The Cast List

Episode 13 - Guys and Dolls: Senior Edition (Featuring Debbie Gainer and her dog Candy)

Arts Center of Cannon County Season 1 Episode 13

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0:00 | 33:10

In this episode, Patrick and RJ interview Debbie Gainer (and Candy) and talk all things Guys and Dolls: Senior Edition!

Website: artscenterofcc.com

YouTube: Arts Center of Cannon County

SPEAKER_01

Welcome back in the worst.

SPEAKER_00

Okay, Patrick, I'll do it for us. Welcome to back No, no, neither one of us are off to a good start. Welcome back to the cast list, everybody. My name is RJ. And I'm Patrick. And we're here at the Art Center of Cannon County for. Listen, I'm gonna be honest. I've lost track of how many episodes we've done. We have reached the end of conservatory of our five-show production run. And mentally, I don't think any of us are here.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I don't really have an excuse, but RJ just went through really six weeks of conservatory.

SPEAKER_00

And when I say it just ended like the time of recording the last conservatory show ended 40 minutes ago. The last two kids are like actively walking out the door right now. The wires in the way. Sorry. It's okay. I forgive you, Patrick.

SPEAKER_01

Um for starters, how do you feel?

SPEAKER_00

I am beyond relieved. Um conservatory is always a lot of fun, but it is a great deal of work. And uh I always have to shout out, I get the best teachers to help me out. This year I had Eric Massingill, who you've probably seen in Twelve Angry Jurors, if you had um who's juror number three, if you're a juror uh 12 Angry Jurors, Cameron Clark, who uh is obviously the countdown of the cast list, and here at the Art Center. She and Kaylin Campbell, who you've probably seen in things like uh Children of Eden and Music Man, absolutely crushed the dances this year, and then Miss Alyssa Ross, who was in 9 to 5, and Guys and Dolls and a handful of other things. Her and Cameron Roberts held down the music front, and we basically put a show on in two weeks with the teenagers. We had 70 kids, two full casts, and the kids is crazy. This was my fifth year doing it, and every year I get to the end, and I just sort of step back and go, How in the heck did we do this? Every year I'm like that. And it's like you'd think after, you know, with four years under my belt, a whole high school career, I'd be used to it. But no, each each year I am shocked to my core that that me and the teachers pull it off. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

You should be very proud of it. Yeah. The kids killed it. They did, they absolutely crushed it. Rehearsing one cast at a time to putting 70 kids in a teacher.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, and we only have six hours in the day to do it for ten days because we're Monday through uh Friday. And unfortunately, I did not make it without crying.

SPEAKER_01

That is true. I didn't.

SPEAKER_00

That is the big, you know, the big fear of the kids is that they're afraid of me, but they don't know I'm actually a teddy bear. Um though, in that. No, it's nothing to be ashamed about, but usually I'm like, yes, I could hold it together and make it through my speeches and say something very nice. I can't.

SPEAKER_01

It's well, I can't make it. Conservatory by itself is already very physically and emotionally taxing. Well, it's actually but also you spend two weeks with these kids all day long.

SPEAKER_00

And it is something we've talked about in previous episodes about just the power of theater and community. There were 70 of us and six teachers with a common goal of just to put on Winnie the Pooh and singing in the rain and the best of our abilities. And that just when people just have a goal they can lock on to, it's that's for lack of a better term, that's that is where the magic comes from.

SPEAKER_01

Well, okay, but like it was 70 kids in each senior, and then let's say on average 35 in each junior category.

SPEAKER_00

The second junior session was over 40.

SPEAKER_01

So that's what math, roughly 140 kids.

SPEAKER_00

Out of how many of those 70 plus 40 plus 35.

SPEAKER_01

145 will go with our estimate number of so out of like those 145 kids you uh were with all summer long, like how many of those kids did you witness completely transform, whether that be like in their competence or their talent, or just like things that they like like overall like life lessons that they learned throughout the line. Like you you watch life lessons. You watch you watch so many kids this summer take off something that was really difficult.

