By Shari Barrett
Kentwood Players presents the gripping thriller Misery by William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King, opening (very appropriately) on Friday, September 13 and running through Saturday, October 5. Performances take place on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2pm, with Saturday matinees at 2pm added on September 21 through the end of the run at Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045. The production is directed by Kathy Dershimer and produced by Jenny Boone and Harold Dershimer for Kentwood Players with rights secured from Dramatists Play Service, Inc. The production is sponsored by SCAN Health Plan. The cast features Juanita Guzman as Annie Wilkes, Aaron Frank as Paul Sheldon (Scott Batstone understudy) and Andrew Chorbi as Buster.
Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by Annie Wilkes, his ‘number one fan,’ and then wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and it does. William Goldman’s spine-tingling stage adaptation based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel traps you in the room with Paul as he must outsmart Annie if he hopes to escape. Their tense cat-and-mouse game will grip you until the very end. And misery loves company!
Reserved seats are $25 with a $4 discount for seniors and students, available by emailing the box office at boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org or by calling (310) 645-5156. All box office emails and messages will be answered in the order received to confirm your ticket order. Based on availability, $10 rush tickets may be offered at select performances 30 minutes before curtain time.
Tickets can also be booked online at www.kentwoodplayers.org where you can find detailed information on their upcoming open auditions for The Producers, the hit musical comedy by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, on Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, September 15 from 6-9 p.m. Call backs Monday, September 16 7-10 p.m. by invitation only. This non-equity production is directed by Susan Weisbarth, with Musical Direction by Mike Walker and Choreography by Luke Smith, produced for Kentwood Players by Gail Bernardi, Kim Peterson, and Margaret Harrington, presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). The production is sponsored by SCAN Health Plan. Performance dates are Friday, November 15 through Saturday, December 14 (dark Thanksgiving weekend).
Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks’ classic musical comedy. Winner of 12 Tony Awards, the plot is simple: a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit which skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender!”
The director is seeking a diverse and inclusive cast. No appointments are necessary to audition; please arrive to allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted and you will be asked to note any conflicts. For more complete character information, please visit https://kentwoodplayers.org/auditions.aspx or send an email to producers@kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
On July 1, Meyer2Meyer Entertainment who operates The Nocturne Theatre in Glendale, experienced a massive loss of inventory, costumes, props and scenery due to a warehouse fire. Just over a month later, on August 9, the group rose from the ashes to open the final show of their first season, The Hunchback of Notre Dame to appreciative audiences through August 31. Under the impressive direction of Justin Meyer, music director Nolan Monsibay, and choreographers Ernie Peiffer, Melissa Meyer, and Madison Mi Hwa Oliver, the massive undertaking with an incredible cast of triple-threat performers, musicians, lighting designed by Eric Marsh, scenic design by Jay Michael Roberts, and glorious costumes designed by Tanya Cyr which included the most incredible headpieces to transform cast members into the famous Notre Dame gargoyles, this spectacular production will surely keep dazzling the senses of all who experienced it.
The captivating musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s timeless classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame featuring a rich score by Alan Menken, with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Peter Parnell, follows the story of Quasimodo, the hunchback bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral brilliantly performed by Thomas Adoue Polk with every ounce of his being, as he navigates a multi-level world filled with prejudice, cruelty, and ultimately love with the unlikeliest of women, the gypsy Esmeralda, magnificently portrayed by Kylie Grogan whose voice, along with Polk and Kelby Thwaits as the wayward Cathedral priest Claude Frollo, raise this production to great operatic heights.
Set in 15th-century Paris, this powerful tale, while very dark in its story and presentation, explores themes of compassion, acceptance, and the enduring human spirit to overcome the most difficult of obstacles thanks to one of the best ensembles to hit L.A. stages in this writer’s memory. And given its theater-in-the-round seating with cast members often entering and exiting through the audience, the immersive nature brings you into really caring about these unfortunate souls whose fate seems to be out of their hands. Adding their magical vocal and physical skills to the production are Troy Dailey as Esmeralda’s true love Captain Phoebus, Brayden Hade as Clopin who sets the tone of the entire production with his rendition of “The Bells of Notre Dame,” and ensemble members Jordan Iosua Taylor as Jehan/Romani, Liana Rose Vertudela as Florika/Romani, Wes Morrow as Lt. Frederic, Nolan Monsibay as Saint Aphrodisius, Jack Bernaz as Father Dupin/Gargoyle, David Gallic as the comical King Louis XI/Statue, Bedjou Jean as Soldier/Gargoyle, Cassandra Caruso as Madam/Gargoyle, Samantha Rose as Reveler/Gargoyle, Madison Mi Hwa Oliver as Demon/Romani, Danielle Johnson as Demon/Romani, and Jewell Valentin as Demon/Romani.
A word of advice for future patrons who use walkers or wheelchairs: The Nocturne Theatre building is not handicap accessible with many stairs to navigate (some without handrails), and no accessible restrooms. Ushers are there to assist, but the narrow staircase up to the second-floor restrooms may be a problem for mobility-challenged patrons.
To learn more about Meyer2Meyer Entertainment, a performing art and immersive event company specializing in interactive theatrical productions, and their upcoming Halloween and holiday season productions at The Nocturne Theatre, visit https://www.meyer2meyer.com/ The Nocturne Theatre is located at 324 North Orange Street in Glendale 91203. Box office (818) 839-00984. Website https://thenocturnetheatre.com/
