General Meeting

The General Meeting this month will be on Wednesday, September 20, 2006, 8:00 PM at the theater, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Hospitality

September meeting hospitality is “up in the air” as this late edition goes to bed. So, come on down, we can all be surprised together!

Workshop

The September Workshop will be three Ernest Hemingway short stories COMBINED as a One Act Play, conceived and directed by Kentwood Member Michael Allen. The cast includes formerly unknown actors to Kentwood: Drew Fitzsimmons, Alicja Sprague, Jerad Callen, Maria Pavone and Hal Fisher!! Do NOT miss this one!

Most Happy Fella, Music, Lyrics & Book by Frank Loesser
September/October Production

Playing Dates: September 8, 2006 through October 21, 2006.

Our September October Production for 2006 is THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, directed by Ben Lupejkis. Producers on this production are Rocky and Vicki Miller.

Co-Producer Rocky Miller wrote: "The Most Happy Fella" opened most happily in spite of having one week less than normal for set build and on stage rehearsal. A huge thanks to all those behind the scenes who made a great opening weekend and upcoming run possible. In particular, these folks include set designer and master builder, Michael Keith Allen, tireless carpenters and stage managers, Jim Crawford and Trace Talley (the talented, efficient new volunteer and hubby of star Marie Talley, who wielded a mean paint brush herself), indefatigable electrician and 60-cycle hum troubleshooter extraordinaire, Russell Ham, lighting designer, Robert Davis, Artist Michael Cohen, Booth Crew, Kirk Larson and Virginia Mekkelson, and Sound co-designer, Richard Potthoff. Thanks also to the entire crew led by Sheldon Metz, Frank Olivadoti, and Michael Keith Allen, who leveled and resurfaced the stage floor on the weekend that would normally have been the set build for the show. What you see on stage is the product of hard-working costumer, Valerie Ruel, and her dedicated crew, costume asst Maria Cohen and costume constructors, Patricia Butler, Barbara Brophey, Franczeska Angel (also on script), Judy Polak, Julia Maggs, Yvonne Kainoa, Barbara Haberman, and Sheridan Cole, hat maker Arlene Cohen, Prop Master Sheldon Cohen, Hair and Wig Consultant, Jon Sparks, and the cast of Most Happy Fella who donated countless hours assisting in the backstage work while still preparing for their on stage fun. Ben Lupejkis, of course, contributed capably and mightily in every conceivable category, but then we all expected that.

Cast and Crew:

Rocky Miller Tony
Marie Talley Rosabella
Patricia Butler Cleo
Ryan Black Joe
Greg Abbott Herman
Susan Gordon Marie
Ben Lupejkis Pasquale/Al
Jeffrey Mark Pierce Ciccio/Clem
James Larson Guiseppe/Jake
Jerad Callen Doc
Jim Crawford Postman
Phil Apoian Max/Sheriff, Priest, Ensemble
Drew Fitzsimmons Cashier, City Boy, Truck Driver, Bus
Driver, Principle Dancer, Ensemble
Courtney Crooks Country Girl, Principal Dancer, Ensemble
Kelsey Bullock Principal Dancer, Ensemble
Anna Rubin Woman, Principle Dancer, Ensemble
Francesca Palermo Ensemble
Jeanne Spain Biddie, Ensemble
Robin Rothstein Biddie, Ensemble
Meredith Sweeney Ensemble
McKenzie Becker Little Girl
Creed Stager Little Boy

Director Ben Lupejkis
Producers Victoria and Rocky Miller
Music Director Richard Berent
Vocal Director Scott R. McKenzie
Choreographer Victoria Miller
Set Designer Michael Keith Allen
Costume Designer Valerie Ruel
Light Designer Robert Davies
Sound Designer Rocky Miller
Stage Manager Jim Crawford
Property Manger Sheldon Cohen
Poster/Lobby Design Michael Cohen
Audition Assistants Gert Nord, Sheridan Cole

