Enter Laughing

February 24, 2018 to March 11, 2018

David Kolowitz is a nice young man living with his parents in New York City, and works at a machine repair shop. His parents want David to study to become a pharmacist. But what he really wants is to be an actor like his idol, Ronald Colman. One day, at his friend Marvin’s suggestion, David tries out for a part in a play, and gets it, despite his obvious lack of acting experience (not to mention ability). True, it’s a rather small part in a low-rent production. Leading the troupe is a washed-up, alcoholic actor who hires David at the urging of his actress-daughter, who finds David “cute.” To play his part, David must come up with his own costume and pay the theater five dollars a week (for tuition?). But it is David’s first acting job, one which calls for him to “enter laughing.” And if it doesn’t work out, well, there’s always pharmacy school. The play ran in 1963-64 on Broadway, earning a Best Actor Tony Award for Alan Arkin as David.

Enter Laughing is a story taken from the autobiography of TV comedy icon Carl Reiner.

Cast

Mr. Foreman………….Alan Hooker
David Kolowitz……….Kyle Snider
Marvin…………………Mikey Plante
Miss B………………….Mary J. Leslie
Pike……………………Bruce Lawyer
Don Baxter……………John Bartlett
Don Darwin………….Lucas Wigfield
Marlowe………………John Pitman
Angela…………….…Katherine Dell
Mother………………Janice Coates
Father…………….…Michael Snider
Wanda………………Rain Eguiguren
Waiter/Lawyer………Bill Perry
Roger…………………Les Jackson


We should all have Kyle Snider’s (center) problems! The ladies in his life include (left to right) Katherine Dell, Mary Leslie, Janice Coates, and Rain Eguiguren.

NEWS RELEASE – February 4, 2018

Players Bring to the Stage Youth of Comedy Legend

Turn the blues of chilly winter days into warm cheery smiles with the current production Enter Laughing at The Westmoreland Players Theatre, Callao.

Based on Carl Reiner’s autobiographical novel, the play recreates his story as a young man trying to break into show biz, despite his naiveté and lack of talent.

Much can be said about Reiner’s vast accomplishments over his eight-decade career. Collaborations with Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows, Mel Brooks in 2000 Year Old Man, and Steve Martin on four of his most successful films are but a few of his credits. However, he is best known as the creator, producer, writer, and actor on the iconic Dick Van Dyke Show.

Enter Laughing has resonated with audiences since its 1967 Broadway debut. It’s the universal story about a kid with big dreams. In our case, a fledgling actor becomes the prolific theatrical artist Carl Reiner—successful stand-up comedian/writer/producer/director/novelist—this 95 year-old has done it all.

“It’s never easy to fulfill your dreams, but it takes stick-to-it-ness. If you really feel you have to be what your calling is, you have to go through all the things to take you there,” said Reiner.

Kyle Snider stars as the character of the inexperienced actor. Treading the boards in a number of shows at The Players has given Kyle a lot of savvy, but it’s his natural charm that will win you over.

Veteran actors Al Hooker, Janice Coates, John Pitman shine in key roles. Familiar faces Mikey Plante, Mike Snider, and Bruce Lawyer are featured players. Rain Eguiguren steps into her first major role and is joined by a supporting cast of Mary J. Leslie, Lucas Wigfield, John Bartlett, Les Jackson, and Bill Perry. Katherine Dell makes her Player’s debut bringing her past theatrical experience as a singer, dancer, and actress.

Director Nancy Royal adds her own vision to the show. She has taken to the helm more times than she can remember. Each play has its own challenges and this one, with scads of scene changes, is a particularly tricky one. Royal recreates life on the streets of 1930’s New York City to bridge the gaps from place to place. Stage manager Julia Clay and her female core of stagehands, Janet Baserap, Hope Jackson, Gwen Headley, and Bev Mangan help keep things moving smoothly.

Enter Laughing runs from February 24 to March 11, 2018, at the Players’ Theatre in Callao. Call 529-9345 for reservations or visit www.westmorelandplayers.org. Without a doubt you’ll leave laughing and smiling all the way home.

The Westmoreland Players is in part supported by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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