Moving Arts Theatre's Dark Comedy 'Katy and Jennifer' Begins Casting in Los Angeles for 2027 Run

Los Angeles-based Moving Arts Theatre is currently casting its upcoming dark comedy production of 'Katy and Jennifer,' a new play from writer and executive producer Matt Morillo that is set to rehearse beginning February 1, 2027, with an opening night slated for March 5 and a closing date of March 28. With casting actively underway and more than a year before rehearsals begin, theatre professionals and talent representatives have a genuine window to pursue this one early. The production is based entirely in Los Angeles, which is good news for the strong local stage community that often gets overlooked when film and television dominate the conversation.

The play itself is described as a quick-witted, dark comedy and an ode to friendship, following two lifelong best friends through two pivotal moments spanning 25 years. That two-timeline structure suggests meaty, character-driven material with plenty of range for the right pair of performers. Morillo, who serves as both playwright and executive producer, is a New York-rooted theatre writer with a track record in intimate, dialogue-forward work. His company, Matt Morillo Productions, has previously brought his plays to stages in both New York and Los Angeles, so he brings genuine producing infrastructure to the collaboration rather than functioning as a creative-only attachment.

Directing the production is Gabrieal Griego, a Los Angeles-based stage director with experience across the city's mid-size and intimate theatre circuit. Griego's background in character-focused work makes him a natural fit for a two-hander built around long-term friendship and emotional specificity across decades. Producing is Armina LaManna, who rounds out the core creative team. LaManna has production experience in the Los Angeles theatre world and brings organizational grounding to what is shaping up to be a tightly run, focused production rather than a sprawling ensemble piece.

Casting is being handled by Michael Donovan, CSA, and Richie Ferris, CSA, a pairing that should immediately signal to talent agents and actors' representatives that this is a production operating at a professional level with serious casting infrastructure behind it. Donovan and Ferris are active in both theatre and on-camera casting in Los Angeles, which means their involvement here is a meaningful credential for the production. Agents and managers with clients suited to the two lead roles should be making contact with this team now, given that casting is already underway and the roles are specific enough that the search will likely be deliberate and thorough.

Moving Arts Theatre, the producing company anchoring this project, is one of Los Angeles's established mid-size theatre organizations with a long history of developing and producing new American plays. Founded in the early 1990s, Moving Arts has built a reputation for championing original work and emerging voices in a city where theatre often plays second fiddle to the screen industries. Their involvement here signals institutional support and production legitimacy, and their existing venue relationships in the Los Angeles area mean the production has a stable home without the uncertainty of a self-produced rental situation. For stage professionals in LA, Moving Arts is a known and respected entity worth being affiliated with.

From a crew and production standpoint, a dark comedy two-hander running just under eight weeks from opening to close is a focused, manageable production. The format strongly implies a small cast (most likely two principal performers, as the title and logline suggest) and a creative team that will prioritize rehearsal depth over production scale. Stage managers, intimacy coordinators familiar with long-form friendship dynamics, scenic designers comfortable with minimal or unit-set approaches, and lighting designers who can support both comedic timing and emotional weight across two distinct time periods will all be relevant here. Sound design and costume work, particularly given the 25-year narrative span, may require thoughtful period-aware choices even within a modest budget envelope.

For the full production listing, confirmed crew contacts, casting office information, and scheduling updates as they are released, head to ProductionList.com and pull up the 'Katy and Jennifer' listing directly. With casting actively in progress and rehearsals more than a year out, this is exactly the kind of production where getting your name in front of the right people now pays off when the calendar catches up. Bookmark the listing and check back as additional production details are confirmed.

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