'Into The Woods' cast profile: Thomas Sanders

GCP favorite and Vine sensation, Thomas Sanders, has big ears and a big ego in 'Into The Woods'

Character: The Wolf/Cinderella's Prince

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself. 

Thomas: I'm a Manufacturing Engineer working at a pharmaceutical development company out in Alachua! I studied Chemical Engineering at UF. I've previously been see on stage as Leo Bloom in "The Producers", Billy Crocker in "Anything Goes", and Don Lockwood in "Singin' in the Rain"!

GCP Girl: Tell me about your characters? 

Thomas: Well, the Wolf is a very hungry, primal fellow that is obsessed with making a very satisfying meal out of Little Red and Granny! He's so much fun, because I simply get to hold nothing evil back for him! He is sneaky and devious and I love the bed scene (If you've seen the show, you know why that is)!! The Prince, while having the same sort of hungers that the Wolf had, has been brought up a little differently, and so pursues those desires in a much more refined way! He's so hammy and big and it's sooooo much fun to play!!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite piece of music to sing in 'Into The Woods'? 

Thomas: That would definitely have to be "Agony", which is the duet between both princes, where they lament about their respective princess that they have yet to obtain. The words are so much fun, and the audience loves it. Tony and I love singing that song together because we really can feed off each other's energy and have a great time!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite moment in the show? 

Thomas: I think my favorite moment would have to be when they sing "No One is Alone". It's such a tear jerker, and wraps up one of the best messages from the show. Still to this day, one of my favorite songs!

GCP Girl: Why did you decide to audition for 'Into The Woods'?

Thomas: I have always loved this show! It's one of my favorite Sondheim shows, if not my most favorite! It's such a wonderful and creative take on the classic fairy tale characters we all have come to know, and contains a powerful message. The fun thing about this show, is that it is so loaded with meaning and metaphor, that I still discover new things in this show even today! This is the second time I've done this show, and it's fun every time I do it!

GCP Girl: What do you hope audience members take away from this show and why? 

Thomas: I hope audiences take away a little bit of the message of this show, which is to take care in what they teach their children and how what we do now may have consequences in the future! As the show changes in message from the first to the second act, it hopes to help people change in their mindset. If nothing else, I hope people come away feeling better than when they came in, because we truly aim to get just a little chuckle out of everyone!

GCP Girl: If you had to pick another classic Fairytale to incorporate into Sondheim's story, which would you pick and why? 

Thomas: Oh wow! Cool question! I would probably incorporate Hansel and Gretel into this show, mainly because they were sent into the woods by their mother, who was trying to get rid of them, and they could potentially visit the Witch, who just so happens to have a summer cottage made out of candy hahaha. They would be another example of how to raise children, and I just think there would be a great opportunity for some funny dialogue between those two kids haha.

GCP Girl: Talk about one of your most memorable theatrical experiences ever, either as a performer or audience member. 

Thomas: You know, I always will remember the fantastic times when no matter what, you would have this moment in a show that would always evoke laughter from the audience! Playing Leo Bloom in "The Producers" had tons of those moments!! I will always say yes if to that show if it were ever to be proposed again!

Thanks, Thomas! You sure have come a long way since your debut as the pepper shaker in 'Beauty and the Beast'. 

This is the last weekend to catch Thomas Sanders and the rest of the cast in 'Into The Woods'! Don't miss it!

xoxo GCP Girl

'Into The Woods' cast profile: John Carmean

GCP veteran John Carmean reprises his role of the Baker after 19 years.

Character: Baker

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself: 

John: My last GCP show was as Fagin in 'Oliver'! My first was as Frederich in 'The Sound of Music'. Margery Pierson was my director for 'The Sound of Music' and it has been a delight to work with her again on 'Into The Woods'!

GCP Girl: Tell me about your character.

John: I love that I get to play comedy in the first act and serious drama through the second half of the show.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite piece of music to sing in 'Into The Woods'? 

John: My favorite song to sing is, No More, which is my duet with Esteban Alvarez that turns into a solo. It's a powerful song that moves me personally every time I sing it.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite moment in the show? 

John: When I am on stage with Leannis who plays the Witch.  Don't tell Kessa, who plays the Baker's Wife. Actually, My favorite moment lasts from the first note of 'Into The Woods' until the last.

GCP Girl: Why did you decide to audition for 'Into The Woods'? 

John: I played the Baker 19 years ago in the old Gainesville Community Playhouse. I am older and hopefully wiser. Taking a second crack at the part of the Baker based on my life experience was intriguing. So far the Baker is the only character I have ever reprised.

GCP Girl: What do you hope audience members take away from this show and why? 

John: The responsibility men have in fathering their children.

GCP Girl: If you had to pick another classic Fairytale to incorporate into Sondheim's story, which would you pick and why? 

John: Hansel and Gretel. What a delicious fate for the Witch.

GCP Girl: Talk about one of your most memorable theatrical experiences ever, either as a performer or audience member. 

John: Last Friday looking out when the lights came up and seeing a friend in the front row.

Thanks, John! It's great to have you back on the GCP stage to reprise such a great role. 

'Into The Woods' closes forever on June 15! Please visit the GCP Website or the Facebook Event Pagefor ticket and show information.

xoxo GCP Girl

'Into The Woods' cast profile: Asia Stryker

GCP newcomer Asia Stryker makes the most of her first experience on stage as Jack's Mother in 'Into The Woods'! 

Character: Jack's Mom

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself:

Asia: I'm brand new to theater! I have a BA in Film and have been a singer my whole life, but theater is a new world. And man, is it nuts.

