Gary Weinstein is a Diamond in the Rough

Gary Weinstein is a wino, an agent, a dental  patient ... and a real gem.

The slogan for his store – Weinstein Jewelers – is: “If you don’t know your gems, know your gemologist.”  But most people don’t realize what a gem of a human being Gary Weinstein is.  Gary is unassuming and humble and doesn’t need the spotlight to shine on stage.   In Little Shop of Horrors, Gary plays three roles:  Wino, a deranged panhandler on Skid Row; a masochistic dental patient; and Skip Snip, whom Gary describes as “a flamboyant, self-aggrandizing, high-energy booking agent.”

Gary says, “I enjoy playing different characters in this show because it gives me a chance to explore different aspects of my personality. … The biggest challenge is in playing the patient.  I don’t have any lines.  My character has to be portrayed through physical actions, such as enjoying the pain inflicted by a sadistic dentist.”

Gary has appeared in several Barn productions including Fiddler on the Roof, Miracle on 34th Street, and most recently as Mr. Marks and the Judge in The Producers. (I first met Gary during The Producers and it was almost scary how “in character” he was backstage before each show.) Weinstein Jewelers has also sponsored several shows at the Barn.

When not working or on stage, Gary is an avid golfer.  He plays in local charity golf tournaments, has golfed in all 50 states, and in 22 countries in the past four years (with a goal of reaching 100 countries in 20 years).  Gary sometimes uses his golf outings to share his own story, which involves the tragic loss of his family to a drunk driver in 2005.   Gary’s story of loss and forgiveness is the subject of an upcoming documentary called Project: Forgive.   As human beings go, Gary really is a diamond in the rough, so you should definitely get to know him as your gemologist, onstage, or otherwise.

Little Shop of Horrors opened Friday April 27 and runs through May 19.  Get your tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the Farmington Players box office at 248-553-2955.  Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

There’s No Resting on This Laurel!

The multi-talented Laurel Stroud

There’s an old saying that goes, “You can take the girl out of the country, but you just can’t take the country out of the girl.”  And in this case, you just can’t keep her out of the Barn, either.   Try as she might, Laurel Stroud just can’t rest on her laurels.  There’s no keeping her away from the Farmington Players’ stage.

Fresh off her role as Laura Baker in Whose Wives Are They Anyway?, Laurel has jumped right back on the stage in Little Shop of Horrors.  She is in the chorus, plays a Skid Row bum, and a customer in the flower shop.  Her other “role” is gathering all the props.   Laurel sighed in relief when she said, “I'm glad we're renting the plant!”  Laurel came late to Little Shop, stepping up at the director’s request when another actor had to bow out.   As a Skid Row bum, she says, “I had to find my own bum ‘voice.’  We tried putting me on a scooter to roll around, but it took up too much space.  The other bums are great to play off of, so it's all worked out. It's a fun show, the cast is super-talented and I'm having a ball.”

Laurel loves chorus roles in musicals: “I get to dress up, sing, dance, be a couple of different people.  The chorus adds depth to the show.  No matter how great the leads are (and they are fabulous in this show) the entire performance is taken up a notch with the ‘background artists’.” Although she has loved theater since childhood and was back stage in high school and college, “it never occurred to me that being onstage was an option.  A friend invited me to join the Barn about 10 years ago and my first time onstage was in one of our spoofs.  I loved it and haven't looked back.”  In addition to Whose Wives, Laurel has graced the Barn stage as Catherine Dickens in A Christmas Carol, Mom in Leaving Iowa, Essie in You Can't Take It With You, and was a tap-dancing showgirl in The Producers.  Offstage, Laurel is a Board member and serves as Director of Communications and Education. 

Little Shop of Horrors runs from Friday April 27 through May 19.  Get your tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the Farmington Players box office at 248-553-2955.  Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

It Ain’t Easy Being Mean, But Tim Timmer Hopes You’ll Hate Him

Tim Timmer plays the despicable dentist, Orin Scrivello

Personally, I hate going to the dentist.  But after seeing Orin Scrivello, the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, I’ll never ever complain about mine again!  Tim Timmer plays Orin, who he says “chose to be a Dentist because as his mother put it, ‘it was the only career that people will pay you to be inhumane’.”  Tim describes his character as someone who is “evil and enjoys hurting people, especially his girlfriend, the ingénue of the show, Audrey. She doesn’t think she is good enough to leave him because of who she is, so she endures the violence that Orin dishes out to her on a regular basis. He is also known to indulge in a little Nitrous Oxide whenever he feels he needs a pick-me-up to help him enjoy the pain and suffering he administers to others.”  

