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Cast Interview: Carla Rountree

2/26/2017

Did everyone enjoy opening night?! You have four (4!!) more chances to catch this wonderful production. Let's meet another one of our fabulous singers - Carla Rountree!

What's your role in La Périchole?
Manuelita

What's your favorite part of the show?
Just one? That's hard! Ok, I suppose I'll go with the end of Act I when Piquillo gets stumbling drunk thinking that Perichole has left him. Pretty much everything he does as a result of this is hilarious. I have to practice keeping a straight face and staying in character!

What made you decide to get involved with this performance?
I was familiar with some of the music from La Perichole already, and I really liked what I already knew. It's not a show that's done terribly often, so I was pretty excited when VLOC decided to take it on. Plus, I've been involved in VLOC productions off and on for nearly 10 years now. So, I guess VLOC is ok and all ;-)

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
Too much! I think I have extracurricular "Ooh shiny!" syndrome. I perform with other opera companies in the area, I'm one of the directors of the local Opera on Tap chapter, and I like to sign up for long distance races and not train and then panic 2 weeks before race day. I also love to travel and have the goal of hitting all 7 continents, all 50 states, all 59 national parks, and seeing an opera in every major opera house in the world. Geez, that sounds daunting when I type it all out...

La Périchole runs February 24-26 & March 3-5 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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Cast Interview: Christopher Allison

2/24/2017

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Who's ready for opening night!? Me!! I'm pleased to introduce to you tenor Christopher Allison who plays the role of Piquillo.

What's your favorite part of the show?
I'll give you two!

The finale of Act I. It ramps up in energy and intensity and it is positively manic. It's absurd melodrama and dramatic irony and tension and I have so much fun being a part of it.

There's also a scene in Act II where I am surrounded by the ladies of the court and they're circling the chair I've passed out in and singing. Each voice is orbiting and it's all so surreal and it's just really cool to get to experience that dizzying effect while trying to lie still.

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I live in Baltimore with my wife Eliza Mullen. I sing and make music with friends and several local organizations. I also work in IT doing tech support, consulting, connectivity, and telephony.

We hope to see you this weekend! La Périchole runs February 24-26 & March 3-5 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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Cast Interview: Laura Hubbard

2/20/2017

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Tech week is officially underway! La Périchole opens this Friday and I have so many cast members to introduce. Next up: VLOC veteran Laura Hubbard

What's your role in La Périchole?
Chorus: veteran barfly and first-run court mistress

What's your favorite part of the show?
Drinking whole bottles of wine

What made you decide to get involved with this performance?
VLOC regular. I'll audition for everything and hope to find a place on stage.

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I recently retired as a copyeditor. Making plans to get out more often and maybe take my first vacation in 3 years.

Thank you for being a part of our cast interview series Laura! La Périchole runs February 24-26 & March 3-5 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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Cast Interview: Ralph Johnson

2/17/2017

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La Périchole opens in exactly one week - have you gotten your tickets yet? In the meantime, get to know another one of our fabulous chorus members - Ralph Johnson.

What's your role in La Périchole?
Chorus - citizen, courtier, soldier

What's your favorite part of the show?
The 2nd-Act finale, in which Piquillo discovers he is married to Perichole, and reacts to this discovery.

What made you decide to get involved with this performance?
I had performed in a Savoyards' production of La Perichole some years ago, and enjoyed the music.

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
Sing in 3 choruses and 2 barbershop quartets. Volunteer on Red Cross blood drives and driving Meals on Wheels. Serve as treasurer for two organizations.

La Périchole runs February 24-26 & March 3-5 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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Cast Interview: Lena Goldweber

2/15/2017

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Good Morning!!! Ready to meet another member of our wonderful chorus? Let's get to know VLOC member Lena Goldweber!!

What's your role in La Périchole?
I'm in the chorus

What's your favorite part of the show?
I don’t have a favorite part of the show. The whole show is really nice and fun!

What made you decide to get involved with this performance?
I’ve been involved with VLOC since 2011, and everyone’s really nice and we have a lot of fun together. VLOC feels like a family to me, which is also really nice.

