"The Diary of Anne Frank"

“The Diary of Anne Frank” to Show at Eunice Players' Theatre Rehearsals are underway as the Eunice Players’ Theatre continues its 45th season with “The Diary of Anne Frank” the story of a teenage girl and her family in hiding during World War II that many will recognize. Based upon the book, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, the story is an undeniably moving account of the lives of eight people who went into hiding to escape persecution under Nazi rule, and the compassionate friends who helped them. The staging of this production captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence, and yet is essentially the story of hope and the triumph of the human spirit. Written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, it is newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman. Directed by Jody L. Powell, the cast features stage veterans and newcomers alike. Shiloh Kittles of Eunice brings the title character to the stage with a voice full of courage, determination, and wit. At age 13, Shiloh already has several stage productions under her belt, having worked backstage and taken on roles in Crowley and Eunice over the past four years, including a British-speaking tree in this summer’s children’s production at EPT. Playing Otto Frank, Anne’s father, is Shiloh’s real-life father, John D. Kittles, also of Eunice. After having taken on the lead role in EPT’s “What the Bellhop Saw”, he branched out to Crowley for a role in “A Flea in Her Ear”, and came back to Eunice for a supporting role in “A Nice Family Gathering”. He has also operated the sound board for EPT. Denise Fusilier, an EPT board member from Eunice, returns to the stage after a long absence following her last show, “Sylvia” to play the role of Anne’s mother, Edith Frank. She was also featured in “Over the River and Through the Woods” at EPT. Denise can often be found back stage handling stage manager and costume duties. Anne’s sister, Margot, is played by Bailey Miller of Basile. Bailey is familiar with the stage from having participated in pageants and talent shows, and this is her first theatrical role. She has also been featured in some digital short films. Sharing the space in the annex with the Frank family is the Van Dann family, headed by Hermann Van Dann, portrayed by Shawn Darbonne of Eunice. An avid theatre-goer and enthusiast, this is Shawn’s stage debut. Also making her stage debut, playing Mrs. Van Dann, is Emily Heinen of Eunice. Although this is her first time on stage, Emily brings an understanding of Mrs. Van Dann’s plight to the role. Randy T.C. LaCombe of Crowley plays the Van Dann’s son, Peter. Randy has been in several plays in Crowley including The Acadia Players’ most recent production of “The Bold, The Young, and The Murdered”, in which he played an actor playing a soap opera character. The last person to join the Frank family in the attic is Mr. Dussel, played by Shane Guilbeau of Lafayette. Shane delighted EPT audiences with his comedic turns in “What the Bellhop Saw” and “The Murder Room”. He has been in several productions in Lafayette and has recently completed filming for a TV series and an internet ad. Playing the role of Miep Gees, the woman who visited the families daily and brought them supplies and provisions, is Kristi Burleigh of Ville Platte. Kristi has been in several EPT productions, including “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Dorothy Meets Alice”, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”, and “Camelot”. Brett Faulker of Eunice, an EPT board member and frequent set-builder, portrays Mr. Kraler, the business partner of Mr. Frank who keeps the family hidden and brings them news of the outside world. Brett previously was seen on the EPT stage in “Bus Stop”, “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight”, and “Jake’s Women”. Evening performances will be held September 11, 12, 18, 19, and 20 at 7:00 p.m. A matinee will be held Sunday, September, 14 at 2:00 p.m. Dinner theatre (with steak and trimmings) is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17 at 6:00 p.m. at Ruby's on Second St., with the performance immediately following. All seats are $10; dinner is an additional $20. Tickets can be purchased at David Ltd. Salon or by calling David at 546-0163 or Debi at 457-2156 to charge by phone. The theatre is located at 121 S. Second St. in Eunice. This play includes very brief use of smoking of herbal cigarettes. Season tickets are still available for $20 each; the season ticket allows the bearer entrance to EPT’s two remaining shows, the ability to make seating reservations, an invitation to the Irving Awards, and a ballot for the awards. Patron and angel packages are also available.

45th Season

"Tuna Does Vegas" March 2014 "Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective" June 2014 Children's Theatre Workshop June 14, 2014 "The Diary of Anne Frank" September 2014 "Harvey" November 2014 The 45th Annual Irving Awards Liberty Theatre, January 31, 2015

"Always...Patsy Cline"

"Always, Patsy Cline"

     Tickets are now on sale for the musical "Always, Patsy Cline", starring Angie Benoit McBride and Cindy Veillon Mattei. 

Please contact Turning Point at 337-457-2156 or David's LTD at 337-546-0163 to purchase tickets or stop by either location in Eunice. 

Performance dates are June 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 28, 29 at 7:00pm and June 16 & 23 at 2:00pm.  Dinner theatre with be June 26 at 6:00pm. 

Remember this musical is not part of the season ticket.  

Make sure to purchase your tickets early because they will sell fast!

Meet the Cast of "The Glass Mendacity"

ALLEN HIGGINBOTHAM as Mitch O'Connor

Allen first performed on the EPT stage in the play Rumours and returned after 20 years to play the role of Bill Ray in last year’s On Golden Pond.  A native of Eunice, he lived in Lafayette for a time where he worked in retail and attended UL for a degree in film. He moved back to Eunice three years ago and now manages the Café Mosaic on Second Street. He wants to thank Jody, who was in the play Rumours with him, for dragging him gratefully back onto the stage. He also wants to thank Jacob Winters and the staff at Café Mosaic for all their support in allowing him to return to his first love.

