Set construction this Saturday!

Set construction for "Singin' in the Rain" will begin this Saturday around 11 a.m. at the Vam York. If you're not comfortable with construction, I am sure they will find something else for you to do! Happy building!

xo xo GCP Girl

A Farewell Ode to "Shakespeare in Hollywood"

There are only three performances left of "Shakespeare in Hollywood" at the GCP! Make sure you see this show!

In honor of the show's closing, I have composed a VERY SERIOUS work I would like to share with you.

Ahem. Maestro, to the tune of "Jingle Bells," please:

VERSE

On a movie lot
In nineteen thirty-four
Jack Warner's girl is hot
But wants to be much more

Shakespeare's not their thing
It seems they're out of luck
Till Oberon and Puck arrive
And then things run amok

CHORUS

Oh, silver screen movie scenes
Joe Brown wears a dress
A purple flower has love's power
And things become a mess

VERSE

Lydia's smitten first
Dick Powell gets it next
Olivia drags Joe off
This show is oversexed

The party's out of hand
There is a massive fight
The fairy king steps in and then
His magic sets it right

CHORUS

Oh, silver screen movie scenes
Aunt Ethel gets a call
One wild night becomes dawn's light
And then things hit a wall

VERSE

The fairies start to fade
To Athens they'll return
But not before Hays sees
A lesson she must learn

The donkey head removed
Oberon takes his leave
But gives his love a gift
She'll never know that she received

CHORUS

Oh, silver screen movie scenes
The show's come to an end
Whether it's a happy one –
On you that all depends!

See you all at the Vam York this weekend for the final shows!!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Cast Profile: Dan Scholes

Dan Scholes plays movie mogul Sam Warner, and also makes a cameo as Tarzan...

GCP Girl: Tell me about your previous theatre experience.
DS: I did some theatre stuff in high school and in college a long time ago. Mostly I've done shows at GCP – 20+ by now. I've done mostly tech work and backstage stuff. A little bit of everything. I do like getting on stage whenever possible.

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about your character.

DS: According to the script, Sam's the dumb brother. He doesn't have a lot of lines, but he does have some really funny ones.

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in this show?

DS: Learning how to do the Tarzan yell. It's really hard to do. I spent more time practicing with a Jonny Weismuller clip from YouTube than I did on anything else, and I still wish I could do it better. I'm working with such an awesome cast of people; they keep telling me not to sweat it.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite Shakespearean play?

DS: Macbeth.

GCP Girl: What do you want people to know about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"?

DS: This show has fairies with wings in it. Nuff said.

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?

DS: I never much thought about this before. Whatever role makes people laugh the most. I'm not real picky as long as it gets me on stage.

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?

DS: It's a place where people like me who have to do theatre and can't see their lives without it can come. We make our money doing other things, but our community theatre is home.

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!

DS: I'm single and lookin' for love.

Thanks, Dan! Remember, it's the last week to catch "Shakespeare" – the show closes on Sunday!

xo xo GCP Girl

GCP Girl Exclusive: "Nuncrackers" Cast List!

I have something to confess...I swiped the cast list for "Nuncrackers"! Congrats to everyone! It's going to be an awesome show!!

Reverend Mother - Sue Addis
Sister Hubert - Sarah Viskovich
Sister Robert Anne - Lola Hassan-Adams
Sister Mary Amnesia - Sarah Welch
Father Virgil Manly Trott - Esteban Alvarez III
Sister Mary Leo - Ashleigh Beatty

Kids:
Maria - Abby Austin
Billy - Joey McGinn
Louise - Megan Hess
John - Kristopher Robinson
Andrew - Kurtis Robinson
Theresa - Alexes Burkhardt

xo xo GCP Girl

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Cast Profile: Carolyn Caracausa

Carolyn Caracausa returns to the GCP stage as Hollywood personality Louella Parsons...

GCP Girl: Tell me about your previous theatre experience.

CC: I have done over 20 shows at GCP and some in Venezuela, where I lived before Gainesville. I have also costumed several shows here.

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about your character.

CC: Louella Parsons was a famous Hollywood gossip columnist who competed with Hedda Hopper for all the scoops on the stars.

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in this show?

CC: Learning my lines! At my age it gets harder and harder!

