THINK PARADE!

General Meeting

The General Meeting this month will be on Wednesday, June 20, 2007, 8:00 PM at the theater, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Hospitality

Hospitality for June will be provided by Lori A. Marple-Pereslete. Thank you Lori.

Workshop

TRUE BLUE, a one act play by Mary Steelsmith will be performed for the Kentwood Players' workshop, Wednesday, June 20. Sheldon Cohen will produce.

Cast: Elliot Gannon .........................Fred Alan Nassif........................... Jeffrey

Steve Lee will read stage directions and play the off stage role of the "Gruff Authoritative Voice." TRUE BLUE won the "People's Choice" award at the Plays for a New Millennium festival at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio and will have a staged reading at the Pensacola Community theatre, Pensacola, Florida, later this month. Their theater is considering TRUE BLUE and Mary's THE MIRACULOUS DAY QUARTET for their upcoming short play festival.

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 FOLLIES, Book by James Goldman, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Ed Cotter and produced by De Cotter closed on June 16 and I hope everyone had a chance to see this fabulous show!

Director Ed Cotter and Producer De Cotter wish to thank everyone involved in the show and everyone who came to see the show! Thank you, thank you and thank you.

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.

The show benefited greatly with Bill Wolfe as Musical Director, Vicki Miller as Choreographer, Maria Cohen as costume designer and Richard Potthoff as Lighting and Sound Designer.

Congratulations to Cast, Crew, Director and Producer!!

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, with Calia Mintzer and Lori A. Marple-Pereslete as Producers.

Director Gail Bernardi told us THE CONSTANT WIFE is a delightful drawing room comedy which will enchant you and is as current for today as it was in 1926 when it was written.

Calia Mintzer told us the set was designed by De Cotter, Stage Manager Jim Crawford, Set Decoration by Lori Marple Pereslete, Master Builder is Dave Whale, Light Design by Tom Brophey, Sound Design by Susan Stangl, properties by Judy Polak, Costumes By Maria Cohen, Graphic and Lobby Design By Michael Cohen, Script supervisors, Barbara MacMurray, and Hilary Fitzsimmons, Publicity Photos, Shellee James, Booth Crew, Mel Miller, Russell Ham, and Nikki Corso, auditions by Gert Nord and Jeanne Spain. She said more information will be provided in the next Bulletin, watch for your postcard, coming soon, and to make your reservations early!

Cast

Hansel and Gretel, Adapted by Maria Pavone

The Kentwood Players will present HANSEL AND GRETEL, adapted by Maria Pavone and Directed by Michael Allen. The show, produced by Sheridan Cole Crawford and Shellee Lynn James, will play on The Constant Wife set Saturdays at 2 PM on July 28, August 4 and August 11. Tickets are $7.00, reservations a must and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Director said this show will be a lot of fun for children and the parents who bring them! Come one, come all and enjoy 50 minutes worth of comedy performed by familiar Kentwood faces. And as always, anyone who wants to help would be greatly appreciated! Call Director Michael Allen.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, by Rupert Holmes

September/October Production

Our September/October Production will be THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, by Rupert Homes, to 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. The Director sent the following show and cast breakdown for DROOD:

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” presents some unique challenges as well as unique opportunities for performers. The general set-up is that of the “show-within-the-show” format. The setting is a small theatre company in a small town well outside of London in Victorian England. To perk up their lagging box office, they have decided to present something that no other theatre has done – staging Charles Dickens’ final work, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”. Most other companies would be deterred by the fact that Dickens died before finishing the book, but the Westchester Music Hall Royale has figured out a way around that. They will let the audience vote on how the play should end.

This particular environment means that each performer in the show is playing at least two parts: their self, as a member of the Westchester Music Hall Royale Players, and whichever character, or characters, they are performing in the current production. The voting aspect also means that the show is unpredictable, with well over 500 possible permutations, so actors must be able to think quickly and to react appropriately to whatever happens.

There are two main occurrences that the audience votes on. First, by voice vote, they choose which performer is disguised as the mysterious detective, Dick Datchery. The person chosen as Datchery then gets a key song. Secondly, by written ballot, the audience chooses who is the murderer. This performer also gets a terrific confession song. None of the principals knows whom will be chosen until the announcement is made, so everyone has to be prepared to sing the extra music. There is also a short song for two lovers, chosen by the audience as well.

Since it behooves each performer to get voted as either detective or murderer, a great deal of audience interaction takes place. Actors should campaign shamelessly for votes at every opportunity. The challenge lies in staying fresh on music and dialogue that you will not be performing every night.

*Indicates a potential murderer; +Indicates a potential Detective Datchery

The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Character Descriptions

Romantic Comedy, by Bernard Slade

November/December Production

The Board has approved Romantic Comedy, by Bernard Slade for the Nov/Dec time slot, with Sherman Wayne directing, Ed and De Cotter producing.

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.

Gypsy, music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents.

The Board has approved the musical GYPSY for March/April 2008, to be directed by Susan Weisbarth and produced by Ed & De Cotter.

Gypsy is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist. The story focuses on her mother, Mama Rose, whose name has become synonymous with the ultimate show business mother. In particular, it follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform on stage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee and the character of June is based on Lee’s younger sister, actress June Havoc.

Donation to Kentwood

A $7,000.00 Donation was made to Kentwood Players, in memory of Jacob Weisbarth and in honor of Susan Weisbarth and the entire cast and crew of Follies by Lili and Jon Bosse. Thank you Lili and Jon!

Election 2007

The following members have been elected 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
Committee Members Alison Mattiza & Christine Joëlle
* Denotes New Board 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

TICKETS ARE GOING FAST!!!! WILL YOU BE THERE?

