"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" cast profile: Marissa Vairo

Marissa Vario steals Tom's heart as Becky Thatcher in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer".

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character or characters.
Marissa: Becky Thatcher is the spunky girlfriend of Tom Sawyer!

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
Marissa: I was last seen as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" at GHS! Also I performed in the Danscompany of Gainesvilles production of "Cinderella" as the Austrian princess and in "The Wiz".

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Marissa: I wanted to perform in a show for longer than just a week and it seemed like tons of fun!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite musical number or scene in the show?
Marissa: My favorite number is Angels Lost because it adds a level of intensity and seriousness to the show.

GCP Girl: What are you looking forward to the most about performing in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Marissa: I'm excited about sharing with the community the story of Tom Sawyer and also I'm looking forward to being on the stage again!

GCP Girl: Why should people see this show?
Marissa: People should see this show because it is so much fun! The audience will love every minute of it and will be thoroughly entertained throughout the whole show!

GCP Girl: Mark Twain's book has been a favorite for generations. What is one of your favorite summer reads?
Marissa: Reading is one if my favorite things to do and I read pretty much everything from mystery to action to romance. But as a big Nicholas Sparks fan I'd have to say A Walk To Remember is my favorite. It is so simple but so beautiful.

There you have it, folks! Don't miss your chance to see Marissa Vario as Becky Thatcher in "The Adventrues of Tom Sawyer". The show closes this Sunday, August 4.

xoxo GCP Girl

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" cast profile: Zach Bennett

Zach Bennett is one of the boys as Joe Harper in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character or characters.
Zach:  Joe Harper is a friend of Tom and the rest of the boys.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows
Zach: "Oliver" was my last GCP show, but I did many shows at Eastside High School such as "Zombie Prom", "RENT", and "School House Rock".

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
Zach: Because I want to become active at GCP

GCP Girl: What is your favorite musical number or scene in the show?
Zach: Smart Like That

GCP Girl: What are you looking forward to the most about performing in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Zach: The Cast that I have the opportunity to perform with.

GCP Girl: Why should people see this show?
Zach: It has a fun element to it that many people enjoy.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know
Zach: The Gainesville Community Playhouse puts on some great shows. Don't miss your chance to be a part of them.

Thanks, Zach! You can catch Zach as Joe Harper in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" until August 4, only at the GCP. For show times and ticket information please visit the GCP Website or the Event Page on Facebook. 

xoxo GCP Girl

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" cast profile: Patricia Kee

Patricia Kee nurtures the town's children as Jessica Rogers in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". 

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
Patricia: Jessica is one of the women of the town. She has 2 children, but is very motherly to all of the children.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
Patricia: I most recently appeared in "White Christmas" as Rita. Other previous shows I've done are "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "All My Sons".

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Patricia: Because its a Dan Christophy show. He cast me in my first musical at GCP and reminded me why I love theatre so much. Summer shows also tend be so much fun!!!!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite musical number or scene in the show?
Patricia: I love the song Angels Lost. It's a really emotional song that highlights all of the adults in the show. Not to mention the lighting durring this song is incredible.

GCP Girl: What are you looking forward to the most about performing in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Patricia: Having fun. I love doing period musicals so that makes it even more fun for me. The cast is absolutely amazing, they are wonderful people to work with.

GCP Girl: Why should people see this show?
Patricia: People should see it because its fun for the whole family. There are characters from young to old to whom everyone can relate.

GCP Girl: Mark Twain's book has been a favorite for generations. What is one of your favorite summer reads?
Patricia: I absolutely love reading and just finished Steve Altens "Meg" series. It was really good.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know.
Patricia: Im getting married in August, then hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail. So the next time you see me on stage, I'll be Mrs.Patricia Sneed.

Break-a-Leg Patricia and congratulations on the upcoming nuptials.

You can catch Patricia in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" until August 4! Please visit the Event Page on Facebook for more information.

xoxo GCP Girl

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" cast profile: Stephen Griffin

Stephen Griffin inspires a town as Judge Josiah Thatcher in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character.
Stephen: Judge Thatcher is a very attractive man in his early 40's. He and his daughter move into town in hopes of starting a new life after the death of his wife. He is very stern, yet loving . His daughter Rebecca is the most important thing in his life.

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows.
Stephen: My last show was "White Christmas", in which I had the honor of playing Bing Crosby's character, Bob Wallace. Before that I was in "Hairspray", "Thoroughly Modern Millie", and "RENT". I'm blessed to have found the GCP and thankful for all that they have taught me.

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Stephen: Dan Christophy is an AWESOME director, I loved being in TMM with him and really wanted to be a part of another of his shows.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite musical number or scene in the show?
Stephen: My favorite scene in the show would have to be Angles Lost. It's a very passionate song and the stage and lighting effects add to create a truly memorable scene.

GCP Girl: What are you looking forward to the most about performing in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Stephen: 15 months ago I met my girlfriend at auditions for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and we have done four shows together since. I love being on stage with her and watching and learning from her, so that would be my favorite part of this show. Also, the people in the cast and crew; I have formed some great lifelong relationships here at the GCP. I love being in a show with my Family of Friends.

GCP Girl: Why should people see this show?
Stephen: Tom Sawyer is a great summer show for the whole family. It is exciting and funny the whole way through. A perfect summer treat.

