David Garrett, the theater manager at Virginia Peninsula Community College, said it’s common to have multiple members of one family participating in a show. However, this year’s performance of “The Gondoliers” is unusual, with four families represented.
“The volume we are seeing (this time) is a little escalated,” he said with a laugh.
The family members participating this year are:
Maggie and Ve Codell (mother and daughter), and Kate Gryn (Maggie’s sister); Laura and Stephen Maney (husband and wife), and son Ian; Catherine Pelletier and husband Alan Chavez; Jeff Joyner and husband Ron Milovac.
“This theater space isn’t just a place for an individual but a place where we can bring our loved ones and be part of it too, and not just as audience members,” Garrett said.
He sees no drawbacks, only benefits, when multiple family members are in a show.
“The performing arts in general, especially theater, are incredibly time-consuming, and something that we try to be really present about. You’re giving us your time,” he said.
He realizes that time is precious and families could be doing any number of things, from sports to vacation to a nice dinner, either at home or a restaurant.
“For you to bring your daughter, your sister, your husband into that with you, it can help so you aren’t feeling disconnected to those family members,” he said. “It’s really nice that it’s so much family.”
Here’s a look at the families in “The Gondoliers,” which runs July 23-26 at the Dr. Mary T. Christian Theatre.
Catherine (Katie) and Alan
Roles: Katie plays Casilda, and Alan plays Luiz, Casilda’s love interest. (Their 11-year-old son, Landon, attends rehearsals with them.)
Katie is a VPCC alum (2010-13) who participated in eight shows as a student. This is the first time her husband is joining her here. She returned in summer 2015 for “Princess Ida,” with their son playing the baby prince.
Katie has done collegiate productions with VCU Opera, as has Alan. Both have performed as contracted singers for almost a decade. They have performed together multiple times elsewhere. They have performed with Virginia Opera, VCU Opera, Commonwealth Concert Opera, and Capitol Opera Richmond.
Katie said the best part of working with a family member is having someone to share the driving duties. (They live in Richmond.) They have never competed for a role.
Jeff and Ron
Roles: Jeff is Don Alhambra, and Ron is Duke of Plaza Toro. They are in a few numbers together.
Jeff has participated in about nine shows at VPCC, beginning with “The Mikado” in 2013. They have done six shows together at VPCC and countless others at Virginia Opera, Peninsula Community Theater, Williamsburg Players, Poquoson Island Players, Panglossian Productions, the Little Theatre of Norfolk, and more.
They have worked together as stage and music director on numerous projects. This is Jeff’s third production of “The Gondoliers.” He previously played Marco and Luiz.
The best part of having a family member in the show is “having someone with whom to run lines, practice music, and bounce ideas off of,” Jeff said. “Also, it’s hard for non-theater folks to understand the time commitment required by a project like this.”
One memorable experience occurred when the two were playing the mature leads in a performance of “The Mikado.” Jeff was in drag and had to kiss Ron’s character. A follow cast member was concerned they two might be uncomfortable with that. According to Jeff, the director’s response was, “I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”
They have been together for 35 years and have competed for roles a few times, but whenever they have, both have been cast.
“We also take turns auditioning to allow one another the chance to do something he really wants to do,” Jeff said. “For us, it’s never been a problem.”
Laura, Stephen and Ian
Roles: Laura is one of the contadines, Stephen plays Antonio and Ian is a gondolier.
Laura did a previous show in the old theater long ago with Iron Street Productions. She and Stephen have done several shows together at the College and have done many shows together at Peninsula Community Theatre and other local playhouses. This is the first with their son. Laura has directed a few shows with her sister as the stage manager.
The best part of having a family member in the show, said Laura, “is having the same schedule and not always having to drive alone. (Also), it’s great to be able to introduce our son to one of our favorite pastimes.”
The only drawback this time, she added, is it makes for late nights for an 8-year-old.
Laura and Stephen have never competed for roles, but her husband has played her brother and a gay ex-boyfriend.
Maggie, Ve and Kate
Roles: Maggie plays Tessa, Ve is Giulia and Kate plays Inez.
“Ve and her mom sing in the same song, which is wild because (Ve) was a tiny, little fairy for us many summers ago, and now they are 17 and a growing artist,” Garrett said.
One big family
Having so many families in a show is a pleasure for Garrett. He especially likes it when one family member has such a wonderful time that they ask another to join them.
“We love seeing that kind of development where … not only was it fun for them, but it was something they wanted to bring other members of their household into,” Garrett said. “We’ve seen it happen before. We love to see it when it happens.”
For Joyner, he says he’s always among family when doing a show.
“If we use the broad definition of ‘family,’ there are numerous folks onstage, offstage, and in the orchestra who have become just that to us, so that’s a blessing as well,” he said.
