General Meeting

The General Meeting this month will be on Wednesday, November 21, 2007, 8:00 PM at the theater, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Hospitality

Hospitality for October will be provided by Maria Pavone and Michael Allen! Sounds good already! Thanks!

Workshop

The November workshop will be SCREAM QUEENS, directed by Scott Martin and starring Susan Weisbarth, Susie McCarthy, Julia Aks, Robyn Rothstein and Patricia Butler. You will recall of course last year’s Scott Martin directed LITTLE GREEN MEN musical workshop! Stick around after the meeting for this one!

The upcoming December Workshop will be our annual Holiday Party hosted by the Kentwood Board. The Board will provide lots of goodies, but would like all members to know they are also welcome to bring their favorite holiday dish to share.

Workshops are scheduled in 2008 at this juncture by members Sheridan Cole Crawford, Carol Becker, Shari Barrett, Dave Parke and Michael Murphy.

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!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood, by Rupert Holmes

September/October Production

Our September/October Production, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, by Rupert Homes, directed by Catherine Rahm and produced by Lori A. Marple-Pereslete closed October 20.

Much thanks to a talented cast and crew!

Romantic Comedy, by Bernard Slade

Our November/December Production, ROMANTIC COMEDY, by Bernard Slade, starring our very own Drew Fitzsimmons, opened to an appreciative Opening Night audience on November 9 and will play through December 15. Sherman Wayne directed. Ed Cotter and Lori A. Marple-Pereslete produced. Co-Stage Managers for this production are Nikki Corso and Jim Crawford.

The full cast for Romantic Comedy is:

Congratulations Everyone!

The show centers on the arrogant, self-centered, and sharp-tongued Jason Carmichael, successful co-author of Broadway romantic comedies, who 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. Make you reservations early for this romantic comedy.

Children’s Theater

Kentwood Players Presents, A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE, by Lowell Swortzell, Directed by Michael Murphy, Produced by Shari Barrett, Featuring Andy Abbott, Kimberly Berg, Robert Collier, Hal Fisher, Bruce Schroffel and Max Heldring Stormes. A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE is a family-friendly play built on the popular holiday carol, telling the story of Simon, a charming bird seller who is nearly tricked into marrying Tib, a kind young woman whose nosy mother leads her astray in believing there is special meaning to receiving gifts from a young man on the 12 Days of Christmas. As the entire population of the town is drawn into the play and song, Simon realizes he is in love with Tib in spite of his future mother-in-law. All in good fun, he decides to turn the tables and catch Tib in her own game. Be prepared to sing along with the cast and to meet a very special “holiday visitor” after the show. Parents - bring your camera for a holiday photo opportunity. Refreshments will be served in the theater lobby following the performance. Three Saturdays at 2:00 PM. December 1, 8 & 15, 2007. Please visit www.myspace.com/kentwoodplayers to see a slide show of cast photos. Tickets $7 - Special family 4-pack for $25. Call now to reserve your seats (310) 645-5156. All children must be accompanied by an adult

Proof, by David Auburn

The January/February 2008 Production is PROOF, by David Auburn, directed by Sheldon Metz and assistant directed by Jim Crawford. Valerie Ruel will produce and Drew Fitzsimmons will stage manage.

Auditions were held for PROOF on Saturday Nov. 10, 10 AM to 2 PM & Sunday, November 11, 7 to 9 PM and director Sheldon Metz announced late Sunday evening his cast as Scot Renfro as Robert, Meredith Sweeney as Catherine, Christine Joëlle as Claire, and Andrew Zimmer as Hal.

Sheldon and Valerie want to thank everyone who came to support the auditions Saturday and Sunday. They were witness to the fact that the amount of talent we possess at Kentwood is truly remarkable, making the decision very difficult. However, Sheldon believes his Kentwood cast and his Kentwood crew will present a show of which Kentwood can and will be proud.

WORK SUNDAY – DECEMBER 16.

