September 2001 Westchester Playhouse

West Side Story: September 7 marked the grand opening of this classic musical playing through October 20. Director Jeff Wallach and Producers Michelle Rosen and Richard Potthoff wish to thank the following people:

Vicki Miller, Bill Wolfe, Scot Renfro, Melanie Marshall, Barbara McMurray, Brett Elliot, Alison and Van Mattiza, Frank Roys, De Cotter, and Sheldon Metz.

Their thanks and those of the cast and crew are also extended to the people that participated on Work Sunday:

Miriam Amster, Maria & Michael Cohen, Joe Fagan, Allyn Franklin, Bill Goldyn, Kirk Larson, Julia Maggs, Treva Merritt, Gert Nord, Frank Olivadoti, David Parke, Jr., Dave Parke, Sally Pierce, Judy & Lee Polak, Fatima Potthoff, Dorothy Rochlin, Charlotte Lee Schildkret, Adina Silo, Jeanne Spain,

Ruling Class: By the time you read this director Jaz Davison will have the cast selected for this play by Peter Barnes. The cast will be written up in next month’s bulletin. Producer De Cotter will also have her crew confirmed for publication next month!

The Man Who Came to Dinner: This comedy by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman has been approved by the board for July/August 2002 with Gail Bernardi as director.

Forty Carats: Director Sheridan Cole is looking for a producer for this March/April 2002 production. Please contact Sheridan or production chairperson Sheldon Metz if you are interested.

Musical Concert Series: Open auditions for The Mikado, to be directed by Ben Lupejkis, will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 11:00 AM - 3 PM and Sunday, September 23 at 7:00 PM. The following cast breakdown is for principals only. No chorus will be used in these staged concert performances.

Nanki-Poo Lyric Baritone or Tenor - Romantic lead

Mikado Bass-Baritone Pooh-Bah Bass-Baritone

Pish-Tush Baritone Yum-Yum Soprano/Ingenue

Ko-Ko Lyric Baritone/Character quality

Pitti-Sing Mezzo Soprano Peep-Bo Alto

Katisha Coloratura

All parts require excellent musicians with strong acting and comedic ability. British accents will not be required; however, crisp, clear diction will. Those auditioning are required to bring an uptempo and a ballad appropriate to Gilbert and Sullivan and should be prepared to present 16 bars. An accompanist will be provided. To schedule an appointment, please call (323)931-4664.

Hospitality Thank you from Rope:

Gretchen Luna (x2), Julia Maggs (x3), Jeanne Spain, Adina Silo, Dorothea & Rudi Toepfer, Bill Harred, Toula Pessah (x2), Michael & Maria Cohen, Barbara Boone (x2), Max Stormes(x2), Bob & Dagmar Schnauss, Eileen Cipriano, Lee Polak, Tom & Barbara Brophey, Frank Roys, Toni La Monica, Bill & Mary Buhler, Ron & Judy Wisansky, Hal Fisher, Dick Freytag, Calia Mintzer, Charlotte Schildkret (x2), Susan Stangl, Bill Goldyn, and one other person whose name I couldn’t read.

This and that (that shouldn’t go unread): Linda Parke, publicity chairperson, would like people to put publicity clippings in her mailbox in the box office....PLEASE! Once again we will be participating in a parade. This time it’s the Westchester Holiday Parade on Sunday, December 9. Stay tuned to future bulletins for more information. Check out our website, there are new pictures of the Awards and the 4th of July parade.

Workshop News: The October workshop will once again be our renowned Music Hall. If you are interested in performing, sign up with Jeff Wallach! Like last year, there will be a rehearsal and a run through prior to the meeting performance on October 17.

Here, There, and Everywhere: Katie Amstutz from Laughter on the 23rd Floor will be performing in Towards Zero at Theatre Palisades through September 29 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. James Manley Greene is appearing as Will in Bus Stop at the Huntington Beach Playhouse from September 14 until October 7. For tickets and information call James at (310)377-7927. Toni La Monica will be playing Mrs. Buchanan in The Eccentricities of a Nightingale by Tennessee Williams at the Morgan-Wixon Theatre. It plays through October 7. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. There is a Saturday matinee on September 22 at 2:00 PM. The Morgan-Wixon is located at 2627 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica. Mindy Fabanio (from Cabaret) is giving a concert on Sunday, October 28 at 1:00 PM at Founder’s Church (3281 W. 6th Street in Los Angeles). Tickets are $5.00 at the door. Parking is free. For more information call the church at (213)388-9733. Dee Turquand once again needed surgery on her Achilles tendon on August 28. She’s looking forward to being able to show up at Kentwood without a cane, walker, or limp. We wish her a speedy and complete recovery. Barbara Boone and her daughter Karen recently spent 10 days enjoying and eating their way through Paris. Dorothy Schrenzel recently moved to Florida to be near her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters. (See roster info for her new address.)

Happy News: There’s much to celebrate this month! On August 5 Diane Jenkins became Mrs. Scott Keitter. They were married at the chapel at Pepperdine with Diane’s mother, Jean, and her aunt Sally Pierce in attendance. On August 12 Sally’s sister, Estelle Abrams celebrated her 85th birthday with a lavish Hawaiian party thrown by her children. Finally, there’s a new Kentwood member on the horizon. Phil and Valerie Brickey became the proud parents of a baby girl born on August 22 at 7:05 PM at UCLA Medical Center. Madeline Emma came into this world at 7 lbs., 5 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long.

Celebrations: Happy September Birthdays to Allyn Franklin (9/3), David Abrams (9/11), Alfonso Freeman (9/13), Gail Bernardi (9/14), Larcenia Freeman(9/16), Sheldon Cohen (9/17), Diane Jenkins Keitter (9/19), Margie Bates (9/21), Conny Sless (9/27), Gretchen Luna (9/27), and Sheridan Cole (9/29). Happy Anniversary to Linda and Sheldon Metz (9/1), Ron and Eliezer Hastings (9/9), and Vicki and Rocky Miller (9/11).

Just for the record: If you have any information to go in next month’s bulletin please get it to me as early as possible, preferably by e-mail N6KOA.J@JUNO.COM., but as always you can leave a phone message, (310)204-1838.

Until next month,