General Meeting

The General Meeting this month will be on Wednesday, April 19, 2006, 8:00 PM at the theater, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Hospitality

April meeting hospitality will be provided by Maria Pavone and Michael Allen. Thanks!!

Workshop

The workshop for April will be the first act of M BUTTERFLY, by David Henry Hwang, directed by Sheldon Metz. The cast includes Barry Silver, Paul S Leach, Scot Renfro, Maria Pavone, Randy Ball, Jen Fox, Alicia Sprague, Morgan Wilday and Jerith Sweazea.

Romeo & Juliet, by William Shakespeare
March/April Production

Romeo & Juliet, directed by Don Schlossman and produced by Ed Cotter, closed on April 15 after a very successful run. Hope everyone had a chance to see this excellent production of one of Shakespeare’s best known plays.

The Emperor’s New Clothes, by Blanche Marvin

The Emperor's New Clothes, by Blanche Marvin, directed by Shari Barrett and produced by Charlotte Lee Schidkret, closed on April 1 after three successful Saturday afternoon performances with lots of happy kids and parents in the audiences. According to Shari, many parents asked when our next children's show would be since they were so pleased with this one! I actually spoke to parents who live in the neighborhood and just happened to be driving by when they saw the crowd out front and stopped to get more information! A real neighborhood success story! Maybe we should put a sandwich board at the curb or keep the inflatable jester on the front patio more often as attention getters! Shari wishes to thank everyone involved with the production, especially Charlotte for all her dedication to the show, Tom Brophey for his booth magic, Dominique Walter for her backstage assistance, all the Kentwood ushers, and special thanks to the wonderful and talented cast including Jeffrey Culp as the Lord-Minister of War, Christy Lee Engels as Lady Caroline, Hal Fisher as Domer the Merchant-Tailor, Lauren Friedman as Cricket the Jester, Marlene Grinde as Lady Deirdre and Daniel A. Tennant as King Eric, Emperor of Sylvania.

The Fantasticks, Book & Lyrics by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt
May/June Production

The show, directed by Kirk Larson and produced by Lori A. Marple-Pereslete, opens May 5, 2006 and closes June 17, 2006.

Kirk and Lori announced the following cast:

Greg Abbott - Hucklebee
Robert Davis - Mortimer
Bevan Michael Haynes - Matt
Ben Lupejkis - Bellomy
Holly Sedillos - Luisa
Jon Sparks - El Gallo
Max Heldring Stormes - Henry
Andrew Zimmer - Mute

George Washington Slept Here, Moss Hart & George Kaufman
July/August Production

Playing July 7, 2006 through August 12, 2006. Work Sunday is scheduled for June 18, 2006.

Our July/August 2006 Production of George Washington Slept Here by Moss hart & George Kaufman, will be directed by Phil Brickey. Producers Shari Barrett and Charlotte Lee Schildkret will be seeking crew members, so contact them if you are interested in working on the show. GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE chronicles the trials and tribulations of Newton Fuller who craves - and gets - "a little place in the country to call his own," where locals claim George Washington slept during the Revolutionary War. But Newton's dream house turns out to be one of those rundown, waterless, and almost roofless houses that dot the picturesque countryside. Hilarity follows his every move!

Phil Brickey provided the following cast breakdown:

Mr. Kimber-Caretaker, 40-70, quite funny part.
Newton-Average man, 40’s, needs great comic timing.
Annabelle-his wife, attractive and smart, 40’s, needs great comic timing.
Madge-their daughter, pretty, 20’s.
Steve-Madge’s boyfriend, 20’s, intelligent.
Katie-the cook, 20’s/30’s.
Mrs. Douglas-40-70, neighbor, local historian.
Clayton-40’s, local actor, handsome.
Rena-Clayton’s wife, 35-45, actress.
Hester-the maid, same age as Katie the cook, scene stealing part.
Raymond-able to play 15, very naughty nephew.
Uncle Stanley-60’s, the rich uncle, very funny part.
Leggett-Madge’s friend, 20’s.
Tommy- Madge’s friend, 20’s.
Sue- Madge’s friend, 20’s.
Miss Wilcox- Madge’s friend, 20’s.
Mr. Prescott-50’s, the nasty neighbor.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, May 6 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Callbacks from Saturday and new faces will be seen on May 7 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Please call Phil Brickey @(310)829-7020 if you want to check out a script or if you have a question.

Most Happy Fella, Music, Lyrics & Book by Frank Loesser
September/October Production

Playing Dates: September 8, 2006 through October 21, 2006. Work Sunday: 8/20/06

Our September October Production for 2006 will be THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, to be directed by Ben Lupejkis. Producers on this production will be Rocky and Vicki Miller.

