General Meeting

The General Meeting this month will be on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 8:00 PM at the theater, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Hospitality

Hospitality for September will be provided by Adina Silo. Thanks Adina!

Workshop

The September Workshop is from a popular musical and will star, among others, Meredith Sweeney, Drew Fitzsimmons and Andrew Zimmer. The piece is directed by Hope Villanueva and was previously staged as a workshop at Theater Palisades. Stick around, I’ve heard it’s good!

Next month’s workshop is our Annual Music Hall Workshop.

After Meeting Workshop Program

Workshop Chairperson Gert Nord said Workshops are available. Contact Gert Nord at 310 453-8381 to schedule a workshop. Kentwood Workshops are a perfect place to show off your talent! Acting Directing Writing, or in Tiffany’s case last month, all THREE!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, by Rupert Holmes

September/October Production

Our September/October Production is THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, by Rupert Homes, directed by Catherine Rahm and produced by Lori A. Marple-Pereslete. 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 Show opened Friday night, September 7, 2007 to a very appreciative audience. A good time was had by all, including the cast! The audience is involved from the very start of the show and gets to choose how the show will end. A score card in the lobby records the various outcomes. The twists and turns throughout the show delight the audience as much as the fabulous singing and dancing. Who will be the murderer next time? You will want to see this show LOTS of times! And be sure to check out the phenomenal costumes!

The talented cast includes!

Alice/Drood: Elizabeth Bouton
Clive/Jasper: Jon Sparks
Deidre/Rosa: Rihana Terrell
Chairman: Ben Lupejkis
Angela/Puffer: Susie McCarthy
Victor/Neville: Shawn Summerer
Janet/Helena: Patricia Butler
Cedric/Crisparkle: Greg Abbott
Phillipa Bax/Bazzard: Vicki Rovel-Kirk
Nick/Durdles: Vada Foster
Nicky/Deputy Andy Abbott
Isobel Kimberly Berg
Jack Jack Mattiza
Florence Julia Aks
Horace Cory Pearce

Much thanks go as well to an incredible crew:

Director Catherine Rahm
Producer Lori A. Marple-Pereslete
Stage Managers Max Stormes, Marcy Agreen
Set Design Joey Bell
Light Design Tom Brophey
Costume Design Maria Cohen
Sound Design Kirk Larson
Booth Crew Russell Ham, Kirk Larson, Virginia Mekkelson
Chief Engineer Red Rahm
Wigs Provided Jon Sparks
Graphic/Lobby Design Steve Kirk
Costume Construction Barbara Brophey, Julia Maggs, Judy Polak
Costume Assistants & Millinery Kathy Picker, Yvonne Kainoa, Arlene Cohen
Properties Judy Polak, Lori A. Marple-Pereslete
Publicity Photos Shellee James, Gypsy Foster, Ken Shoufer
Audition Assistance Max Stormes, Jeanne Spain
Hospitality Coordinator Vada Foster
Box Office Ashley Schultz

Hansel and Gretel Revision, Adapted from the Grimm fairytale by Maria Pavone and Directed by Michael Allen

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

The Kentwood Players will re-stage HANSEL AND GRETEL REVISION, skillfully adapted for the stage by Maria Pavone and wonderfully directed by Michael Allen, at Westchester Playhouse, 2:00 PM, on Saturdays 10/6, 10/13 and 10/20. The show, produced by Sheridan Crawford and Shellee Lynn James, was a huge success during its first incarnation on the set of CONSTANT WIFE so much so it has been brought back by popular demand. The audiences, including children and adults alike, were very responsive with laughter and applause to the hilarious antics and slap stick comedy on stage the first time around, so we’re doing it again! The talented and very funny cast includes Jerad Callen as the zany stage manager Mr. Blister, Michael Allen as the ever present Wizard, Toni Loppnow as Vanessa/the Evil Stepmother and Witch, Tiffany Towers as Natalie/Gretel, LG Ross as Johnny/Hansel, Jerad Callen (voice) & Michael Allen (sock puppet) as Tim the spineless father and Larry Jones as the narrator. A special mention must STILL go out for the never ending props used in the show and the user friendly gingerbread house/witch’s oven to director Michael Allen. Well done sir! Now everyone has three additional chances to see this amazing ensemble production. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but adults do not necessarily have to be accompanied by a child! So, Come On Down!!