Work Sunday

Much thanks to the following members and friends who attended and helped out so much with our recent TWO Work Sundays for Most Hapy Fella.
8/13: Michael Allan, Gail Bernardi, Tom Brophey, Arlene Cohen, Maria Cohen, Michael Cohen, Sheldon Cohen, De Cotter, Ed Cotter, Hilary Fitzsimmons, J. M. Green, Kirk Larson, Ben Lupejkis, Julia Maggs, Sheldon Metz, Melvin Miller, Frank J. Olivadoti, Maria Pavone, Scot Renfro, Adina Silo and Jon Sparks.
8/20: Greg Abbott, Michael Allan, Franczeska Angel, Phil Apoian, McKenzie Becker, Ryan Black, Barbara Brophey, Tom Brophey, Kelsey Bullock, Patricia Butler, Maria Cohen, Sheldon Cohen, Sheridan Cole, De Cotter, Ed Cotter, Jim Crawford, Courtney Crookes, Susan Gordon, Russell Ham, Phyllis Harrod, James Larsen, Ben Lupejkis, Julia Maggs, Lori Marple-Pereslete, Virginia Mekkelson, Sheldon Metz, Melvin Miller, Rocky Miller, Vicki Miller, Barry Nackos, Tony Pereslete, Jeff Pierce, Judy Polak, Lee Polak, Robyn Rothstein, Justin Rozell, Valerie Ruel, Charlotte Lee Schildkret, Anna Schutte, Adina Silo, Jeanne Spain, Marie Talley and Trace Talley. A huge Kentwood Thanks to all of you!!

New Stage Floor

Check out the fabulous new stage floor next visit to the theater and join me in expressing much thanks to the entire crew of The Most Happy Fella, led by Sheldon Metz, Frank Olivadoti, and Michael Keith Allen, for all their hard work in making the new floor a reality!

Nicholas Nickleby, by Gregory Blair
November/December Production

Our November/December Production for 2006 will be NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, Directed by August Vivirito and Produced by Christine Joëlle.

Director August Vivirito forwarded the following

Charles Dickens’
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY
A New 2-Act Adaptation by Gregory Blair

Directed by August Vivirito
Assistant Directed by T L Kolman
Produced by Christine Joëlle
Costumes by Maria Cohen
Lighting by Tom Brophey
Dialect Coaching by Nathaniel King
Set by August Vivirito and Scot Renfro
Set Decoration by Scot Renfro and August Vivirito
Lighting and Sound Technicians: Mel Miller and Jim Crawford

- THE TROUPE -
(in order of first appearance)

Rosanna Butler Madeline Bray
Skip Pipo Ralph Nickleby
Raymond Lynch Newman Noggs
Margaret Schugt Mrs. Nickleby
Max Dean Nicholas Nickleby
Leslie Rivera Kate Nickleby
Scot Renfro Wackford Squeers
Anthony Mastantuono John (the sneeze boy), Cobby, Folair, Frank Cheeryble
Dave Narloch Mr. Snawley, Lord Verisoft
Frank Kesby Ollie, The Singer, Ned Cheeryble
Scotty Servis Tim, Mobb, Charles Cheeryble
Steve Hallum Smike
Christine Joëlle Mrs. Squeers, Shopper
Kelly Graham Fanny Squeers, Nina Crummles
Justin Rozell Schoolboy
Nathaniel King Lord Mulberry Hawk, Brooker
Philip Apoian Mr. Crummles, Mr. Bray
Vada Foster Mrs. Crummles, Shopper

Young Nicholas and his family have enjoyed a comfortable, country life…until now. Suddenly, Nicholas’ father dies and the family is left penniless. Nicholas’ family travels to London to seek help from their Uncle, Ralph Nickleby, but Ralph’s only intentions are to exploit them. Join in the exciting adventure as Nicholas and his newfound friend Smike escape the cruel boarding school, become theatrical sensations, and encounter secret plots as Nicholas struggles to reunite his family and set the world right.

Cinderella, by Blanche Marvin
Children’s Production, December 2, 9, & 16, 2006

The board has approved our next Children’s Production as Cinderella, to be directed by Carol Becker and produced by Alison Mattiza. The show will be performed on the set of Nicholas Nickleby.

