Starbuds
The setting is Starbuds, a recreational marijuana store, and the year is 2018. Flower, the sales clerk tending the store, stands behind the counter waiting for customers. In comes Frank, an uptight customer. Frank is uncomfortable and doesn’t know what he wants to buy. Both are in anticipation of a “first date” that evening. Soon another customer enters, who is rather cranky, seeking medical marijuana.
About the Playwright, Letha Dawson
Letha Dawson lives in Sun City Roseville with great neighbors and their adorable pet dogs. Her hobbies are writing and music. She was inspired to write Starbuds because she wondered what happens in a cannabis store. After a little research and a sprinkling of imagination, the play was created. She’s pleased to have a local production.
Meet the Director and Cast
Bender Kynaston (Director) debut work as a director was featured at FreeFall Stage’s SacTown Play Festival last year, as he took the helm on the one-act, Racist. His hard work as assistant director can be seen this fall at Women’s Theatre Collective in Mary Shelley. He has been featured in several productions as an actor, including FreeFall’s The Mousetrap (Christopher Wren). He would like to thank his wonderful actors for lending their talents to this delightful script and dedicate their performance to all the women who have mentored him over the years, without whom none of this would be possible.
Dani Wiesenthal (Flower) has been acting since was seven years old, performing in such shows as Les Miserables, Bye Bye Birdie, Into the Woods, and The Music Man. Her most recent production was in Valkyrie Theatre Company’s Everybody’s Talking About Jamie! She recently graduated from Sac State with her BA in Theatre, and is eager to get back on the stage! Dani would also like to say a huge thank you to Bender for his patience, collaboration, creativity, and vision. She would also like to thank Angel and Valerie for their dedication, time, and amazing comedic timing!
Angel Riley (Frank) is ecstatic to be playing Frank in Starbuds and Jack in Friendly Persuasion! Previous favorite roles include Judge Turpin (Sweeney Todd), Bobby (A Chorus Line) and Plankton (SpongeBob the Musical). This production has been a lovely experience and he truly wishes you enjoy the show!
Valerie K. Pratt (Cranky Customer) is pleased to be back “on-the-boards” after a 8-year hiatus from performing. She is thrilled to be cast in 2 productions; Starbuds with the Sac Town Play Festival and “Sherlock vs Dracula” with the Chautauqua Playhouse that runs from 10/17 – 11/9/25. Valerie was last seen as Ouiser Boudreau in Placer Community Players “Steel Magnolias” for which she received an Elly Award nomination. She has performed with companies in San Francisco, Oakland, the East Bay Area, the Central Valley, Solano County, Sacramento, and Auburn. One such production was featured on “Entertainment Tonight”. Valerie thanks you so much for supporting “The Arts”.