Romantic Comedy, by Bernard Slade

Our November/December Production, Playing November 9 through December 15, will be ROMANTIC COMEDY, by Bernard Slade, with Sherman Wayne directing, Ed Cotter and Lori A. Marple-Pereslete producing.

Director Sherman Wayne announced the following fabulous and almost complete cast for Romantic Comedy:

Jason Carmichael TBA
Phobe Craddock Meredith Sweeney
Allison Kimshelley Garner
Blanche Sheridan Crawford
Kate Karintha Touton
Leo Don Fowler

The director sent the following show and character descriptions: Arrogant, self-centered, and sharp-tongued Jason Carmichael, successful co-author of Broadway romantic comedies, is facing two momentous events. He's about to marry a society belle, and his collaborator is retiring from the fray. Enter Phoebe Craddock, mousy Vermont schoolteacher and budding playwright. Presto! Jason acquires a talented and adoring collaborator. Then things start getting really complicated. The set is Jason's study in his New York townhouse.

To arrange an audition or suggest an actor for the part of Jason (35 year old successful New York playwright), please call Sherman Wayne immediately.

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. Valerie Ruel will produce. Sheldon forwarded 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. The show will be produced by Ed Cotter and Larry Jones.

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.

A Murder is Announced, by Agatha Christie

The Board has approved, for May/June 2008, A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, by Agatha Christie, to be directed by Carol Becker. Contact Carol if you are interested in working on this play.

Children’s Theater Classes

The Board has approved a series of Children’s Introductory Theater Classes to be given at Kentwood by Kentwood members and made available to area children. The classes are currently in the planning stages and any member who would like to participate in the program is asked to contact Committee Chair Sheridan Crawford.

Properties

Properties Mistress, Lori A. Marple-Pereslete, announced the following new procedures:

The Prop area will be kept locked starting September 1, 2007. In the past year we have lost over $1,000.00 worth of props and materials. Most recently we have lost the inflatable Court Jester needed for Hansel and Gretel and the gossamer fabrics needed for Edwin Drood.

To prevent future losses, the prop area is to remain locked at all times. If anyone needs props or set pieces, please call Lori to arrange a time to meet. Please let Lori know if you need to borrow props for other theaters and they will be checked out to you. Lori asks that you do not wait until the last minute!

If you want to donate props to the theater, please call Lori and a time will be arranged to check them in and store them in the prop area. Lori says, “Thanks for helping us maintain our valuable props, prevent interruption of current shows and for your continuing help in keeping our costs down.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR #1 FAN

On September 9, 2007 a Garden Party was held in Los Angeles to celebrate the September 11, 2007 100th Birthday of Fred Hofeld. Fred has been a fan, supporter, audience member and season subscriber for Kentwood Players since Kentwood Players was based at Kentwood Elementary School in Westchester, circa 1949! Fred and his wife, who died a few years ago, were long time fans and Fred told Charlotte he most recently enjoyed the Kentwood production of CONSTANT WIFE! Happy 100th Birthday Fred!

Social Calendar

Social Chairperson Shellee James is arranging an evening of theater at Theater Palisades to see THE BOY FRIEND, by Sandy Wilson, Directed by Lewis Hauser, with Drew Fitzsimmons and Meredith Sweeney. The show is produced by Martha Hunter and Sherman Wayne. Shellee is planning a theater group to attend the October 4 Performance. The plan is to have dinner, 5:45 PM, at El Cholo Restaurant before the show. Contact Shellee for further details and to join the group.

Publicity

Publicity Chairperson Shari Barrett updates her myspace page daily with Kentwood information and suggests members check it out at: http://www.myspace.com/kentwoodplayers

Lobby Rejuvenation Committee

Chairperson Charlotte Lee Schildkret announced two Remodel Saturdays at the theater, Sat 9/22 and Sat 9/29. She said the activities will start about 9 AM and asks those who are available to please come down and help Scot Renfro, Frank Olivadoti, Lori A. Marple Pereleste, Mel Miller, Russell Ham, Tom Brophey and others clean the area above the lobby in an effort to discover and then fix the leaks in the roof, all as a first step to re-do, re-make and remodel the Lobby of the Westchester Theater, Home of The Kentwood Players!