Anyone who knows Tim knows that he would give a total stranger the shirt off his own back.  By contrast, Tim says, “Now I have to basically rip the shirt off of the total stranger’s back, and enjoy doing it. Also, it is tough to be so cruel and violent to Audrey. Here is this sweet, young, innocent woman who has never said a bad thing about anyone or hurt a fly, and yet I have to act like I enjoy beating her just to derive some weird sadistic pleasures.”  While it is out of character for Tim to play the bad guy, he realizes that to bring his character to life (or death, as the case may be), “my goal is to get the audience to hate me as well. That way I know that I would have done a good job with the role.”

Tim wasn’t sure that he’d be right for the part of Orin until he discussed the role with director Rachael Rose.   Tim learned that Rachael didn’t want the Dentist to be portrayed like the “campy, rock & roll” character played by Steve Martin in the movie version:  “She wanted him to be as dark and sinister as the actor could be. So, that really caused me to think about the challenge it would take to really pull something like that off.”  I think audiences will agree that Tim has discovered his dark side in the Dentist.

Tim met Rachael seven years ago in Rochester while was she the musical director of A New Brain. Tim really appreciates the opportunity to work again with Rachael, saying, “Watching her work and put 1000% effort in this production of Little Shop has been a joy. She brings fresh ideas and never fails to surprise me on what other talents she has up her sleeve.”  Tim has been a Farmington Player for over 10 years and has been involved in some capacity with every show put on by at the Barn since he joined in 2001.   His most recent performance on the Barn stage was as the Old Man in A Christmas Story. 

Little Shop of Horrors opens tonight (Friday April 27) and runs through May 19.  Get your tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the Farmington Players box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

Taylor Alfano Is In Tune With Audrey

Taylor Alfano Debuts at the Barn as Audrey

At auditions for Little Shop of Horrors, over 20 women stood nervously on stage, all awaiting their chance to sing for the lead role of Audrey.  After director Rachael Rose expressed her vision for the role, she asked, “Who wants to be first?”   Without hesitation, Taylor Alfano stepped forward.  Later, she recalled, “this was the first audition I had gone to since I graduated from Central Michigan so it was pretty nerve-wracking for me, but so exciting at the same time.”  She certainly hid her nerves well.  As soon as Taylor started singing, I knew that she had set the bar high for all those who followed her. Taylor was soon cast as Audrey, her first role in her very first audition with the Farmington Players.

Ironically, the same sense of self-confidence that served her well at auditions created a challenge for her character development. As Taylor says, “Audrey is one of the most difficult characters I’ve had to play. Audrey is a very abused woman, and probably always has been, whether emotionally or physically. Obviously, this would be difficult for anyone to portray if they hadn’t experienced any kind of abuse, which I haven’t. However, I think it is even more difficult for me because I am a pretty confident person. Even though I am small, I have a big personality and voice to match, so having to play a character with little self-esteem is harder than I expected. It’s difficult for me to be in that vulnerable place for an extended period of time.”

Despite Audrey’s vulnerability, Taylor is definitely in tune with who she is: “She’s sweet, loyal and so supportive of those she loves. She’s never known what it feels like to be unconditionally loved; yet she still has the imagination and capacity to envision a place where she could have her happy ending. Because she never really had a family as a child, she creates one out of the group of people she meets on Skid Row, like Seymour, Mr. Mushnik, and Chiffon, Ronnette and Crystal.”  Taylor sees the song “Somewhere That’s Green” as Audrey’s “landscape of her entire dream.  She fantasizes about a life she wishes she could have and it all surrounds the idea of a beautiful green lawn. She lives on Skid Row, where there is absolutely no grass, nothing really grows, and it’s actually pretty depressing. So, for Audrey to be happy she really just wants growth and beauty and she sees that in the plants and flowers she works with in Mushnik’s flower shop.”

