gpt community connection newsletter DECEMBER 2023
Connect, Create, Inspire The Grosse Pointe Theatre Rehearsal Studio on Fisher Road
what’s new? what’s next? Page 2
upcoming mainstage productons Page 4
gpt supports its community Page 9
315 Fisher Road, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230 • www.gpt.org • email: info@gpt.org
Connect, Create, Inspire. what’s new? what’s next!
Dear Friends, During this season of thanksgiving, GPT offers its deepest gratitude to our donors, patrons and volunteers, for supporting this Family Theatre for over 75 years. Your support is vital to help GPT continue its mission to connect, create and inspire patrons of all ages through theatre. We hope you consider Grosse Pointe Theatre your Family Theatre. We strive to provide shows for all ages that will instill, reignite and satisfy a love of live theatre for all your family members and friends. This season is off to a great start with fun and lively performances of The Addams Family and Anything Goes. Next up for your family’s holiday enjoyment is Annie Jr. performing December 15-17. As we continue to connect generations with patrons from 6 years old to 100, please consider a gift to Grosse Pointe Theatre. Our ticket sales only cover 50% of our operating costs, and your gift will help with renting performance space, royalties, musicians, costumes and supplies for building our sets. Please continue to enjoy this year of GPT performances. And as always, please plan to give to GPT today to become part of an extraordinary GPT tomorrow!
GPT has a new Truck!
A very special THANK YOU to our friends at Crest Ford in Center Line for our new Ford F-150 truck! This gift will come in handy for move ins and set strikes, plus traveling back and forth to our storage space for props and set dress items. Pat O’Flanagan, Crest Ford Pre-owned sales manager, handed over the keys to GPT Scene Shop Manager, Gordon Richardson, on October 31st.
Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season! Your friends at Grosse Pointe Theatre
Connect, Create, Inspire. GPT’s youth on stage continues to Delight
We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with your family at the GPT Youth on Stage production of Annie Jr. this month. The cast of Annie Jr. includes 56 young people who are learning through the challenges and fun of rehearsing and performing the show! Registration slots for this learning opportunity for young performers sold out in only 2 hours! These budding thespians are working hard to entertain your family this holiday season. GPT also includes young people in the technical aspects of its Youth on Stage performances. The 17 registration slots for our technical theatre class for kids to help produce Annie Jr. sold out quickly. This production of Annie Jr. will include a sensory- friendly performance. Building on the generous seed money from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation last season, GPT is once again offering a welcoming and comfortable experience for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other social, learning or cognitive disabilities. This special adaptation of the performance will include reduced sound levels, lights on, the ability to move around, waving instead of clapping, and special materials to help the audience engage. GPT is proud to give back to our community and expand its theatre audiences with its sensory-friendly performances. GPT’s Youth on Stage will be performing Beauty and the Beast Jr. this spring including another sensory performance on March 23rd. Again, its registration slots for both performance and technical classes filled quickly. We look forward to seeing you and your favorite young people at the show. https://gpt.org/tickets/
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Connect, Create, Inspire. GPT’s Upcoming Mainstage Productions
With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, and book by Patricia Resnick, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge set in the late 1970’s is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While the boss remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she? The iconic Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5 takes the stage at GPT January 27 – February 4, 2024. Join us for this fun musical which celebrates strong women, along with a great deal of fun. Rachel Settlage of Grosse Pointe Park is director and co-choreographer of 9 to 5, along with co-choreographer Noah Hanahan, a first-time choreographer for GPT. “I spent my whole life doing women’s rights work and international human rights for my day job, so I love shows that have strong female leads and really explore those issues of empowerment and equality and freedom for women,” Settlage says. She adds that the humor in the show will thoroughly entertain the audiences.
Connect, Create, Inspire. A comedy who dunnit by playwrights, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields, The Play that Goes Wrong, certainly does (go wrong) and entertains all the while. Get ready for a night of mishaps, mischief, and madcap mania! Welcome to opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter! GPT’s production in April, directed by Nick Marinello, will be a fun evening of mischief and mayhem!
