By The Way, Meet Vera Stark

A play by Lynn Nottage

Kentwood Players presents By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage, opening Friday, January 17 at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045. This production is directed by Rondrell McCormick and produced by Rhonda Yeager-Hutchinson and Julia Sison. By the Way, Meet Vera Stark is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Performance dates are Friday, January 17 through Saturday, February 8, 2025. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. Saturday matinees at 2:00pm will be added on January 25 and continue through the rest of the run.

Featured in the cast are Chris Aruffo, Nyoka Boswell, Charles Kinder, Flannery Maney, Denise Milfort, Jazz Strong and Charles Kinder, with understudies Raevyn Ferguson, Elijah Greene, Chris Morrison and Claire Shepard.

By The Way, Meet Vera Stark takes an entertaining and revelatory look at racism in the film industry during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Inspired by the struggles of actresses like Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly McQueen, worlds collide when aspiring African American starlet Vera Stark, who works as a maid to Gloria Mitchell, an aging Caucasian star grasping at her fading career, lands a trailblazing role in an antebellum epic starring none other than her boss! The play examines Vera's 70-year career and her place in Hollywood history.

Reserved seats are $25 with a $4 discount for seniors, children, students and military, available online at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling (310)645-5156. All box office emails and messages will be answered in the order received to confirm your ticket order. Group rates for 10 or more can be arranged with the box office. Based on availability, $10 rush tickets may be offered at select performances 30 minutes before curtain time.

For more information about Kentwood Players including parking, public transit options, and upcoming shows, please visit the Kentwood Players website at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

The press release, artwork and photos are attached. Photo captions are as follow:

Vera Stark 1

Vera Stark (Denise Milfort) works as a maid but dreams of her big break during the Golden Age of Hollywood in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage at Westchester Playhouse 1/17-2/8. Tix and info at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org

Vera Stark 2

Vera Stark (Denise Milfort) works as a maid but dreams of her big break during the Golden Age of Hollywood in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage at Westchester Playhouse 1/17-2/8. Tix and info at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org