General Meeting

The General Meeting this month will be on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 8:00 PM at the theater, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Hospitality

Hospitality for May will be provided by Judy & Lee Polak Happy Birthday Meeting Judy! Thanks so much!

Workshop

Sheldon Metz will direct the May 2007 Workshop, ORANGE FLOWER WATER, with Drew Fitzsimmons and Meredith M. Sweeney.

After Meeting Workshop Program

Workshop Chairperson Gert Nord said Workshops are available. Contact Gert Nord to schedule one for you and a few close friends…

Follies, Book by James Goldman, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

May/June Production

Our May/June Production is FOLLIES, Book by James Goldman, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Ed Cotter and produced by De Cotter. The show opened May 4 and closes June 16.

Follies opened with a full house and a standing ovation. They finished the weekend with happy, near capacity crowds. Director Ed Cotter and Producer De Cotter thanks their cast, crew and the Fantastic Kentwood Family for making their opening weekend so outstanding!

The Cast

Ben Stone Don Schlossman
Buddy Plummer Ben Lupejkis
Sally Durant Plummer Susan Weisbarth
Phyllis Stone Susie McCarthy
Roscoe Rocky Miller
Emily Whitman Sheridan Cole Crawford
Theodore Whitman Greg Abbott
Young Ben Cory Pearce
Young Buddy Drew Fitzsimmons
Young Phyllis Melissa Strauss
Young Sally Meredith M. Sweeney
Dmitri Weismann Max Heldring Stormes
Hattie Walker Calia Mintzer
Heidi Schiller Jean Nix
Solange La Fitte Victoria Miller
Stella Deems Patricia Butler
Mr. Deems Russell Ham
Chauffer Matthew Artson
Carlotta Campion Robyn Rothstein
Christine Donovan Cory Anderson
Guests Hal Fisher, Jeanne Spain
Showgirl Julia Aks
Ensemble Laurel Anderson, Danielle Morris, Tracy LaBorde, Cheryl
Murphy, Shawn Summerer and Peter Miller.

Ed mentioned the show has Bill Wolfe as Musical Director, Vicki Miller as Choreographer, Maria Cohen as costume design and Richard Potthoff as Lighting and Sound Design.

Ed Cotter says, “If you know Stephen Sondheim, I know you’ll be there. If you don’t know about him, you need to see this show with its fabulous Broadway score and with its incredible Kentwood cast of millions!”

Congratulations to Cast, Crew, Director and Producer. Go See this show!!

Follies Work Sunday

Tom Brophey was kind enough to forward the following list of volunteers at Work Sunday for Follies, where lots of great work was accomplished and an incredible feast was laid out before the wary workers:

Greg Abbott, Julia Aks, Michael Allen, Miriam Amster, Laurel Andersen, Cory Anderson, Gail Bernardi, Tom Brophey, Patricia Butler, Geanne Clark, Arlene Cohen, Maria Cohen, Michael I. Cohen, Sheldon Cohen, Jack Coppock, De Cotter, Ed Cotter, Jim Crawford, Sheridan Cole Crawford, Trenekia Danielle, Hal Fisher, Drew Fitzsimmons, Jason Gilmore, James M. Green, Russell Ham, Shellee James, Larry Jones, Henri Laborde, Traci Laborde, Ben Lupejkis, Julia Maggs, Lori Marple-Pereslete, Susie McCarthy, Virginia Mekkelson, Treva Merritt, Sheldon Metz, Melvin Miller, Victoria Miller, Calia Mintzer, Danielle Morris, Cheryl Murphy, Berry Nackos, Gert Nord, Frank Olivadoti, Cory Pearce, Tony Pereslete, Lee Polak, Judy Pollack, Richard Potthoff, Scott Renfro, Robyn Rothstein, Justin Rozell, Valerie Ruel, Charlotte Lee Schildkret, Don Schlossman, Adina Silo, Max Stormes, Melissa Strauss, Shawn Summerer, Meredith M. Sweeney, Susan Weisbarth, Dave Whale, Fred Wolf.

The Constant Wife, by Somerset Maugham

July/August Production

Our July/August Production is THE CONSTANT WIFE, by Somerset Maugham and is directed by Gail Bernardi.

The Constant Wife takes place in 1920’s London and tells the story of a wife who discovers her husband is having an affair with her best friend and cleverly turns it to her advantage. It is as current today as it was then and will undoubtedly be forever.

Gail held auditions on May 5 & 6, with Callbacks on Monday, May 7. Director Gail Bernardi announced the following Cast for THE CONSTANT WIFE.

Congratulations to All!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, by Rupert Holmes

September/October Production

The Board has approved THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, by Rupert Homes, to be our September/October 2007 Production. The show will be directed by Catherine Rahm. According to the director, the cast members are members of an Acting Troupe in Victorian England and the show has alternate, audience involved, endings.

TBA

November/December Production

The Board is voting soon on a new play and a new director. An announcement is imminent!

Proof, by David Auburn

January/February 2008 Production

The Board has approved the play PROOF, by David Auburn, to be directed by Sheldon Metz and assistant directed by Jim Crawford. Sheldon has not announced a director as of this writing, but he did forward the following short description of the play.

