"A Christmas Story" cast profile: Caroline Boudreaux

Caroline Boudreaux terrorizes the neighborhood as Scut Farkus in "A Christmas Story"!

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
CB: I’m playing the part of Scut Farkus/Black Bart. Scut Farkus is the girl bully.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
CB: This is my second play at GCP. The first play that I performed at GCP was "Oliver!" I have also been in multiple plays at High Springs Community Theatre, such as "Hansel and Gretel," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Beauty and the Beast." I was in several productions at St. Patrick’s Interparish School.

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "A Christmas Story"?
CB: This is one of my favorite Christmas stories of all time.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite scene in the show?
CB: My favorite scene in the show is when the Dad receives the leg lamp. It’s hilarious how Mr. Ed and Ms. Laurel play this scene.

GCP Girl: What has been your favorite part of this experience so far?
CB: My favorite experience has been getting to know the other cast members. And of course, I like to use the country twang in the fantasy scene!

GCP Girl: Finish this sentence: "I know it's the holiday season when..."
CB: My dad lights the warm and cozy fireplace.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite winter holiday tradition?
CB: Watching "It’s a Wonderful Life" every year on Christmas with my dad.

GCP Girl: In "A Christmas Story," Ralphie tells us about his most memorable Christmas. Tell me about your most memorable holiday.
CB: One year for Christmas, all I wanted was a dog. I thought it wasn’t going to happen because my mom told us that they shed too much. Then came Christmas morning and an adorable Australian Shepherd was there. That was a special Christmas for my family.

GCP Girl: What are you looking forward to the most this holiday season?
CB: Definitely hanging out with family and friends.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know!
CB: Hope you enjoy the show!

Thanks, Caroline! "A Christmas Story" begins its second week tonight at the Vam York!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Intimate Apparel" cast list!

Congrats to the new cast of "Intimate Apparel"!

Esther: Amanda Edwards
Mayme: Madeleine Escarne
George: Troy McCray
Mrs. Van Buren: Kim Huebner
Mrs. Dickson: Shetiquea Davis
Mr. Marks: Nicholas May

Director: Rhonda Wilson
Assistant Directors: Shontae Khaleel White, Steven Butler

"A Christmas Story" cast profile: Celia Shankman

Celia Shankman makes her GCP debut as class genius Helen Weathers in "A Christmas Story," previewing tonight at the Vam York!

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
CS: I play Helen Weathers, the smartest girl Ralphie knows in his class.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
CS: For the Alachua Children's Theater, I played Sebastian in "The Little Mermaid," Sam in "Ransom of Red Chief," Honor in "Beauty is a Beast," and Sam from "Emperor's New Clothes."

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "A Christmas Story"?
CS: I thought it would be fun and a good experience.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite scene in the show?
CS: My favorite scene in the show is when Flick puts his tongue on the pole. It is the funniest!

GCP Girl: What has been your favorite part of this experience so far?
CS: Learning acting etiquette.

GCP Girl: Finish this sentence: "I know it's the holiday season when..."
CS: I know it's the holiday season when people start putting up lights in the neighborhood.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite winter holiday tradition?
CS: My favorite winter holiday traditions are decorating the tree for Christmas and lighting candles on the Menorah for Chanukah.

GCP Girl: In "A Christmas Story," Ralphie tells us about his most memorable Christmas. Tell me about your most memorable holiday.
CS: When we moved back to Florida three years ago, we moved in on Christmas Eve. We had no tree or any decorations because we had driven all day from New Jersey. It was about 9 at night when my mom and dad were looking in the new attic to put some boxes away when all of a sudden, we found a Christmas tree with lights. It was a miracle. We had a tree.

GCP Girl: What are you looking forward to the most this holiday season?
CS: Spending time with my family and my grandmom.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know!
CS: That I am funny and energetic and love to make you laugh.

Thanks, Celia! Tickets are $5 when the doors open tonight at 7 p.m. - don't miss out!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Intimate Apparel" auditions are this weekend!

Auditions for the period drama "Intimate Apparel" are this Sunday and Monday, Nov. 27-28. Director Rhonda Wilson offers some insights into the show and what she is looking for in potential cast members!

GCP Girl: Why did you want to direct "Intimate Apparel"?
RW: As an African-American woman, I felt it was important to showcase a work that reflected women of color as real people with real lives and emotional stories during a time when they were treated as second-class citizens. I think the story speaks to everyone regardless of ethnicity. I am so glad the playwright used an African-American female as the heroine.

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your vision for the production.
RW: My goal is to direct the show in such a way that each of the six distinct characters transcend the 100 years, so that their needs and desires are reflected in people you know, or maybe even yourself. I intend to respect the author's intent and remain true to the beauty of her words.

GCP Girl: Is there anything specific you are looking for in the actors who audition? If someone wants to impress you, what should he/she do?
RW: When I'm reading a script, especially a period drama, I visualize what I think the characters would look or sound like. Sometimes they don't show up to audition. I would love to see people who are committed to the story being told. They should have at least researched the time and place of the story and have a basic understanding of the plot.

