Past Comedy:
Kentwood Players presents
Olive and the Bitter Herbs

Olive and the Bitter Herbs
by Charles Busch
Directed by Kirk Larson
Produced by Lori A. Marple-Pereslete
July 8 – August 13, 2016

Olive and the Bitter Herbs centers on the life of Olive Fisher, an elderly character actress whose claim to fame was her iconic “Gimme the Sausage” commercials of the 1980s. She is a classic New York curmudgeon at war with the world, in particular her gay next door neighbors. Her closed-off life is shaken by the appearance of a spectral male figure viewed through her living room mirror. This appearance, along with the help of the father of the co-op’s board president and Olive's only “friend,” brings together the feuding neighbors for a comedic Passover Seder. A series of strange and outrageous coincidences reveals that the man in the mirror has intimate links to everyone in Olive’s world, encouraging her that it’s never too late to change one’s life and perhaps find love.

Character

CAST

Played by
Olive ············ Gail Bernardi
Wendy ············ Alison Mattiza
Robert ············ Ken MacFarlane
Trey ············ Daniel Kruger
Sylvan ············ Martin Feldman

CAST PICTURES

Olive decides to bring her feuding neighbors together for a comedic Passover Seder, but Sylvan has something else on his mind.
Olive Fisher is an elderly character actress whose claim to fame was her iconic “Gimme the Sausage” commercials of the 1980s.
Robert and Trey love smelly cheese which Olive finds totally disgusting.
Olive seems to always be at odds with her neighbor Wendy, the only person in the building who seems to care about her.
Sylvan encourages Olive to take a look in the mirror at her life.
Olive teaches Robert about the meaning of the items on a Passover Seder plate.
Olive decides to bring her feuding neighbors together for a comedic Passover Seder.
Wendy and Olive discover a lost family heirloom.
Olive is thoroughly surprised when Sylvan expresses his feelings for her.
Trey and Olive can't seem to get along about anything.
The cast of Olive and the Bitter Herbs features
(Seated from left): Martin Feldman, Gail Bernardi, Alison Mattiza
(Standing from left): Daniel Kruger, Ken MacFarlane
The cast of Olive and the Bitter Herbs
After dinner conversation takes a turn when Olive realizes no one agrees with her opinion.
Olive’s neighbors toast her for agreeing to host a Passover Seder.
Olive blesses the candles to start her Passover Seder.
Olive warns Wendy not to give up her cheap NY apartment if she decides to move to Los Angeles.
Robert senses there is something truly remarkable about the mirror in Olive's apartment.
Photos by Shari Barrett

KENTWOOD PLAYERS

Westchester Playhouse
8301 Hindry Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(Click here for map)

310-645-5156
Box Office Questions: boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org
Rental Questions: rentals@kentwoodplayers.org