2012 Golden Apples Awards Honorees!

Congrats to everyone who received a Golden Apple Award this weekend! All the nominees worked hard to make last season memorable.

Actor in a Minor Role - Henry Wihnyk, "Hairspray"
Actress in a Minor Role - Carolyn Caracausa, "Hairspray"
Choreography - Matthew Teoli, Leannis Maxwell and Hannah Stahmer, "Thoroughly Modern Millie"
Supporting Actor in a Play - Nicholas May, "Intimate Apparel"
Supporting Actress in a Play - Jan Cohen, "Agnes of God"
Sound - Kristin Paulson, "A Christmas Story"
Properties - Erin Kleim, "Thoroughly Modern Millie"
Supporting Actor in a Musical - Steven Butler, "Rent"
Supporting Actress in a Musical - Kathy L. Williams, "Hairspray"
Lighting - Michael Thomson, "Hairspray"
Best Actor in a Play - Adam Lishawa, "A Christmas Story"
Best Actress in a Play - Amanda Edwards, "Intimate Apparel"
GCP Scholarship - Kevin Anderson and Olivia Turpening
Costumes - Rhonda Wilson, "Thoroughly Modern Millie"
Set Design - Ed McKay and Thomas Muhn, "Thoroughly Modern Millie"
Best Actor in a Musical - Esteban Alvarez, "Hairspray"
Best Actress in a Musical - Sissy Bell, "Thoroughly Modern Millie"
STAR Award - Caitlin Hunter and Stephen Griffin
Excellence in Technical Execution - "Rent"
Excellence in Artistic Design - "A Christmas Story"
The President's Cup - The Christophy Family
Best Play - "Agnes of God"
Best Musical - "Thoroughly Modern Millie"

"Hairspray" cast profile: Esteban Alvarez III

Esteban Alvarez III is big, blond(ish) and beautiful as Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray"!

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.

EA: I play Edna Turnblad. Edna is Tracy's mother and is both strong and insecure at the same time. The outside world scares her. She's afraid of being hurt and Tracy getting hurt. Yet, by the end of the show she is stronger, braver, and proud of her daughter and of herself.  

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.

EA: My last show was "The Murder Room," and before that I was Max Bialystock opposite Thomas Sanders in "The Producers"...which we are both waiting and willing to start performing the show again.

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "Hairspray"?

EA: I auditioned for "Hairspray" because I wanted to play Edna. I've done a lot of things on stage but I have never had to convincingly play a woman. I love the character, the music, and the show in general. Plus, I knew some friends were going to audition for the show.
 

GCP Girl: What is your favorite musical number in the show, and why?

EA: I really like "Big, Blond, and Beautiful." Not only does Kathy do an amazing job with it, but I get to make faces at her while she sings. And it is a pivotal point for Edna's character...so, it's a win-win situation.
 

GCP Girl: Why should people see "Hairspray"?

EA: Because the cast is great, the music is fun, and the show is really really funny.

 

GCP Girl: What plays or musicals would you like to see GCP produce in an upcoming season?

EA: "Noises Off," "Sweeney Todd," and "Company."
 

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?

EA: I once said Max Bialystock, Cogsworth, and Edna Turnblad. I need to branch out and think of more dream roles!

 

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?

EA: Community theatre means ... community. A place where people from different aspects of life can come together and work towards a common goal.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know!
EA: A) Being a woman is tough.  B) I still have never seen the Godfather movies.

Thanks, Esteban! The countdown continues...only three more shows!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Hairspray" cast profile: Brittney Kelly

Brittney Kelly is positively, permanently perfect as Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray"!

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
BK: I play Penny Pingleton, Tracy's best friend. My character is spastic and slow... at the same time. She has good intentions, though. :)

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
BK: The first show I ever did at GCP was "Annie Warbucks" (thanks to Rhonda Wilson!), and many more after that, including "Anne of Green Gables," "George M!," "Fiddler on the Roof"...

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "Hairspray"?
BK: I kept having this thing called musical theatre withdrawals.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite musical number in the show, and why?
BK: "It Takes Two"!... Somehow it always gets stuck in my head.

GCP Girl: Why should people see "Hairspray"?
BK: Because it's a fun show with a great message!

GCP Girl: What plays or musicals would you like to see GCP produce in an upcoming season?
BK: I would literally love if they did "Beehive"!

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?
BK: May sound cheesy but... Belle in "Beauty & the Beast." I just love Disney. And her!

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?
BK: I've met so many children who saw their first show and instantly fell in love with music, dancing and acting. It's not something you do for money, it's something you do for the love of it! And that's something everyone needs in life.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know!
BK: At the time of this interview, it's 43 days until football season. GO GATORS!

Thanks, Brittney! Only  four more chances to see "Hairspray"!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Hairspray" cast profile: Kacey Musson

Kacey Musson makes her GCP debut as Lou Anne in "Hairspray"!

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
KM: I play Lou Anne, and she’s sort of the outcast of the Corny Collins show members. She’s always had the itch to break free of the pettiness of being a council member, and finally finds the chance to get that acceptance.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
KM: Well, this is my first at GCP, but I’ve done just about every show at my high school since my enrollment, and small other side shows at various little theaters. Some shows include "Cinderella" (Evil Stepsister), "Robin Hood" (Maid Marian), "Willy Wonka" (Violet), "Shout!" (Green Girl), etc.

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "Hairspray"?
KM: Why not? It was an opportunity to work with new people, and the show itself is uplifting, and an all-around good time. I heard a lot of great things about the theater, and it seemed like a great chance to get on stage for the summer.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite musical number in the show, and why?
KM: “I Know Where I’ve Been” is hands-down my favorite song. It really brings home the whole show. "Hairspray" is such a cheesy, campy show, and to have such a powerful and soulful song in the middle of it, you can’t help but to be sucked into the real message of the show.