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman And Book by Harvey Fierstein, this upbeat musical is Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right. Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience. GPT’s final show of its 76th season, Newsies, will be directed by Tim Higgins and is sure to delight.
https://gpt.org/tickets/
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Connect, Create, Inspire. Act II
Connect, Create, Inspire. who’s who? VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Meet Olyvia O’Donnell, GPT’s Board Secretary and Executive Board member. Olyvia and her husband Kyle first joined GPT as cast members of the 2018 GPT production of Shrek, directed by Nick Marinello. During that production, the O’Donnell’s made good friends, rekindled their love of performance, started to think of GPT members as family and knew they wanted to stay involved. Always recognizing and seeking to engage new and young talent, GPT, through Shrek producer Lyndsey Briggs, invited Olyvia to join the GPT membership committee and soon asked her to lead the committee as chair. Having never held a volunteer leadership position, Olyvia was excited by the opportunity and with the guidance of Board liaison and GPT Executive Director Linda Zublick learned a lot. GPT is continuously expanding its opportunities for young talent and Olyvia soon took advantage of an opportunity to act as apprentice director of the 2021 production of the Sound of Music under the mentorship of veteran GPT director Tim Higgins. Olyvia refers to Tim as “an amazing mentor who taught [her] so much.” With Tim’s guidance and encouragement, Olyvia then directed her first mainstage production, Clue, last season, which she proudly states was the 9th most profitable show at GPT (at least since it started tracking such stats!) Olyvia caught the theatre bug early in life when her parents took her to see live performances of Cats and Cinderella. She has been an avid thespian since her first role in the ensemble of Fiddler on the Roof at age 10. Olyvia continued to perform in high school at Grosse Pointe North, where she met fellow thespian, now husband Kyle, 15 years ago. A graduate of Alma college, Olyvia majored in both Theatre and English. She went on to study theatre at Westport County Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut, but soon decided a career in theatre was not her heart’s desire.
Act II is Grosse Pointe Theatre’s Senior Acting troupe. This newly-constituted troupe allows for some of our most talented performers to showcase their skills and entertain. The group performed recently at the Grosse Pointe Historical Society’s Legends of the Fall, 2023, at the Helm, and at GPT’s September member meeting. The group is looking to grow and meets on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. If you are interested in joining, please email executivedirector@gpt.org.
GPT on YouTube You can enjoy GPT performances on YouTube Programming! Missing your favorite performers and productions? Tune in to GPT YouTube for programming whenever you want it.
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Now a research administrator at Michigan State University, and active member of GPT, she has found the balance she wanted. In addition to the honor of being elected GPT Executive Committee Secretary, Olyvia has received other GPT honors. She received the 2021-2022 GPT Above & Beyond Award, which acknowledges those who have made an exceptional contribution to the organization. She acted as apprentice producer of Something Rotten last season, is now the producer for Annie Jr., and was chosen as a director for the 10-minute play festival. As a young leader for GPT, Olyvia looks forward to the incredible opportunities ahead for GPT especially as it moves into its new permanent home at the Schapp Center in fall 2025. She looks forward to the new location offering opportunities for GPT to expand its membership and diversity, bringing in new talent from our neighboring city. When you talk to Olyvia about GPT, three things become clear: she and her husband have found a welcoming home for their love of theatre and performance, they appreciate the opportunities for personal growth and leadership afforded them at GPT, and the people they have met at GPT are “like family.” Recounting a recent family challenge that meant she and Kyle could not follow through on a hosting task they took on, the response from their friends at GPT was “don’t worry we’ve got it.” Olyvia says that response sums up what she loves about GPT– “it has the best people, everyone takes care of one another.” Thank you Olyvia for sharing your talent and leadership with GPT! We are lucky to have you.
Want to Volunteer at GPT?
Interested in helping with costumes, set building or painting? Sign up to help. No skills? No worries! We will teach you. If you can hold a paint brush, you can paint. If you can hand sew a button, you can sew. Join us! This is a great way to become more a part of the GPT community, have some fun and make a few friends along the way.
