SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Step inside Gabby’s Dollhouse on the big screen, full of adventure, friendship, and sparkle. Tomatometer-approved critic and celebrity interviewer Patrick Beatty chats with Gabby herself, Laila Lockhart Kraner, about her favorite characters, the magic of bringing her world to life, and how the movie reminds fans of all ages to keep their sense of wonder. From underwater portals to Pandy Pack adventures, this is a conversation full of heart, fun, and a little mischief, just like Gabby.
Patrick B: If you could be itty-bitty and go inside the dollhouse, which room would we most likely find you in?
Laila Lockhart Kraner: My choice is the bathroom, because in there, there’s a little rug, kind of. But it’s actually a portal to an underwater world where I can be a mermaid. There are marlins and adventures I’ve always wanted to explore, so I’d definitely dive under the water.
Patrick B: The story really emphasizes not losing your sense of wonder. As you get older, that sparkle can fade. What’s something kids can take from the movie to help them hold onto that spark as they grow up?
Laila Lockhart Kraner: Yeah, I think kids have no limits when it comes to creativity and imagination, that’s the magic of being young, it feels endless. But it’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to disappear as you get older. Sometimes kids worry about what comes next, and this movie is a reminder that you can keep creating, keep playing, and keep having fun. It’s also a great message for adults, that spark, that magic, never really goes away. You just have to embrace it and let yourself have fun.
Patrick B: The other question I got was about Gabby Katz. There are so many great ones, but which would be your favorite to go on an adventure with, just you and them?
Laila Lockhart Kraner: Ooh, for me personally, after being Gabby for so long, I have to say Pandy Paws. He’s always been my best friend on the show, and that’s who I started out with. Even in my audition tape, I used a little stuffed animal that I cut open to make into a puppet. Pandy has always been special to me. Plus, his Pandy Pack comes in handy on any adventure. So my answer is Pandy.
Patrick B: So, wait, did you say you used one of the dolls that you had as a puppet for your audition?
Laila Lockhart Kraner: Yeah, I did, I kind of gutted it a little bit, and I took her stuffing and I cut it open. But yeah, I had a lot of fun.
Patrick B: How did you approach performing in live action versus in the recording booth? Did you adjust your performance for one over the other, or did you try to bring the same energy to both?
Laila Lockhart Kraner: When I first started the show, it was a whole new process. I’d never done voiceover work before. But it was so much fun. I brought the same energy I use in live action, looking at the camera and connecting with the audience, into the booth. Sometimes I’d even act the same way, waving and moving around, even though I didn’t have to. Keeping that energy was important because with animation, the facial expressions don’t always come through, so you have to bring it a little bigger in the booth.
“Gabby’s Dollhouse The Movie” is in theaters Friday, and for more fun reviews and interviews, check out See It or Skip It.
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