Director Carol Becker forwarded the following for CINDRELLA:

Cast:

Cinderella - Amy Coles
Prince Charming - Andrew Zimmer
Minerva (Stepsister) - Jon Sparks
Angelea (Stepsister) - Robert Davis
Stepmother/Leticia - Susan Gordon
Chamberlain - Greg Jackson
Fairy Godmother/Britannia - Victoria Miller

Crew:

Costumes - Maria Cohen
Choreography/Light Booth - Alison Mattiza
Set Construction - Tony Pereslete

Steve Allen’s The Wake
January/February Production

Playing dates: January 13, 2007 through February 18, 2007. Work Sunday: 12/17/06.

The board has approved our January February Production for 2007 as The Wake, by Steve Allen to be directed by Sheldon Metz and produced by Calia Mintzer. Director Sheldon Metz provided the following:

Cast Breakdowns
Directed by Sheldon Metz
Produced by Calia Mintzer

Time: Circa – 1931.

Auditions will be from the script. The show runs Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees, January 12 through February 17, 2006. Please audition only if you can meet all of the playing dates.

Auditions: Saturday, November 11, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday evening, November 12, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

This story, based upon Steve Allen’s own childhood, centers around a lower middle-class Irish in Chicago. The body of Bridget Scanlon reposes in a casket on stage. Chicago accents needed.

Mike Scanlon – 50 – Very slight Irish lilt. Street smarts, but not a punk. Spent some time in prison. He dreams of a better life.

Josephine Scanlon – 48 – A heavyset woman (?). Same slight lilt as Mike. An antagonist, sarcastic and biting.

Jack Scanlon – 46 – Professional writer. Ultra-progressive for the times. He left the family and moved to NY.

Margaret Scanlon – 44 – Mothering type. The sane voice, she only seeks peace in the family.

Rose Scanlon O’Brien – 42 – She lives her emotions for everyone to see (drama queen).

Belle Scanlon – 39 – Vaudeville actress. The family’s black sheep. Based upon Allen’s own mother, Belle.

David Considine – 9 – The Steve Allen persona as a child. Belle’s son.

John O’Toole – 50 – Working class, with a working class Irish accent. Childhood friend of Mike’s.

Tommy Monaghan – late 40’s – Same As O’Toole. He wears a black eye patch.

Mary McCaffrey – mid-late 70’- Bridget’s oldest friend.

Sarah McCaffrey – Mary’s older sister – Hard of hearing, talks a bit louder.

Father Morrisey – mid 20’s-40’s- Is he con-man or priest? Irish accent.

Nellie Riley – mid-late 30’s – Childhood friend of Belle’s.

Frank Riley, Jr. – 11 – Claire’s stocky, bully of a child.

Theresa Riley – Frank’s younger sister. A little lady.

12th Night or What You Will, by William Shakespeare

Our scheduled March/April Production for 2007 of 12th Night or What You Will, by William Shakespeare has been cancelled and will be replaced. Stay tuned, one could even be announced at the September Meeting!

Follies, Book by James Goldman, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
May/June Production

Our May/June Production will be FOLLIES, to be directed by Ed Cotter and produced by Dee Cotter.

Box Office

The Kentwood Board has announced a CLOSED Box Office before all shows. The Box Office person has a difficult and important job to perform before the curtain can go up and she needs space. Only the box office person, booth operator and the Hospitality crew will be allowed in the box office during the half hour preceding the performance. As a reminder, there will be a latch on the door to the box office.

Publicity

Chairperson Shari Barrett says look for her article in the September/October issue of LA Stage Magazine.
According to Shari, following is the link to the "Kentwood Players Thriving in Westchester" article in the September issue of The Del Rey News. It includes quotes from Sheldon Metz and information gathered from a press release by Sheridan Cole and Shari.
http://www.delreynews.com/html/page_5.html

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 a great way for your organizations to raise funds, see friends, have a good time and see a GREAT show!

