Two Locals Envision the Valley as a Theatrical Hub to be Envied
Lee Rosenberg and Lee Kissik Kantor’s love for theater brought them together, and it remains to be the force that keeps them both focused on making their one act play, “Troubled Love” and their new theater company Vineyard Valley Theater, debuting, May 26, a success.
Together they have gathered about 50 volunteers, raised large amounts of money and even organized a dinner fundraiser in conjunction with the play that will feature some of the most well known names in showbiz.
Some of the actors involved in the play include “Malcolm in the Middle” lead actress Jane Kaczmarek and “West Wing” stars Bradley Whitford.
Rosenberg and his wife Linda moved to the Valley in March 2003 after meeting and helping a fellow bicycler in Europe.
“He was from the Valley and recommended that we visit [the Santa Ynez area],” Rosenberg said.
And so they did.
“Having the ego of an athlete but not the body,” Rosenberg said jokingly. “Linda and I came to ride the 100-mile century and found it to be quite a romantic experience and decided to buy a home here.”
Though he and his wife found the Valley to a beautiful place to live and was impressed with what it offered, Rosenberg said he still felt that a large theater outlet was missing. He then started to envision how he could change that by creating a theatrical venue in the Valley that would not only match others across the state, but would also make Santa Ynez the center and hub for regional theater.
“I want to build a brand so when people think of the Valley they will think of the best theater venue in the state,” Rosenberg said.
Kantor joined Rosenberg’s cause after attending one of his birthday parties.
“I should have just given him a shirt,” Kantor said jokingly. “Instead I offered to be a volunteer slave and help as a casting director and volunteer coordinator.”
Kantor moved to the Valley in 1990 after watching some of her fellow business people on Melrose ward off looters in the 1990 riots.
“I had come to the Valley in the 80’s and absolutely fell in love with it,” she said. “After watching the riots in Los Angeles I said to myself ‘I gotta get out of here.”
Though she has owned and created a clothing line and was a
buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue, In 1984, Lee founded Magic Casting in Los Angeles
and after covering the Los Angeles area for more than 15 years and working with
people in the talent business, including Michael Jackson, Steven Spielberg and
Robert Altman, Kantor moved to Santa Ynez and expanded her coverage area.
While Kantor envisions many of her clients she has helped to
find small roles not only go on to larger roles because of her involvement in
“Troubled Love” but also, that people of all ages begin to get involved in and
inspired by theater in the Valley.
Rosenberg sees the Valley becoming a hub for theater and his
venue hosting year-round productions that will immerse residents and visitors
in theater arts.