SPEAKER_00

What's really fun about conservatory, what we do that I don't think a lot of other theater camps do, is they do the classes the first few weeks. So they're learning music theory and types of dances, not j it's not just about the show. Um and it's really cool to like get kids who've never done anything before and start out with them. But this year, especially with the teenagers, I really liked to with the kids who've done so many things, to like break it down and slow it down for them. Um especially one of the Don Lockwoods. He's a kid who has done a ton of stuff here many a times. And I think he came in here thinking this was gonna be a walk in the park, and I would not let him make it a walk in the park. It's I was on him like neon pudding. Alright. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_01

I thought you said I thought you said neon pudding. Neon pudding, no neon some pudding.

SPEAKER_00

Okay. Um but it's yeah, we're here to have fun and all, but it's also it's about getting better each time. And to not let anyone rest on their laurels and get better. And then some of these kids are growing up, and oh my god, I'm old. Yeah, I know, you've just known them for I've known them for five years, and it's you know, that five for five years they start off ten ten to fifteen, there is a huge just change. Yeah, as we all know.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, you can smell it.

SPEAKER_00

Oh my god, it smells horrendous here. It smells so bad. Ah, those dressing rooms. Yeah, I just sent the poor teachers just to inspect it. They're like, what do you mean? I go, just make sure it's not on fire. Yeah. And wrap it up.

SPEAKER_01

Well, I'm glad to hear that conservatory went as well as it did.

SPEAKER_00

It did, and we're gonna dive head first at the time this episode comes out. Tech camp will be underway. Our first ever tech camp, and I think it's gonna go great.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, so what else is gonna be happening when this episode airs is tech week for guys and dolls senior.

SPEAKER_00

Guys and Dolls Senior is right around the corner.

SPEAKER_01

Very, very, very excited about um we got Miss Debbie on this later of this episode. Sweet, sweet Miss Debbie. I love her. She is playing Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls Senior. Um, and uh for those of you watching this episode later on in the episode, you'll be very pleased to see that she brings her dog.

SPEAKER_00

She brought her dog. She brought her dog to quite a distraction.

SPEAKER_01

The furry fluffy chihuahua. Yes. Um and she is awesome.

SPEAKER_00

Adorable, but our interview skills went right down the toilet.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. She walked in carrying candy in a purse, and I was like, Yep. That's how Miss Debbie rolls. Yeah, no, it was it was fierce. Yeah, it was fierce.

SPEAKER_00

But um, Patrick, we are coming to the end of the summer, which means things are slowing down, which means after this week we have guys and dolls, which means that is nine to five done. Winnie the Pooh done, Sane and the Rain done, 12 Angry Jurr's done. Sane in the Rain will be done. That means we'll just have Big Fish going on. Yeah, Big Fish is opening soon.

SPEAKER_01

August 7th.

SPEAKER_00

But just as all these things end, Dracula auditions are coming right around the corner with his very big teeth. Yes.

SPEAKER_01

Um, I'm so excited for that show.

SPEAKER_00

I'm so excited too. Um people have been asking me about it during the conservatory, which is a terrible thing to do. I hope you come and audition, whoever talked to me. I feel like we had a great conversation. Do I remember it?

SPEAKER_01

A bunch of the guys and all people come in audition. Do they? The seniors! I'm not even getting it. I've talked to a bunch of them about it. Okay. I think it's gonna be a really good turn. This is gonna be an interesting gaggle of characters. I know. Um but we also have coming up um our truish stories. The true stories of Art Show. Art show. Um we've been getting our submissions uh this past week for all the stuff we're including in that. Um a very cool wide variety of art, anywhere from like typical like canvas work to like 3D art to a giant model I saw from like someone who built like a 3D model of a small town. It was really, really cool. Um very, very, very excited for that. Um we still need to get uh Heather on.

SPEAKER_00

We do. We'll get Heather um Amanda jumped the gun because she was uh in 12 Angry Jr. But we'll get Heather on to talk about White Oak, which is coming up the second full weekend of September.

SPEAKER_01

It's almost White Oak time.