Sheldon wants everyone to know there are only four people in the cast, so it is very important to place December 16 on your calendar for work Sunday. A lot of help will be needed. Please come down and volunteer. A great lunch will be provided.

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.

Auditions are set for January 12 & 13, 2008.

Director’s Note:

Here's a quick breakdown. Please note that we'd like to see the children in the morning if possible from 10-12. If they can't make it at that time, they can still come later but we'd like to get most of the children auditioned in the morning on January 12. Auditions are on Saturday, January 12 from 10--2 and Sunday, January 13 from 6-9. Actors should be prepared to bring pix, resume and audition music, preferably not from the show. Musical Director Bill Wolfe will serve as accompanist. Actors who are required to dance will be taught a short routine by Choreographer Vicki Miller. Scripts are available by contacting producer Larry Jones or Ed Cotter or they can be purchased online at amazon.com. For further information, contact the theater.

Please also note that some actors will be required to play multiple roles.

Rehearsal begin January 15, 2008. Show runs March 14 - April 19. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 and Sunday matinees at 2:00.

Rose --Quintessential stage mother - Age 40-50, excellent singing and acting skills a must. The role is demanding both vocally and dramatically.

Herbie - Traveling salesman and talent agent, 45-55, Rose's love interest. Must be able to sing and move well.

Louise - Transitions from shy young woman to confident stripper GYPSY ROSE LEE. Must be able to sing and dance, 20-25.

June - Louise's sister. Considered to be the talented one in the family. Must be able to sing and dance well with lots of personality. 20-25.

Tulsa - Handsome young man and member of the troupe. Must be able to sing and dance. Age 20-25

Yonkers - Young man who can sing and dance. 20-25

LA - Young man who can sing and dance. 20-25

Newsboys Troupe - need 2 to 3 young men who can sing and dance, 20-25.

Hollywood Blondes - Need 4 to 6 girls who can sing and dance. Ages 18-22.

Tessie Tura - Aging stripper with attitude. Must be able to sing and bump it (move well). Age 40-60

Mazeppa - Aging stripper, plays a trumpet very badly, must be able to sing and bump it with a trumpet. Age 40-60

Electra- Aging stripper, who "lights" up the stage. Must be able to sing and bump it with lights. Age 40-60

Baby June - Attractive and talented young performer who can sing and dance with lots of personality. Age 6-12.

Baby Louise - Young actress who must sing and dance and can show some vulnerability. Age 6-12.

Balloon Girl - Young vaudeville performer who wears a costume covered in balloons. Non-singing role. Age 6-12.

Clarence - Young vaudeville performer who plays a clarinet badly. Clarence will also play one of the Newsboys. Must be able to sing and dance. Age 6-12.

Newsboys - Need 4-6 young boys or girls dressed as boys who can sing and dance as members of Baby June's troupe. Ages 6-12.

Pop - Rose's bible thumping father. Non singing role 65-75

Uncle Jocko - Vaudeville master of ceremonies with a licentious heart. Non singing role. Age 35-60.

Georgie - Stage manager of the "Uncle Jocko Show." Non-singing role Age 35-60.

Kringelein - Manager of a run down hotel on the road. Non-singing role. Some physical comedy required. Age 45-65.

Mr. Goldstone - Producer on the Orpheum Circuit. Non-singing role. Mild, little man. Age 45-70.


Miss Cratchitt - Secretary to Mr. Grantzinger. Non-singing role. Age 35- 55.

Patsey - Grizzled Burlesque stage manager--Non-singing role. Age 45-60.

Cigar - Owner of the Burlesque house. Non-singing role. Age 45-70.

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.

Scripts are available from Co-Producer Larry Jones for a deposit of $10.00. See him at the meeting.

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.

The Lion in Winter, by James Goldman

The Board has approved, THE LION IN WINTER, by James Goldman, to be directed by Ed Cotter for our July/August 2008 Production.