Points
Please recall it is important to your membership status, as in continuing your membership, to obtain 6 points throughout the year and Hospitality Chairperson Vada Foster would like to remind everyone those all important points are available to members who sign up for and do hospitality. Come on down and pour some coffee and get points!!

Announcements
Shari Barrett forwarded a letter from Vic Helford and it is reprinted here with Vic’s permission.

“To my dear friends and relatives: For those that don't already know, I have returned to living at my home in Redondo Beach after being well taken care of by my brother & sister-in-law. I stayed at their home for over six weeks and was treated like a king.

I now have a caretaker tending to me 7 days a week from 9AM till 9PM. In addition, my terrific son, Reid, has taken a leave of absence from his college and is living with me for 5 or 6 more weeks...maybe longer. He has been a magnificent help to me and I am relying on him to help me towards recovery.

I am getting dialysis treatments 3 days a week and it is pretty physically exhausting. In addition, I have begun taking chemotherapy for my abdominal cancer at the City Of Hope every Friday. Thus far, I have had two treatments with no adverse reactions. I am taking low doses and if I keep showing no reactions, they will gradually increase the dosage. Just like my recovery, the City of Hope doctors will take it step by step,

Now you are up-to-date. You can contact me at my regular email address or at my home phone.

Thanks for all of your love and encouragement....VIC”

Vic said, Please add my thanks to all of the members for the many phone calls and get-well-cards that I received from so many wonderful Kentwood friends. I appreciate it, thanks!

Shari Barrett is recuperating from surgery and hopes to make it to the September General Meeting.

Webmaster Andy Klute thanks all for their cards and well wishes following his recent surgery.

Steven Carver forwarded the following tribute: All, I am so very happy to steal a little bit of Mary Steelsmith's thunder and announce that she has won the $10,000 Helford Prize for Play Writing for her original play, "Isaac, I am." The prize is named after Bruce Helford, the creator of such hit TV shows as "The Drew Carey Show" and "George Lopez." Many of you have either seen her play at one of the numerous readings over the past few years, or even performed in one of those readings. It's from Jacksonville University (Florida) where Mr. Helford is an alum. Hundreds of plays were submitted, the top three were sent to Mr. Helford and he picked Mary's play as the winner.

Please feel free to pass the great word onto friends who know Mary, as I know I don't have everyone's email address from PVP and Kentwood, two local theatres where I know Mary and her work are especially appreciated. Official press releases and other notifications are being put to press as we speak, as she was just notified of this yesterday.

On a personal note, through her steely determination to see this play have a life of its own, Mary has poured tremendous amounts of her heart and soul into it, crafting and shaping it until it pleased her. She used workshops and numerous staged readings to shape it into its current shape, and I know she appreciates the help all of you have provided. I am so proud that she stuck to it against sometimes tremendous odds and continued to believe in herself and her work, as I know I believe in her and her work. Please join me in congratulating Mary on this wonderful and impressive achievement!

Mary Steelsmith wrote: Thank you for including the information about "Isaac, I am" in this month's [August] bulletin. We had to cancel the performance of "Isaac, I am" in San Diego. It's for a very good reason. "Isaac, I am" just won the Helford Prize, a big national playwriting award. The play will now premiere at Jacksonville University in Florida in October. I'll be flown there to attend and participate. Here is a link to the website.

Helford Prize

An official press release will come from the school in the next week or so and I'll be sure to send it on to you…Kentwood has been so great and supportive of me and my writing and you are grand for taking on this monumental task of keeping up the bulletin. Thanks so much. Mary.

DVORAK IN AMERICA by Alice Lunsford and Janet Barnet, a musical based on the melodies of Czech composer Anton Dvorak, Oct. 6 - Nov 18, playing Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun mat. at Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd (near Woodman), Sherman Oaks. Tix -$28 - 30, seniors & group rates (15 or more in group) - $25. An idyllic family vacation in Spillville, Iowa where Dvorak hopes to find inspiration for his new composition is disrupted by an unexpected visitor. Tickets:(323) 960-4429 or www.plays411.com/Dvorak
group rates call Alice at 310-392-1579. Sets and decor are by Tony and Lori Pereslete. Thanks, Alice

EXTRA EXTRA, The September/October issue of LA Stage Magazine has arrived at the theater. Rush to get your copy!

