Spotlight On: Christine McGuinness

 

Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of Sordid Lives. Get to know Christine McGuinness who is portraying Dr. Eve Bolinger in our production!

 

 

 

Introduce yourself to our audience.

Hi, I’m Christine! This is my fourth production with Connecticut Theatre Company.

 

What drew you to your specific character in this “sordid” world?

Dr. Eve is unlike any character I’ve ever played! I will be baring my soul…and maybe a little more…onstage. And even though it was intimidating, I wanted to challenge myself.

 

How are you approaching the balance between playing a cartoonish character and keeping them real/grounded, as the script demands?

I keep reminding myself of Eve’s “why” – which for her, is to get a book deal and become famous. So even though she’s a bit (a lot?) unhinged, her goals are what keep her grounded

 

What is the biggest challenge of taking on this role, particularly with the required West Texas accent?

We established early in the rehearsal process that Eve is not from the South. And therefore, I don’t have to worry about an accent. However, there is a level of physicality that my role requires that I’ve never done on stage before. So that’s where my challenge lies.

 

Which line are you most excited to deliver?

“Just look at these! Look at them!”

 

“Sordid Lives” is a massive ensemble piece. How are you collaborating with the cast to create that specific, chaotic family chemistry?

 

How did you first discover the world of Sordid Lives (the movie, the series, or the play)?

I knew nothing about Sordid Lives until I was preparing for the audition. And then I learned that there’s a movie and a spin-off television show.

 

How do you think your character has evolved—or hasn’t—if you were to imagine them years after the play ends? 

I don’t think Eve is still practicing psychology. At least, I hope she’s not.

 

What do you hope the audience takes away from this specific production of the show?

There’s some heavy stuff going on in the world right now. I hope we can provide a little laughter and a reprieve from all that, even if only for a couple of hours. 

 

 

“Sordid Lives” opened on March 13th and runs through March 22nd at Connecticut Theatre Company.  Tickets on sale now!

 

“What I really liked about SORDID LIVES was that, despite all of the ridiculousness, it wasn’t just funny. Don’t get me wrong, it was very funny! But it was also moving.” — KRISTA GARVER of BroadwayWorld.com

 

“Playwright Del Shores is the master of characters: dude-at-the-bar characters, one-Coors-too-many characters, hell-hath-no-fury-like-a-woman-done-wrong characters, and men-who-adore-Tammy Wynette characters.” —  LANA SWEETEN-SCHULTS of Times Record News

 

“Chain smokin’ and fast talkin’ housewives, crazy and eccentric characters, bizarre situations, a ‘coming out’ story, are loosely based on real life stories, as observed by young Shores who grew up in a small Texan town as “a Southern Baptist preacher’s damaged by religion child,” and lived through his own ‘coming out’ later in life. The authenticity of the characters explains the power and popularity of Sordid Lives with both gay and non-gay audiences. “Not only is it (the play) funny, but people really relate to the characters and feel safe to share it outside the gay community” Shores has said.” —  ELIZA ANNA FALK of DC Theater Arts