful show "Hair" at Eastside High School, Romeo in Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" at the Acrosstown Repertory Theater, and "Shakespeare in Hollywood" at the GCP, but you last saw me in the Medieval Faire's Living Chessboard alongside the rest of the Thieves Guilde.

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for this show?
RD: I auditioned for "Forum" because I thought it would be a wonderful experience, and I am addicted to theatre, so any chance to be involved with a show is a chance I take.

GCP Girl: What has been your favorite part of this experience so far?
RD: There is no one part of this that has been better than any other. The whole show, including rehearsals, has been wonderful, and the cast is so friendly and talented, it's the best anyone can hope for.

GCP Girl: If you could sing one song in the show that is actually sung by another character, which one would it be and why?
RD: None.  My favorite song from the show is one that I sing in already. It is the "Funeral Sequence" in Act Two. It is just so lovely to hear us all harmonizing and working together for a wonderful musical number.

GCP Girl: What do you hope audiences take away from this show?
RD: I just hope audiences come and laugh and enjoy the wonderful humor of the show.

GCP Girl: What inspires you?
RD: Well, my inspiration for theatre and in life in general is my idol and friend Tammy Meyers. She has supported me through good and bad times and is always encouraging me to follow my heart and be happy; for that, I will always be appreciative.

GCP Girl: Broadway is drawing a lot of its inspiration from TV shows and movies lately. What TV show or movie would you like to see turned into a Broadway musical
RD: Well, I love the drama of "Desperate Housewives" and think it would make an incredible musical.

Thanks, Randall! This is the last weekend to see "Forum"! Make it a date!
xo xo GCP Girl

Thursday, April 8, 2010

"Forum" cast profile: Amy Smith

GCP newcomer Amy Smith is all that is lovely as Philia in "Forum"!

GCP Girl:
Tell me a bit about your character.
AS: My name is Philia! Philia is a silly, dim-witted courtesan in the House of Lycus. She is nearly always unaware of what's going on around her.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
AS: This is my first show at GCP, but I've been a stone cold diva since the age of 9, when I made my theatre debut in the role of "Ten-Year-Old Tommy." 

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for this show?
AS: I LOVE the movie. Seriously, it's one of my favorites. When my sisters and I would stay up all night watching movies, this was one of our staples. I knew I had to make my siblings proud, so I auditioned! 

GCP Girl: What has been your favorite part of this experience so far?
AS: Oh my goodness. I love being part of a show and the high of being applauded for, don't get me wrong, but I love the people I've met through this show most of all. I adore everyone. 

GCP Girl: If you could sing one song in the show that is actually sung by another character, which one would it be and why?
AS: "I'm Calm." I sit backstage during that song every night because I love it so much. I couldn't rock it like Thomas though, he's da bomb on that song. 

GCP Girl: What do you hope audiences take away from this show?
AS: Gosh, I hope they feel giggly and happy when they leave. I couldn't ask for more.

GCP Girl: What inspires you?
AS: So many things. I am surrounded by beautiful people and things. I try to look for inspiration in everything.

GCP Girl: Broadway is drawing a lot of its inspiration from TV shows and movies lately. What TV show or movie would you like to see turned into a Broadway musical?
AS: Harry Potter, Harry Potter, Harry Potter. Yes, PLEASE! I would even volunteer myself to draft the script and play Hagrid.

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!
AS: I love to read and knit. 

Thanks, Amy! Playgoers, get thee to this show before it's gone forever!!
xo xo GCP Girl

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

"Forum" cast profile: Kevin Hanson

Kevin Hanson plays the henpecked Senex, who keeps looking for love in all the wrong places (literally!).

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
KH: From the Latin, the name "Senex" means old, aged or advanced in years. This does describe my character a lot, but for the most part he is just simply a browbeaten man looking for one last chance at freedom - freedom from the tightrope his "dominating" wife Domina makes him walk. There are many viewpoints in the show that center around the idea of freedom, whether it be from an all-consuming marriage, from childhood to a first love, or from slavery.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
KH:  I performed as Charlemagne in "Pippin" at the GCP, but the real bug was planted with all the public speaking and skits I performed in 4-H and student government. The GCP is a very professional, top-notch theater and it is an honor to be on the stage there.

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for this show?
KH: I had so much fun in my first show at GCP, I knew I wanted to do another show some day. The friendships that are garnered from this experience are always lasting.

GCP Girl: What has been your favorite part of this experience so far?
KH: Being onstage singing, of course! There is always a nervousness that goes with making that first step before my big number, but the excitement that gives me is indescribable.

GCP Girl: If you could sing one song in the show that is actually sung by another character, which one would it be and why?
KH: I think it would be "Bring Me My Bride," only because the soldier role is not terribly far off from Charlemagne.

GCP Girl: What do you hope audiences take away from this show?
KH: Simply a great laugh and a moment's reprieve from the day-to-day of life.

GCP Girl: What inspires you?
KH: In a word, accomplishment! Or put another way, I want to be able to say "Yes, I did that!" How else can I back up my statement, "I do not fear public speaking"?

GCP Girl: Broadway is drawing a lot of its inspiration from TV shows and movies lately. What TV show or movie would you like to see turned into a Broadway musical?
KH: The movie "Clue." I am probably not the first to use that answer because so much talk and quotes from that movie have been used backstage.

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!
KH: I played Diana Ross in a lip-sync role while in 4-H as a thank you to volunteers, and for a certain amount of money I may post it on YouTube!

Thanks, Kevin! This week is your last chance to see "Forum" at the Vam York! Don't miss it!
xo xo GCP Girl