GCP Girl: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

RW: This show is not well-known and doesn't have a blockbuster movie to its credit. It is simply a piece of theatre that needs to be seen and told. The show is definitely a character study and a vehicle to delve into the most "intimate" feelings of a diverse group of people. The show is a microcosm of the turn-of-the century society. We have seen this period of time on stage before, but rarely from the perspective of an African-American woman working hard to pursue her dream. If you can't audition, at least come see the show.

Thanks, Rhonda! Break a leg at auditions, everyone!

Spotlight on Jean Shepherd

"A Christmas Story" opens this week at the GCP's Vam York Theater. The 1983 movie that became a holiday classic was penned by American author, humorist and radio personality Jean Shepherd (1921-1999).
Like the hero of "A Christmas Story," Shepherd grew up in an Indiana town in the 1930s. He got his start in radio in Cincinnati in 1948 and moved to New York City in 1956. Before long, he was entertaining fans with stories, poetry and elaborate hoaxes, such as him encouraging listeners to ask booksellers for a copy of "I, Libertine" -- a book that did not exist -- to place it on the bestseller lists, which at that time were partly based on demand as well as sales. (Shepherd later wrote the book.) His narrative style inspired many young announcers, notably Garrison Keillor.
Although he talked about many topics in his almost 50-year radio career, Shepherd's most popular stories were those about ordinary American life. Some of these were published in Playboy magazine, and some were incorporated into books, such as "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," "Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories: and Other Disasters," "The Ferrari in the Bedroom," and "A Fistful of Fig Newtons."
Shepherd co-wrote and narrated the movie "A Christmas Story," drawing on previous stories and his own childhood experiences. He also appears in a cameo role in the movie as the man in the department store who directs Ralphie to the end of the Santa line. Some interesting movie trivia:

• Shepherd's middle name is Parker, the family's last name in "A Christmas Story." He grew up on Cleveland Street (in Hammond, Ind.) and attended Warren G. Harding School, just like Ralphie.
  
• Shepherd's younger brother was also named Randall.
• The director, Bob Clark, became interested in Shepherd's work after hearing him read the story "Flick's Tongue" on the radio in 1968.
• Clark has said in interviews that actor Jack Nicholson was originally considered for the part of The Old Man.
• Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie, was already well known as "Messy Marvin" from the Hershey's Syrup commercials.
• A sequel, "My Summer Story," was filmed in 1994.

Thanks to 24-hour marathons and a heavy dose of holiday nostalgia, "A Christmas Story" is a beloved classic and a holiday tradition for many. Come spend an evening this holiday season with the Parkers at the GCP!

Source material: Jean Shepherd (Wikipedia); A Christmas Story (Wikipedia); A Christmas Story House

Jan Cohen on "The Exonerated"!

Jan Cohen directs "The Exonerated," which premieres Monday, November 7 at the Vam York!

GCP Girl: Tell me about the show.

JC: The show tells the true story, largely in their own words, of six people convicted of murder, put on death row and then released because they are proven to be, in fact, innocent. The four other actors portray all the other characters -- police, judges, lawyers, family, the real bad guy. Their words are also mainly true, from police depositions, court transcripts, etc.

GCP Girl: Why did you want to direct "The Exonerated"?
JC: Kristin Mercer asked if I would put myself forward as director in front of the play select committee. She and I share a taste in strong but emotionally true dramas!

GCP Girl: What are the challenges of directing a show like this one?
JC: There are 10 people and 11 chairs, very little to be done in the way of movement, so the key is to focus on the stories and keep the audience involved. The script really helps do that--it is very strong, but also has humor and lots of faith!

GCP Girl: Why should people come see the show?
JC: People should come because the three themes really resonate -- it could happen to anyone -- when most people do, in fact, do some essentially little stupid things in their lives, most don't end up on death row because of those things. Smart people come to opposite conclusions when presented with the same evidence. So, the play is not political per se, but it does ask the viewer to question how they view others and what preconceptions they might bring to the process of judgment. Most importantly, there is a tremendous capacity in the human spirit, even under the worst circumstances, for love and not hate, enormous faith in a higher power and the wish to simply live decent, simple lives.

GCP Girl: Which person's story in the show affects you most?
JC: I am moved by them all, but perhaps most by the story of David, who was planning to be a minister before he was arrested at the age of 18 for a crime he had absolutely nothing to do with, and is so clearly damaged by the experience of prison and yet "he sings" at the end--you have to watch it to see that moment.

Thanks, Jan! "The Exonerated" is showing Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Vam York; Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at Santa Fe Building E (Old Auditorium); and Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at The Social Justice Forum at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville. Proceeds from donations will go to The Exonerated Fund. There will be talkback sessions with the cast members after each performance. Further details are available on Facebook. Don't miss it!

xo xo GCP Girl