Gina Wilhelm Actor

Radio, Television, Live Stage, Plays and Musical Theatre

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Gina Wilhelm actress

New SAG-AFTRA President

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SAG-AFTRA, the TV, film, and radio actors’ union, has elected a new president.

This time, the happy winner is Fran Drescher, former star of “The Nanny.”

fran drescher

Joely Fisher, whose breakout role was on “Ellen,” is the new Secretary-Treasurer.

Congratulations to the new officers, and happy Labor Day to all union members!

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Gina Wilhelm Actress

George on the Street

Last weekend I had the opportunity to see the touring production of “Hamilton” at Seattle’s Paramount Theater. Seattle was the first stop on the tour for this cast, and they were spectacular!

This play really is amazing, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you must at least get the cast recording. The score isn’t just rap, there’s hip hop, jazz, regular Broadway show tunes, and British invasion.

However, before the show, King George III stopped in front of the theater to enthuse about the show that stars him.

(Special thanks to intrepid camera operator Katie Malik)

Gina Wilhelm Actress

https://ginawilhelm.com/82-2/

Hanako and the Cherry Tree (The Pitfalls of Mr. Yama)

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Gina Wilhelm Actress – Hanako and the Cherry Tree (The Pitfalls of Mr. Yama)

WHAT: “Hanako and the Cherry Tree (The Pitfalls of Mr. Yama)” performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th St, Seattle, WA 98117,March 4 and 5 at 1 and 3 p.m.

BYT – Crossroads Theatre, 16051 NE 10th Street, Bellevue, WA 98008, March 11 and 12 at 2 and 4 p.m. (Please note new location!)

Magnuson Park Theatre, 7110 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, Bldg. 47, March 18 and 9, 1 and 3 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $10.

TO BUY TICKETS: Call 206-524-3388 or visit thistletheatre.org or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2590940 (Sunset Hill), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2590942 (BYT – Crossroads Theatre), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2590949 (Magnuson Park),  or buy them at the door.

This week marks the opening of “Hanako and the Cherry Tree (The Pitfalls of Mr. Yama).” This beautiful puppet show includes four different styles of puppetry.

This puppet play tells the stories of a miser who discovers a magical cherry tree on his property. When a young girl comes on his property, they form an unlikely friendship, and misfortunes ensue when he swallows a cherry pit.

This Japanese tall tale includes an oni and tengu (mythical goblins) and a giant serpent! It also explores the theme of tradition versus modern values.

I play Hanako, the little girl. This is particularly fun, as the last time I did this show five years ago, I played a completely different role.

All voices are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Andre Nelson, Amy Escobar, and Zane Exactly. We use  a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style, rod puppets, shadow puppets, and black light puppets to tell this story in the Rakugo traditions.

The script was adapted by Jean Enticknap. Jean also directed this lively production.

This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

This play has laughs, scares, and magic galore! Don’t miss our fun, beautiful show!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

The Tales of Peter Rabbit (Revival!)

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Gina Wilhelm Actress – The Tales of Peter Rabbit (Revival!)

WHAT: “The Tales of Peter Rabbit” performed by Thistle Theatre, a puppet theater for families.

WHERE/WHEN: Magnuson Park Theatre, 7110 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, Bldg. 47,  October 8 and 9, 1 and 3 p.m.

Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th St, Seattle, WA 98117, October 22 and 23 at 1 and 3 p.m.

BYT – Ivanhoe Theatre 16661 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98008, May 17 and 18 at 2 and 4 p.m.

TICKET PRICE: $10.

TO BUY TICKETS: Call 206-524-3388 or visit thistletheatre.org or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2590857 (Magnuson Park), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2590862 (Sunset Hill), http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/183572/event/2590884 (BYT – Ivanhoe Theatre) or buy them at the door.

This week marks the opening of “The Tales of Peter Rabbit.” This is the beautiful puppet show we just presented in tour in Atlanta, Georgia, now presented for our local audiences in Seattle!

This puppet play tells the stories of some of Beatrix Potter’s most beloved characters. The main stories are those of Peter Rabbit and his cousin, Benjamin Bunny. It also includes Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Mrs. Tittlemouse.

When Peter Rabbit goes adventuring in Mr. MacGregor’s garden and loses his new jacket, how will he get it back?

I play Mrs. Tittle-Mouse, Mrs. Rabbit, Flopsy Rabbit (Peter’s sister), and a cat that only speaks cat-talk, for some reason.

All voices and songs are performed live by me and fellow puppeteers Ben Burris and Amy Escobar. We use  a variety of puppet styles including Japanese Bunraku-style and rod puppets to tell and sing this British tale.

The script and songs were written by Jean Enticknap and V. Kay Pedersen. Jean also directed this lively production.

This show is recommended for ages 3 and up.

This play has scares and laughs, and bunnies galore! Don’t miss our fun, beautiful show!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Puppet Panel at International Dota 2 Championship

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Dota 2 is a very cool multiplayer online battle arena game made by Valve. Every year, there is an International championship, and this year the championship is held at Seattle’s KeyArena.
The championship is a huge deal. Gameplay is broadcast on twitch.tv, YouTube, Steam broadcasting, and WatchESPN. ESPN picked up the tournament due to its large audience (estimated at over 30 million) and large prize pool. 

This year the prize pool is in excess of $20 million — that’s more than the prize pool at the Super Bowl!

There are color announcers during the games, and other analysts commenting on the games in between rounds. 

This year Valve decided to have the analysts in one of the in-between game sessions played by puppets, and I got to be one of the puppeteers!

We had a rehearsal on Sunday, when we found out what we would be doing. We sat at the desk with the real analysts sitting behind us. We would then sync our puppets’ movements to what their human counterparts were doing. 

We got to watch our movements on video monitors (as did the human analysts), and the human analysts wore headsets so they could hear each other. 

I got to handle the puppet version of Ted “Pyrion Flax” Forsyth, who has an extensive YouTube channel. He’s also a fun, funny guy. 

The hardest part of the gig was not telling anyone what was happening between Sunday afternoon and the performance Tuesday morning. So. Hard. 

It was worth it, though. The reaction when the puppets appeared behind the desk was fantastic, and it apparently was very loud inside the arena itself when they showed up on the Jumbotron. 

It was so loud, in fact, that it was difficult to hear our human counterparts!

The reaction online was good, too. An article appeared in iDigitaltimes.com titled “‘DOTA 2’ International 2016 Has Puppets Analyze and Interview, What Is Happening?” while over at Twitter, someone tweeted “Puppet Dota is best Dota.” 

I agree. 

The puppets will definitely be back on Saturday, August 13, for the final day of competition, and we may be back earlier. Keep watching for us!