Shelton author Gary Scarpa
SHELTON – Though he retired five years ago from a 43-year career in the theater, Gary Scarpa knows the show must go on.
So, rather than retreat to the rocking chair, the 72-year old Shelton native is now enjoying his golden years as an author.
The former Shelton educator and Center Stage theater founder recently penned his third novel.
The book, “Still Life,” was released in October. The self-published work of fiction is Scarpa’s latest offering in a series of what he dubs ‘coming of age’ stories. In the novel, Gabriel DeMarco, a recent high school graduate in the early 1970s, embarks on a summer journey of “self-discovery in the midst of a revolutionary historical period,” Scarpa said.
DeMarco is loosely based on Scarpa’s own life growing up in the Valley. Readers will recognize nods to the Valley in scenes that take place at Shelton High School, Duchess Restaurant, and Southern Connecticut State University.
“The story has all of the elements of navigating late adolescence,” Scarpa said. “Anyone that’s my age or older, I hope that reading this book makes them remember the 1960s and the revolutionary time that it was, and the many events that took place from Vietnam and Civil Rights protests to JFK’s assassination.”
Scarpa said Gabriel, stuck in awkward limbo between boyhood and manhood, attempts to navigate the world of romantic relationships and contend with a strong-willed father, all while dealing with repeated losses, leaving him disillusioned and directionless, Scarpa said.
Scarpa said Gabriel ends up having “a really important experience” that wakes him up and sets him on his future path, Scarpa said.
“Gabriel gains a maturity and wisdom about life in general and the opposite sex through what happens to him late in the book,” Scarpa said.
Scarpa said it took him about a year to write “Still Life.” And just like directing hundreds of plays and productions at Center Stage with his wife and two daughters, Scarpa said producing his latest book was a family affair.
Daughter Mia, a budding actress living in New York City, helped Scarpa with character development and edited his latest book.
“When I decided to venture into writing, I knew I needed someone to both edit my work and help me develop my characters and stories,” Scarpa said. “Mia was the perfect person for the job.”
The two Scarpas have a long history of collaborating professionally, having co-directed a number of major musicals together.
“People often ask me what it’s like to work with a family member in this capacity, but we’re both so used to it that it feels very normal to us,” Mia said. “After years of working together in the theater, we Scarpas continue to partner in other endeavors.”
Mia also assists her sister, Gina, in the voiceover business.
Scarpa said he and Mia created their own publishing company called Next Chapter Press. He said at this stage in his life, at age 72, it was easier to go the independent, self-publishing route rather than go through the costly process to seek out a literary agent and a publisher.
“The independent route gives us complete control over our timelines and our literary choices, from the cover to the last chapter,” Scarpa said.
Speaking of his next chapter, Scarpa said he’s already well into writing his fourth book, this time a non-fiction memoir about his more than four-decades career in the theatrical world.
“In retrospect, I had my mind set on getting a masters degree in creative writing, and was not really interested in the theater – I had never even seen a Broadway play,” Scarpa recalled.
But at age 21, working on his English degree at SCSU, Scarpa said a guy named Duke (a Jerry Garcia-lookalike who makes an appearance in “Still Life”), encouraged him out of the blue to audition for a play. From there, Scarpa never looked back.
Scarpa said fate plays a major role in all his books, and thanks to that encouragement from Duke long ago, Scarpa has enjoyed a rewarding career. Having written and published three books in four years, Scarpa said the words just continue to pour out of him.
“I have all these ideas, and while my body might be slowing down, my brain won’t stop,” Scarpa said. “There’s a lot of creative juices left in the tank.”
Scarpa, who is also a pianist, said he’s always been a creative person, having once been in a high school rock band called The Insight Out.
For more information about Gary’s novels visit his website.
“Still Life” can be purchased online at Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
