'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.

'Into The Woods' cast profile: Laurel Ring

Laurel Ring is the wickedest of wicked stepsisters in 'Into The Woods'!

Character:  Lucinda

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself, such as your past shows here or elsewhere, a particular area of study, occupation, hobby, etc. 

Laurel: This is my seventh GCP show; I was last seen as Mother in "A Christmas Story" in 2011. I played Annelle in "Steel Magnolias" at the Actors' Warehouse in 2012.

GCP Girl: Tell me about your character: 

Laurel: I play Lucinda, one of Cinderella's stepsisters. This role is fun because I rarely get to play a "mean girl," and because my costume is awesome and takes up half the stage.

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

Laurel: "Ever After" is the most fun to sing, but everyone joining in on "Children Will Listen" at the end of the show is beautiful.

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

Laurel: The princes always steal the show. My favorite line is "dwarfs are very upsetting." It gets a laugh every time.

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

Laurel: I auditioned because I had done the show six years ago at the Star Center, and there is so much to discover each time you do it. It had been a while since my last musical (The Producers, 2010), and this show suited me the best this season.

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

Laurel: I hope they have a great time, laugh, and hear something in the lyrics from one of the characters that resonates with them.

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

Laurel: Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are referred to in the show, but they're not really part of it. Either one would be an interesting addition.

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

Laurel: I saw Into the Woods for the first time at UF in 1998. I didn't know it then, but Leannis (Maxwell) Crutchfield played the Baker's Wife. I didn't pick up performing for another eight years. Now, in 2014, we're doing the show together! Life is funny.

Thanks, Laurel! You're right, life is funny. And so are you as Lucinda!

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

xoxo GCP Girl

'A Chorus Line' Cast Announced!

‘A Chorus Line’ Cast List

Congratulations to all who were cast and thank you to all who auditioned! 

Save the date! ‘A Chorus Line’ will run from July 18 - August 10, 2014.

Cast:

Zach - Bryan Faux

Larry - Zach Bennett

Cassie - Rikki Baynard

Shelia - Theresa Hanson

Val - Brittney Kelly

Diana - Derielas Galarza

Judy - Brittney Bennett

Kristine - Calypso Meyers

Maggie - Lauren Robinson

Bebe - Caroline Richardson

Connie - Samantha Gresham

Mike - Phillip Young

Richie - Howard Anderson

Don - Thomas Sanders

Paul - Kevin Anderson

Mark - Michael Tremaine

Greg - Kevin Roost

Bobby - Jordy Diaz

Al - Dan Christophy

Cut Dancers:

Victoria Suskin (Dance Captain)

Emily Garcia

Amanda Gramig

Jeremy Cutter (Character- Frank)

Nika Souraker (Character- Lois)

Octavia Annuci

Chandrika Balkheimer

Stephanie Moon

Nate Von Doltreen (Character- Butch)

Diamond Moore

Chauncey Pauley 

Cut Dancers and Pit Singers:

Isiah Blount (Swing for all male roles)

Stephen Peters (Character- Tom)

Alexander Christophy (Character- Roy)

Jenique Brown (Character- Vicki)

Ariel Dykes

Alexandria Holloway (Tricia)

Patty Sneed

Rachel Frangie

Alison Robbins (Swing for all female roles)

Pit Singers:

Aliya Miranda

Angelique Empinado

Chris Shaw

'Noises Off' cast profile: Susan Christophy

Susan Christophy returns to the GCP Stage as Dotty and Mrs. Clackett in 'Noises Off!'

Character(s): Dotty/Mrs. Clackett

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself.

Susan: I'm currently working in Data entry at Davis Gas and will begin my own business soon hosting private acting lessons. I've been a part of the GCP for almost 20 years and have performed/choreographed/ or directed in well 40 GCP productions. I just finished a run as Amnerias is GCP's production of Aida, directed by the Golden Apple award winning director Dan Christophy.

GCP Girl: Tell me about your character(s). What makes her/him fun or rewarding to play?

Susan: Dotty/Clackett is a laugh riot to play. Dotty the actress has a very dry wit and is the "seasoned" actress..... By seasoned I mean old. She has money in the play that's being produced so she possibly a little difficult to direct. The character she plays, Mrs. Clackett, says what she thinks and can't keep up with her damn sardines. The physical comedy for both character is something you'll have to see.

GCP Girl:What is your favorite scene in 'Noises Off' 

Susan: Act 3 when everything "goes to hell." I love performing the meltdown that happens on stage. As an "seasoned" actress, (yep, I still mean old) I've been in such mayhem on stage when it's has happened for real; so being able to share in it knowing it's supposed to happen is almost like getting to laugh along with the audience.