Dave Parke was cast and shot two movies in July and August. One called Plant Life where he shares the screen with Sheldon Metz and Barry Silver, and he stars in one called "Dirty filthy pigs." It has a website http://www.shermsthemovie.com/. He is also appearing on T.V. in Untold stories of the E. R., late in August on USA network called HOOK IN HEAD. He plays GUS a salvage yard worker and has a couple lines.

Early this year Sheldon Cohen brought a working 27 inch color TV to the theater, to be used as a monitor in the Green Room. Sometime prior to it being hooked up to the camera for use, the TV disappeared. If anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of the TV, let either the Board or Sheldon Cohen know. If you borrowed it return it ASAP. The TV is theater property.

Ed Cotter recommended The Buddy Holly Show, currently on the boards at Theater Palisades.

Shari Barrett wrote to say: As I mentioned at the August general membership meeting, Kentwood Players now lists our productions with Goldstar Events online at half price. There are only 6 half price tickets offered per performance, however what's different is that most Sunday matinees are included. The only performances not offered at half price are Opening and Closing nights and the final Sunday matinee. If you are not registered with Goldstar Events, you can go to http://www.goldstarevents.com and register now. You will receive a weekly email from them with a list of events that may be of interest to you. There is a wide range of activities offered, including sporting events, as well as live theatre. Perhaps there is a play you would like to see that is out of your price range - just check Goldstar Events and perhaps you can book a half price seat!

Shari Barrett also wrote to say: Susie McCarthy and Tim Forsyth, both Kentwood Players members, are appearing in The Unexpected Return of Sherlock Holmes at the Sierra Stage Theatre in West Hollywood. Two performances are available for us to attend at a group rate of 12 tickets at $12 each. As long as there are enough members interested, I will arrange for the tickets and make dinner or lunch reservations at the preferred performance. Please sign-up at the Sept. 20th General Meeting or email your RSVP to KentwoodShari@aol.com

Saturday, October 7
6 PM Meet at Cantor's Deli for dinner
419 N. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
http://www.cantersdeli.com/
Two-hour free parking with validation
8 PM The Unexpected Return of Sherlock Holmes (details below)
Street parking only (carpools would be a good idea!)

- OR -

Sunday, October 8
12 Noon Meet at Cantor's Deli for lunch
419 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
http://www.cantersdeli.com/
Two-hour free parking with validation
2 PM The Unexpected Return of Sherlock Holmes (details below)
Street parking only (carpools would be a good idea!)

- Coconut Productions is proud to present their next production -
THE WEST COAST PREMIERE OF
The Unexpected Return of Sherlock Holmes
Directed by Bill Wolski

Featuring Holly Baker-Kreiswirth, Tim Forsyth, Susie McCarthy,
Frank Pepito, John Russell, Bill Strongin and Bill Wolski

September 23 - October 14, 2006
Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Special Friday Performance - October 13, 8pm

The Sierra Stage
1444 N. Sierra Bonita Ave. (at Sunset), Hollywood
PLEASE NOTE - STREET PARKING ONLY
- Please leave enough time to find parking -
For more information and to make reservations, visit
www.sherlockgoeshollywood.com

September Birthdays
Steve Lee 9/2, David Abrams 9/7, Gail Bernardi 9/14, Harvey Rosenberg 9/17, Sheldon Cohen 9/17, Diane Keiter 9/19, Larry Boone 9/20, Margie Bates, 9/21, Gretchen Luna 9/27, Sheridan Cole 9/29, Lori Marple-Pereslete 9/30. Happy Birthday Everyone!

September Anniversaries
Linda & Sheldon Metz, 9/1 and Vicki & Rocky Miller, 9/11. Happy Anniversary All!
New Members
Les & Sonia Saffil
Clarence E. White
Robert Davis
Send Stuff
Larry Jones