Written By Matthew Russell Henrickson

hen anyone mentions the Hollywood or movie scene to me, several names come to mind instantly. But, when anyone mentions the theater scene, one name always comes to mind; Rosalind Farotte. Roz has been a fixture in the local theater scene since the early 1980s and has appeared on almost every stage. Her acting credits are too numerous to list in this article, but they number in the 30 to 40 range.

Roz attended the University of Santa Clara as a Theater Arts major and, after marrying her husband Gordy Farotte, she went to San Jose State University to attain a master’ s degree in Theater Arts. Roz feels her success in theater has been directly related to the love and support she has received by her husband and children. Over her years in theater she has loved the community of people she has encountered; every role being memorable and rewarding. Her favorite roles have been those which have been a combination of comedy and drama. Roles which bring forth a mixture of emotion and laughter are her most cherished.

She counts her roles in“ Crimes of the Heart,”“ Wait Until Dark,”“ The Foreigner,”“ The Vanities,”“ Cemetery Club,”“ Rose’ s Dilemma” and“ Other Desert Cities” as her all-time favorites, but the role she has enjoyed the most, and has reprised four times previously since 1990, is that of“ Sister Mary Amnesia” in the comedy-musical“ Nunsense.”

Roz is currently working on her fifth portrayal of“ Sister Mary Amnesia” in the currently running production of“ Nunsense” being put on by Limelight Actors Theater in Downtown Gilroy. Roz feels extremely connected with this role because as it turns out, it was a nun who inspired Roz to find her love of theater. Roz attended St. Mary’ s School in Gilroy. One of the nuns decided to start a theater class for the children and, at her mother’ s suggestion, Roz participated in one of the plays. She was instantly hooked. She feels that it is quite fitting that she is portraying a nun when her initial inspiration was cultivated by one.

“ Nunsense” is Limelight Actors Theater’ s second show of their Sixth Season. Winner of Best Off Broadway Musical in its original New York production, the show centers on a fundraiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidently poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia( Child of God). Updated with new jokes, additional lyrics, two new arrangements and a brand new song, this zany musical reunites many of the original South County cast members! Complete with audience participation, this show will have you laughing from start to finish.

“ Nunsense” runs Friday and Saturday nights from April 1st through April 23rd, with two Sunday matinee performances on the 10th and 17th. The production stars Besty Andrade, JoAnne Evans, Rosalind Farotte, Carol Harris and Roberta Vinkhuyzen. Direction by Kevin Heath and musical direction by Sandra Lien. Visit limelightactorstheater. com for ticket and venue information.

Matthew Russell Hendrickson has been involved with community theater for over 35 years. He is currently a designer’ s assistant for Brotin Design, a founding member of a local film production company, Oscar Dante Motion, and is still heavily involved with local theater.

Nunsense

April 1- April 23

Limelight Actors Theater limelightactorstheater. com

Leader of the Pack

February 19- March 12

Join these talented teens in their performance of this hit Broadway musical retrospective, celebrating the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the 60s charts. The story of Ellie’ s rise to fame and fortune is punctuated with the virtual Hit Parade of her music,“ Chapel of Love,”“ Da Doo Ron Ron,”“ Be My Baby,”“ Hanky Panky,”“ And Then He Kissed Me,” and, of course the title song“ Leader of the Pack.”

South Valley Civic Theater( SVCT) svct. org

God of Carnage

April 8- April 30 Set in present-day New York City, this is the story of two married couples who meet for the first time shortly after their respective sons have a nasty schoolyard tangle. Michael and Veronica, whose son’ s teeth were knocked out with a stick, invite Alan and Annette, whose son did the knocking, to their home to settle matters. But any attempt at having a civilized discussion about whose child is responsible for the fight, and how the parents may have influenced such destructive behavior, quickly devolves into finger-pointing, name-calling, stomping around, and throwing things. And that’ s before they break out the rum!

South Valley Civic Theater( SVCT) svct. org

Jerry Finnigan’ s Sister

April 15- May 7

Follow Brian and Beth from age 7 to the present to see if he can muster the courage to tell her how he feels about her before she gets married!

Pintello Comedy Theater pintellocomedy. com

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH / APRIL 2016 gmhtoday. com

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