Proof was the winner of the 2001 Tony Award for Best Play and also won the Pulitzer prize. It is a wonderfully compassionate and knowing play about a young woman, who, on the death of her father, must sort out and deal with a number of long denied feelings and fears. Her father was a brilliant mathematician who crossed the thin line from genius to insanity several years earlier, leaving his daughter as his sole care giver for all her adult life. Now she must adjust not only to his death, but come to grips with her fear that his mathematical genius, which she has inherited, comes with a dreadful price, that she may be fated to the same mental degeneration and insanity as her father. In a dazzling series of scenes, David Auburn gradually reveals and embellishes this situation, which is exacerbated by the presence of the girl’s older sister, and a former student of her father's who she finds attractive, but who may only be out to further his own career.

Election 2007

The following members have been nominated for 2007/2008

President Sheldon Metz
Vice President Gail Bernardi
Secretary Valerie Ruel*
Treasurer Catherine Rahm
Box Office Julia Maggs
Bulletin Larry Jones
House Manager Russell Ham*
Production Lori A. Marple-Pereslete
Technical Jim Crawford
Post Cards & Programs Susan Weisbarth*
Publicity Shari Barrett
Season Tickets Jenny Boone
Special Theater Parties Calia Mintzer
Workshop Gert Nord
Plays Reading Committee Chair Sheridan Cole Crawford
* Denotes New Board Member

Three candidates have been nominated for the two Plays Reading Committee Member positions. Eligible voting members will be asked to vote at the May meeting to fill the two member positions. The membership will vote for two of the following three candidates: Alison Mattiza, Christine Joëlle and Michael Grinde. The Candidates have submitted the following statements in support of their candidacy.

Alison Mattiza
I’ve been a Kentwood member for 12 years and I’ve worked on stage as well as back stage and in the booth on many shows. I care about this theater and its success and I do my best to make the right choices for Kentwood as a member of the play reading committee. If I’m allowed to continue on as a member of the play reading committee for another year, I will continue to work hard to help Kentwood continue to maintain its reputation of producing top quality theater. Thanks! Alison Mattiza

Michael Grinde
My name is Michael Grinde and I am a candidate for a position on the plays reading committee, a position I feel I am well qualified to hold. I was Vice President of ART (Actor’s Repertory Theater) for two years and in that capacity, served as Chairman of their play reading and selection Committee. I was a member of the Committee a total of six years. I am an avid reader of plays and would enjoy serving Kentwood.
Thank You! Michael Grinde

Christine Joëlle
To My Dear Fellow Kentwood Members:
I am sad to see another year go by so quickly. But what a line-up of shows! I am extremely privileged to have been a part of the Play Reading Committee thus far and am looking forward in more to come. Along with Sheridan Cole and Alison Mattiza, I shall continue to dedicate my time and effort with the diligent task of selecting the best plays and musicals for our members, season subscribers and guest's further enjoyment and lasting memories at Kentwood. I thank you for selecting me to continue this service, for it truly is an honor.
With gratitude, Christine Joëlle, Play Reading Committee Member

Publicity

Shari Barrett, KP's publicity director, invites you to visit the new Kentwood Players My Space page at www.myspace.com/kentwoodplayers. When you get there, you will see a photo of Julia Aks, one of the "Follies" showgirls, read some general KP information, see a slide show of photos from "Follies" as well as hear a song from the show. The home page will always feature information and photos about our current production. If you are a member of My Space (or decide to join) you will be able to see all the photo files that are posted there (and download them) from all KP shows since last year's "George Washington Slept Here" as well as sign up to be a Kentwood Players friend so you can communicate with Shari there. Drop by and take a look and please feel free to send any suggestions for additions to the KP page to Shari at KentwoodShari@aol.com if you are not a My Space member.

Marcom Masque Awards Dinner

The 2006/2007 Marcom Masque Awards Dinner will be at the theater on Sunday, July 8 at 6 PM. 6 to 7 PM Happy Hour, Drinks $2 and Soft Drinks $1. 7 to 8:30 Dinner, Dessert and Coffee, 8:30 to 10:30 Awards Show. Cost: $25.00 per person. Make you reservations now!

Chairperson Michelle Rosen wants everyone to know there are roughly a HUNDRED SEATS inside the theater and all seats will all be sold on a FIRST COME, FIRST SOLD BASIS. She strongly suggests early ticket purchases! The Awards Dinner flyer is included with this Bulletin.

Dinner Dance Program Ads

Julia Maggs has announced the following schedule of fees to place an ad or a message in the Awards Dinner Program for 2007:

Business Card or Business Card size Message $10.00
¼ Page $15.00
½ Page $35.00
Full Page $50.00

Deadline for submissions: June 22, 2007. Questions? Contact Julia Maggs.

Fourth of July Parade

Check with committee members Hal Fisher, Charlotte Lee Schildkret or Julia Maggs to find out how you can be involved in the Westchester Fourth of July Parade for 2007.