GCP Girl: What do you want people to know about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"?

CC: It is a fun show combining some of Shakespeare's wonderful characters with some of Hollywood's true-life personalities.

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?

CC: I have already played my dream role -- I played Mame at the GCP in 1991.

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?

CC: Community theater is a great place to make new friends who share your love of theatre and give non-professionals a chance to "strut their stuff" in front of an audience. And it gives our local audience a chance to see quality productions at an affordable price.

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!

CC: I love the GCP and all the friends I've made since we moved to Gainesville 21 years ago, and I am so enjoying working in the new theater for the first time. Thank God for the bathrooms in the dressing rooms! :-))

Thanks, Carolyn!!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Cast Profile: Henry Wihnyk

GCP veteran Henry Wihnyk dons a tux and a German accent as "Midsummer Night's Dream" director Max Reinhardt...

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about your character.

HW: Max (a real person) was a famous stage director in Europe. He came to US to flee the Nazis and directed the film, Midsummer Night’s Dream for Warner Bros in 1934. It’s the only film he directed.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite Shakespearean play?

HW: Midsummer Night’s Dream

GCP Girl: What do you want people to know about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"?

HW: It’s very funny and has a talented cast.

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?

HW: A great place to learn, get to know and work with talented people.

Thanks, Henry! Go see "Shakespeare in Hollywood" this weekend if you haven't already!

xo xo GCP Girl

Another "Shakespeare" Review...

Check out the review from EU Jacksonville!

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Review!

The review for "Shakespeare in Hollywood" is in the Gainesville Sun today!

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Cast Profile: Jonny Gersten

Jonny Gersten debuts at the GCP as the great Jimmy Cagney in "Shakespeare in Hollywood"...

GCP Girl: Tell me about your previous theatre experience.
JG: Unfortunately I don't get to do shows as much as I would like; that said, I usually try to audition for a play once a year wherever I can! My last performance was in a play titled "Eggshells on my Back," a student-written show put on by the Florida Players at UF over a year ago.

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about your character.
JG: Jimmy did it all! He sang, danced and played a helluva gangster (among other things) throughout a 30+ year career!

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in this show?

JG: My biggest challenge was dealing with the ass head... that, and being on stage with Thomas in that beautiful blonde wig!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite Shakespearean play?

JG: Hamlet.

GCP Girl: What do you want people to know about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"?
JG: The cast is extremely fun/funny backstage!

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?

JG: I'm not sure I have one yet...

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?

JG: A community theatre provides a place for any/everyone to participate in the production of a play - and having that option is an amazing thing for any community!

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!

JG: Smiling is my favorite.

Thanks, Jonny! Don't miss "Shakespeare in Hollywood" – the second week starts up tonight!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Nuncrackers" auditions this weekend!

Auditions for the GCP holiday show, "Nuncrackers," are this Sunday and Monday, September 13-14, at 7 p.m. at the Vam York Theater. The show runs December 10-20. For more details and information on the parts in the show, visit the GCP's fan page on Facebook and click on

"Events." Hope to see you there!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Singin' in the Rain" cast list!!

Congrats to the cast of "Singin' in the Rain"! The list is up at the Vam York!

Don Lockwood – Thomas Sanders

Cosmo Brown – Mike Testa

Kathy Selden – Stephanie Kelly

Lina Lamont – Sarah Nesselroades

R.F. Simpson – Kevin Sario

Production Singer/Male Diction Teacher – Jonathan Gravely

Roscoe Dexter – Jeff Nowlin

Rod – Tony Lupi

Zelda Zanders – Lindsey Kinard

Spotlight Dancer – Megan Wise

1st Asst. Director – John Youmans

2nd Asst. Director – Taonga Leslie

3rd Asst. Director/Villain – Matthew Parker

Butler/Sound Engineer – Tyler Leeps

Dora Bailey – Gayle Shlafer

Lady-in-Waiting – Lexi Dufries

Mary Margaret – Sarah Emmets

Mary Margaret's Husband/Policeman – Franklin Termine

Miss Dinsmore – Anna Olcese

Olga Maria – Amanda Dearolph

Mrs. Simpson/Hollywood Hairdresser – Molly Knisley

Sid Phillips – Brian Benny

Wardrobe Mistress – Shay Hudleston

Chorus – Claudia Garcia, Jessica Hurley, Gislene Wong, Margot Wilder, Roxanne Solis-Price, Ashleigh Beatty, Olivia Turpening, Kelly-Ann Ergie

First read-through is at Gainesville High tonight. Congrats again!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Cast Profile: Graham Zinger

Graham Zinger plays Daryl, Jack Warner's yes-man, who is surprised to find himself as the object of affection of not one but two determined women...

