'Father of the Bride' to lift the community
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on January 17, 2017 6:32 AM
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Geoff Hulse will portray Stanley Banks and Helen Baddour plays his daughter in the upcoming production of "Father of the Bride," a fundraiser for Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp.
"Father of the Bride" will not only make the audience laugh, but will also raise money for Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp.
It was the brainchild of local attorneys Geoff Hulse and Helen Baddour.
"Downtown Goldsboro is my favorite thing," Hulse said. "I'm hoping to renew it and regrow it just like it was when I was a kid, born and raised here.
"My time spent on the DGDC board was fascinating, and I believe we're starting to see the results of all the work we've put in because of Streetscape and businesses and restaurants that are coming in."
Hulse also said this is a cold time of year and many people have the post holiday blues.
"We are hoping to stir up a little excitement downtown," he said.
Directing the play is Margaret Baddour, who also plays one of the leading characters, Mrs. Stanley Banks to Hulse's Stanley Banks, the father of the bride, who is Helen Baddour.
"Father of the Bride" begins with the father's explosive reaction to the announcement that his daughter will marry one of her many suitors.
The antics that follow include a family crisis about who's been stuffing the wedding guest card index, a visit from a ridiculous wedding planner and the father's frequent blowups about the wedding's expense.
"We wanted to present something fun and light," Mrs. Baddour said. "The idea is to come out and enjoy an evening downtown, dine out, laugh and maybe even cry at the universal story of a dad losing his little girl -- and paying for it.
"Underlying the comedy are such issues as family conflict, losing a child and an exploration of three kinds of love, family loyalty, romantic love and nurturing love. This show finally leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling."
Mrs. Baddour and Hulse have done many plays at Wayne Community College. She said this is the most diverse group she's ever worked with in community theater, with actors from Center Stage Theatre, StageStruck, actors from Judgement House and students from Eastern Wayne High School.
"We have an interesting situation," Mrs. Baddour said. "I have a props and crew team who do the backstage, but when it's time for the wedding in act III, they become workers who bring in the plants and have lines in the play. This gives them that little extra."
The play will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $20 each, available at the Paramount box office, by calling 919-583-8432 or online at www.goldsboroparamount.com.