Taylor has wanted to be in Little Shop since she did the lighting for her high school’s performance of the show when she was a freshman.  Taylor graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree of fine Arts in 2011.  While there, she portrayed Cecile in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the wicked stepmother in Into The Woods, and Sally in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown!  Although she is a newcomer to the Barn, Taylor calls her cast mates “the most welcoming and loving cast of people I have ever worked with, and I truly enjoy going to rehearsal everyday. Family and friends are very important to me personally, and the people I have met through the Barn have become like a family to me.”

Little Shop of Horrors opens Friday April 27 and runs through May 19.  Get your tickets at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the Farmington Players box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".

Finally, After 20 Years, Jason Wilhoite Is Suddenly Seymour

Jason Wilhoite plays Seymour Krelborn

Have you ever seen a show and thought, “That actor was born to play that part!”   Although Jason Wilhoite and Seymour Krelborn may not have been separated at birth, Jason admits that “playing Seymour has honestly been a goal and dream of mine since I was about 15 years old.”  Jason has obviously given a lot of thought to Little Shop of Horrors and Seymour over the past 20 years:  “I love the story, the music and complexity Seymour brings. He comes across as naïve and unsure at first, but grows with Audrey II in his confidence while still keeping his boyish charms. I love the counterpoint of a hero the audience grows to love and support, yet at the same time in a completely premeditated fashion this hero allows people to be eaten by Audrey II for his own gain.”

Jason was last on the Barn stage a year ago, wowing audiences with his singing talents as Leo Bloom in The Producers, so it will come as no surprise that he finds it “so much fun to sing this show.  It has an amazing mix of musical theatre feel, blues, rock, 60’s do-op. I have had a blast learning the music [including “Suddenly Seymour,” “Feed Me,” and “Grow for Me”] and I hope our audience enjoys it half as much as I have.” 

So if singing is in Jason’s sweet spot, what’s his biggest challenge about playing Seymour?  “Seymour runs all the bases emotionally and provides me with a huge challenge.  Making him believable and earnest as he ranges in emotion from naïve botanical ‘genius’, terrified, unsure, elated happiness, passionate and caring, calculated murdering accomplice, anger, deepest of sorrow in losing the only thing he ever loved to final desperation in trying to put an end to the road he has traveled. It’s really is an outstanding journey and I hope I can bring that all to life.”

Although he’s wanted to do Little Shop for 20 years, Jason feels “lucky to be doing the show now with the amount of experience I have in the rear view mirror. Both from a life perspective as well as my acting and singing training and experience. It's been a real joy to do the show at this time with so many people I care deeply about and some new additions to my world who I have grown to love.  I feel blessed that our paths have crossed.”  Jason has been a member of the Farmington Players for seven years and this is his third show involving director Rachael Rose, of whom he says, “We make a great team and I have truly valued the chance to have her direct me in this show.”  Some of Jason’s favorite Barn credits include: The Producers  (Leo Bloom),  You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Charlie),  Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely Johnson), John & Jen (John), Sweet Charity (Musical Director) and Gypsy (Director). 

Get your tickets to Little Shop of Horrors at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the Farmington Players box office at 248-553-2955.  The show opens Friday April 27 and runs through May 19.

Barry Cutler is a Cut-Up as Money-Loving Mr. Mushnik

"OY VEY!"  Barry Cutler IS Mr. Mushnik!

He’s kvetchy and cranky, sprinkles in Yiddish and is skittish about his neighborhood, but the bottom line is that Mr. Mushnik is a pragmatist:  If there’s money to be made for his little flower shop, all bets are off.   Barry Cutler plays Mr. Mushnik, the owner of the flower shop for which Little Shop of Horrors is named.  It is a role that Barry was born to play.  As he says: “I am constantly accused of playing "Jewish" even when its not required for a role.  Well this time the character is hard-wired for it! I get to say "Oy Vey", wave my arms, rattle off some Yiddish and flail around the stage flashing various expressions honed from years of watching my Jewish relatives, "Seinfeld" episodes, and Woody Allen films.” 

Barry’s favorite part of the show is performing “shtick” in Mushnik & Son, his duet with Seymour, played by Jason Wilhoite. Barry recalls that he and Jason  “previously sang hilarious tunes in Guys -N- Dolls and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, but I think Mushnik & Son may just top them both.”  While the singing comes naturally, Barry’s biggest challenge has been dancing the Tango:  “I'm not a graceful dancer…. Luckily my dear friend Allison Boufford (choreographer, also Chiffon) is kind enough to have the patience of Job, and experienced enough to be a terrific teacher.  Hats off to Jason for enduring my kicks, stepping on his feet and clutching his shoulders for dear life!”