Nicholas Nickleby, by Gregory Blair
November/December Production

Playing Dates: November 10, 2006 through December 16, 2006. Work Sunday: 10/22/2006.

Our November/December Production for 2006 will be NICHOLAS NICKLEBY to be directed by August Vivirito. The Board has approved Christine Joëlle Torreele as producer for Nicholas Nickleby.

Steve Allen’s The Wake
January/February Production

Playing dates: January 13, 2007 through February 18, 2007. Work Sunday: 12/16/06.

The board has approved our January February Production for 2007 as The Wake, by Steve Allen to be directed by Sheldon Metz.

12th Night or What You Will, by William Shakespeare
March/April Production 2007

The board has approved 12th Night, by William Shakespeare for our March/April 2007 Production, to be directed by Bill Goldyn.

Follies, Book by James Goldman, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
May/June Production

Our May/June Production will be FOLLIES, to be directed by Ed Cotter.

Nominating Committee

Our Nominating Committee for 2006/2007 Officers and Board Members have been named as Sheldon Metz, Margie Bates, Gert Nord, Scot Renfo and Gail Barnardi. Please contact any member of the committee to nominate a candidate for the 2006 – 2007 slate. Nominations can also be made from the floor at the April or May General Meeting. Remember that to nominate a candidate, permission must first be obtained from the candidate one intends to nominate.

Slate:

President, vote for one Ben Lupejkis
Sheldon Metz
Vice President Gail Bernardi
Secretary Jeanne Spain
Treasurer Catherine Rahm
Box Office Chair Julia Maggs
Bulletin Chair Larry Jones
House Manager Melvin Miller
Production Manager Lori A. Marple Pereslete
Programs & Postcards Tom Brophey
Technical Manager Jim Crawford
Publicity Shari Barrett
Season Tickets Jenny Boone
Special Theater Parties Calia Mintzer
Workshops/Scheduling Gert Nord
Plays Committee Chair Sheridan Cole
Plays Committee, vote for 2 Alison Mattiza
Vada Foster
Christine Joëlle Torreele
Michael Murphy

Dinner Dance

Calia wrote to say, invitations will be going out by the end of April. Be sure and keep June 24th open to celebrate with your Kentwood Family. If you are a member and have seen all the plays you will be receiving a ballot from Barbara Brophey so you can vote for your favorites. Ben Lupejkis is working on a fabulous program, which will continue our tradition of great Dinner Dance Programs! We have a great caterer who will provide a marvelous buffet dinner and a excellent Dance Band who will get you up on your feet!

We will be having ads and personal greetings in our program. If you know of anyone who wants to advertise or place a greeting, the prices are as follows: whole page $50.00, half page $35.00, l/4 page $25.00, Business Card or personal line $l0.00. Please enclose your copy or business card with a check made out to Kentwood Players and mail to 830l Hindry Ave, LA 90045, attention Julia Maggs. Julia is in charge of the ads again this year

Sad News to Report

Charlotte Lee Schildkret left a note: Sheldon Cohen’s mother, Ester, 92 years of age, quietly passed away Tuesday night, March 28, from complications of Alzheimer’s. Kentwood Players will remember how she enjoyed Opening Nights and sitting in the front row close to the action. Services will be held in Philadelphia, and upon the return home of Sheldon and Arlene, plans may be made to have a memorial here. In the meantime, contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Jewish Home for the Aged, Eisenberg Facility 18855 Victory Boulevard, Reseda, CA 91335.

More Sad News to Report

Maria Cohen advised Charlotte Lee Schildkret, “Death has struck the Kentwood family again. My brother, Fidel Armendariz, passed away after a long illness Friday, March 31, and I am going to be with my family.”

Announcements

Dave Parke has been cast in the leading role of Dan Chandler in an original play entitled Junebug Versus Hurricane, written by Erin Chandler, the granddaughter of Happy Chandler, twice the governor of Kentucky and was the baseball commissioner who let Jackie Robinson play in Major League Baseball. The play opens April 9, 2006 at The Lost Theater, 130 La Brea, Hollywood. According to Dave, Happy's wife was in the theater when the show was cast and thought Dave was perfect casting for her husband! Dave said the casting was done by well known Hollywood casting agent Lisa Pantone. He also said the last cast at this theater, not only did the play, but also did the movie, which was cast and filmed after the play closed! See Dave for tix and times.

After a successful, critically acclaimed run in Merrily We Roll Along as Gussie, Aileen-Marie Scott is thrilled to be playing Beverly with a stellar cast in The Shadow Box. Run dates are May 26 through June 4, 2006. PHILLIPS HALL THEATRE on the campus of SANTA ANA COLLEGE, call 714-564-5661 for more information and tickets.