ERIN SEGURA as Laura Dubois

Erin is a 2005 graduate of Northwestern State University with degrees in Liberal Arts and Dance.  Since then has moved to Lafayette and has been very active in theatres across Acadiana.  Her favorite roles include Shelby in Steel Magnolias at Teche Theatre in Franklin, Rita in Educating Rita at Cite' des Arts and Iberia Performing Arts League, Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Acting Unlimited, Inc. in Lafayette, Xanthias in The Frogs with Acting Unlimited Repertory Academy in Lafayette, and most recently, Mona Lipshitz (Merry Murderess #6) in IPAL's Chicago.  Her most recent role onstage was that of Lucy Harker in AUI's production of Dracula last fall.  Erin loves theatre as a hobby and appreciates the friendships she's made through community theatre that last long after the show is over.

DEBORAH D. ARDOIN as Blanche Dubois

Debbi is a long-time member of Eunice Players' Theatre, and a company member of Acadiana Repertory Theatre, based in Lafayette. She is a multiple Irving Award winner at EPT for her dramatic and comedic roles, including the roles of Mom in A Nice Family Gathering, Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Annie in Misery, and most recently Lottie Molloy in The Murder Room.  She was seen last year in The Vagina Monologues presented by V-Day Lafayette 2012, and as Halie in Buried Child at Cite’ des Arts in Lafayette.  Debbi has also directed several plays at EPT including Agnes of God, ’night, Mother, Broadway on 2nd St. (co-director) and Providence (co-director), and the musicals The Fantasticks and The Sound of Music.  She is currently employed by the State of Louisiana, Office of Aging and Adult Services.  

KATRYN SCHMIDT as Maggie the Cat

Katt brings a lot of passion and experience in stage and film work.  Some of her credits include Bella in Lost in Yonkers, Mrs. Webb in Our Town, various female roles in Parallel Lives: The Kathy and Mo Show, The Vagina Monologues, and more recently, Anne in Edward Albee's At Home At The Zoo.  Katt is excited to be performing for the first time at Eunice Players' Theatre and is grateful to be working with such a talented director, cast, and crew. 

MARY GAIL LAMONTE DEVILLIER as Amanda Dubois

Mary Gail has been enamored with acting since high school when she saw her first stage play, a production of The Glass Menagerie and declared, "I can do that."  Years later she indeed did portray the story's matriarch, Amanda Wingfield, on two occasions, including once here at EPT with her daughter, Jody Lamonte Powell, cast as Laura. She has had lead or supporting roles in over 25 plays, over 62 years. Prior credits include Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy, Emma in Over the River and Through the Woods, for both of which she won the Eunice Players' Theatre's Best Actress Irving Award, and Louise in Always...Patsy Cline, all directed by Jody.

Mary Gail retired in 1998 after a 33 year career as a Children's Protective Services Worker. After the recent death of her second husband, she returned to Opelousas to be near her family. She has three children and eight grandchildren, one of whom lives in heaven. She is grateful to Jody, her frequent and favorite director, for casting her in such a delicious role and allowing her to be part of such a talented group of actors.  

KEVIN MILLER as Big Daddy Dubois

Kevin has been seeking psychological refuge in theatre, since grade school and has been a regular fixture at Eunice Players’ Theatre for decades, where he has been honored with several Irving Awards for his acting in comedies including Complete History of America (abridged), as well as the dramas Misery and The Subject was Roses. He is a member of Acadiana Repertory Theatre troupe in Lafayette and has enjoyed performing on different stages around Lafayette, including The Rehearsal and Carol: A Broken Chain last year.

This time, in addition to collaborating with some of his favorite local talent, he is enjoying the challenge of working with the very talented actors and actresses which our director has, fortunately, lured to our stage from Lafayette, Carencro, and Opelousas. When not doing his "grown-up" gig as a chiropractor, in Ville Platte, he enjoys time with his children and grandchildren. Kevin would like to give special thanks to Marsha, for taking up the slack at home, once again, so he can enjoy himself on stage. 

JOHN SNYDER as Stanley Kowalski

A native of Opelousas now living in Carencro, John has studied contemporary theatre at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and The American Theatre for Actors in New York City, as well as classical theatre at The British American Drama Academy at Oxford. He has also studied long-form improvisational theatre at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York where he was a main stage performer, and helped to develop the long-form, The Documentary.  John has performed in a myriad of productions in Louisiana, New York, and England, some of which include Much Ado about Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Lost in Yonkers, Of Mice and Men, and The Heidi Chronicles.  He was seen on the EPT stage in the 1990’s in Playing Doctor, and in Lend Me A Tenor, for which he won a Best Actor Irving Award.

John has two children, Jack, age 9, and Drew, age 8, and is engaged to Aimee Calandra.  He manages an Allstate insurance agency in Opelousas.

BRICK as Himself

After a thorough search on the internet, Brick comes to EPT via ebay.  Brick’s earlier career was in modeling, where he specialized in military uniforms.  His versatility and flexibility have allowed for photo shoots in Star Wars and comic book hero attire, as well as a 70’s cool dude.  Brick has television credits to his name, having been seen on “30 Rock” as a doorman.  He was drawn to the role in this play after having seen the red smoking jacket which he finds so comfortable, he wears throughout the entire play.  This play marks Brick’s stage debut.  He thanks Katryn for keeping him engaged in the action, and helping him get comfortable with stage movement.