Kentwood Players presents Othello, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy of manipulation, madness and despair that begins when Iago, a resentful, egocentric individual who feels overlooked and undervalued by his peers, is passed over by Othello for promotion and pursues his revenge against the Moor of Venice by constructing a plot fueled by betrayal and jealousy. Iago, who speaks more lines than any other Shakespeare character, operates not with brute force, but by psychologically poisoning others, making them act as pawns in his vendetta. And as suspicion about his wife Desdemona’s fidelity takes hold of Othello’s mind, we watch him spiral downwards towards his inevitable tragic doom.
Adapted from Shakespeare’s Othello by director Christopher Aruffo, the production features choreography by Doug Vasquez and original music by Samwise Aaron, and is produced for Kentwood Players by Ben Lupejkis and Patricia Butler, with Associate Producer Nick Unquera.
Featured in the cast are Casey Braxton as Othello, Katrina Gaedcke as Desdemona, Georgi Goldberg as Iago, Sean Grant as Cassio, and Hollis Andrews as Emilia, with (in alphabetical order) Brooke Arnold, Vince Balzano, David Choi, Devin Guinee, Adrian Heidemann, Jacob Helfgott, Sydney Lanae, Forrest Lark, Kila Logan, Chris Morrison, Eliseo Paiva, and Mark Sandstrom.
Performance dates are Friday, September 11 through Saturday, October 3, on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday matinees, also at 2 p.m., will be added September 19 and continue through the end of the run at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045.
Reserved seats are $25 with a $4 discount for seniors, children, students and military, available online at www.kentwoodplayers.org, by emailing bo*******@*************rs.org, or by calling (310) 645-5156. Group rates for 10 or more can be arranged with the box office.
She Loves Me is a celebrated, multi-award-winning 1963 Broadway musical widely considered one of the most charming romantic comedies ever written. Written by the legendary creative team of Joe Masteroff (book), Jerry Bock (music), and Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) – the same team behind Fiddler on the Roof – the show is highly praised for its old-world elegance, endearing innocence, and lush score.
The intimate and touching story is set in a 1930’s European perfumery where shop clerks Amalia and Georg don’t see eye-to-eye on anything. Both respond to a “lonely hearts” advertisement in the newspaper by addressing them to “Dear Friend” and now live for the love letters they exchange. But the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Join Amalia and Georg on their journeys to discover the identity of their true loves… with all the twists and turns along the way!
If the “enemies-to-lovers” plot about anonymous pen pals who cannot stand each other in person sounds familiar, it is because this story has inspired several major Hollywood films, including The Shop Around the Corner (1940) starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, In the Good Old Summertime (1949) a musical version starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson, and You’ve Got Mail (1998) the modern tech adaptation starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Kentwood Players will hold open in-person auditions for their upcoming production of She Loves Me on Saturday, September 12 from 10am-2pm and Sunday, September 13 from 6pm-9pm. Callbacks by invitation only will take place on Monday, September 14 from 7pm-10pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Video submissions will be accepted until Friday, September 11. Please email sh********@*************rs.org for video submission instructions. Anyone who is called back from a video submission must be prepared to dance at in-person callbacks.
Kentwood Players is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and encourages actors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and identities to audition. Appointments are not necessary for in-person auditions, but please allow time to sign in and complete any required paperwork during scheduled audition times. Bring a current headshot, resume, and your calendar, as you will be asked to note any potential conflicts with the rehearsal schedule on Mondays-Thursdays 7pm – 10pm and Saturdays 10am – 2pm.
Please prepare 16-32 bars in the style of the show. Please do not sing from the show or anything contemporary. (i.e. no Pasek & Paul, Jason Robert Brown, Sondheim, etc.) Please bring sheet music in the correct key and appropriately marked for the accompanist. Everyone should be prepared to learn a brief movement call at auditions. Please bring shoes that you can move in.
For a complete character breakdown, please visit https://kentwoodplayers.org/auditions.aspx
The non-equity, non-paid production is directed by Brian Pirnat, with music direction by Elizabeth Bouton Summerer and choreography by Alison Boole, produced for Kentwood Players by Jeremy Palmer and Shawn K. Summerer, and presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Performance dates are Friday, November 13 through Saturday, December 12, on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Saturday matinees, also at 2 p.m., will be added November 21 and continue through the end of the run. There will be no performances during Thanksgiving Weekend, November 27-29.
For questions about this production, the rehearsal process or the audition process, please contact the director and production team via email to sh********@*************rs.org
For general information about Kentwood Players including parking, public transit options, and upcoming shows, visit us at https://kentwoodplayers.org/. You can also find Kentwood Players on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.