Also Knightsbridge Theatre (Aileen is a new member and will be pouring wine) is holding "The Bard’s Birthday Bash.” The fun starts at 7:30 pm and will be bawdily boisterous with dancing until 2 am! $10 cover for reserve tickets and $15 cover charge at the door -- both include one free raffle ticket, free hors d'oeuvres and more yummy food. Email to reserve tickets at BardBashGuestList@yahoo.com. This will be held April 21, 2006 at Knightsbridge theatre 1944 Riverside Drive, LA 90039.

Ed Cotter announces he is directing THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, by Martin McDonagh, at The Little Fish Theater, 777 Center Street, San Pedro, CA. The show opens April 28 and closes May 27 and the cast includes some familiar names; Susan Gordon, Don Schlossman, Drew Fitzsimmons and Jo Black. Tickets will be $18/$16 Seniors and Students. Reservations: 310 512 6030. Director Ed Cotter described the play as an Irish Thriller with laughs!

Phil Massi wrote to say he just became grandpa to #5, Christina Arianna Ruiz, born March 18 to daughter, Lori & son-in-law, Henry--it's their second. In addition to the long-running role of grandpa, Phil has hit the boards again. In Feb he appeared as the 'Wazir' in a concert version of KISMET at the Palm Canyon Theater in Palm Springs. He is presently in rehearsal for the College of the Desert production of GUYS & DOLLS in the role of Nathan Detroit. The show will be performed at the popular McCallum Theater in Palm Desert. Tickets are now available thru the McCallum box office (760)340-2787 tickets range $20-$30. Play dates Fri., Sat., Sun. May 19 and 20, 8:00 PM and May 20-21, 2:00 PM. Phil says, be sure to come backstage and say hi after the show.

Barbara Boone wrote to say she will be singing with the Verdi Chorus in its 2005 Spring Concerts, April 29th, at 7:30 p.m. and April 30th, at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, 1008 - 11th Street, Santa Monica. For tickets, call Thelma Sherman at 310-826-8309.

Susan Stangl will be playing Mrs. Savage in "The Curious Savage" at the Whitmore-Lindley Theatre in NoHo (11006 Magnolia, at the corner of Vineland - ample street parking on Vineland). Performances run April 15 through May 7, Sat @ 8 and Sun @ 7:30. Call 310-210-0910 for reservations (theatre holds about 40 people).

Mel Oshins wrote to say: Amanda Abel is Eddie Cantor's granddaughter. Eddie Cantor was one of my idols. What a thrill to be doing a show with her.

MUSICAL CHAIRS PAYS TRIBUTE TO IRVING BERLIN WITH MAY SHOW

The May Musical Chairs concerts, entitled "Say it with Music," will present a tribute to Irving Berlin, one of American's most famous songwriters. Noted cabaret performer Perry Wood will be the show's headliner. Two preview performances will be at Joslyn Center Theatre in Palm Desert on Mon., May 8, with two concerts on Wed., May 10, at the Palm Springs Art Museum's Annenberg Theater. "Irving Berlin, quite simply, is American music as far as I'm concerned," said Founder and Producer Derrik Lewis. "When you join us in May, you'll hear some of Berlin's most familiar tunes and some of his most interesting, undiscovered gems!" The Musical Chairs singers will perform many of Berlin's most loved songs, like "Blue Skies," "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody," "Always," "There's no Business Like Show Business," "Cheek to Cheek," "Marie," "Change Partners," "Easter Parade," and "Putting on the Ritz." Joining Wood on stage will be Amanda Abel, Susan Cadham; Ben Reece and Mel Oshins. Wayne Abravanel is musical director. May's preview concerts at Joslyn are on the same day, Mon., May 8, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Address: 73-750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert. Joslyn members $20; non-members $22. Tickets available at Joslyn beginning April 24. Call 760/340-3220. The Palm Springs Art Museum Annenberg Theater concerts will be on Wed., May 10, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Address: 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs. Bargain matinee: $28; evening show, $32. Call 760/325-4490 for tickets. For group sales, call 760/416-5353.

LAPD Emergency Assistance

Charlotte Lee Schildkret wrote to let us know our go to LAPD officer for emergencies occurring at the theater. According to Charlotte, the Pacific Division is divided into five areas and the officer assigned to the area including the theater is: Thomas Wicks, #26522, cell phone: 310/622-3978 and Email 26522@LAPD.LACITY.ORG.

April Birthdays

Max Heldring Stormes 4/12, Adina Silo 4/13, Kathleen Chapin 4/14, Ron Wisansky 4/15, Dassa Kalmanson 4/16, Doris Shoumaker 4/16, Dorothea Toepfer 4/17, Alice Lunsford 4/22.

April Anniversaries

Larry & Jenny Boone 4/8, Jon & Pamla Abramson 4/20. Note: Inadvertently omitted from last month’s bulletin: Michael and Marlene Grinde 3/30.

Larry Jones