Penny for Your Thoughts Presented by the Kings Players

Jun 12, 2024 | 2024 Articles, Theatre

by Annie McGrath

Have you ever felt like a zany crew of little people run your brain? Then you and Penny Ramsey have that in common. Join the Kings Players at the Temple Theatre as we present Penny for Your Thoughts, written by Scott Haan, and directed by Annie McGrath. The show opens June 14 and runs through the 30th.

Penny Ramsey, played by the lovely Safiya Ahmed, is a beautifully complex individual with the many parts of her personality on full display during a trying time in her life. We get an in-depth look at her psyche in the form of five “egos,” imaginary characters who show us just what is going on in her mind.

L-R. Paul G. Liantonio, Cassidy Lockhart, Elizabethe Lozano, Safiya Ahmed, Kim Spicer, Asher Jay and Kay Matheny

First up is Buffy, played by newcomer Kay Matheny, a beautiful, fashionable, but not-too-bright ego whose bright aura takes “airhead” as a compliment.

Next we meet Jessica, played by the talented Asher Jay. Jessica is fiery, and her emotions are all over the place fairly regularly, almost as if you could predict them on a calendar.

L-R Lucy Campbell and Omar Pimentel

To bring a bit of calm analysis and intellectual reasoning to Penny’s thoughts is Myrtle, played by the adorable Cassidy Lockhart. Myrtle’s calm and caring demeanor shines through as she geeks out over books and reminds everyone of their responsibilities.

The versatile Elizabethe Lozano plays a fourth ego, Gertrude, the very suspicious old lady who regales everyone with tales from “when I was a girl,” many of which make little to no sense but are wildly entertaining.

Last, but certainly not least, is Adam, played by the fabulous Paul Liantonio. He’s a man who helps run a female brain and has a rather interesting take on many issues.

L-R Cassidy Lockhart, Elizabethe Lozano, Michael Adams, Safiya Ahmed, Asher Jay and Kay Matheny

During the course of the play, a misunderstanding gets Penny and her egos all riled up. After hearing only part of a phone conversation between her boyfriend Matt, a sweet, nerdy, advertising artist played by Michael Adams, and his brother, Penny is convinced that Matt is cheating on her. As she spirals into depression, Rick, a hot new gentleman walks into her life and has her questioning everything. Played by the incomparable Omar Pimental, Rick seems to be just what the doctor ordered, but is he what he seems to be?

Rounding out our cast are Mrs. Killian, Penny’s sometimes scary, but very loving mother, played by the talented Kim Spicer, and Darla, Rick’s sister who is just trying to make a few bucks, played by the sassy Lucy Campbell.

Put all these ingredients together and you get a kooky, hilarious, but ultimately sweet story, in which all Penny’s brain people finally agree on something… love.

Call our box office at 559 584-7241 for ticket purchases.

If you love theatre, be sure to check out Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean.

Check out more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.