New Hospitality Rules

The Board has approved new Hospitality Rules for Kentwood Players. Find a complete copy of the new rules attached to this bulletin.

Charlotte Lee Schildkret will be the Hospitality Coordinator for Proof and will have the sign-up board ready at the November Meeting. Each show will have a Coordinator, responsible for scheduling theater mangers and

Children’s Theater Classes

Children's Theatre Classes Start soon. The first class for children to be taught by Kentwood members will begin Monday, January 14, 2008, and run for five Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. If you know interested children between the ages of 8 and 12, please have them call the box office (310-645-5156) and leave the information with Ashley. Any member interested in teaching and/or participating in the classes please contact Sheridan Cole Crawford at 562-789-1026. According to Sheridan, the first five classes will be free.

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

Two reviews for “Romantic Comedy” have been published. Members should rush right out to their local newsstand to pick up a copy of The Easy Reader and LA.com to read them. Then come see the show!

Lobby Rejuvenation Committee News

Committee Chairperson Charlotte Lee Schildkret announced completion of Phase One of the lobby rejuvenation project. She said Scot Renfro and Frank Olivadoti have announced there are NO MORE LEAKS in the lobby area of the theater. She also said the new air conditioner for the dressing rooms and green room has been installed. Now stay cool everyone!

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.

Sad News to Report

Shirley Pfeil of Westchester passed away in October 2007. According to Charlotte Lee Schildkret, she really supported Kentwood through her Welcome Wagon Baskets she presented to all new familes who moved inot Westchester. Charlotte said Shirley was the Honoray Mayor of Weschester and single-handedly saw to it the Post Office was designated Westchester 90045 and not Los Angeles 90045.

Announcements

According to Charlotte Lee Schildkret, Grandson Justin will fly to Colorado Springs, CO on November 21 to live with his mother. Good for Justin, but it makes Charlotte and Arnold empty nesters again! Good luck Justin, Kentwood will miss you.

James Manley Green and Andrew Zimmer are 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.

Culled from the actual trial transcripts, counter-culture icons Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, Tom Hayden, David Dellinger, and others, defy Judge Julius Hoffman in a piece of courtroom drama/comedy beyond anything the mind could have invented. The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, 90025 presents "THE CHICAGO CONSPIRACY TRIAL" written by Ron Sossi & Frank Condon, directed by Frank Condon and produced by Ron Sossi. The show is assistant directed by Carol Becker and features James Manley Green (from City of Angels) and Andrew Zimmer (from The Fantasticks).
Plays October 13 through December 16. Wednesday at 8:00PM - 11/7, 11/14, 11/28, 12/5
Thursday - Saturday at 8:00PM, Sunday at 2:00PM - 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9
Sunday at 7:00PM - 10/14, 10/21, 11/25, 12/16. Prices - $25 Wednesday-Fridays and $30 on Saturdays/Sundays. Student/EQUITY/SAGE/AFTRA discount on Thursdays - $15.
Early Bird Special $15 tickets through October 26, 2007. Reservations 310-477-2055 ext. 2
www.odysseytheatre.com

KP member Tim Forsyth invites you to see him onstage in “Good Night Mrs. Puffin” a charming British comedy by Arthur Lovegrove, directed by David Colley at the Long Beach Playhouse from November 2 – December 15, 2007, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Here’s how Tim describes the story: It’s Christmas time and the Fordyce family is planning a holiday wedding. The excitement and goings-on take a curious turn when an eccentric unknown woman, Mrs. Puffin, appears on the doorstep with the pronouncement that the wedding is not going to take place. Just the perfect touch of British wit for a busy holiday season. General admission $22, Seniors $20, Students with ID $12. Special preview night, Friday, Nov. 2 has $12 general admission or 2 for $20. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 East Anaheim Street , Long Beach , CA 90804 (562) 494-1014.

Lifetime Kentwood Member, Klair Bybee, appearing in the 1955 seasonal comedy THE DESK SET November 20 & 21 (free previews), Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm (except December 2 at 7pm) until December 29, Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 (818) 700-GURU.

