Meet The Cast

Produced through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc

Director’s Notes:

We all know Paula Dean and Martha Stewart, but you are in for an unusual treat when you meet our cooking show kitchen witches, Dolly and Isobel.  When the two “old friends” agree to share a show sparks fly and outrageous behavior ensues.  Mix them up with an extremely frustrated son and an inept camera man and you have a recipe for a hysterical and sometimes touching evening of zany fun.  It has been a pure joy to direct this super talented cast.  I hope you have as much fun watching The Kitchen Witches as I have had.  “Bon Appétit.”

ACT ONE

 Scene 1            A studio in a local TV Station
Scene 2                                A few days later
Scene 3                       A few more days later

ACT TWO

Scene 1                                  One week later
Scene 2                            Later the same day
Scene 3                                  One week later

Meet the Director

Ray Kenney (Director) - Ray is well known to Playhouse audiences, having been acting here since 1985.  Some of his shows were Greetings (LARY Award), The Man Who Came to Dinner (LARY Award), and On Golden Pond (LARY Award); he also directed Teahouse of the August Moon (LARY Award).  He has worked at the Playhouse as Box Office Manager, Board Member and General Manager.  Ray considers it both a pleasure and an honor to have been associated with Francis Wilson Playhouse.”

 The Cast:

                    ( In order of appearance)
Stephen,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ian Smith

Rob,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Graham Jones

Dolly,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Gail Robinson

Isobel,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Nonie White

Meet the Cast

Graham Jones (Rob) - It is really hard to believe that we are being graced on our stage with the president of our Board of Directors.  This is his first part at the Playhouse where we actually see him on stage, and his most challenging part since playing a grandfather clock at the age of five – he has to be quiet for most of the play and restrict himself to a single line near the end! Anyone who knows Graham understands that this will demand real acting. We heard him here as the voice of God in Monky Business, and more recently as the deceased Lord Rancour in Something’s Afoot. We welcome him to the boards and footlights of Francis Wilson Playhouse.

Rita Kitenplon (Understudy for Isobel) - Rita is flirting with being back on the stage at the Playhouse understudying for the role of Isobel Lomax. She has appeared in several productions including Rumors, The Odd Couple – Female Version, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Anna’s Brooklyn Promise. Her other credits include stage managing Visiting Mr. Green, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks,  and The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker.  She is thrilled to be working with such a wonderful and talented cast and crew and thanks her husband Steve for his patience and understanding and Ray for his faith in me and Nonie, the best friend an actress could ever hope for.

Gail Robinson (Dolly Biddle) - Gail was last seen at Francis Wilson Playhouse as Agnes Gooch in Auntie Mame. “I am delighted to be back and working with a terrific director and wonderful cast.  I love this theatre!”

Ian Smith (Stephen Biddle)- Ian’s stage credits in his native Vermont include: Colonel Pickering in Pygmalion, Harry Beeton in Brigadoon and The Emperor in The Emperor’s Nightingale.  Since moving to Tampa Bay in 1994 he has been involved in the Bay Area Renaissance Festival and the Florida Pirate Festival.  His stage credits here include Sgt. Trotter in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, Carl in A Nice Family Gathering and Petrucchio and Harry Beaton in The Taming of the Shrew.  He also appeared in the 2009 Superbowl’s Best Commercial as a pirate extra.

Nonie White (Isobel Lomax) - Nonie White is an award-winning actress with extensive experience in theatre, film, and commercials. She was last seen in the Playhouse’s production of Rumors. A few of her other favorite roles include leads in Driving Miss Daisy and A Doll’s House at Stage Agenda, Lion in Winter and Noises Off at SPLT and as Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire at Eight O’Clock Theatre.  She is also a professional acting coach and a talented director, directing this year’s Playhouse production of Visiting Mr. Green.  Nonie is honored to have this opportunity to work with such wonderful, talented people.  Special thanks and love to Kenny.

Philippa Main (Stage Manager) -+ Philippa recently worked at the Playhouse for A Nice Family Gathering.  As a senior in high school, she intends to study Stage Management in college.  By the time this show begins she will know where she is going for the next four years.  In addition to this theatre, she also works with Stage Works in South Tampa and at Berkeley Preparatory, her school.  As always, she thanks her parents for constantly supporting her theatrical endeavors.

Production Staff

Director ....................................................................... Ray Kenney

Stage Manager ........................................................... Philippa Main

Producer................................................................... Dianna Hanger

Set Design, Artistry & Construction......................... James Demetrius

Lighting Design ......................................................... Colleen Boylan

Lighting /Sound ......................................................... Dianna Hanger

Box Office ............................................................... Gabrielle Snapp

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