GCP Girl: Tell me about your previous theatre experience.
GZ: I've been acting since I was very little, maybe eight or so, nothing serious. I started pursuing theatre seriously once I started high school. So far I've had some pretty interesting roles; my favorite would have to be Margaret Meade in "Hair." If you don't know about that part, I was basically a cross dresser and got to sing a solo completely in falsetto. I am also very active in my school's Thespian Society and have competed at Districts and State for the past three years and have gotten all excellents and superiors. This is my third show at the GCP, but I haven't done a show for about four years.

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about your character.
GZ: I play the role of Daryl, who is the yes-man to Jack Warner. I mostly do whatever Warner tells me to, and most of my action comes in the third act and you'll see what I mean by "action" when you see the play.

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in this show?
GZ: I thought it was going to be tough being in a show with a bunch of veterans of the GCP stage and not really knowing anyone, but everyone was welcoming and amazing. The real challenge for me was trying to be more militaristic. Pat wants me to stand up very straight and be stiff, which is very different from my usual posture.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite Shakespearean play?
GZ: It's not really a Shakespeare play, but I read "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern" last year in my English class and I really liked it. I'm kind of into absurdest theatre.

GCP Girl: What do you want people to know about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"?
GZ: I want people to know that this is a action-packed show, but there is a little bit of waiting until we get to that point. Also, it's a great show with an amazing cast and we've all worked very hard to make this show the best we could, and that we just want everyone to enjoy it.

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?
GZ: My dream role would probably be Melchior in "Spring Awakening." I have the right voice type for it, and the music is pretty but also rocks. It would be such a fun role to play, but a few of the scenes could be a bit awkward. I was Charlie Brown in "Snoopy" when I was 10 and I've always wanted to repeat that role.

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?
GZ: I think community theatre is exactly what it says it is, a community. When I come to rehearsals, auditions, and shows, I feel welcome and I know a lot of the people there. Let's face it, most theatre people are a little offbeat, and what's better than getting together with a group of people that share the same passion for theatre that you do?

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!
GZ: I'm single. But seriously, I guess I would just like everyone to know that I am definitely cooler than Daryl.

Thanks, Graham! Looking forward to seeing you in action!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Cast Profile: Laurel Ring

GCP musical theatre performer Laurel Ring branches into comedy as Olivia Darnell, a small town girl with stars in her eyes...

GCP Girl: Tell me about your previous theatre experience.
LR: I've been singing and dancing on stage since I was four years old. At the GCP, I've been in productions of "Music Man," "Hot Mikado," and "Hello, Dolly!," and I played Rapunzel in the Star Center's "Into the Woods" last year. I also have been a regular soprano soloist in Handel's "Messiah."

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about your character.
LR: Olivia Darnell is a starlet about to appear in her first movie role, and she's completely star-struck by Hollywood -- and later, Oberon. She is based on Olivia deHavilland, who played the role of Hermia in the actual movie in 1935.

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in this show?
LR: Where do I start?! This show was full of challenges for me, but if I have to choose one, it would be the last scene. There's a lot of pressure there to make it emotional and poignant, and I am not sure I am over stressing about it yet!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite Shakespearean play?
LR: The 10-year-old in me still loves "Romeo and Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," since those are the plays I used to rehearse by myself from my grandmother's huge Shakespeare volume. As an adult, my favorite is "Much Ado About Nothing." I love the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick.

GCP Girl: What do you want people to know about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"?
LR: This show will not be what you expect, but you will love it. It really is a funny show with an outstanding cast.

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?
LR: Christine in "Phantom of the Opera." I am dying to hit those notes! On the non-musical side, I would love to do some real Shakespeare...hint, hint...

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?
LR: Personally, my return to theatre three years ago meant rediscovering a part of myself I had not realized was missing. My life is busier today than ever, but the quality has improved dramatically. In a larger sense, community theatre helps to bring culture and entertainment to the world.