GCP Girl: Tell me about your character. 

Asia: Jack's mom is a super interesting character. She begins the play worried about her home and asking everyone for help, but by the end, she is only worried about her family and comes to rely on no one but herself. In a way, she's kind of tragic, but the character is so funny that her depth is hidden behind her snark. It's a lot of fun.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite piece of music to sing in 'Into The Woods'? 

Asia: I have a personal connection with the lyrics of "No More", the song between the Baker and his estranged father, the Mysterious Man. Melody-wise, however, I really enjoy the beginning of Act II ("I never thought I could be so HAP-PY!") because it's so grandiose and musically complex. Plus we look so happy it's almost painful, which is a fun irony to play with.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite moment in the show? 

Asia: Hmm. Honestly, the scene in Act II where Jack's mom comes out with her dukes up to fight with anyone who means Jack harm (including an enormous giant) is pretty profound. It's a great statement about the love of a mother and how far she's willing to go for her child.

GCP Girl: Why did you decide to audition for 'Into The Woods'? 

Asia: It's been a bit of a "Bucket List" item for me to be in a musical and when I found out that so many people I knew were auditioning, the idea of participating seemed less intimidating.

GCP Girl: What do you hope audience members take away from this show and why? 

Asia: The trouble with this show is that there is SO MUCH to take away. I've seen it dozens of times at this point and each time I find new messages for people in different stages of their life. Mostly, it's a story about getting through life the best way you can and holding on to the people you find in it.

GCP Girl: If you had to pick another classic Fairytale to incorporate into Sondheim's story, which would you pick and why? 

Asia: Why not throw a mermaid into the mix?

GCP Girl: Talk about one of your most memorable theatrical experiences ever, either as a performer or audience member. 

Asia: Oh gosh. I saw Mama Mia! with my mom on Mothers' Day once, which was a bad idea because that song "Slipping Through My Fingers" is so dang depressing. But as a performer, I will always remember the neat experiences I've had on 'Into the Woods'. I started the process super terrified because there is so much talent and I was so new to theater, but as I've become more familiar with the story, my character and my fellow cast and crew, it's become an enriching and invigorating experience. GCP really is a family and I feel blessed to now count myself as part of it.

Thank you, Asia, for such thoughtful answers! You are fantastic as Jack's Mother and we are delighted to have you as a part of the GCP family!

This is your last weekend to catch 'Into The Woods'.... it closes forever on June 15! Please visit the GCP Website or the Facebook Event Page for ticket and show information.

xoxo GCP Girl

'Into The Woods' cast profile: Jan Cohen

Jan Cohen is Little Red's feisty granny in 'Into The Woods'!

Character: Granny

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself.

Jan: Lots of shows at GCP and around the world! Most recently Julia in Lend Me a Tenor and Mama in 'Night, Mother at Actors Warehouse

GCP Girl: Tell me about your character. 

Jan: I love being a feisty Granny in amongst all the beautiful voices singing Sondheim!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite piece of music to sing in 'Into The Woods'? 

Jan: You Are Not Alone

GCP Girl: What is your favorite moment in the show?

Jan: Act 1 finale when all is happy ever after.

GCP Girl: Why did you decide to audition for 'Into The Woods'? 

Jan: Esteban told me I could not play the cow, but there was a Granny.

GCP Girl: What do you hope audience members take away from this show and why? 

Jan: All the lessons of Act 2 but sung to beautiful music

GCP Girl: If you had to pick another classic Fairytale to incorporate into Sondheim's story, which would you pick and why? 

Jan: How about 3 Little Pigs because Jack wants a piggy for pet!

GCP Girl: Talk about one of your most memorable theatrical experiences ever, either as a performer or audience member. 

Jan: Playing Hecuba in Sartre's version of Trojan Women in an old palace in Kathmandu, complete with burning torches. "Now ash settles on what we were and dust describes what we've become."

Thanks, Jan! 

This is the last week to catch Jan and the rest of the cast in this amazing show! Please visit the GCP Website or the Facebook Event Page for ticket and show information.

xoxo GCP Girl

'Into The Woods' cast profile: Lisa Litz

Lisa Litz takes wicked to a new level as Cinderella's other step-sister in 'Into The Woods'!

Character: Florinda

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself.

Lisa: I've played Mrs. Bedwin in Oliver! At the GCP, but I've provided more of the music for musicals here than perform onstage.

GCP Girl: Tell me about your character.

Lisa: It's so much fun to play Cinderella's stepsister. I'm generally a nice person, so it's a real switch to be mean and nasty. Plus the costumes and wigs are to die for!!!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite piece of music to sing in 'Into The Woods'? 

Lisa: We're unworthy...it's really fun to play with that moment of the show.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite moment in the show? 

Lisa: Agony is an amazing song and the Princes do it so well! But also Your fault...such a great song!!!

GCP Girl: Why did you decide to audition for 'Into The Woods'? 

Lisa: This is one of my favorite musicals!!! I just had to be in it!

GCP Girl: What do you hope audience members take away from this show and why? 

Lisa: That life has amazing choices and there is always something to learn each time we go into the woods.

GCP Girl: If you had to pick another classic Fairytale to incorporate into Sondheim's story, which would you pick and why? 

Lisa: Snow White and the seven dwarves. Who knows what mischief could have happened then!!!!

Thanks, Lisa! 

'Into The Woods' runs until June 15. Please visit the GCP Website or the Facebook Event Page for ticket and show information.