By Shari Barrett
Lost in Yonkers centers around two brothers, Jay and Arty Kurnitz, who are left with their father’s estranged family while he hits the road to work off his debt to loan sharks. Little do the boys know that they’re about to get a crash course in complex, heartbreaking, and hilarious familial relations in classic Neil Simon style. This Pulitzer Prize-winning comedic drama takes the boys – and the audience – on a journey through the laughter and tears that only family can provide.
The production is directed by Jeremy Palmer, assistant directed by Josh Harper, produced by Alison Boole with associate producer Jamie Dawley, presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. Featured in the cast (in alphabetical order) are Lyndsay Palmer, Elliott Plunkett, Shawn Plunkett, Catherine Rahm, Patrick Rogers, Elizabeth Summerer, and Evan Dean Wright. Performances take place on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. added January 24 through the end of the run at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles 90045, where the entire six-play season will be presented.
Meet the Lost in Yonkers production team and cast members promoting the play at the Westchester Farmer’s Market on Sunday, January 4 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Downtown Triangle, located at 6200 West 87th Street in L.A. 90045 (between the Coffee Company and Truxton’s Restaurant).
Show #2 is the West Coast Premiere of Guilty Pleasures by Ken Levine opening Friday, March 13 through Saturday, April 4, directed by Jonathan Fahn, produced by Lou Saliba with associate producers Ken Levine and Zahra Zaveri, presented by special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide. The action takes place on a romantic cruise where a playful agreement and a series of misunderstandings between two couples produce a hilarious few days at sea. Open auditions for this fast-paced, witty, and very adult romp take place on Saturday, January 17 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on Sunday, January 18 from 6-10 p.m. Callbacks by invitation only will be held on Monday, January 19 starting at 7 p.m. For more information including how to prepare and cast breakdowns, visit https://kentwoodplayers.org/auditions.aspx. Please note: The play includes adult situations and content and an intimacy director will be involved in the rehearsal process.
Show #3 is the musical Next to Normal with music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, running Friday, May 8 through Saturday, June 6, directed by Kirk Larson and produced by Margaret Harrington by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Show #4 is the play Significant Other by Joshua Harmon, running Friday, July 10 through Saturday, August 1, directed by Elijah Green, produced by Lori Marple-Pereslete and Martin Feldman, presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
Show #5 is William Shakespeare’s Othello, running Friday, September 11 through Saturday, October 3 directed by Chris Aruffo, produced by Ben Lupejkis and Patricia Butler with associate producer Nick Unquera.
Show #6 is the romantic comedy musical She Loves Me with a book by Joe Masteroff, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, based on the 1937 play Parfumerie by Miklós László about two feuding shop clerks, Amalia and Georg, who unknowingly fall in love as anonymous pen pals through a “lonely hearts” advertisement, which also inspired the movies The Shop Around the Corner (1940) and You’ve Got Mail (1998). Directed by Brian Pirnat, She Loves Me opens Friday, November 13 through Saturday, December 14.
Season tickets for all 6 shows are only $105 per person, consisting of 6 consecutive shows starting with the production of your choice. Or individual reserved seat tickets for non-musicals are $25, musicals are $30, with a $4.00 discount for seniors, students, and the military. Tickets are available online at https://kentwoodplayers.org/reservations.aspx where you can select and book your own seats, or by calling (310) 645-5156, or via email to boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org.
The Kentwood Players Plays Committee is currently seeking directors and marketable shows which display the diverse voices of our creative community for our six-play 2027 season. Or please consider being part of a monthly workshop, featuring short works of any genre that are open to all directors, writers, musicians, and actors, which take place after 7:30 p.m. membership meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. Please submit all directing, play and workshop proposals via email to the Plays Committee at plays@kentwoodplayers.org for approval and scheduling.
For more information about Kentwood Players including parking, public transit options, upcoming shows and auditions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at https://kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