Mary Steelsmith wrote to announce her play THE MIRACULOUS DAY QUARTET has been chosen to be in the TANYS (Theater Association of New York State) 2007 Festival. She wrote the cast, crew and director will be presented with merit awards at an event in New York on 11/17. TANYS website: www.tanys.homestead.com/index.html

Direct from August:

The Production Company Proudly Presents the Los Angeles Premiere
of the Off-Broadway Smash Hit
Joe Calarco’s Shakespeare’s R & J
Directed by Derek Charles Livingston
Produced by T L Kolman

In Joe Calarco's Shakespeare's R & J four high-school boys in a brutally restrictive Catholic School discover a copy of the forbidden Shakespeare classic ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Their curiosity unable to be quelled, they decide to read the “sinful” play with reckless abandon. Reading dissolves into play-making - and suddenly the boys find themselves assuming all the major roles in true Shakespearean fashion. Delving into the play leads to the boys' exploration of gender roles, questions of sexual identity, and issues brought on by religious repression.

Featuring an outstanding cast including Topher Brattain, Eric Fagundes, Wyatt Fenner & David Pintado, this premiere will be directed by the magnificently talented Derek Charles Livingston who served as the Managing Artistic Director of Celebration Theatre for five years. During his tenure he produced or co-produced over twenty productions garnering Ovation, LA Weekly, NAACP, LA Drama Critics, GLAAD and Back Stage West Garland awards and nomination, as well as seven LA Times ‘Critic Pick’ designations. As a director in Los Angeles his work includes Naked Will (GLAAD nomination, Best Production), (LA Weekly Nomination, Best Director; Frontiers Top Ten of the Year); Love! Valour! Compassion (Attic Theatre, 2005; Honorable Mention Best of the Year -- Entertainment Today, Frontiers Top Ten of the Year); and what the LA Times called the 'definitive Los Angeles production' of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Ovation Award, Best Musical Small Theatre, Frontiers Top Ten of the Year).

Phil Brickey wrote to announce auditions for his next show, REHEARSAL FOR MURDER, on November 17 from 10am-2pm and on November 18 from 2pm-6pm at The La Habra Depot Theatre 311 S. Euclid St., La Habra, CA 90631. We will do cold readings from the script. Callbacks will also be included in the November 18th time slot. The show opens January 18 and runs through February 10. Fri/Sat @8pm and Sundays @2:30. If you or anyone you know is interested, let me know. For more info call Phil direct or check the website http://www.lhdepottheatre.org/Auditions.htm.

Sheldon Metz announced he recently acted as a show consultant for Gordon Davidson, former Artist Director of the Center Theater Group, for the show LESSONS by Wendy Graf starring Hal Linden at the Strassberg Institute.

New Member

Vice President Gail Bernardi announced our newest member as
Liz Reinhardt
520 S. Burnside Ave. #10B
Los Angeles, CA.90036
323 936 6339

Welcome Liz! (about time!)

November Birthdays

Sue Carpenter 11/1, August Vivirito 11/2, Ed Cotter 11/3, Michele Rosen 11/3, Cynthia Rothschild 11/4, Helen Geller 11/6, Mary Buhler 11/7, Jack Lyons 11/9, Barbara McMurray 11/13, Scot Renfro 11/14, Hilary Fitzsimmons 11/17, Tara Potthoff 11/17, Marcy Agreen 11/21, Jenny Boone 11/30.

November Anniversaries

Jack & Jeanette Lyons 11/9, Irv & Helen Geller 11/15, Jack Weintraub & Jamie Hayes 11/16.

Kentwood Website

Check out the Kentwood Players Website. Go to www.kentwoodplayers.org. Andreas Klute is the designer of the Kentwood Players Website and provides ongoing support, however, if you have questions or comments regarding the site, please contact Hal Fisher by email at FisherForPhoto@hotmail.com

Larry Jones