"9 to 5" cast announcement!

Congrats to the cast of "9 to 5"!

Violet - Amanda Edwards
Doralee - Brittney Kelly
Judy - Leannis Maxwell
Franklin Hart - Matthew Sherman
Roz Keith - Katie Crozier-Theis
Joe - Michael Tremaine
Dick - Kirk Scott
Dwayne - Kevin Anderson
Missy - Laura D'Anieri
Josh - Brandon Hall
Maria - TBA
Margaret - Sue Addis
Kathy - Kelley Addis
Dolly - Kelley Addis
Candy Striper - TBA
Bob Enright - Brandon Friend
Detective - Randall Dees
Tinsworthy/Doctor - John Stirna
Ensemble:
Danielle Butter
Paula Turpening
Lily D'Anieri
Theresa Hanson
Dixie Lee
Jet Carter
Rikki Baynard
Lakesha Hobdy
Thomas White
Ishmael Geter
Xavier Shivers

"Chasing Manet" cast profile: Malcolm Sanford

Malcolm Sanford portrays two very different personalities in a dual role in "Chasing Manet"!

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
MS: I am two characters, Maurice (pronounced like Morris) and Sherwood. Maurice is kind of the head of an extended Jewish family, keeping everyone together. He is somewhat bombastic and clearly the leader of the pack. Sherwood is a patient in the nursing home. Although supposedly the proverbial "dirty old man," I really don't necessarily see him that way, since he really can't do what he says he'd like to and so is harmless. He clearly gets "turned on" when references to the opposite sex appear in the play. We get no clue in the production of what he might have been like before living in the nursing home.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows..
MS: I have been in quite a few shows beginning in the early 1980s in most theatrical venues around Gainesville. You can see my acting resume at: http://apisenterprises.com/acting_index.htm

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "Chasing Manet"?
MS: I audition for any production I have time to do. I also enjoy watching auditions.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite scene in the show?
MS: I don't have a favorite. Both are radically different, requiring two distinct approaches.

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in preparing for this show?
MS: Most notes have indicated directors can't hear me as Sherwood, although they can as Maurice. I am attempting to understand why this character does not stand out enough.

GCP Girl: What does "Chasing Manet" say to you? Why should people see it?
MS: My mother (age 92 with advanced dementia) is in a similar home in Decatur, Georgia at one of many places under the Emeritus name: http://www.emeritus.com/ People should attend to get a better understanding of what people are going through as either patients or caretakers of those confined to "memory care" facilities. They also might see their own future in this; we as a people have really not come to grips with the downside of living longer and what it means to confront death in this society. Art imitates life good or bad. In some cases, we treat our pets more humanely than our closest human relatives.

GCP Girl: What plays or musicals would you like to see GCP produce in an upcoming season?
MS: I am open to anything that comes along.

GCP Girl: Tell me one of your New Year's resolutions.
MS: To not push so hard in physical activities that I get injured, a delicate balancing act.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know!
MS: Everyone should buy my book: http://apisenterprises.com/storey ; see my professional resume at http://apisenterprises.com/vita.htm

Thanks, Malcolm! "Chasing Manet" starts back up tonight for its second week!

xo xo GCP Girl

"Chasing Manet" cast profile: Andrew Gordon

Andrew Gordon returns to the GCP stage in the dual role of Catherine's son Royal and the Captain of the QEII in "Chasing Manet"!

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
AG: I play Royal Lowell, Catherine Sargent's son, as well as the Captain of the QE II. Royal is a neurotic English prof and guilt-ridden son who has placed his difficult mother in a nursing home.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
AG: I acted at GCP from 1978-1998 in "Enter a Free Man," "The Runner Stumbles," "Bell, Book, and Candle," "You Can't Take It With You," "Lovers and Other Strangers," "Diary of Anne Frank," and "Arsenic and Old Lace." At the Hippodrome in "As You Like It." I was one of the founders of the Acrosstown Repertory Theater, and played there in shows including "No Exit," "Galileo," and "Hamlet."

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "Chasing Manet"?
AG: I know Jan Cohen and asked her about the show.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite scene in the show?
AG: Playing the Captain. I love the uniform and the British accent.

GCP Girl: What was your biggest challenge in preparing for this show?
AG: Having to dye my hair and beard!

GCP Girl: What does "Chasing Manet" say to you? Why should people see it?
AG: It's about people refusing to accept their fate and trying for their dreams, even against the odds or very late in life.

GCP Girl: What plays or musicals would you like to see GCP produce in an upcoming season?
AG: "The Music Man."

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know!
AG: As a teenager, I performed in the chorus of "Bye Bye Birdie" at the Charlotte, NC Music Theater, starring Andy Williams.

Thanks, Andrew! Tonight is opening night at the Vam York - do you have your tickets yet?

xo xo GCP Girl

"9 to 5" auditions are this weekend!

Auditions for the musical "9 to 5" are coming up at 7 p.m. this Sunday, January 27 and Monday, January 28 at the GCP! Director Rhonda Wilson offers some advice for auditioners.

GCP Girl: Why did you want to direct "9 to 5"?
RW: I am a big fan of the movie and was thrilled to see this campy movie turned into a musical comedy. There are very few musicals that have the large number of principal roles for women that are not all-female shows. I was also glad that the show lends itself to a wide range of ages and cultures.

GCP Girl: What is your vision for this show?
RW: I want to remain true to the spirit of the movie, which is women's empowerment and equality. That being said, I am not looking to replicate the looks of any of the characters in the show. I want to encourage performers of all types to audition.

GCP Girl: Why should people audition for this show?
RW: The show is campy and fun. Not a heavy drama, but sometimes we need a break from the drama of life.

GCP Girl: Is there anything specific you are looking for in the actors who audition? If someone wants to impress you, what should she or he do?
RW: Be prepared for the audition. Show us what you can do. The bigger the better. The characters in this show are larger than life and funny. We would love to see that at the audition. Even though this is a Dolly Parton musical, you don't have to be Dolly.

GCP Girl: Any songs you do NOT want to hear?
RW: No "Les Mis," "Rent," "Phantom" or anything of that genre. More traditional musical theatre. Listen online to the style of music from the show.

GCP Girl: Anything you'd like to add?
RW: Everyone who is thinking about auditioning should come out.

Thanks, Rhonda! I think it's worth noting that although Dolly Parton wrote the music and lyrics for the show, it is not an all-country music show. (The Divine Ms. D is quite multitalented!) There is a wide range of ages, vocal styles and character types, so check out our event page on Facebook for a full list! Also, don't forget to read my earlier blog post on being prepared for auditions.  See you this weekend!

xo xo GCP Girl