Elizabeth A. Bouton

Those of us who remember the 60s no doubt were fans of Roller Derby on television. But ever wonder what it was like behind-the-scenes when the rough and tough female skaters let their hair down? The new musical High Heels on Wheels, with lyrics and book by Leslie Sloan and music by Eliza Jane McNamara, is part of this month’s Hollywood Fringe Festival and shares the story of Doris Selander, the best carhop in town, who decides to try out for the open spot of the local derby team in 1965. Her life takes many directions once she makes the decision to follow her dreams to roller derby stardom, despite the roadblocks in her way. I decided to speak with Leslie Sloan about the process of bringing it to the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Kentwood Players presents 9 TO 5 the Musical with Book by Patricia Resnick, Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, opening just in time to welcome the holiday season on Friday, November 11 through Saturday, December 10, 2022 on Friday/Saturday at 8pm, Saturday/Sunday at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse.

Eight brand-new fifteen-minute musicals will have their world premiere LIVE ON STAGE on July 13 and 14 at the Broadwater Mainstage in Hollywood. 

For the past few months, I have been enjoying the PLAY-AT-HOME series of nine plays being presented online by Torrance Theatre Company. What makes their virtual theater series unique from others is that each play is being broadcast live from within the walls of their theater, staged on three pre-set playing areas separated far enough apart to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines for the cast and production team. On Sunday, October 18th, I tuned in for Lauren Gunderson's BAUER which has a 24-hour encore on Sunday, October 25th.

INTO THE WOODS may be one of the most popular musicals for those skilled in the art of presenting musical theater comedy. So much so that when Cupcake Studios held auditions for the 17 character roles in the show, over 1,000 people submitted online and in person to be in the show at the North Hollywood theater location. So it is no wonder each and every person in the show creates magic when they take the stage! Kudos to Michael Pettenato, the group's Artistic Director who directs and produces this musical extravaganza, for selecting the best of the best to bring such excellence in all aspects of the production.

Kentwood Players proudly presents the new Broadway musical "BIG FISH" with Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa and Book by John August, based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia motion picture written by John August, opening Friday, March 17 through Saturday, April 22, 2017 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Los Angeles, CA 90045. Pre-show sweets and champagne receptions will take place from 7:00-7:30pm on opening night March 17 for members and their guests, and on Saturday, March 18 for subscribers and their guests.

On Sunday, July 20, the Kentwood Players performance of SORDID LIVES had 4 very special guests in the audience: playwright Del Shores and original cast members Ann Walker, Newell Alexander and Rosemary Alexander. After enjoying the show, they visited with the Kentwood cast and posed for photos on the set.

Kentwood Players will present 'Sordid Lives' by Del Shores from tonight, July 11 to August 16, 2014 for a six-week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with Sunday matinees at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045. The production is directed by Kirk Larson and produced by Lori Marple-Pereslete and Virginia Mekkelson by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

This black comedy about white trash centers on a colorful family from a small Texas town who must come to grips with the accidental death of the elderly family matriarch during her clandestine meeting in a seedy motel room with a much younger, married neighbor. The woman's family must deal with their own demons while preparing for what could be an embarrassing funeral. This play is filled with adult situations and language

SORDID LIVES, a black comedy about white trash, centers on a colorful family from a small Texas town who must come to grips with the accidental death of the elderly family matriarch during her clandestine meeting in a seedy motel room with a much younger, married neighbor. The woman's family must deal with their own demons while preparing for what could be an embarrassing funeral. This play is filled with adult situations and language.

Kentwood Players was founded in 1949 by Jan and Arky Marcom. At the end of each Kentwood Players season, all Kentwood Players members in good standing who have seen all six shows vote by secret ballot and then the group presents our annual Marcom Masque Awards to the winners in each category at an entertainment-filled dinner ceremony.

On July 2, 2011 the Kentwood Players 2010-2011 Marcom Masque Awards Dinner and Awards Ceremony was held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Culver City, organized by Shari Barrett and Linda Reinhardt, with Forbidden Kentwood entertainment directed and written by Scott Martin, and Michelle Rosen as Mistress of Ceremony.

Kentwood Players presents the Tony Award winning musical 'Parade' with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown from Friday, March 18 to Saturday, April 23, 2011 with performances on Friday and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Los Angeles, CA 90045. The production is directed by Ben Lupejkis and produced by Victoria and Rocky Miller with special permission from Music Theatre International.

Kentwood Players presents the Tony Award winning musical 'Parade' with book by Alfred Uhry and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown from Friday, March 18 to Saturday, April 23, 2011 with performances on Friday and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Los Angeles, CA 90045. The production is directed by Ben Lupejkis and produced by Victoria and Rocky Miller with special permission from Music Theatre International.