Remembering When: The Story of Mr. Whittier's Hemet (2015)

A film adaptation based on the play by Michael Tennant, originally written to celebrate the centennial of Hemet, CA (a small agricultural town in the Inland Empire). The film chronicles the early years of Hemet all the way to Whittier's Death in 1917. Audiences will learn about the construction of the Lake Hemet Dam, early Hemet Culture, and the aspirations of the town's "first citizen" William Franklin Whittier (played by Tennant). Supporting cast includes a wide range of Hemet talent. Bret Cherland (Theatre Director at Hemet High School) plays Whittier's lovable assistant Pendelton. Jared Moore plays Edward Mayberry, designer of the Hemet Dam and Whittier's closest friend. Paola Cifuentes reprises her role from the stage as Mattie, Whittier's daughter. Debrawdawn Shockey and Laura Cherland portray Agnes and Myrtle, socialites who love the DANGER of Helen Hunt Jackson's novel Ramona. Gabriel Diaz plays the "scourge of the valley" Sam Temple, who inspired the character Jim Farrar in Jackon's novel. John Guminiak plays Mayor T.S Brown, the very first Mayor of Hemet. Locations include the Estudillo Mansion, Victory Ranch, Calico Ghost Town, and custom sets built inside the theaters of Hemet High and Ramona Hillside Players. The film will also feature an original score from local musician and composer Sean Longstreet.