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Sunday, October 03, 2004     Page: 1F

COURTESY OF VH1
   
Judy Fitch Guinosso during her audition in New York City.
    By CAMILLE FIOTI
   
For the Times Leader
   
Judy Fitch Guinosso, a former Dallas resident who was Miss Pennsylvania
1992, is competing with seven other finalists for the role of Shirley
Partridge in the VH1 network’s remake of the hit 1970s show, The Partridge
Family.
   
Auditions will be aired today on VH1 at 9 p.m. for Guinosso and the other
finalists. The top two will be chosen to go head-to-head in a singing and
acting competition. Viewers will then vote on who will be cast as the next
Shirley Partridge. The chosen “family” will begin rehearsals for a sitcom
pilot that will debut on VH1 in late fall.
   
Guinosso’s quest started when she saw a piece on the NBC’s “Today”
several months ago. She decided to apply online and see what would happen. “I
was the only person that tried out for the Shirley part that was chosen in New
York. That was quite a thrill,” she said. “I wasn’t even going to go because
my son had soccer that day.”
   
When Guinosso isn’t shuttling her two sons, Andrew, 8, and Patrick, 5, to
school, soccer practice, and drum or piano lessons, she teaches voice from her
home in Souderton and is also a part-time substitute teacher for the Central
Bucks School District. She sings a variety of music such as pop, jazz and
cabaret. She most recently performed at the famed Odette’s in New Hope. Her
previous venues include Atlantic City and the Poconos.
   
In early August, Guinosso flew to California to undergo a rigorous “boot
camp,” which consisted of acting and vocal lessons. She immediately hit it
off with all of the “Shirley” wannabes. “We’ve all become friends. They’re
the greatest bunch of ladies.”
   
During the camp, she met original cast members David Cassidy and Shirley
Jones. “Shirley is a wonderful lady. She’s very gracious. She gave us all a
big hug and sang for us. David came right up to me and shook my hand.”
   
Guinosso also got to drive the Partridge Family bus around the studio lot a
few times.
   
“I don’t have any experience in acting,” Guinosso said. “If they think I
need to cut all my hair off, then that’s what I’ll do to resemble her more.”
   
She said she’ll miss her family if she is chosen. “I’ve never been away
from my kids more than a week. If I do win the part, which is such a big if,
we’d probably film an episode or two, then be back for the holidays.”
   
Asked about the possibility of becoming a part of a long-term sitcom, she
said “We’d be bi-coastal for awhile. My husband Patrick and I have discussed
this. It’s really OK however this turns out. I have a great life here in
Souderton. I have a wonderful husband and great children. My kids are
well-adjusted and I have a lot of support from my family and friends.”
   
This whole experience still hasn’t sunk it yet, she said. “I still can’t
believe this has happened.”