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Connect, Create, Inspire. GPT Supports its community GPT performs at the Grosse Pointe History Center
The Grosse Pointe Historical Society and Grosse Pointe Theatre collaborated in October to present Legends of the Fall, 2023, bringing history to life with stories of old Grosse Pointe. Legends of the Fall included several short plays, and original songs by Jef Fisk. Local historians and GPT actors shared tales of Grosse Pointe’s early settlers, notable landmarks and pivotal moments. Special thanks to GPT volunteers Pete DiSante and Emmajean Evans for coordinating the event, and for the several GPT members who volunteered to entertain the community that evening.
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Connect, Create, Inspire. GPT in the Santa Parade
GPT Partners with Ford House for Halloween
GPT volunteers from its season opener, The Addams Family, volunteered to hand out candy at the Ford House’s Little Goblins event. The Ford House event provides a day of spooky but kid-friendly Halloween fun with trick-or-treating, photo ops and a haunt-free wagon ride. We are so proud of our GPT thespians who shared their time to volunteer in the community and make the event even more fun for the kids! Thank you GPT volunteers!
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Grosse Pointe Theatre was again privileged to participate in the Santa Parade on Friday, November 24. Cast and crew members of Annie, Jr. were happy to ride on the float and hand out candy canes and postcards about upcoming shows. Thanks to the kids for representing GPT!
Connect, Create, Inspire.
Connect, Create, Inspire. SEASON RECAP
SCHAAP CENTER - Update
On track to open fall 2025, the Schaap Center is back in the news! We can confirm there is a proposed change in the site plan with the addition of a public plaza at the corner of Jefferson and Alter in Detroit. The Schaap Center is also very happy to announce Jaime Rae Turnbull has been elevated from the center’s interim director to executive director through 2025 - congratulations Jaime Rae! As an anchor tenant of the anticipated Schapp Center GPT looks forward to the enhanced artistic and technical milestones we can reach with a theatre that includes: fly space, hydraulic pit lift, LED wall, advanced lighting and state-of-the-art acoustics. Here are a few additional renderings of the new facility. www.schaapcenter.com
In November, GPT set sail with the popular Cole Porter and P.G. Wodehouse musical Anything Goes, set aboard the ocean liner S.S. American. GPT’s Anything Goes was a tapping success! Over 2,000 patrons who saw the show were treated to the timeless and recognizable Cole Porter tunes such as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top” and “Anything Goes.” Director Don Bischoff displayed his passion for this show with a fresh, fun presentation, a spectacular set and costumes and unbelievable dancing. Those who joined the “cruise” were thoroughly entertained. One patron on Facebook posted: “Absolutely ‘delightful’!! Left there uplifted and energized. A must see.”
Director Gravame, Morticia (Jennifer Horne, Detroit) and Wednesday (Erin Steinhauser, GP Park) even entertained during their Fox 2 News interview displaying their “snap-snap”!
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GPT kicked off its 76th season in September with The Addams Family, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness of every family. Directed by Michael Gravame, GPT audiences were thoroughly entertained by this creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, and altogether ooky show. GPT was pleased to welcome several Addams Family cast members who were new to the Grosse Pointe Theatre stage and shared their talent with our audiences. The show was a perfect kick-off to the Halloween season.
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Connect, Create, Inspire. thank you donor & community sponsors! Offering a place to gather and enjoy quality theatrical productions for 75 years, GPT can only exist with the support of you, our donors and community sponsors. Every gift helps to ensure we realize Grosse Pointe Theatre’s mission to connect, create and inspire the community through theatre. Thank you all!
www.gpt.org/donate
Donors & Sponsors List
STAY IN TOUCH GPT on Social Media!
Enjoy behind the scenes and show-related GPT postings on social media. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to see community theatre musings like only GPT can. And if you like what you see PLEASE SHARE!
www.facebook.com/GrossePointeTheatre
YouTube
www.youtube.com/c/GrossePointeTheatre
https://www.instagram.com/grossepointetheatre/
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@grossepointetheatre