Welcome to Pentacle Theatre

THE SUNSHINE BOYS
by Neil Simon

The Sunshine Boys

(In order of appearance)

Willie Clark                              Dick Bond
Ben Silverman                          Walter Haight
Al Lewis                                   Ed Kramer
Voice of TV Director                Jon Oshel
Eddie                                       Nathan (Nate) W. Collins
Patient                                      Denis Lafferty
Nurse                                       Andrea Westfall
Registered Nurse                      Jennifer Gimzewski

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

BIOS

DICK BOND. . .WILLY

Dick’s first Pentacle experience was the 1967 production of HARVEY. His most recent appearance was in the 2004 production of MAN OF LA MANCHA. In between have been several Neil Simon plays including the 1984 production of THE SUNSHINE BOYS. Others include GREATER TUNA and A TUNA CHRISTMAS. Dick is a Lifetime Member of Pentacle Theatre and currently Vice President of the Governing Board. “I consider it a privilege to have been associated with the Pentacle Theatre and its participants and supporters for over 40 years.” He attended the University of Oregon where he majored in radio and TV and was active in the theatre department. Dick lives in Salem and currently is employed by the Home Builders Association of Marion and Polk Counties.

NATHAN COLLINS. . .EDDIE

This is Nathan’s Pentacle debut. He is a model and actor, having appeared in music videos with Gene Simmons from KISS, the E! Network production of THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ANNA NICOLE SMITH, and bit parts on various TV shows. As a model he has appeared on the cover of 6 magazines and in an Italian fashion magazine. Nate was born in Salem and raised in Los Angeles and splits his time between the two. He loves music, modeling and coffee.

JENNIFER GIMZEWSKI. . .REGISTERED NURSE

This is Jennifer’s third production with Pentacle. She was seen in the 2007 productions of AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and GYPSY. She is from Glasgow Scotland where she studied stage management at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dance and has a BE from Strathclyde University. She also lived in Switzerland for 22 years where she taught in international schools. Jennifer is currently a student at WOU and lives in Aumsville.

WALTER HAIGHT . . .BEN

Walter was last seen on the Pentacle stage in LADIES OF THE CAMELLIAS and BUS STOP. He is also active at Gallery Theatre in McMinnville where he has appeared in THE FOREIGNER, CRITIC’S CHOICE, THE LARAMIE PROJECT, and many more. Walter studied in the theater department at University of Oregon and sang for 12 years with the Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters. McMinnville is home to Walter.

ED KRAMER. . .AL

This production marks not only Ed’s debut at Pentacle, but also his return to the stage after a twenty-year absence. After majoring in theatre at the State University of NY, and spending a year acting in community theatre, he moved to NYC to study acting and struggle. He did both, appearing in what he says was a series of Off-Off Broadway plays no one ever heard of. Ed lives in Salem and works in communications for Oregon’s Dept. of Human Services. His two girls, Caroline and Heather, are the loves of his life. He dedicates his performance in THE SUNSHINE BOYS to his Jewish mother, Rhoda. “If Neil Simon ever met her,” he says, “he would have had the material for at least two more plays.”

DENIS LAFFERTY. . .PATIENT (AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR)

Denis is regularly seen on the Pentacle stage. From THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE and LADIES OF THE CAMELLIAS, to the 2007 productions of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, THE BOY FRIEND, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE. He also appeared in the 1986 CET production of EBENEZER. Audiences have also enjoyed the many special props and set pieces designed and built by Denis over the years. He enjoys music, art and sailing and hails from New Zealand. He lives in Salem and works in the auto industry.

JON OSHEL. . VOICE OF TV.DIRECTOR

Jon has been active with the Tillamook Association for the Performing Arts, appearing in HELLO, DOLLY!, CAMELOT, and THE FANTASTIKS to name a few. In the Pentacle production of THE CURIOUS SAVAGE he played Dr. Emmett. He comes to Oregon via Manhattan, Kansas, and the Mojave Desert. Jon lives in West Salem and is the county road program manager for the Association of Oregon Counties. He has 3 daughters, 3 grandkids with 2 more on the way.

ANDREA WESTFALL. . .NURSE

This is Andrea

’

second show after her Pentacle debut in last years Ladies of the Camellias. She was born in Dallas, Tex. and raised in Everett, Wash. At Corban College, she was assistant director for Into the Woods, and also acted in productions at Western Baptist College and Concordia University. Andrea’s other theatrical credits include being a member of the Arts Players Improv Group, house manager for Wycliffe Dinner Theatre and director at Western Baptist Theatre Camp. She loves to write music, play the piano and volunteer at the Salem Hospital. Andrea is a sales representative for Select Impressions and currently lives “in the cutest house in Salem.”