May 2002 Westchester Playhouse

General Meeting:	Wednesday, May 15 at 8:00 PM.
Hospitality:	Lori and Tony Pereslete will be providing goodies for this meeting.
Workshop:	Jim Crawford has arranged a poetry reading for this month’s workshop.

The Boys Next Door:  This lively comedy by Tom Griffin opened May 3 and plays through June 8.  Be sure to make your reservations to see this play directed by Charlotte Lee Schildkret and produced by Calia Mintzer and Lee Polak.  The cast includes:

                Lucian P. Smith.....Alfonso Freeman (Opening)

                Lucien P. Smith....
                Raphael J. Noble (5/31, 6/1, 6/2, 6/6, 6/7, 6/8)

                Barry.....................Larry Sands                                  Arnold....................Phil Brickey

                Sheila....................Sara Moneymaker                       Jack......................Lawrence Smilgys

                Mr. Klemper...........Chris Roberts                            Norman.................Jeff Marx

                Mr. Hedges, Mr. Corbin, Senator Clarke....Dave Parke

                Mrs. Fremus, Mrs. Warren, Clara.....Lauren Ciancimino

The production staff includes:

                Stage Manager...Frank Roys                                   Assistant Stage Manager... Jennifer Porter

                Set Design.....Bill Buhler                                           Set Decoration...De Cotter

                Master Builders...Frank Olivadoti,
                Dave Whale, and Sheldon Metz

                Construction Supervisor...Sheldon Metz             Choreography......Scot Renfro  

                Light & Sound Design ...Richard Potthoff           Properties.......Judy Polak

                Special Props...Doris Beaudoin,
                Carol Follingstad, R.Potthoff, Frank Roys,
                Adina Silo

                Costume Design...Maria Cohen                               Publicity Photos........Hal Fisher

                Costume Crew. A. Cohen,
                Lauren Ciancimino, JuliaMaggs,
                TrevaMerritt, Dorothy Rochlin

                Special Spider Man Tie
                Original Design & Graphic Design.....Michael Cohen

                Script Supervisor......Barbara McMurray                           Lobby Design...De Cotter

                Auditions....Jeanne Spain, Judy Polak, Jennifer Porter                   

                Booth........Tara Potthoff, Jim Crawford, Kirk B. Larson, Alison Mattiza

The Man Who Came to Dinner:  This comedy by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman will be directed by Gail Bernardi and produced by Sheldon and Arlene Cohen for July/August.  Auditions will have already been held by the time this is being read.  Be sure to attend the meeting to find out who has been cast.  Director Gail Bernardi is putting out a plea for Christmas lights from the 30’s and 40’s (they’re shaped like flames).  If you have some or know of some that can be begged, borrowed, or stolen please contact Gail.  Costume designer Maria Cohen is also on the lookout for pieces from this time period.  If you have anything, please let Maria know.  Mark your calendars now, Work Sunday is June 9.

Blood Brothers:  This year’s exciting musical with book, music, and lyrics by Willy Russell is called “a deeply moving and beautifully delivered piece of theatre” by London Broadcasting.  It is the story of twin brothers separated at birth who grow up unaware of that fact, but become firm friends - and in love with the same girl...until one climactic day.  It has a hauntingly beautiful score.  Casting will be held at the theatre on Saturday, July 6 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM and on Sunday, July 7 from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM.  Blood Brothers will open September 6 and play through October 19.  It is to be directed by Ed Cotter and produced by De Cotter and Carla Coppok.  The musical director is Dean Mora and the choreographer is Victoria Miller.  The following is the character descriptions:

·         Mrs. Johnstone - 25 - 48.  Mother of the twins.  Liverpool accent, blonde, sings several songs, warm personality, loves her children, buys things she can’t afford for them, her heart rules.  She especially loves her twins, Mickey and Edward.  She must not let Edward know she is his mother, but whenever she sees him she wants to touch him, hold him.

·         Mrs. Lyons - 25 - 48.  Wealthy, brunette, upper class, British accent.  Raises twin Edward, whom she loves fiercely.  Sings one song.  Goes from normal housewife to deranged.

·         Mickey - 23.  One of the twins.  Plays ages 7, 14, 18, and 23.  Has a thoroughly engaging personality as he goes through childhood and adolescence.  Liverpool accent.  Sings two songs.  Dynamite part.

·         Edward - 23.  One of the twins.  Has a thoroughly engaging personality.  Wealthy, upper class, British accent.  Sings two songs.  Dynamite part.

·         Narrator - 35 - 45.  Light Liverpool accent.  Charismatic actor.  Must connect with audience.  Sings several songs.

·         Linda - 23.  Plays ages 7, 14, 18, and 23.  Poor, Liverpool accent.  Marries Mickey.  Sings one song.

·         Mr. Lyons - Plays 28 - 51.  Wealthy, upper-class, British accent.  Sings the powerful “Take a Letter Miss Jones”

·         Sammy - 25.  The twins’ older brother.  Plays ages 9, 16, 20, and 25.  Liverpool accent, always in trouble, burns down the school, robs and shoots garage owner.

·         Policeman - 30 - 45.  Vital in final scene.  Must be commanding.  Smaller role.

Ensemble - 5 males, 2 females.  must sing well and act.  It is a vital part of the production from the opening to the final curtain.  Various critical roles will be chosen from the ensemble - teachers, students, creditors, councilors, prison guards, doctors, milkman, mailman, wedding guests, people on dole, policeman, etc.

You are welcome to attend the auditions whether you are reading or not.  Please come!

The Women:  This classic comedy by Clare Luce Boothe has been approved for the May/June 2003 timeslot to be directed by Cathleen Chapin.