SPEAKER_00

It is almost White Oak time. I mean, we're already midway, more than midway through July. It's the summer just flies by for us.

SPEAKER_01

It's it's so I feel like we're both sitting here just like oh sitting down.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, this is the most I've sat down in a week and a half. Uh yes. My cause my par uh my mom and uncle came to see Twelve Angry Jurrors. Oh yeah. And they loved it. But I don't know who their travel agent is because they came from a Wednesday to a Saturday. So they've been in town while conservatory was going on. Yeah. And Twelve Angry Jr. gasp many a time. Oh yeah, she was oh, they were she was like, they're very angry. They were indeed angry.

SPEAKER_01

It's gotten some rave reviews. Um I know that tomorrow night is sold out, and tonight is like five picks left. Time of recording, yeah, it'll be it'll be over. It'll be over.

SPEAKER_00

If you can see 12 Angry Jurrors by the time this episode airs, please call us and tell us your ways. You don't do that. You sorcerers, you. Maybe the show gets extended. No, we got true stories going on. Tech camp, Geysendoll Senior. Yeah, we can't.

SPEAKER_01

Dracula with the very big teeth. I think that this episode is a wonderful example of just because you get through one like crazy chunk of time at the dark center. As soon as you finish that doesn't mean that like the craziness is over.

SPEAKER_00

No, the craziness the train keeps rolling. Our craziness stops usually around Christmas for a week.

SPEAKER_01

But um I really want to get into this interview. RJ, do you have anything to say before we jump in?

SPEAKER_00

No, I think it's time to bring in Miss Debbie. We recorded it a few days ago, so we'll be in a change of clothes. I can't even remember. Oh, well, we got the singing in the rain shirts rocking here. I can't remember if I changed or if I was dressed as a character or I can't remember. Uh I hit the microphone. Uh yeah, I don't know, but it's a great interview, and there's a dog. So let's swing it to Miss Debbie. 3, 2, 1, whoosh.

SPEAKER_01

Alright. We are here with.

SPEAKER_02

We're here with you want me first.

SPEAKER_01

Yes, you're you're a little bit more important. Yes, you are. But who are you?

SPEAKER_02

My name is Debbie Kanger.

SPEAKER_01

And who is this?

SPEAKER_02

And this is Candy! Candy!

SPEAKER_01

For everyone who's listening in our platform, there's a dog here. And her name is Candy, and Tabla makes it adorable. If she's having the time of her life, and she's learning a very, very deep.

SPEAKER_00

But we're here to talk with Mr. Debbie. Because Debbie, you are part of the night in the world's team years of collaboration with teamers. Why don't you tell people who you're playing and what's been going on with it?

SPEAKER_02

Okay, so I'm so excited to say that I'm playing Target Terra. It is a very pious person who's very is a very important part of her life, but she's very judgmental. But not the course of the show. You do see that she's quite characters.

SPEAKER_00

We've talked on the podcast already before about the what's going on. Tell us your sort of personal take about getting into the show.

SPEAKER_02

Okay. Well, I went to stay clear in February and just picked up one of their magazines. It's called Connections. I think that's right.

SPEAKER_03

That's right.

SPEAKER_02

Well, we're gonna have an informational meeting. Maybe in March. It's um doing this, and I had some experience with community, and I was like, I think I'm gonna go to the meeting and see what it's about. So gosh, I really had to wait. It seemed like it was so many weeks from the time I thought until the time that you had the meeting, and just everything about it was attractive. First of all, you just assured everyone that this would be distressed. So any questions that people had, you're like, really, don't worry about it. It's gonna be okay. That was the overriding theme of it all. And it that was really attractive to me. So I had no idea how many people would be interested in. More people would be interested in it. And so I hope that this show will make more people be interested in that that they can do that. So I would say that you all have been so nurturing. So nurturing. This has been a hundred percent. 100% positive. I love it. It's been a gross opportunity for me. And just no pressure at all. And you all don't be theater, but it's kind of like that. So this was like a breath at the first day.

SPEAKER_00

That's right. We may be crazy, but that's right.

