Alison Mattiza

Review: THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHOW (Abridged) Offers Continuous Holiday Hilarity at the Torrance Theatre Company

THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHOW (Abridged) by Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor, directed by Perry Shields with a knowing wink at all the holiday craziness now rampant in the world. Adding to his own stressfully creative holiday season, the production features two casts performing on alternate dates with Kenyon Meleney, Jimmy Duong, and Matt Garber making up the all-male cast; and Alison Mattiza, Amanda Webb, and Cindy Shields in the all-female cast. So not only is their comic timing absolutely essential throughout the show, along with more costume changes than I can count and continuous choreography, each of Perry's two casts rehearsed separately in half the usual rehearsal time! And if casting is 99% of the success of a show, kudos to Perry for his casting perfection!

FIRST LOOK: Kentwood Players Opens BIG FISH, a new Broadway Musical, on March 17

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.

FIRST LOOK: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at the Westchester Playhouse opens 11/11

Kentwood Players proudly presents the wickedly inspired musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN with book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, opening Friday, November 11 through Saturday, December 17, 2016 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. The production is directed and choreographed by Alison Mattiza, assisted by Musical Director Catherine Rahm and Assistant Director Valerie Ruel, produced by Lori A. Marple-Pereslete by special arrangement with Musical Theatre International.

Kentwood Players Announces 2016 Marcom Masque Award Winners

Kentwood Players, the community theater group based at the Westchester Playhouse, was founded in December 1949 by Jan and Arky Marcom, for whom the group's annual Marcom Masque Awards are named. The first Marcom Masque Awards were presented for the 1957-1958 season with 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' winning the award for Best Play.

FIRST LOOK: Kentwood Players opens OLIVE AND THE BITTER HERBS by Charles Busch 7/8/16

Here is your first look at photos for Kentwood Players production of 'Olive and the Bitter Herbs' by Charles Busch opening Friday, July 8 through Saturday, August 13, 2016 at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045. The production is directed by Kirk Larson and produced by Lori A. Marple-Pereslete by special arrangement with Samuel French. Featured in the cast are Gail Bernardi, Martin Feldman, Daniel Kruger, Ken MacFarlane and Alison Mattiza. Photos by Shari Barrett.

Kentwood Players Opens Musical Murder Mystery SOMETHING'S AFOOT Tonight

Here's your first look at the musical murder mystery 'SOMETHING'S AFOOT' that spoofs detective stories, most particularly Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None (a.k.a. Ten Little Indians). The play involves a group of standard British mystery characters (the Cockney servants, the brash retired military man, the imperious dowager, the snoopy spinster, the ne'er-do-well nephew, the ingenue couple) who are invited to the lake estate of Lord Dudley Rancour. When the wealthy lord is found dead, it's a comical race against the clock and some outrageous booby traps to find out whodunit.

FIRST LOOK: Kentwood Players Opens Musical Murder Mystery SOMETHING'S AFOOT, 11/13

Here's your first look at the musical murder mystery "SOMETHING'S AFOOT" that spoofs detective stories, most particularly Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None (a.k.a. Ten Little Indians). The play involves a group of standard British mystery characters (the Cockney servants, the brash retired military man, the imperious dowager, the snoopy spinster, the ne'er-do-well nephew, the ingenue couple) who are invited to the lake estate of Lord Dudley Rancour. When the wealthy lord is found dead, it's a comical race against the clock and some outrageous booby traps to find out whodunit.

Photo Coverage: Kentwood Players Welcome Del Shores and Original SORDID LIVES Cast Members to Their Show

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.

FIRST LOOK at SORDID LIVES by Del Shores, Opening Tonight at the Westchester Playhouse

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.

Photo Flash: SORDID LIVES by Del Shores Opens Friday, 7/11 at the Westchester Playhouse

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

FIRST LOOK at SORDID LIVES by Del Shores, Opening 7/11 at the Westchester Playhouse

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.

Photo Flash: Kentwood Players IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY Begins Tonight

Kentwood Players presents the beloved American holiday classic 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' by Joe Landry from tonight, November 8 through Saturday, December 14, 2013 for a six-week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm with Sunday matinees at 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045. The production is directed by Gypsy Foster and produced by Vada Foster and Alison Mattiza by special arrangement with Playscripts Inc.

FIRST LOOK: Los Angeles Mission To Benefit From Two Very Different Theatrical Productions This Holiday Season

Through a theatrical coincidence, Kentwood Players and Cornerstone Theater Company are both working to positively influence an otherwise overlooked community on Skid Row through their support of the Los Angeles Mission this holiday season. Both companies believe art has the power to change the lives of people who need it the most and are using the power of live theater to bring the holiday spirit to LA's Skid Row.

Photo Flash: First Look at Kentwood Players IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY

This beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940's radio broadcast, set on the stage and auditorium of Studio A at WBFR in Manhattan, New York on Christmas Eve, 1946. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.

Kentwood Players to Hold Auditions for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, 9/14-15

Kentwood Players will hold auditions 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' by Joe Landry on Saturday, September 14, 2013 from 11am-4pm and on Sunday, September 15 from 6-9pm with possible callbacks on Monday, September 16 at 7pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045.

Photo Flash: First Look at Kentwood Kids Onstage in ALL IN THE STARS by Mark Billen

The Kentwood Kids Production of Mark Billen's ALL IN THE STARS opened Saturday, June 1 at the Westchester Playhouse, directed by Drew Fitzsimmons and Melodie S. Rivers, and produced by Bruce Starrett for Kentwood Players. Here's your first look at the kids onstage!

FIRST LOOK at Kentwood Kids ALL IN THE STARS, Opening 6/1

Kentwood Players is delighted to present our next Kentwood Kids Production, 'All in the Stars' by Mark Billen on Saturdays, June 1, 8 and 15 at 11:00am and 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse. The production is directed by Drew Fitzsimmons and Melodie S. Rivers, and produced by Bruce Starrett by special arrangement with Lazy Bee Scripts.

Photo Flash: Kentwood Players presents Neil Simon's CALIFORNIA SUITE May 10 to June 15, 2013

Kentwood Players presents Neil Simon's CALIFORNIA SUITE from tonight, May 10 to June 15, 2013 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester (LA 90045). The production is directed by Alison Mattiza and produced by Larry Jones by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Kentwood Players Presents Neil Simon's CALIFORNIA SUITE opening 5/10

Playwright Neil Simon's CALIFORNIA SUITE is a comedy consisting of four playlets whose action takes place in rooms 203 and 204 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1976. This is Neil Simon at his best - a humorous confection that will definitely make you laugh and warm your heart!

Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Jeff Asch, Valerie Sullivan and More in Kentwood Players' CALIFORNIA SUITE

Kentwood Players presents Neil Simon's comedy 'California Suite', May 10 to June 15, 2013 at the Westchester Playhouse. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.