Theater Parties

Calia Mintzer, Theater Parties Chairperson, would like to remind all members to please refer Kentwood Players and our Fund Raising Theater Parties to all the organizations you belong to. Theater Parties are great way for any organization to raise money, have fun and see a great show

Sad News to Report

Abbott Rosenberg’s daughter emailed to let Kentwood Player’s members know her father passed away on April 11, 2007. Abbott was a long time Kentwood member and a terrific stand up comic. He spent many days touring nursing homes with his dry, funny sense of humor. He was well liked.

Sad News to Report

Charlotte Lee Schildkret reported former member Marge Altman passed away during the first week of April 2007. Charlotte said many will remember her as very active in Kentwood for a period of time before moving back to her home state of Minnesota.

Broken Hip News!

Charlotte Lee Schildkret called to let us know Doris Shoemaker slipped and fell the weekend of May 5/6 and broke her hip. Charlotte said Doris is in a rehabilitation center to help with recovery, but is sure cards and letters to her Kentwood Mailing List address would be greatly appreciated by Doris and her family. Doris was resident costume diva at Kentwood for years, but has been living with her daughter in Marion, South Carolina for several years now. Doris starred in my first play at Kentwood! Get well soon Doris!

Lost & Found Department

Maria Cohen is missing a Silver Cross from the Wake. She said the cross was not used in the show, but she brought it in for the Priest to wear. She said the cross was not returned. Maria is seeking any information which could lead to the safe discovery and return of the item. She described the Cross as Silver, about 2 ½” long and about 2 ½” wide. If you have seen the cross or know where it is, please give Maria a call.

Announcements

Upcoming Workshop: TRUE BLUE, a one act play by Mary Steelsmith will be performed for the Kentwood Players' workshop, Wednesday, June 21. Sheldon Cohen will produce. Director and cast are to be announced shortly.

TRUE BLUE is a fable of two soldiers guarding a neutral zone as a savage war swirls around them. In their cabin, set squarely on the border, Fred, from the earthy Green army and his friendly opposite, Blue Blood Jeffrey, have created their own little peaceful society of sorts. All will change with Jeffrey's tour of duty ending today. Jeffrey's relief at the prospect of going home and to his self-centered life of leisure is short-lived, when Fred turns the tables, forcing him to understand the world from a different point of view and learning the unpredictable power of prayer. This play rune 20 minutes. TRUE BLUE has garnered great reviews from productions around the country; The Fritzblitz in San Diego, Single Carrot Productions, Baltimore and in early May, 2007, Plays for a New Millennium festival in Portsmouth, Ohio, where it was voted the "audience's favorite" play of the evening.

Also, THE "M" WORD, a short play co-written by Steve Lee and Mary Steelsmith has been selected to premiere at the 3rd Annual Lakeshore Players' Ten Minute Play Festival in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Friday-Sunday, June 1, 2 and 3. THE "M" WORD wonders -- What if the famous superstition of the stage is true? By uttering the name of William Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play”, three of world’s greatest actors find themselves condemned to perform this work as a classic threesome of buffoonery: the Three Stooges.

Hal Fisher announced his photo of Past Presidents is now available for viewing at KentwoodPlayers.org!

Alice Lunsford's 10 - minute play, HAPPY TRAILS, formerly entitled TOURIST TRAP, presented at a Kentwood meeting and since revised, will be in the Ten -minute Festival "DESKCAPADES" at Theatre 40, Beverly Hills High School, 241 Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills 90210 along with 9 other 10-minute plays, playing June 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, at 8pm, Sun Matinees at 2 pm. HAPPY TRAILS will feature Kentwood's own Christine Joëlle and Randy Brooks, will be directed by our prez Sheldon Metz, and will only be $10 to attend. So y'all get up a group & come on down! (Alice)

Several members submitted blurbs on A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at the Costa Mesa Playhouse. Thank You…

Elizabeth Bouton: Hi all! Hope this finds you well and happy!!! Here is the 411 on my most recent show. I am playing Desiree in A Little Night Music at Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse. It opened May 4 and runs May 4th-June 3rd w/ a possible extension to June 10th. It is at Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse. http://www.costamesaplayhouse.org/, 661 Hamilton Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, (949) 650-5269. Check out the website for more info and the cast list!! It's an amazing cast!!!!

Alison Mattiza: I am writing to tell you about the production of A Little Night Music that is going to be on stage at Costa Mesa Playhouse beginning May 4th. It is going to be a fantastic show, so I hope you can come and see it! The cast includes Elizabeth Bouton as Desiree, Marc Montminy as Fredrik, Stephen Hulsey as Carl-Magnus and Jon Sparks and Mr. Lindquist. I am also very fortunate to be able to step in for 2 performances!!! I will be performing the role of Charlotte on Saturday, May 12th at 8pm and Sunday, May 13th at 2pm. I really hope you can come see this show - it will be an outstanding production!!!

Jon Sparks: A Little Night Music at the Costa Mesa Playhouse, May 4-June 10, 2007
Starring Elizabeth Bouton as Desiree Armfeldt and Stephen Hulsey as Count Carl Magnus. The Cast includes Jon Sparks. Special note, Alison Mattiza will be playing Countess Charlotte Magnus for two performances only, May 12th and 13th, 2007.

Larry Jones