SPEAKER_01

This is why we wanted to have you on. It's like so big parts and we have this is the first time we've ever produced a senior show. Um, and it's the first time we've really ever done a collaboration like this. Um, and for a lot of people in the show, it's the first time they've either been in a show, period, um, or the first time they've been in a show in a long time. So yeah, if you could say one thing to anyone who is interested in either dipping their foot into this or you know, has done a theater a long time ago and really want to get back into it, um, what would your advice be to people listening?

SPEAKER_02

My advice would be to try it because you all have made it possible for different levels. And so people with no experience, there's a place for those people. People with some experience or a lot of experience, there's really a place to don't be afraid to try it. The other thing I've seen is how people have grown. Yeah, it's it's been it's been incredible.

SPEAKER_01

And I'm glad you brought that up.

SPEAKER_00

Like the the amount of people who on week in week one we were told, you know, we were able to like just like pull like everything, like it's like opening out like that.

SPEAKER_02

That's what happens when you nurture people. Um that I would never have met before. I'm an always um and it's I'll have the structure, I'll the pressure happened at the end. That's all very interesting.

SPEAKER_00

So after the interest meeting, we hope to think of it. Um were you like that like I'm gonna be a little bit?

SPEAKER_02

I had no idea. I had no idea. So I was happy to be a part of it. I was happy to be a part of it.

SPEAKER_00

And then when you got the phone call or email whatever it's or director to step down. What was your reaction hearing the news that you were going to be?

SPEAKER_02

I didn't know. I didn't know what I didn't know. So if you go back to my experience with community theater before, that can, yeah, it can be very high pressure. Um that if I was nervous about anything, it was that day after day we were the same. Every time people were just very people were very acceptable of you and Tara and then you came and laughed, oh my gosh, because we've probably been encouraged from that.

SPEAKER_03

Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_02

And um, Patrick and Tara, I'm sure we're sick of this, but for you to come in, you were fairly laughing. It was dead.

SPEAKER_00

It's so funny. The show itself is already so funny, but seeing you all up there doing it. It was, as I told everyone who's talked about it, it was just so fun to watch. And regardless of it being funny, it's just like, yeah, I'm just having the greatest time. I mean, you guys are having the greatest time, and that just that greatness just floods and builds and it's contagious to everyone who watches.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I mean, I can tell. You can tell when somebody's not sincere.

SPEAKER_01

I can trust Argie to be very honest about it.

SPEAKER_00

There have been some moments we got conservatory going on where people do something like that. It is terrible.

SPEAKER_01

If Argie's laughing, it means it actually is fine. Um at the time this episode airs will be about a week out from less opening, less than a week, less than a week from from opening the show. Um so now that we're in that phase and the show is really coming together, um, and it's and it's completed. Um it's just like completely done and locked in, all put together. What is something that you would want an audience member to take away from this show?

SPEAKER_02

What I want them to take away. Well, I hope that they can feel that we're excited about it. I hope that they can hear and see the joy honestly that's awesome. About being in it. So if they feel hope that it helps them to see that seniors, we're not done. It's okay. If you look at the number of our years, there's there's still people who have something to contribute. It's just been a laugh and a crowd. Okay. A lot of laughter, a lot of fun, and just a lot of personal crypto.

SPEAKER_00

You mentioned earlier you uh you're in a room with a whole bunch of people that you haven't gotten that you never met before. Can you tell us about some of those connections you've made with the new people in the past and what that's been like?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so it's just been an opportunity to what I love is people who had never done anything like this before. And being able to encourage them and to say, you're doing great. Just keep doing it, and it's okay, because I had this question myself. Tell me if I'm too much. Um the courage to be able to do that for someone else and say it's okay to be silly, it's okay to really speak out. And so I would have to encourage you to back out of it. Absolutely. I'll add a couple of other classes at Saint Claire, just to remove the connection.

SPEAKER_00

What is your favorite song?

SPEAKER_02

Oh gosh. Somebody asked me that yesterday. I feel like I need to answer it the right way. Okay, the most fun song would be Marry the Man. I love that song.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. That's actually good.

