Kentwood Players Marcom Masque Awards Announced

Kentwood Players, founded by the late Arky and Jan Marcom, Elizabeth Thornberg and Betty Francis, in December 1949, performs out of the Westchester Playhouse, located near LAX. The company actually got its start, and its name, as members of the Kentwood Elementary School PTA in Westchester, motivated by a school play they performed there, decided to keep a good thing going. This small group of talented men and women quickly got their act together, so to speak, and in 1950, this illustrious theatre “family” officially began. And after 60 years, the community theater group is still going strong!

The Kentwood Players Marcom Masque Awards, the annual awards voted upon by group members, were announced at an Awards Ceremony on June 19, 2010 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Culver City, CA. After a wonderful three-course dinner, the group’s 60th year of theater excellence was captured in song by Catherine Rahm and her excellent cast of entertainers during the Awards Ceremony.

From left, seated: Drew Fitzsimmons, Sheridan Cole Crawford, Marcy Agreen

From left, standing: Michael Cohen, Vada Foster, Maria Cohen, Victoria Miller, Gail Bernardi, Susie McCarthy, Susan Goldman Weisbarth, Willie Mack Daniels, Jordan Bland (holding all the awards for “Drive”)

The recipients of the 2010 Marcom Masque Awards:

Best Play A Little Night Music

Best Director Victoria Miller for Li’l Abner

Best Producer Susan Goldman Weisbarth for Li’l Abner

Best Actress in a Leading Role Susie McCarthy in A Little Night Music

Best Actor in a Leading Role Willie Mack Daniels in Six Degrees of Separation

Best Actress in a Major Supporting Role Gail Bernardi in The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife

Best Actor in a Major Supporting Role Drew Fitzsimmons in Drive

Best Actress in a Minor Supporting Role Sarah Maher in A Little Night Music

Best Actor in a Minor Supporting Role Drew Fitzsimmons in Li’l Abner

Best Actress in a Minor Role Marcy Agreen in Li’l Abner

Best Actor in a Minor Role Mike La Stelley in Li’l Abner

Best Cameo Role Vada Foster in Present Laughter

Best Lighting Design Richard Potthoff for A Little Night Music

Best Set Design Scot Renfro and Tony Gatto for Drive

Best Set Design Decoration Tony Gatto and Scot Renfro for Drive

Best Sound Design Susan Stangl for Drive

Best Costume Design Maria Cohen for A Little Night Music

Best Original Graphic Design Michael Cohen for Li’l Abner

In addition to the above, there were 76 names on the list of people who contributed to the shows in many technical aspects over the course of the 2009-2010 season. Gail Bernardi graciously named each! Technical award certificates will be available for the winners to pick up at the Kentwood Players July 21 meeting.

Our meetings are free to the public and are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 8:00 PM 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. You’ll have the opportunity to meet and get involved with our very professional and talented group of producers, directors, actors and designers as we celebrate 60 years of presenting great entertainment.