Musical Concert Series 2002:  The next show in this series is Blame It on the Movies , music and lyrics by Billy Barnes, compiled and conceived by Ron Able, Billy Barnes, and David Galligan.  It’s to be directed by Vicki Miller and produced by Rocky Miller with musical direction by Anoush Kerovkian. The cast includes:  Elizabeth Bouton, Patricia Butler, Ben Lupejkis, Melanie Marshall, Ryan McCormick, Catherine Rahm, Aileen-Marie Scott, and Jeff Wallach.  It opens Sunday May 12 (Mother’s Day) and plays the following three Sundays through June 2 at 7:00 PM.  Following Blame It on the Movies is The Pirates of Penzance in July and August.  Director Ben Lupejkis will be holding auditions on June 1 from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.  The cast includes 6 women and 9 men.  Auditioners should prepare an upbeat song and a joke!          

                                                                                                                                                                               

Dinner Dance:  The annual Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, June 22 at the Proud Bird.  Tom Brophey is working on the invitations.  The cost will be $30 and the menu will be steak, salmon, or a veggie plate.  The Marcom Masque Awards are Kentwood Players’ own version of Broadway’s Toni Awards.  Ballots have been mailed to members eligible to vote.  Mark your ballot and return it by May 31.  Be sure you sign in the indicated space on the flap of the return envelope.  If you believe you are eligible to vote but have not received a ballot, notify Barbara Brophey immediately.  In order to be eligible to vote you must have seen all six shows in the season from May 2001 to April 2002 as a member.  Since that’s a night to get spiffed up, Maria Cohen encourages all the men out there who need to rent/buy a tuxedo for this or any other event go to Friar Tux and tell them you’re a member of Kentwood Players.  They have been more than generous with their donations to plays and a special thank you is in order! 

This and that (that shouldn’t go unread):  The workshop now has two new drills that were recently purchased. Members Lori Marple Pereslete and Tony Pereslete are holding auditions at the theatre on Saturday, May 25 from 10:00 - 12:00 for an original short film “Day Zero” for their production company, Imagn*nation Pictures.  This is a five minute long science/speculative fiction themed short.  There are three characters:

                Karen - a college student, early 20’s, carries her schoolbooks to her part time job as a                                        telephone directory assistance operator

                Brent - a surfer dude, mid 20’s, not a serious college student

                Street Bum - says 2 words

                Supervisor - officious, not otherwise described

If you are interested in auditioning call (310)596-9884 for a ten minute time slot.  Bring a head shot and resume to the audition.

                                                                                                                                                                               

2002-2003 Board of Directors:  The nominating committee’s slate will be elected by acclamation since no nominations were made from the floor.  Therefore, next year’s Board of Directors will be:

                President:  Margie Bates                                                   Vice President:  Gert Nord                     

                Post Cards/Programs:  Tom Brophey                Technical Manager:  Kirk Larson

                Secretary:  Catherine Rahm                    Publicity:  Linda Parke

                   Treasurer:  Sheldon Cohen                                   Season Tickets:  Dave Parke    

                Box Office:  Bill Harred                                 Theatre Parties:  Calia Mintzer                     

                Bulletin:  Jenny Boone                                            Workshops/Scheduling:  Arlene Cohen

                House Manager:  Shellee James                      Plays Reading Chair:  De Cotter

                Production Manager:  Max Stormes                Plays Committee:  Alison Mattiza

                                                                                                                                                         Scot Renfro

Here, There, and Everywhere:  Jaz Davison does not know the meaning of idle.  For those who missed her in A Month in the Country it re-opened April 26 and is playing through May 26 with performances Fridays at 8:00 and Sundays at noon at the Knightsbridge located at 1944 Riverside Drive.  For reservations call (626)440-0821.  Jaz and her son, Casey (along with Don Schlosserman) will be appearing in the Knightsbridge production of Assassins which runs May 4 - June 9.  And finally, Jaz will be directing Much Ado About Nothing (set in Las Vegas 1963) for the Knightsbridge Pasadena Theater July 12 - August 18.  If you are interested call Jaz for information.   Long distance member Jerry Less recently directed a provocative new drama by Ben Alexander, “Chemistry Lab,” a show with a surprising plot and a lot of prospects.  Dee Turquand has been in Illinois dealing with her parents’ house.  She was scheduled April 25 for her 5th foot surgery (removing the metal staple from her heel which they think is the cause of a lot of problems).  Good luck! Kristen Miller (Vicki and Rocky’s daughter) will be one of three female spies in She Spies a new NBC series to premiere Saturday, July 20 at 10:00 PM.  Mel Oshins with former KP Dinner Dance entertainer Steve Berliner will be presenting 100 Years of Music/A Century of Song for the Desert Sands Unified School District.

Celebrations:  Happy May Birthday wishes to Fran Leslie (5/3), Dagmar Schnauss (5/6), Toni Gonzalez (5/12), Pauline Harred (5/14), Elisabeth Minihan (5/15), Judy Polak (5/16), Treva Merritt (5/18), Mel Oshins (5/22), Hetty Sless (5/26),  Pamla Abramson (5/28), Gloria Rosen (5/30), Dorothea Kavanaugh (5/31), and Rocky Miller (5/31).  Happy Anniversary to Charlotte and Arnold Schildkret (5/2), Arlene and Sheldon Cohen (5/14), and Rudi and Dorothea Toepfer (5/24).  Belated birthday wishes to Carl Price who is 22 1/2.  (He would have turned 90 had there been a February 29th this year!)  He celebrated with a party on February 28. 

Just for the record:  Please...if you want something placed in the bulletin, call (310)204-1838 or e-mail me (N6KOA.J@JUNO.COM)!  I try to write the bulletin the Sunday following the Board Meeting (which is the first Wednesday of the month).  It’s very helpful to have the information before that day.   Until next month!

                                                                                                                                                                                                Jenny