SPEAKER_02

That's so much fun. But think about rebel, that just on a personal level, because I get to be silly for the first time ever in the show.

SPEAKER_01

Yesterday, yesterday rehearsal, I we were giving notes and we got to marry the man today. And I was just like just keeping exactly what you're doing. Edna who was playing ballet.

SPEAKER_02

It's fine. It's just great. It's so cute. It's just really fun.

SPEAKER_01

Yes. So uh the shows are July 24th and July 26th, not the 25th. Um in order to get tickets, you have to call the art center. Yeah. Um the 24th is running low on tickets, so I would say jump on them as soon as you can. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Um, Margie, I think it's time for our favorite segment. I don't know. We're burning through, and we're only 11 minutes into this interview. Debbie's just booming out just breaking out these answers.

SPEAKER_01

I mean, rapid fire will meet the more. I actually have a really funny I have a really funny rapid fire question. Oh, I can't believe it. That's funny specifically because of the circumstances of this episode. Oh. And goodness. You will understand when we get to that. Okay, so Debbie.

SPEAKER_00

I guess it's then time for the rapid fire question section.

SPEAKER_01

So so Debbie. Do you know about the rapid fire? Okay, so our favorite section of the interview process is the rapid fire section. We'll give you five or six questions, just one after the other, and you have to answer with the first thing that comes to mind. Some are some. There are just questions. Some are related to guides and dolls, and some are like left field. But just first thing that comes to mind. No hesitation. First thing that comes to mind. Alright. And Katie, if you feel like you need to contribute the along, you just um You just park. You just park. Alright. Okay. Here we go. Debbie, what is your favorite part of Guys and Dolls?

SPEAKER_02

Oh my gosh, my favorite part. The singing, the songs. Yep.

SPEAKER_01

Nice. Um, what is another show that you really want to be in?

SPEAKER_02

Oh my gosh, I would be in any musical. What do I love? I love Music Man. Yep. I guess we're not going to be doing this like Honor Hamilton. No. Wicked. No.

SPEAKER_01

Very good shows though. Very good, very good things. But no. Very good shows. Not only very good music.

SPEAKER_02

No, but I know Music Man. That would be great. That would be funny. Yeah, I would do any musical.

SPEAKER_01

If you could cast any celebrity in the role of Sarah, who would it be?

SPEAKER_02

Oh my gosh. Okay, let me think. Oh, I'm gonna pick um the Dingamon Zill.

SPEAKER_01

That's good. Um I can't do not. The next question is are you a dog person or a cat person? Kidding. A dog.

unknown

Come on, keep it up.

SPEAKER_01

You got that flash. Okay, what is the best type of sandwich?

SPEAKER_02

I'm a V L T.

SPEAKER_01

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

And okay, if you had to describe my personality as a color, what color would it be?

SPEAKER_02

It would be blue.

SPEAKER_01

Blue?

SPEAKER_02

Can you elaborate? I can because you're peaceful and calm. Did you hear that? Peaceful and calm. Without any strong vibrations.

SPEAKER_00

You know what that is? A lack of energy. A lack of personality.

SPEAKER_02

Not true.

unknown

That's not true.

SPEAKER_00

Well, thanks for doing the rapid fire. Thank you. I have a follow-up question to one of the rapid fire questions. You said your favorite part has been the singing and the songs. Yes. With that, was there any song that you were more excited about, maybe less excited about, one that sort of surprised you that you ended up liking it so much?

SPEAKER_02

Okay. Well, I have to say that I was only familiar with the Showstoppers, as you called them this morning. So I had heard the big lucky lady song. I wasn't familiar, so I did watch the movie. And I have to say that movie, by the way. It is, it is. And I'm kind of sad that the Sue Me song.

SPEAKER_01

I know. I know. It's so much a good thing for the senior reason.

SPEAKER_02

So this has been a stretch for me. I'm an alto. Okay. And so for me to sing Sarah Brown, I have had to work so hard. And you might be shocked at how many times I've sung these songs. It's a lot. And I can tell you how many times from my house to the center it would for me to get ready for the audition for if I were a bell, how many times I would sing it there and on the way back. So, you know, it's been hundreds of times. So it's been a personal um triumph for me to be able to hit that higher note. And I've loved that.