Recovering

Dorothea Toepher had complete knee replacement surgery on Thursday, September 13 and is home recovering. Cards and letters are appreciated.

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.

LAX Expansion

To make your feelings about the intended LAX Expansion known, write to Councilman Bill Rosendahl, 11th Council District, 7166 W Manchester Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045. The planned expansion could seriously impact our theater operations. Charlotte urges everyone to send a letter to Councilman Rosendahl as soon as possible. Hal Fisher wrote: As the Airport wants to expand and as it seems to concern Kentwood I thought members might want to check two websites I found. www.regionalsolution.org and www.westchesterneighbors.org. He said they are anti-expansion websites, but do provide some information. He said most members do not live in Westchester, but what happens in Westchester affects them and our theater.

Announcements

The Woodland Hills Theater Group, West Valley Playhouse, 7242 Owensmouth Avenue, Canoga Park, CA 91303 presents THE CEMETERY CLUB, by Ivan Menchell and directed by Jon Berry, starring our very own Michelle Rosen, with Donna Cook, Helen Siff and Nancy Solomons. 9/28 to 10/21, for reservations, call 818 884 1907.

Lifetime member, Klair Bybee, will be playing Dr. Einstein in the comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" at Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601, August 17-Sept. 22. Tickets at goldstar.com LATheatreAlliance or (818) 700-4878 and www.lcgrt.com

Alice Lunsford will present her watercolors of masks around the world in conjunction with the costume illustrations of Doug Spesert in "UN BALLO IN MASCHERA" (A Masked Ball) from October 6 - November 3 at Randy Ball's BLUE 7 GALLERY, 3129 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA, Mon - Fri 10 - 5, Sat 10-2. The wine and appetizer Opening Reception will be Saturday, October 6 from 6 - 9 PM. Join in the fun and come in costume to the reception (Halloween is just around the corner!)

James Manley Green is cast in THE CHICAGO CONSPIRACY TRIALS, by Ron Sossi & Frank Condon and directed by Frank Condon at the Odyssey Theater in West LA. Plays 10/13 thru 12/23. For reservations, call 310 477 2055.

Barbara Brophey was featured in a multi-page article in the August 23 Culver City Observer. The story is about Barbara’s love of music, her music involvements in and around Culver City, mostly for seniors, and how for 25 years Barbara has played piano at the Culver City Senior Center on Wednesday afternoons!

Ed Cotter is slated to direct VERONICA’S ROOM, by Ira Levin, with Kentwood Member Don Schlossman heading up the cast, at The Little Fish Theater Company, San Pedro, 10/12 to 11/17. Call 310 512 6030 for reservations.

Mel Oshins wrote to let us know he is cast in the movie POWER TO LEARN, BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT ADOLFO CARRION RETURNS TO JONATHAN LEVIN HIGH SCHOOL. He said there are three parts to the film and he is in the first part! Go Mel!

The Production Company, 12443 Chandler Blvd., N. Hollywood 91607, 310 869 7546, proudly announces the opening of Frank Wedekind’s spell-binding tragic comedy SPRING AWAKENING, which is the basis for the smash-hit 2007 Tony Award-winning musical currently running to standing ovations on Broadway. The show will launch the first full season at the company’s new home on September 21st and run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 P.M. and Sundays at 3 P.M. through October 28th. The work will be directed by August Viverito and produced by TL Kolman for The Production Company.

Susan Stangl wrote: I will be singing and playing guitar and keyboards, along with Ben Gilmore on guitars and vocals, Vicky Asher on vocals, and special guest Jorge Iacobellis from Argentina on percussion at the Sepulveda branch of Synergy Café and Lounge in Culver City (we have played at the Overland location in the past) on Sunday, September 30, from 7-9 pm. We are excited to be playing at this new venue, which may have its beer and wine license by then (so we should sound great!).

Respectfully Submitted

Larry Jones