Culver City Observer -

Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for Neil Simon's comedy FOOLS on Saturday, May 11 from 10:00am to 1:00pm, and Sunday, May 11 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Callbacks will take place by invitation only on Monday, May 13 beginning at 7:00pm. This is a non-equity, all-volunteer production directed by Jeremy Palmer and produced by Catherine Rahm for Kentwood Players with rights secured from Concord Theatricals.

Performance dates are Friday, July 19 through Saturday, August 10, 2024, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. Saturday matinees at 2:00pm will be added on July 27 and continue through the rest of the run. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

FOOLS is the comic tale of Leon Tolchinsky, an enthusiastic young schoolteacher who arrives in the idyllic Ukrainian village of Kulyenchikov to find the townspeople sweeping dust from the stoops back into their houses and milking upside-down cows to get more cream. Hired to educate Sophia Zubritsky, the daughter of the town doctor, Leon falls in love with her at first sight, even though she just recently learned to sit down. Her father, Dr. Zubritsky, is hopeful that this teacher will be the one to break the curse of chronic stupidity from which the town has been suffering for 200 years.

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 information, please send an email to Fools@kentwoodplayers.org.

Cast Breakdown:

Leon Tolchinsky (20s-30s, Male identifying) - An idealistic teacher who is convinced he can reach any pupil. Leon has his mettle tested by the people of Kulyenchikov, especially Sophia, with whom he falls hopelessly in love.

Sophia Zubritsky (20s, Female identifying) - Having just learned to sit down, Sophia knows there is more to the world than Kulyenchikov but fears she will never be smart enough to experience it.

Doctor Zubritsky (40s-50s, Male identifying) - The town "intelligentsia" who hires Leon to tutor his daughter Sophia, Zubritsky wants only the best for his child.

Lenya Zubritsky (40s-50s, Female Presenting) - A nurturing and supporting wife and mother, Lenya has given up hope for herself but is still holding out hope that Sophia might escape foolishness that plagues the village.

Gregor Yousekevitch (30s-50s, Male identifying) - Wealthy and entitled, his ancestor cursed the village and Gregor believes pursuing Sophia will undo it.

TOWNSPEOPLE OF KULYENCHIKOV

Snetsky (20s - 80s, Any gender identifying) - The local shepherd who can't keep track of his flock or remember the rest of his name.

Slovitch (20s - 80s, Any gender identifying) - The local butcher, the most cantankerous of the townspeople with very little patience for stupidity, even his own.

Mishkin (20s - 80s, Any gender identifying) - The local postal worker who knows everyone and yet not a thing, except for how to keep or lose everyone's mail.

Yenchna (20s - 80s, Any gender identifying) - The industrious local flower vendor, but if she doesn't have it, she'll just sell you a nice fish because what's the difference?

Magistrate (60s-80s, Any gender identifying) - Constantly confused and elderly, the town's only "law and order."

For auditions, Metro Train riders can take the K Line to Kentwood, exiting at the Westchester/Veterans station at Florence and Hindry, just a short one block walk from the Westchester Playhouse. Drivers may park on 83rd Street and in the adjoining neighborhood, but not on Hindry between the Playhouse and the Metro Train station. Please read all traffic and parking signs carefully.

For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production, upcoming auditions and shows, please visit the Kentwood Players website at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Another way to learn more about Kentwood Players and our members is to attend in-person Kentwood Players membership meetings, which are free to the public and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045. Come on down and find out more about our 74-years-old and going strong community theater group and how you can get involved as one of our volunteers!

Kentwood Players is a non-profit theatre group dedicated to enriching, educating, and entertaining our community through the transformative power of live theatre while creating an environment for inspiring human potential. As a 501C3 organization, donations to Kentwood Players in any amount are always greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.