GCP Girl: Why should people see "Hairspray"?
KM: I’m in it, that’s why. Just kidding. The talent in this show is fantastic, and the cast is so energetic that pulls the whole audience in for the roller coaster that it is. There’s a lot to learn from the show, but it plays up one of America’s darkest issues in a timeless upbeat manner that is easy to understand and gives you a new perspective on the '60s. You're guaranteed to go home with a tapping foot, and singing a catchy melody.

GCP Girl: What plays or musicals would you like to see GCP produce in an upcoming season?
KM: If the rights to the show were ever released, after this show I think GCP has the capability of pulling another campy show like "Mamma Mia," or something just as groovy. I’m a big fan of comedy, so I’d love to see more comedic endeavors in the theater.

GCP Girl: What is your dream role?
KM: There are too many to count. To name a few: Elphaba in "Wicked," Girl in "Once," Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd," Jack Kelley in "Newsies," Finch from "How to Succeed" -- need I go on? I think that’s where the thrill of it lives. When you're on stage you get to live someone else’s life, even if only just for 2 hours a night, and being all these characters would just mean you get to experience such a span of characters!

GCP Girl: What does community theatre mean to you?
KM: It means people from all different backgrounds coming together to put on a great show, and who do it for the love of it. It’s an experience I wish everyone would get to have at some point in their lives, because there just nothing quite like making cast bonds. You learn so much, and all the hard work really does pay off. You get to entertain and have a great time while doing it all.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know!
KM: “Don't ever let someone tell you you can't do something. You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period.” – Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness) Come see "Hairspray"!

Thanks, Kacey!  The last week of "Hairspray" starts tonight and shows have been selling out -- do you have tickets yet?

xo xo GCP Girl

Golden Apple Awards 2012: The Nominees

Congratulations to all of this year's Golden Apple Awards nominees!  Each and every one of you were wonderful.  Thank you for contributing to the success of the 2011-12 GCP season!
Winners will be announced at the 2012 Golden Apple Awards ceremony on Saturday, August 11 at the Vam York Theater.  The reception will begin at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:45 p.m.  Admission is free, so please join the celebration!

Golden Apple Award Nominations
Actor in a Minor Role
Damario Major, Rent
Noah Cox, A Christmas Story
Aaron Goll, A Christmas Story
Xavier Ayala-Vermont, A Christmas Story
Zack Kidd, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Erik Ramos, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Ed Hunter, Hairspray
Henry Wihnyk, Hairspray

Actress in a Minor Role
Celia Shankman, A Christmas Story
Nadia Cox, A Christmas Story
Shetiquea Davis, Intimate Apparel
Gerri Sterne, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Veronica Camille Vuturo, Agnes of God
Hannah Everette, Hairspray
Carolyn Caracausa, Hairspray  

Best Supporting Actor in a Play
Ed Hunter, A Christmas Story
Nicholas May, Intimate Apparel

Best Supporting Actress in a Play
Victoria Gregory, A Christmas Story
Kelly Belanger, A Christmas Story
Marissa Lloyd, A Christmas Story
Caroline Boudreaux, A Christmas Story
Madeleine Escarne, Intimate Apparel
Kim Huebner, Intimate Apparel
Jan Cohen, Agnes of God

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Kevin Anderson, Rent
Steven Butler, Rent
Bryan Faux, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Manny Marichal, Hairspray
Marcellis Cutler, Hairspray
Thomas Sanders, Hairspray

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Kelley Addis, Rent
Sissy Bell, Rent
Amy Smith, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Samantha Fundenburg, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Susan Christophy, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Brittney Kelly, Hairspray
Kristin Mercer, Hairspray
Samantha Fundenburg, Hairspray
Kathy L. Williams, Hairspray 

Best Actor in a Play
Adam Lishawa, A Christmas Story
Gary Wells, A Christmas Story
Troy McCray, Intimate Apparel

Best Actress in a Play
Laurel Ring, A Christmas Story
Amanda Edwards, Intimate Apparel
Leannis Maxwell, Agnes of God

Best Actor in a Musical
Peter Romberg, Rent
Phil Young, Rent
Paul Rye, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Esteban Alvarez III, Hairspray

Best Actress in a Musical
Ashleigh Beatty, Rent
Sissy Bell, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Danielle Pagliara, Hairspray

Set Design
Thomas Muhn, Rent
Leazah Behrens/Doug Morris, A Christmas Story
Pat Thomson, Intimate Apparel
Ed McKay/Thomas Muhn, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Carlos Asse, Agnes of God
Jerry Brewington/Doug Morris, Hairspray

Costumes
Pat Thomson, Rent
Betty Keena/Teresa Lloyd, A Christmas Story
Betty Keena, Intimate Apparel
Rhonda Wilson, Thoroughly Modern Millie
McCauley/Van Mier, Agnes of God
Rhonda Wilson, Hairspray

Lighting
Thomas Muhn, Rent
Thomas Muhn, Intimate Apparel
Thomas Muhn, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Michael Thomson, Hairspray

Props
Erin Kleim, Rent
Erin Kleim, Intimate Apparel
Erin Kleim, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Lester Smilowitz, Agnes of God
Erika Capin, Hairspray

Sound
Kristin Paulson, Rent
Kristin Paulson, A Christmas Story
Thomas Muhn, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Kristin Paulson, Agnes of God
Kristin Paulson/David Twombley, Hairspray

Choreography
Susan Christophy, Rent
Matthew Teoli/Leannis Maxwell/Hannah Stahmer, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Leannis Maxwell/Hannah Stahmer/Kevin Anderson, Hairspray

Best Play
A Christmas Story
Intimate Apparel
Agnes of God

Best Musical
Rent
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Hairspray