GCP Girl: Madness ensues and jeopardizes the play within a play in 'Noises Off'. Think about a time when things started to go really wrong during a performance of a pervious show. What happened and how did you overcome the mayhem to finish the show? 

Susan: I've been in plenty of unexpected mayhem on stage. In White Christmas it was actually pouring rain on the stage, while I was singing about rain, in Thoroughly Modern Millie, a very important character forgot to come on stage for almost 2 minutes (a life time in stage time), and in Skin of our Teeth, my skirt was unexpectedly pulled down to my ankles, ( defiantly not something my character would have happen); but you just keep going. You gesture to the rain as you sing about it, you make up dialogue which includes hoping the missing person will show up and you pull your skirt up and just keep going, mildly reprimanding the maid whom pulled it down about its lack of appropriateness.... That's why we all love live theater, you never know what will happen.

GCP Girl: Why did you decide to audition for Noises Off? 

Susan: It is one of my all time favorite shows and movies. I am the biggest Carol Burnett and Christopher Reeve fan so I wore my VHS out as a teenager. The show is an actors gift, it allows you to be Zany, play 2 characters as well as share the insight of "what goes on backstage" with the general audience.

GCP Girl: Why should everyone see this production? 

Susan: You'll laugh out loud almost non-stop, it will be a relief to catch your breath. The cast stellar!!!! You may want to see it twice just to catch all the zaniness on stage!

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

Susan: In honor of this show, I'll look back on a zany experience of my own... The year was 1990 and I was but a sophomore in high school at Chiefland High in Levy County. I had participated in an all county productions the summer before so when the drama teacher from Williston High called to ask if I could fill in for a student who had been pulled from the show, I said yes. This was a Tuesday and they opened on Friday. The role was the lead of Florence in the female version of the Odd Couple. After only 9 hours of rehearsal, opening night went of with out a hitch!! We were so proud and celebrated it up that night. I wake up for the Saturday performance only to find the stress and overtaxation on my voice had left me with complete laryngitis. I had no voice.... It was a "on your toes kinda performance." Sometimes I could croak out lines, sometimes not...line were made up, abbreviated and sometime simply acted out in pantomime, needless to say, it was a crazy night.

What a story! Thanks, Susan!

This is the last weekend to witness the madness in 'Noises Off!'. Please visit the GCP Website or the Event on Facebook for ticket and showtime information.

xoxo GCP Girl

'Noises Off' cast profile: Adam Lishawa

Adam Lishawa returns to the GCP stage to comically run up and down a lot of stairs. A LOT of stairs. 

Character(s): Garry LeJeune / Roger Tramplemain

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself, such as your past shows here or elsewhere, a particular area of study, occupation, hobby, etc. 

Adam: Some of my favorite shows that I've done have been "Bug," "A Christmas Story," "Hunter Gatherers," "True West," and so many others. I've done voice work for the radio and audiobooks, some independent films, and performed as a singer and guitarist for local bands.

GCP Girl: Tell me about your character(s). What makes her/him fun or rewarding to play? 

Adam: Garry / Roger is possibly the most physical character in the Noises Off ensemble. Racing up and down stairs, working with his particular disfluencies, and moving from loving to vindictive to absolutely bewildered make him an absolute blast to play.

GCP Girl: What is your favorite scene in 'Noises Off'? 

Adam: Since this is such a talented ensemble, it's hard to pick just one. One which never fails to make me laugh, though, is when Belinda chases herself up the stairs performing two roles at once!

GCP Girl: Madness ensues and jeopardizes the play within a play in 'Noises Off'. Think about a time when things started to go really wrong during a performance of a pervious show. What happened and how did you overcome the mayhem to finish the show? 

Adam: The joy of live theater is that anything can happen, and performers and techs need to just take it in stride. One of the more entertaining ones which happened to me was when I was the onstage narrator for "A Christmas Story" at the GCP, speaking to the audience from the upstairs bedroom. Out of nowhere, a large and heavy batten dropped within a foot of my face. All I could do was duck, keep on talking, and wait for the lights to change. That's live theater.

GCP Girl: Why did you decide to audition for Noises Off? 

Adam: I've wanted to do this play since high school when I saw the 1992 film version of it. It was the first movie to quite literally make me weak from laughing. This has been one of my most-wanted comedic roles and I was jubilant when I saw GCP was putting it on, and even more so when I saw Erin was directing it.

GCP Girl: Why should everyone see this production? 

Adam: Anyone who has even a passing interest in theater needs to see this show! Performers and techs will see themselves in every scene, and theater-goers will see a (slightly) exaggerated series of events which can and do happen offstage and on. Smooth sailing is hard work!