Barry speaks glowingly of the Little Shop directors:  “Rachael Rose (Director/Music Director) and Jose Reyes (Asst. Music Director) are a perfect team to teach us the tricky harmonies. They are longtime friends who seem to be in sync on everything.  I'm particularly pleased to see our young Assistant Director Allie Shapiro progress at the Barn. She also doubles as stage manager. Allie came to the Farmington Players when she was 12 and now she's about to graduate high school. She has shined both on and off stage and it's refreshing to see how she's handled more responsibility with every show.”

He is equally complimentary of his cast mates: “Taylor Alfano is astounding as Audrey. I love listening to her sing.  Gary Weinstein is hilarious in his roles as the masochist dentist's patient and a skid row wino.  Maggie Gilkes and Walter Middlebrook put me in stitches with their performances as Mrs. Luce and Bernstein.  Additionally, Blythe Philp and Laurel Stroud are excellent in their parts as customers and winos. … Allison Boufford, Amy Poirier and Katie Aumann are excellent playing the Greek Chorus. They sing numerous songs in perfect harmony and don't miss a dance step.  Jason is always a pleasure to work with. His singing is captivating and I love seeing him create Seymour's character. I also get a kick out of Tim Timmer's take on the sadistic dentist.”

Last but not least, Barry is amazed by the two guys who play the plant, Jarrod Henderson (Voice) and Michael Rose (puppeteer): “It's an incredibly difficult job to operate the beast and stay in sync, but those two manage to pull it off and provide marvelous entertainment.”

Barry has been a barn member since Guy -N-Dolls in 2006 when he played Benny Southstreet. He last appeared on the Barn stage playing 13 characters in

Leaving Iowa.  He’s been handling publicity for the Barn since 2008, and his next project is Producer of "Avenue Q" this summer.

Wilson's World

Whose Wives cast members -- Standing L to R: Geoff Wehner, Tony Targan, John Boufford;
Seated L to R: Alisha Gellin, Mary Ann Tweedie, Laurel Stroud, Diana McSweeney, Maureen Mansfield
Photo by Mike Mansfield

Imagine an alternative reality where, whenever you enter a room, people expect something funny to happen. Everything you say makes people laugh out loud.  Every facial expression – a raised eyebrow or an eye roll – evokes giggles and guffaws.  And, as if you were in some Seinfeldian Bizzaro World, women say provocative things to you like, “Has anyone ever told you, you’re a very attractive man?” … and try to kiss you.

Welcome to Wilson’s world.  For the past three weeks, during the run of Whose Wives Are They Anyway?, I have had the pleasure to play Wilson, the hypochondriac handyman who is always in the wrong place at just the right time to say the punch line.  I can honestly say that I have never had so much fun on stage.  The Farmington Players production was hugely successful, playing to 85% of capacity, and audiences thoroughly enjoyed themselves every night.  During certain scenes, usually involving the cross-dressing Geoff Wehner as “Mrs. McGachen,” we would have to hold for laughs that seemed to never end.

And yet, just as it was getting started, it is over.  After 10 performances, Whose Wives closed last Saturday night to a sell-out crowd.  Personally, I think we saved our best performance for last, especially in Act Two when the wigs fly, clothes come off, bodies collide, and Wilson ends up in bed with two beautiful women. (Inexplicably, he does not appear to enjoy their company.)   I am always a little sad when a show ends, and this one is no exception.  On Sunday morning, I shaved my beard (grown to make Wilson look older) and went to the Barn to strike the set.  Within four hours, the set where we had spent countless hours of rehearsal and performance time was reduced to lumber, the Barn stage was again a bare floor.   It is kind of like ripping off a band-aid;  it’s over suddenly, but it still hurts a little.

I will definitely miss every person in the fine cast and crew that put this production together and made it so much fun.   Thanks once more to my fellow actors (pictured above), director Dennis Broadhead, assistant director George Ulridge, producers Tim Timmer and Dave Reinke, stage manager Jill Jones, and countless others that made Whose Wives Are They Anyway? so successful.  To keep up with future happenings at the Barn, go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players".