Culver City Observer -

Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for "ORPHANS" by Lyle Kessler on Saturday, July 12, from 12:00-4:00pm and Sunday, July 13, from 6:00-9:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045. Production dates are September 12 to October 18, 2014 for a six-week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm with Sunday matinees at 2pm. The production is directed by Kathy Dershimer and produced by Susan Goldman Weisbarth by special arrangement with Paradigm Talent Agency.

"ORPHANS" centers on two abandoned grown-up boys who live in a dilapidated North Philly row house. Treat, the older, and a violent, predatory thief, has assumed the role of head of household, while Phillip, a reclusive and sensitive man-child, would never survive without his brother. In their horrifying way, these two brothers are a family, until one night when Treat kidnaps a drunken wealthy business man named Harold. Harold turns the table on the two brothers in a strange, hilarious and moving way, becoming a force that will forever change their lives.

"ORPHANS" premiered in 1983 at the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles, and was performed by the Steppenwolf Theater Company Off-Broadway in Chicago, New York and London. The play made its Broadway debut in April 2013 and has received two Tony Award nominations. The play contains adult language.

Please come to the auditions prepared with headshot and resume. No advance appointment required to audition. Script sides of monologues and short scenes will be provided at the auditions. Rehearsal schedule will be posted in the lobby during the audition period, so please bring your calendar to list scheduling conflicts. For further information, please email orphans@kentwoodplayers.org.

Cast breakdown: This is a completely volunteer community theater. There is no pay involved.

PHILLIP - 16-21 - younger brother – man/child with a strong desire to learn - sheltered and bullied, yet strong at his core.

TREAT - 19-25 - older brother - hoodlum with anger issues, bully and controlling, weak at his core.

HAROLD - 55-67 - mobster businessman - yet soft and nurturing.

All roles require on-stage physicality.

For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production or upcoming auditions, and our Kentwood Kids Children's Theatre classes and productions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook and Twitter.

To meet the "ORPHANS" production team and learn more about Kentwood Players and what goes on at the Westchester Playhouse, the public is invited to attend our general membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm 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, CA 90045.