SPEAKER_01

It sounds like you can do it in your sleep. And I mean that. Like it sounds like you can do it in your sleep. And so I I know you've been working extremely hard, but I would say that your hard work has paid off, and it's very noticeable that you've you've put it forward.

SPEAKER_02

Thanks. I don't believe the voice is like a muscle.

SPEAKER_01

You have to, it is like any other muscle, you have to work out, you have to go to the vocal gym, and if you don't use it, it will deteriorate.

SPEAKER_00

And that is 100% true. Final question I have for you, and then we can wrap it up, is who do you have specifically coming to see you in this show, and what do you think their reactions are gonna be to all the shenanigans going on?

SPEAKER_02

I have my 96-year-old father, Kevin. Alright! My sister is driving him from Charleston from Charleston, West Virginia. Okay. So I'm excited for him to see it and for her to see it. Yeah. So he'll be on the front row.

SPEAKER_01

Okay. Incredible. Awesome, awesome. Um, Candy, any final thoughts? She's so cute.

SPEAKER_00

Well, I'll let you have the moment with Candy. Debbie, thank you so much for being on the podcast.

SPEAKER_02

We haven't discouraged you. I have that we'll do this again.

SPEAKER_00

No, no, no, no.

SPEAKER_01

I think I think this is the beginning of a friend. I think this is the beginning of many senior shows in the room. I think so. That's great.

SPEAKER_00

Um thank you so much for your time.

SPEAKER_01

I really appreciate it.

SPEAKER_00

As a reminder, everyone, guys, and all senior is July 24th and 25th here at the Art Center in Cannon County. 6 30 on that Friday, 2 o'clock on that Sunday. Tickets are $10. You can get them by calling the Art Center at 615-563-2787.

SPEAKER_02

That's a steal! Yep, it is entertainment to start.

SPEAKER_01

Absolutely. Say bye Candy. Bye, Candy! Bye! Thank you so much, Debbie and Candy. Um, Candy, just the best. I'm your biggest fan, Candy. Just the best. Candy, you're awesome. And isn't it nice to have not that, you know. Listen, Penelope Potato deserves all of the interesting. But it is nice to give the cathless listeners. Um, uh yeah, I would know. I would hate to pour everyone talking about my dog.

SPEAKER_00

Or one of our friends in a function console interaction. I don't know what I'm doing today, but I'm gonna live.

SPEAKER_01

I have to come in my life. Um I've never been around. Reminded me why I did it. A good reminder. Communicate with each other and tell stories. And forget about life for a while.

SPEAKER_00

Life for a while, Billy Girl says.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Well uh at uh the time this episode airs, there are still tickets for guys at all senior. I know we talked about it with Ms. Debbie, but you can get those tickets only by calling the Art Center Cannon County at 625-563-2787. The show is Friday, July 24th at 6 30. And Sunday, July 26th at 2 p.m. You can still get a handful of tickets. And of course, Dracula auditions are Sunday, the 26th, and the 27th, right around the corner. And of course, get those tickets for Big Fish. And also, we didn't even mention it. We didn't even season. We realized it at the same time. The season revealed our next episode a little bit because that time it will work out, right? August first August 1st of the 2027 season reveal. Get tickets, and there you can purchase discounted uh season tickets for 27. Be uh the first to find out what we are doing next year. It's gonna be uh great year next year, and we're gonna have mock tales and games and a great showcase for you guys if you should get excited. But as always, uh I am RJ. I'm Patrick. This has been the Cathlist. Thank you guys always so much for listening. We five stars of the podcast listener of your choice. And we will see you here at the Art Center of Canon County real soon, I'm sure of it. Alright, Patrick, I'm going home. You guys are good at that.

SPEAKER_01

See y'all you've been listening to the cashless. Hey, if you like what you hear, go ahead and leave the art center of Canon County and more information about the Art Center.