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I currently work at the Jewish Community Center Preschool as a substitute teacher. Other than singing, I like to dance, swim, and sometimes I continue working on a needlepoint pillow.

La Périchole opens next Friday and runs through March 5th at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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Cast Interview: Tara Hockensmith

2/13/2017

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Cast interviews for La Périchole are coming in fast and I'm thrilled to introduce one of a chorus members, Tara Hockensmith.

What's your role in La Périchole?
Chorus

What's your favorite part of the show?
In this show, there are so many little moments that are wonderful, it's hard to pick just one. In Act II, I wear haughty looks on my face the entire act as one of the Viceroy's servants, even though I'm in basically the same social class as La Perichole and Piquillo. Being indifferent to their predicament is not a typical reaction for a chorus member in a Victorian operetta. As a servant in this act, it is also challenging improvising reactions to events onstage without interacting with other cast members.

What made you decide to get involved with this performance?
I have never performed any works by Offenbach, and wanted to find out whether or not I would like his music. I find that many of the melodies get stuck in my head easily, but I do wish we could sing the original French lyrics, which I've heard are reminiscent of Gilbert's (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame).

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I work for the Department of Defense. In my spare time, I am the Archives Team Lead at the Howard County Historical Society, which involves a lot of organizing, archiving, and project management.

Come support Tara in La Périchole February 24-26 & March 3-5 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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Cast interview: Gabriella Jones

2/11/2017

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Happy Saturday! We're only two weeks away from opening night and that means you're about to get a flurry of cast interviews. Meet our youngest performer -- Gabriella Jones!

What's your role in La Périchole?
Newsboy

What's your favorite part of the show?
My favorite part is where I twirl the ribbon to get everyone to follow me to the fair. I get to do that during Gabby's music, so I have my own music.

What made you decide to get involved with this performance?
I have been in many VLOC shows and I enjoy having time on stage. I am getting a lot of experience with VLOC.

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I enjoy playing minecraft and watching and recording youtube videos. I am in second grade. My favorite
Photo credit: Harvey Levine thing is stuffed animals.

Come see Gabriella as the Newsboy February 24-26 & March 3-5 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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Cast Interview: Bonnie Barrows

2/3/2017

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Victorian Lyric Opera Company's production La Périchole opens in just a few short weeks! The cast interview series is back and excited to share with you our wonderful cast and crew. First up one of our amazing orchestra members -- Bonnie Barrows!

What's your role in La Périchole?
I play violin in the orchestra

What's your favorite part of the show?
We're still in orchestra only rehearsals at the moment, so I can't speak to the complete production itself. However, as a general comment on VLOC shows, my favorite parts are: (1) playing with a delightful group of musicians in the orchestra and (2) watching VLOC's talented actors giving their all on stage and having a great time while doing so.

What made you decide to get involved with this performance?
I've played in VLOC's orchestra for something like 30 years, so I suspect it's kind of a habit now:) Okay, seriously, I love playing with this group. It feels like family and I have a lot of fun both in rehearsals and during the shows, which is why I keep coming back. Joe Sorge is an excellent conductor who treats his musicians with respect and is an all around nice guy as well, traits that are always appreciated by orchestra members.

When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I currently work as a general manager at a small environmental health & safety firm in Ellicott City. I've sung in church choirs and served as a cantor for over 30 years. My wonderful husband and I have been married for 28 years and share our home with a two year old mixed breed dog (Abby) with a mind of her own. We are best known in our neighborhood as "Abby's mom and dad" and "the Halloween people" because we put together a yard display every year consisting of a cemetery populated by a crew of skeletons, ghouls, ghosts, and other spooky creations. Other creative activities include writing music and making zombie felties.

Come hear Bonnie rock out in the orchestra February 24-26 & March 3-5 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets can be bought at the door or by calling the F. Scott Fitzgerald box office at 240-314-8690.

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Cast Interview: Carla Rountree

Cast Interview: Christopher Allison

Cast Interview: Laura Hubbard

Cast Interview: Ralph Johnson

Cast Interview: Lena Goldweber

Cast Interview: Tara Hockensmith

Cast interview: Gabriella Jones

Cast Interview: Bonnie Barrows

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