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 be sold on a FIRST COME, FIRST SOLD BASIS. She strongly suggests early ticket purchases! The Awards Dinner flyer is included with this Bulletin.

Awards Dinner 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. Contact Julia Maggs to be included.

Fourth of July Parade

Charlotte Lee Schildkret said the theme for the Westchester Fourth of July Parade this year will be America’s Moments in History. She said a convertible was donated for our use at the parade by the daughter of Marylou Crockett, who graduated locally with Hal Fisher and has been a stong supporter of Kentwood. Hal is Uncle Sam for the parade again this year. Anyone wishing to borrow a costume from the theater should contact Maria Cohen. Charlotte said parade people should park at Loyola University and take the provided shuttle back to the park at Manchester and Loyola, near the Library, gathering there by 10:00 AM. She said the whole thing will be over by 1 PM. Join in, call Maria, have fun!

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.

July Board Meeting

The July Board Meeting will be held at the theater on Wednesday, July 11, instead of on the normal First Wednesday of the month, which in July will be July Fourth!

Telephone Tree

Telephone Tree Director Charlotte Lee Schildkret announced the Tree members as De Cotter, Barbara Brophey, Hal Fisher and Maria Cohen. For any news or information, which needs immediate dissemination to members, contact Charlotte or her alternate Adina Silo.

Sad News to Report

Russell Marple, father of long time member Lori A. Marple-Pereslete, passed away on June 3, 2007 in Ventura after an illness. A memorial service was held in Ventura on June 9, with Kentwood members in attendance. Russell worked at the theater and helped Lori with things like caging in the property section of the garage. He will be missed. Our deepest condolences.

More Sad News to Report

Charlotte Lee Schildkret reported long time Westchester resident Kathryn Leddy passed away recently. Charlotte said Kathryn’s daughter did several shows at Kentwood and Kathryn was active in the group. According to Charlotte, Kathryn worked at The Broadway for 35 years and steered a lot of overstock items to be discarded to Kentwood’s property and costume closets. Charlotte said Kathryn Leddy was also a long time volunteer at Westchester Mental Health Guild, a group which currently buys theater parties from Calia.

Announcements

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 Christine Joëlle, Randy Ball & Esther Richman, will be directed by Sheldon Metz, and will only be $10 to attend.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG - Music by Stephen Sondheim and Book by George Furth. Carol Becker and COMPANY director, Aileen-Marie Scott will be performing in Chromolume Theatre Company's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at Theatre/Theater, 5041 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019. Performance dates are July 7 - August 12 (Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00PM and Sunday matinees at 2:00PM). Reservations are strongly encouraged. Please call (323) 938-3700, email info@chromolume-theatre.com, or order tickets online http://chromolume-theatre.com/archive/merrily/merrily.html. Carol wrote: For those who love Sondheim, please come see this spectacular performance! MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG traces the lives of wealthy, jaded composer Franklin Shepard and his two estranged friends, Charley and Mary, backwards in time through each milestone of their personal and professional lives (good and bad). The show ends with a touch of rueful irony, as the three best friends, at the start of their careers, face a bright future: young, talented and enthusiastic about the worlds waiting to be conquered.

Lana Ford, Rowena in BILOXI BLUES, is currently appearing in A NICE FAMILY GATHERING – Family Comedy with a Hint of “Ghost.” Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theater, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Opening Friday, Jun. 15 and playing for six weeks. For information call the theater at 818 700 4878.

A Nice Family Gathering is set at a Fourth of July family reunion held five months after the fun-loving father's sudden death. At the gathering, Dad comes back as a ghost with a mission: to tell his wife of 35 years that he loved her. The problem is she can't hear or see him—and she has invited a date for dinner!

Klair N. Bybee wrote with: See 60 years of musical numbers from over 200 shows on line. Scenes from musicals on Ed Sullivan, Tony Awards Shows, Rosie O'Donnell Shows, etc have been collected and alphabetically listed at www.bluegobo.com Not every show in history, but hours and hours of heartbreaking performances you always wanted to see and remember. It's like discovering a treasure.

Susan Stangl will be singing June 29, from 8-10 pm at the Synergy Cafe and Lounge at 4455 Overland in Culver City, and at the Talking Stick, 1630 Ocean Park in Santa Monica on Saturday, July 21, from 7-9 pm. Admission is free and there is good food and drink at both places.

Dave Parke said, “Son David and his team at Cal State Northridge Television Department had to do a short 10-15 min film for their senior project and got a great grade on it from the teacher. (Probably because yours truly (Dave) came out of a coffin as a ghoul and introduced it and signed it off). It is called THE UNDYING MONSTERS, a documentary. All projects for that class and the next semester's projects were submitted to a panel of 16 industry professionals and they had a showcase 5/21 of all 6 projects ....and David's group WON BEST IN SHOW !!! A very big deal and great for his and the others' careers. Also Linda has been named General Counsel for the Howroyd group of Companies which includes Apple One and about 16 other companies, another very big deal. We were both in an indie T. V. pilot a couple of months ago.”

Mel Oshins sang the National Anthem at a Power baseball game in Palm Springs June 13 and asked me to let everyone know they can see a Power game in June or July for free by calling Mel!

June Birthdays

Christine Joëlle 6/1, Carol Follingstad 6/1, Linda Metz 6/4, Larry Cosgrove 6/6, Jon Abramson 6/10, Klair Bybee 6/12, Trenekia Danielle 6/19, Jean Jenkins 6/20, Dick Weiss 6/24, Ira Gwant 6/25, Rudi Toepfer 6/27.

June Anniversaries

Mortgage Burning June 16, 1976!

New Members

Vice President and Membership Chairperson Gail Bernardi forwarded the following new member information. Welcome to Kentwood!

Marcy Agreen, August Vivirito and T.L. Kolman

THINK PARADE!

Larry Jones