Families that 'do plays' together, stay together

Most have heard the maxim “Families that pray together, stay together.” For some, prayer is more than just words..it is action. For theatre folk, the maxim might better be stated, “Families that 'do plays' together, stay together.” That certainly is the truth for three local families that have spent much of their family time performing onstage and working backstage in community theatre productions.
Angie McBride of Lawtell and Taylor LaCalle of Lafayette are a mother-daughter theatre team. Angie’s sister Missy and Steve Benoit of Lawtell make up a husband-wife theatre duo. Robert and Melanie Soileau of Ville Platte are also a husband and wife theatre couple. All six are performing in this summer’s Eunice Players’ Theatre’s (EPT's) presentation of Godspell.
Angie LaCalle McBride and Taylor LaCalle
Angie, who is directing as well as performing in the show, not only has a sister and brother-in-law in the gig but has also recruited her daughter as a cast member.
It was easy to get daughter Taylor in the show and not unusual for them to perform together. This makes their tenth joint musical, dating back to Fiddler on the Roof at EPT in 2007. This summer's show is the fifth time that the mother has directed her daughter, but as Angie noted, “Well, I have been directing her since the day she was born!”
It’s amazing how mothers and daughters think alike. Angie’s and Taylor’s responses to their theatre experiences were the same. Both said that their favorite thing about being onstage at the same time was that they love singing together. Both mother and daughter said that the most important lesson they have taken while sharing in theatrical work has been learning to be patient with each other.
The first time that the two shared the stage in Fiddler was (coincidentally) also the production where Angie met her husband Duncan McBride. Duncan has been the president of the Opelousas Little Theatre for some time now and as fate would have it, he went out on a limb and auditioned for Fiddler, his first show outside of OLT. Angie came in as a last minute replacement for a cast member. All total, Angie and her husband have now performed in 13 shows together.
Both Angie and Taylor are making their second Godspell appearances. The mother first performed in the EPT show in 1994. The daughter was in the OLT 'Godspell' production in 2014.
Missy and Steve Benoit
Missy, who is singing, playing the tambourine, and handling costumes for this summer’s production shared the following: “We began acting as a family in 2000. We raised our two daughters, Lauren and Ashley, in the theatre. Ashley was a pre-schooler and couldn’t even read when we all did ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at OLT. She had to memorize lines and cues."
"You will usually find us together in a production. We’ve done straight plays (dramas, etc.), but we mostly enjoy musicals and comedies. We’ve acted, sang, played music, built sets, and designed and created costumes -anything that needed doing! (even bathrooms!)."
“So many times, we’ve gone backstage to find other cast members helping our kids with homework! It may not take a village, but it does take a theatre family!”
Steve, who is playing the bass guitar, for now, his fourth 'Godspell' production, said, “Music, to me, is very special and personal. It motivates me and makes me feel good. I was meant to play music. 'Godspell' music is challenging but rewarding. I enjoy the story of 'Godspell.' It’s been told many times over, but it never gets old!”
Mr. and Mrs. Benoit have performed together in their own professional band The Blues Brothers of Louisiana. The band was made up of castmates from the OLT 'Godspell' show from 2004.
Melanie and Robert Soileau
Melanie and Robert are cast members onstage, both with their own spotlighted moments and solos this summer.
Melanie said, “This is our third onstage production together. We were both in 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' and 'Gilligan’s Island' - both at Opelousas Little Theatre. We’ve helped backstage for a couple shows here at EPT as well.”
“Both of us did a show while in high school. Robert’s was Grease at Sacred Heart, and I was in EPT’s 'Godspell' 25 years ago while a student at Basile. We have remained active musically at our church since then. So the love of the performing arts was something we each brought to the table. Being able to share that mutual joy with each other just makes our relationship stronger. Going over lines/songs and getting feedback from each other is an added bonus. Being in a show together can make life pretty hectic. LOL.”
Melanie added, “Word of advice to those who would like to undertake this as a couple: Plan ahead and be there for each other in the ‘oh, Lord, I’m so tired - how am I going to get through this’ phase that always comes with a show. Ultimately though, it’s an experience that we can cherish and reminisce about with each other for years to come.”
Robert had this to say, “The task of performing a show as a couple is not the easiest thing to accomplish, but being on stage and hearing the applause from the crowd is priceless. And getting to do this together is one more experience that we can share as a couple. We have met some of the most wonderful people at the theatre and that has grown into lasting friendships. I would not trade a single moment. Oh, and, advice from a husband? Be prepared to build sets. LOL.”
Show information
This summer’s production of Godspell will include eight 7 p.m. shows and one 2 p.m. matinee. Opening night is Tuesday, July 16 with the run continuing nightly through Friday, July 19. The theatre will be dark Saturday, July 20 and will reopen Sunday, July 21 for the matinee. Evening performances follow on Monday, July 22; Tuesday, July 23; Thursday, July 25; and Saturday, July 27.
Tickets are $15 and are available at Beaucoup, 114 Second Street, in downtown Eunice, located directly across from the theatre. VISA or Mastercard card ticket purchases may be made by phone by calling 337-550-4727
The musical is NOT a part of the season ticket holders’ package. This popular musical for all ages will likely sell out, so get your tickets early.