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!
LR: Everyone should know how thankful I am, every day, to be part of this group. I owe huge thanks to our director, Pat Thomson, who is so patient with me; to the cast, for being wonderful; and to our dressers, who are kind enough to put up with my whirlwind costume changes!

Thanks, Laurel!

xo xo GCP Girl

Huge article in the Sun!

Check out today's lifestyle section in the Gainesville Sun -- the main article is about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"! I could not find it online to post a link, so you'll have to go look at the hard copy. Let's hope it brings some people to the Vam York!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Cast Profile: Jeremy Lambeth

Jeremy Lambeth's Oberon wanders into quite a different "wood near Athens" when he ends up on the set of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1930s Hollywood!

GCP Girl: Tell me about your previous theatre experience.

JL: Friends and fun are the reasons I keep returning to auditions. No role is too small and the memories are priceless. My previous experience spans the continental U.S. in roles from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" to Arsenic and Old Lace." I hope I can continue to support GCP while I pursue my academic goals at UF.

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about your character.

JL: Oberon is the king of the fairies from William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Exhausted from the escapades of the previous night, his fuse is short. He's confused but inspired by his new surroundings in Hollywood.

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in this show?

JL: As a lead, it's always a challenge to memorize your lines. Luckily, we have a great cast and crew that helped me through the process.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite Shakespearean play?

JL: Personally, I've always been a fan of "The Merchant of Venice." It was my first Shakespearean performance and I learned a lot.

GCP Girl: What do you want people to know about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"?
JL: SIH is a lot of fun. Leave your preconceived notions at the ticket taker, because this show is a riot!

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?

JL: Every chance I get to share a character with an audience is a dream. In fact, my favorite roles are the ones with the fewest lines and I get an opportunity to create the character from scratch.

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?
JL: Theatre is the greatest story-telling medium we possess. It's live, engaging and exhilarating. More people should experience the thrill of being on stage. The first time you charm a child in "The Wizard of Oz" or touch the heart of an audience in "Yours, Anne," you'll be hooked.

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!

JL: After this show I'm going to start an Overworked Fairies Support Group. ;)

Thanks, Jeremy! It's opening night – break a leg, everyone!!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Cast Profile: Amanda Gunn

Meet newcomer Amanda Gunn, who plays Brooklyn chorus girl-turned-starlet Lydia Lansing in GCP's "Shakespeare in Hollywood"!

GCP Girl: Tell me about your previous theatre experience.

AG: I haven't been involved since high school. I studied during my adolesence at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Academy. I was always involved in middle and high school. It runs in the family.

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about your character.

AG: She's a slut. But she means well. Very sassy and street-smart. She knows what people want. Most of all, she knows what SHE wants.

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in this show?

AG: Kissing another man for the first time since marrying my husband.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite Shakespearean play?

AG: "As You Like It."

GCP Girl: What do you want people to know about "Shakespeare in Hollywood"?

AG: It is incredibly witty and hilarious. It incorporates a great deal of 1930's American pop culture, which is actually quite interesting and fun to perform.

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?

AG: Sylvia Fowler in "The Women."

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?

AG: Having a real passion to perform without judgement. Let's face it, if you wanted money or fame, you'd be one of a million in the city.

GCP Girl: Tell me something about yourself you'd like everyone to know!

AG: It took me over a year to have the guts to audition for a GCP show. I am so glad I finally did. This has been an incredible experience. I've met some incredible people, overcome some major insecurities and most of all laughed harder than i've laughed in a long time. :)

Thanks, Amanda! See you at Preview!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Shakespeare in Hollywood" Preview Article!

The "Shakespeare in Hollywood" Preview article is in the Gainesville Sun today! The box office opens tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for general seating. Break a leg, everyone!

xo xo GCP Girl

Much ado about...Shakespeare in Hollywood!

It's finally opening week! The Preview performance of "Shakespeare in Hollywood" is this Thursday, and tickets are only $5! Remember to get there early, since seating is open. The box office opens at 7 p.m., and the house opens at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for all other performances, including opening night, are on sale now at Book Gallery West in the Millhopper Publix plaza. Don't miss this show! See you there!

xo xo GCP Girl