Photos by Joan Marcus
Last year, Plant City resident Giselle Gutierrez was cast in a Broadway musical production of Mrs. Doubtfire, as Lydia Hillard, the oldest daughter of the lead. Gutierrez acts and sings alongside Tony-nominated leading man, Rob McClure. The 2023-2024 production toured more than 30 cities. So far, the next season lists one engagement in Florida—in West Palm Beach, October 29 – November 3, at the Kravis Center.
Gutierrez grew up in Plant City, graduated from Plant City High School in 2022, and is currently a junior at the University of Central Florida. While she is on a break between seasons, the Plant City Observer interviewed the young performer.
How did you get to this place where you are doing this Broadway show?
“During Covid, I was e-learning and the only elective that was offered on e-learning was musical theater. So, I was kind of forced to take it my junior year. And when I did, I fell in love with it. When I went back to school my senior year, I became super involved in the theater program at Plant City High School, and decided that is what I wanted to do with my career, and for college. I ended up going to the University of Central Florida, majoring in the theater studies B.A. My spring semester of my freshman year of college, my high school theater teacher sent me an open call listing that they were looking for someone 18 or older to play a 15 year old in a new Broadway musical tour. She said, ‘You look 15, you could do this.’ So, I submitted on a whim. I only recorded three tapes, and sent the one that I thought was the best, but didn’t really expect anything from it. When I was back home for spring break during the Strawberry Festival, I got an email saying I received a call back for the show and had to be in New York in three days. So, I scrambled to try to get an airline ticket, and to try to get a hotel booked and everything. I went for the audition, and did another final audition in front of the director, Jerry Zaks. They said they would be in touch with me soon, so then I came back home. Two weeks later I got the call that I booked the job.”
How many people were in the call back?
“I am not 100 percent sure. But I was told at least 1,000 people submitted to the virtual open call, people from Broadway, and what not.”
When did you start singing?
“Ever since I can remember, honestly.”
What about writing and performing at Krazy Kup?
“I was 11 or 12 when I started going to open mics. When I was around 13, I started doing perfomances at Krazy Kup.”
Is it the singing part you like, or the acting part?
“I have always been singing my whole life. I have grown up performing at Krazy Kup, actually. That has kind of been my home base where I played with my originals and stuff. Frank and team are awesome, and have always allowed me to take the stage even when I was super young. That was always my outlet in terms of performing. So, I never really thought of the possibility of joining those—acting and singing—together. It never seemed like something I would be good at, or interested in. But when I finally did it I found so much fulfilment from being able to portray a character, and tell a story through song, which is something that I love because I am a song-writer. So, getting to marry those two things together really just blew me out of the water. It was immediately what I wanted to do.”
What do you like about playing your current role?
“I love how resilient my character is. Her parents are going through a very messy divorce, and through it all she is always finding ways to make sure her younger siblings are okay.”
How long were you gone?
“I have been on this tour for 10 to 11 months. This is my first break. I am here for a month, then I go back on the road starting in the beginning of September.”
What cities did the show play in?
“There were so many. I can tell you my favorites were San Francisco, New Orleans, and Washington, DC. Those are the ones that really stuck out to me.”
How many times have you performed your role in this show?
“It was in the 300s.”
How has your family been through this process?
“They have been extremely supportive and so proud. I am so grateful that they allowed me to just go for it. I know many people don’t have that kind of opportunity. So, I have been super lucky to have great parents, and my sister—they have been so supportive and really lovely. Honestly, it has been super helpful on the road. They always reach out and make sure I am doing okay. It is always nice to be able to talk to people from home when I am so far away.”
Were there any things that were difficult for you about being on the road for so long?
“The hardest part is definitely the inconsistency. I thrive off of having a routine, and being on tour kind of throws a wrench in that. I’ve had to learn to make it feel somewhat normal even when I am changing locations every week.”
How have you grown through this experience with Mrs. Doubtfire?
“I have grown so much as a performer. Working alongside such talented people has been such a learning experience—it is like a masterclass every night.”
What do you plan on doing in the future?
“The goal is really to continue to perform. My agents have been super great, and have already been sending me auditions. After this tour, I am planning on moving to New York, and just hoping that something sticks.”
Gutierrez will again sing at Krazy Kup, the place where she found her voice, on Friday, August 16, from 7-8:30 p.m.