Last Summer at Bluefish Cove: Cast and Crew
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Janell Darroch (Rita) – Attending the Los Angeles production of Last Summer at Bluefish Cove in 1994 was Janell’s introduction to lesbian theater. In 2002, Janell joined the Center Stage Theater Company in Las Vegas (following their production of Bluefish Cove), where she worked as the Production Manager and Stage Manager for five years. Janell is now cast in the Cove... by a surreal chain of events that brings her to her acting debut! Janell is pleased to be contributing her acting talents to this timeless and relevant play.
Dena Deovlet (Eva) - Last Summer at Blue Fish Cove is Dena’s first production with the Lambda Players Theatre. She is so delighted to be back on stage after being gone for two years as she has dabbled off and on in Sacramento’s local community theatre for over 18 years. Dena is very thankful to be part of such a special and inspiring piece of work and is very grateful to have worked with such a beautiful cast of women and gives a special thank you to Sequita Whitfield for casting her in the role of Eva. Dena would like to dedicate her performance to Juliana, "Gammy loves you honey."
Maureen Gaynor (Stage Manager, Understudy "Kitty") - Maureen played Eva in the Lambda Players 6th Season production of Last Summer at Bluefish Cove, right alongside Sequita Whitfield. She’s back and we’re thrilled to have her!
Marian Nishimura (Stage Manager) - I am excited to have an opportunity to expand my horizons being a Stage Manger at the Lambda Players’ opening play of their new theatre space. Three years ago, I portrayed the character Dot in the first play in the Lambda Players’ prior theatre space on 17th Street. I want to thank Steve Buri, Sequieta Whitfield, Susan Soesbe and Maureen Gaynor for all their support and encouragement.
Catherine Nowlin (Kitty) - Catherine is a relatively new transplant to California, and this is her stage debut in the state. She brings 22 years of experience with community theater in Arizona, where she was in danger of being forever typecast as the sweet, young thing (or the "world’s oldest living ingénue"!) Thank you, Lambda Players, for allowing me to portray a character of substance in this production.
Ruth O’Riva (Rae) - Ruth has loved acting all of her life, enjoying the performance, energy, and camaraderie of theater. After taking a several year hiatus, however, she went back into acting by way of film, which she’s been enjoying for the past two years. Grabbing the opportunity to step into the extension of the Lambda Players production of Sordid Lives last summer (Fun! Fun! Fun!), Ruth remembered the thrill of theater, and is happy and excited to be able to continue that experience in Last Summer at Bluefish Cove. Ruth would like to express her love and gratitude to her husband, David, whose love, support, and encouragement makes so many things possible; she’d like to thank Sequieta and the entire cast and crew of Bluefish Cove for creating such a wonderful environment in which to act; and last - but certainly not least - Ruth would like to thank the Lambda Players Board of Directors for working so hard to make the particular challenges of this production as easy on the cast as possible.
Allyn Pharo (Lil) - Allyn began her acting career as a story teller for the National Park Service. Currently she performs with the True Colors Women’s Chorus at peace rallies, in California Pride events and on center court at Arco Arena. Allyn is currently the President of the Board for True Colors, and her debut with Lambda Players is an extension of Allyn’s passion for the promotion of diversity through the arts in Sacramento. She wishes to thank Sequieta and the cast for their guidance and support.
Sandy Richard (Sue) - Sandy started her acting career in Sacramento in productions with the Eaglet Theatre (now Sacramento Theatre Company) and Music Circus. Productions included Bye, Bye Birdie, Annie Get Your Gun, and Sweet Charity. Living in southern California for twenty-five years, Sandy’s favorite roles included Suzy in the West Coast revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Pipe Dream, and Rachel in the original cast production of Ralph Troph’s Shadow Hour. Other roles included Joanne in Company, Jan in Bedroom Farce, and Andy in Stepping Out. This is Sandy’s first production with the Lambda Players.
Rose Screechfield (Donna) - Rose is making her acting debut in Last Summer at Bluefish Cove and is very grateful for the opportunity to be working with such a great cast and director. When not at rehearsals, Rose can be found in the classroom with her students. She teaches mathematics in the local colleges and loves watching her students succeed. Rose was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California. She moved to Sacramento in 1978 and finished her education. She would like to thank her family and friends for their never-ending love and support!
Sequieta Whitfield (Director) - I am happy to be returning to the Lambda Players to direct Last Summer at Blue Fish Cove. I like to think of this play as "L Word" at the beach! It is near and dear to my heart, having played Lil in the original Sacramento cast. It is an honor and a privilege to direct a cast with such a mirage of beautiful, talented women. May you find yourself in these characters. Please laugh, cry and love them all. My most recent performance was in the The Vagina Monologues produced by the Sac Actors Ensemble Theatre and Survivor Diaries produced by John Pellman. My special thanks to Susan Soesbe and the entire Lambda Players Board of Directors for taking such good care of this production. Delita, I love you for your endearing support and patience Namasté. Enjoy the show.
Sandra Whitney (Annie) - This is Sandra’s second performance with the Lambda Players. She was last seen on stage as Latrelle in the recent production of Sordid Lives. Sandra would like to thank everyone involved in making Bluefish Cove a success. She would like to dedicate this performance to her three wonderful children and biggest cheerleaders – Victoria, Alexandria and Cameron. Love you guys!
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