Stage Page – Futuristic, multimedia play the giver opens January 17 at the Westchester Playhouse

The Giver (Gavin Glynn) shares his wisdom to prepare Jonas (Jack Heath) for his journey in the futuristic, multimedia play THE GIVER based on the Newberry Award-winning book by Lois Lowry. Photo credit: Gloria Plunkett

 

 

Kentwood Players, one of the longest continuously operating Los Angeles theater groups, welcomes the New Year and its 70th Anniversary with the futuristic, multimedia play THE GIVER, adapted for the stage by Eric Coble, based on the Newberry Award-winning book by Lois Lowry, opening on Friday, Jan. 17,  and continuing through Saturday, Feb. 22 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. located at 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles, home of the Kentwood Players. Additional weekday performances are planned to accommodate school groups throughout the run due to the popularity of Lowry’s book in classrooms around the world.

This is a non-equity/non-paid production directed by Harold Dershimer, produced by Kathy Dershimer for Kentwood Players by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois. The cast features Jack Heath and Elliott Plunkett alternating in the roles of Jonas and Asher, with Gavin Glynn as The Giver. Others in the cast include (in alphabetical order) Jenny Boone, Lois Bostwick, Maria Brodeur, Allison Cunningham, Robin Cunningham, Daniel Kruger, Kaya McLean, Shawn Plunkett, and Lily Repp.

Life in the futuristic community where THE GIVER and Jonas live is idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce new children, who are assigned to appropriate family units: one male, one female, to each.  Citizens are assigned their partners and their jobs and no one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. The community is a precisely choreographed world without conflict, inequality, divorce, unemployment, injustice…or choice.  Join us for this multi-media presentation as we follow Jonas’ journey filled with heightened sensory experiences from a place of sameness… to elsewhere.

Reserved seat tickets are $22 with a $2 discount for seniors, students, and servicemen. To purchase tickets, please email the box office at boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org or call (310) 645-5156, preferably during box office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Please note our box office gets a large number of calls and all voicemail messages will be answered in the order received to confirm your ticket order. A limited number of tickets are available online at www.kentwoodplayers.org. For group ticket sales of 10 or more, including the additional weekday performances for school groups, please contact the box office for group rates.

 

For more information about Kentwood Players productions and upcoming open auditions for the comedy VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE the weekend of January 18-19, please visit the Kentwood Players website at www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players’ information on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or by attending the group’s next free membership meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Westchester Playhouse, located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester. And you just may find a way to get involved with this 70-years and going strong, all-volunteer community theater group, recently voted the Best Live Theater on the Westside by readers of The Argonaut newspaper.