Exclusive Interview: Andrew Papa and Gavin Rapuzzi from UofD Mercy's 'The Grown Ups'

Growing older is just an aspect of life that everyone has to come to terms with; however, growing up is something entirely different. Maturity can come with age, but other factors force adolescents to grow up faster than they should have to, trading their innocence for the reality of whatever situation they're living through. We see this all too often today with the state of the world, and it's a significant influence in Simon Henriques and Skylar Fox's play The Grown Ups. Developed during the most recent global pandemic, The Grown Ups explores a group of camp counselors who are forced to mature rapidly as the world falls apart. This thought-provoking show is arriving soon at the University of Detroit Mercy's Theatre Company, closing out their season with yet another incredible performance. Ahead of its premiere, we spoke with the show's director, Andrew Papa, and one of the cast members, Gavin Rapuzzi. In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Papa and Rapuzzi discuss the importance of a show such as The Grown Ups, especially in a world with mounting strife and tension. Papa explores some of the creative choices made to remain faithful to the original play, which was made to be performed around a campfire outside. At the same time, Rapuzzi speaks on what drew him to this role and how he's developed the character of Lukas from the page to the rehearsal room. Together, these two paint a picture of why this was the right time to tell this story and how UofD Mercy is working hard to provide a unique theatrical experience! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or visit check out our Linktree!