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

Adam: One of the most memorable was when I played bass onstage for a production of "Hair." Claude has been sent off to war, and we see the Tribe dancing around a ladder, chanting and protesting. Claude climbs the ladder, begging for the Tribe to see him, culminating in a soul-ripping "I'm here!" Blackout. Silence. A great inrush of breaths. Beat. Beat. I began playing the first few notes of "The Flesh Failures / Let The Sunshine In." Goosebumps everywhere.

Thanks, Adam! I'm so glad you are able to make a long time theatre dream a reality!

There are 5 more chances to see 'Noises Off'! Please visit the GCP Website or the Event on Facebook for ticket and showtime information.

xoxo GCP Girl

'Noises Off!' cast profile: Rachel Warnes

Rachel Warnes prances plays the dippy, lingerie glad Brooke in 'Noises Off!.

Character(s): Brooke/Vicki

GCP Girl: Tell me a little about yourself, such as your past shows here or elsewhere, a particular area of study, occupation, hobby, etc. 

Rachel: I'm usually found slaving away at the vet school but have taken the time to reconnect to my theatre background with Noises Off. I attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts and have not been able to shake the itch the perform ever since. I'm so happy to be back onstage and surrounded by my wonderful cast mates who are just as funky as I am.

GCP Girl: Tell me about your character(s). What makes her/him fun or rewarding to play? 

Rachel: Brooke is a complete idiot who prances around in lingerie for the whole show. It's taken a lot of self pep-talking and time at the gym but it's been a fun experience. Definitely stepping outside my comfort zone. I feel like most people have nightmares about being onstage in front of their peers in the underwear. I'm living it and working it, girl!

GCP Girl: What is your favorite scene in 'Noises Off' 

Rachel: I actually really like the set changes during intermission. It's amazing what the crew does with it and so fast! The ENTIRE set (which is ginormous) flips around!

GCP Girl: Madness ensues and jeopardizes the play within a play in 'Noises Off'. Think about a time when things started to go really wrong during a performance of a pervious show. What happened and how did you overcome the mayhem to finish the show? 

Rachel: It's really great because no matter what happens or goes wrong, we can always fit it into the show and the audience will never know. During rehearsals we skipped about half of Act II and no one knows what went wrong but we just kept going and made it work.

GCP Girl: Why did you decide to audition for Noises Off? 

Rachel: I saw Noises Off at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival when I was in middle school and fell in love with it. It's actually my favorite show! Years ago I passed up a chance to audition for it because I let someone hold me back. When I saw it was coming to GCP I knew it was a second chance. I really was just looking forward to auditioning and being on stage for a few minutes. When the director gave me the call about being cast I was so shocked. I'm a lucky girl!

GCP Girl: Why should everyone see this production? 

Rachel: This show is non-stop movement and entertainment. You won't be bored for a second. And hey, I'll be in lingerie. What more could you ask for?

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

Rachel: Surprisingly my favorite shows to do are really off-the-wall or dramas that really dig deep into your emotions. I played a role in a show about the Vietnam War called "Piece of my Heart". We had a really heart wrenching scene and to prepare we had a closed rehearsal where the whole group of girls sat around and really opened up to each other. The outcome on stage was so powerful. I will never forget that moment.

Thanks Rachel, and welcome to the GCP Family!

As a side note, GCP Girl also once played in 'A Piece of my Heart'. She was Sissy, who were you?

You have two more weekends to catch 'Noises Off!' at the GCP! Please visit the GCP Website or the Event on Facebook for ticket and showtime information. 

xoxo GCP Girl

'Into the Woods' Cast Announced!

'INTO THE WOODS' CAST LIST

We would like to thank all of you for your hard work, your time and especially for sharing your talent with us. Putting this cast together was as difficult as it was exciting because we had so much talent to choose from. What a great problem to have.

If you are listed below, please be prepared to attend our first sing through on Sunday, March 16th at 7pm at the theater.

Narrator/Mysterious Man: Esteban Alvarez

Cinderella: Victoria Sexton

Jack: Michael Tremaine

Jack’s Mother: Asia Stryker

Baker: John Carmean

Baker’s Wife: Kessa Carroll

Cinderella’s Stepmother: Pat Thompson

Florinda: Lisa Litz 

Lucinda: Laurel Ring

Cinderella’s Father: Gabriel Trinity

Little Red Ridinghood: Sami Gresham

Witch: Leannis Crutchfield

Cinderella’s Mother/ Voice of the Giant: Kathy Self

Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf: Thomas Sanders

Rapunzel’s Prince: Jarod Thompson

Granny: Jan Cohen

Rapunzel: Sydney Zaruba

Steward: Ed Hunter