GCP Girl: Mark Twain's book has been a favorite for generations. What is one of your favorite summer reads?
Stephen: A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith is a great summer read and a book that I think all Floridians should read at least twice. It is on my top 5 list. Paynes Prairie: The Great Savanna by Lars Andersen is another great summer read. Read it and then go explore the Prairie that has been pivotal in the history of Gainesville.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know:
Stephen: On July 10, 2011 I walked into the GCP to audition for "RENT". A Hero of mine challenged me to LIVE THE DREAM so there I was. I had zero experience performing on stage and no idea what to expect. The audition itself was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I am now in my 5th GCP show and was blessed with the opportunity to co-star with some of the most talented performers from our community in White Christmas. All because of a hero's push. I am extremely grateful to all of those who gave me a chance and hope that I can inspire others to move out of their comfort zone and experience all that life has to offer. The GCP is a magical place full of amazing people, I am extremely blessed to have found them.

Thanks, Stephen!

You can catch Stephen Griffin and the rest of the amazing cast until August 4. Please visit the Event Page on Facebook for more information. 

xoxo GCP Girl

"Lend Me a Tenor" cast announcement!

Congrats to the new cast of "Lend Me a Tenor"!

Max - Michael Glover
Saunders - Henry Wihnyk
Maggie - Laura Jackson
Tito - Esteban Alvarez
Maria - Katelin Hall
Bellhop - Ian Isom
Diana - Kristin Mercer
Julia - Jan Cohen

"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" cast profile: Brittany Bennett

Brittany Bennett chases boys as Amy Lawrence in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer".

GCP Girl: Tell me a bit about your character or characters
Brittany: Amy is one of the girls, who is a good friend of Becky Thatcher. Poor Amy seems to like boys a lot more than they like her!

GCP Girl: Tell me about some of your previous shows
Brittany: This is my second show here at GCP, my first being "Oliver!" in 2007, in which I was a part of Fagin's Gang. I've participated in many different shows at my school, Eastside, including "Mulan Jr.", "Zombie Prom", "The Dining Room", "Schoolhouse Rock Live!", and "RENT: School Edition", in which I was Mimi Marquez. I've participated in many shows throughout the community since elementary school.

GCP Girl: Why did you audition for "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Brittany: I've been wanting to get back into GCP shows for a while because I had so much fun in "Oliver!". This is the first summer in a few years that I've been in town and available to be in a show, so I was really excited to audition for it.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite musical number or scene in the show?:
Brittany: In The Bible! It's really fun and campy; its easily the most high energy number in the whole show.

GCP Girl: What are you looking forward to the most about performing in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"?
Brittany: I'm really looking forward to the audience's reactions throughout the show. There are so many moments when the ensemble's reactions are hilarious and over the top, not to mention a bunch of really funny dialogue between various characters. I'm really excited to see how the audience reacts to everything.

GCP Girl: Why should people see this show?
Brittany: It's a blast! Many people are familiar with the story of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and it's exciting to see it come to life through musical numbers and witty dialogue. Its a great show that's suitable for the whole family and will leave every audience member feeling light and happy by the time it ends.

GCP Girl: Mark Twain's book has been a favorite for generations. What is one of your favorite summer reads?
Brittany: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I read it last summer, but its one of my favorites.

GCP Girl: Tell me something you'd like everyone to know:
Brittany: GCP has some of the most talented, funny, and welcoming people I know. If you're interested in getting involved, audition! You never know until you put yourself out there.

Thanks, Brittany!

You can catch Brittany and the rest of the amazing cast in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" until August 4. Please visit the Event Page on Facebook for more information.

xoxo GCP Girl

Carlos Asse on Auditioning for "Lend Me a Tenor"

Carlos Asse directs "Lend Me a Tenor" at the Gainesville Community Playhouse. The show will run from September 13 - 29, 2013. Auditions will be held July 14 and 15 and 7:00 at the Vam York Theatre. I sat down with Carlos to get the scoop.

GCP Girl: Why do you want to direct LMAT?
Carlos: It is always a challenge to direct a farce. It is twice the challenge to do it well. I have directed LMAT twice before and whenever one has the opportunity to direct this play, especially in a different venue with a new cast, one should never hesitate to jump at the chance to do so.

GCP Girl:What do you like about it, both as a director and as a theatre patron?

Carlos: LMAT is one of the funniest bedroom farces to come along to the modern stage. Ken Ludwig, the playwright, has given us all the elements of the classic farce: mistaken identities, improbable situations, great misunderstandings and huge meltdowns, taken to the extreme when they combine with quirky characters that introduce love, admiration, romance, anger, jealousy, liquor, pills and sex. Herein, lies the challenge I spoke about in the prior question, because a director, like a juggler, must keep all these elements floating like pins in the air. It is also an audience pleaser, because it keeps them laughing throughout and at its conclusion we see Max’s transformation and how young love has triumphed.

GCP Girl:What is your vision for this show?

Carlos: The environment which surrounds these exuberant characters I envisioned as a realistic one. One in which the scenery, the costumes, the sound and the lights are based in reality; thus, they help to keep all its absurd chaos and comedic action grounded. Since all of this action occurs in the mid-1930s at a high-class hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, there is a certain element in the milieu of period style and architectural elegance.

GCP Girl:What are you looking for in those who audition? If someone wants to impress you what should he/she do?

Carlos: As a director, one is always looking for someone that can handle the material, talent that has good comedic timing and stage presence. These actors must also be directable, easy with which to work and get along with others. Anyone who auditions should come prepared and be acquainted with the play, know what roles they would like to play, but be flexible enough that if offered another role, they shouldn't turn it down. Sometimes what the director sees in the talent matches his vision, not theirs.

GCP Girl:Why should people audition for LMAT?

Carlos: Because they get to work with me. No, I’m kidding! LMAT will give them a great opportunity to hone their comedic timing skills. This type of ensemble play where all parts are so important to the whole, will develop a sharp sense in their acting ability.

Thanks, Carlos!


Please visit the Event Page on Facebook for more information on auditioning for "Lend Me a Tenor".

xoxo GCP Girl