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The Community Players of Salisbury President’s Message Welcome, I’m so glad that you are able to join us for this production. It is difficult to believe that this is the final show of our regular season and that I will be stepping down as President next month. What a wonderful year it has been. Despite the thousands of dollars spent in bringing live theater to the Shore, including the rental of Wi-Hi, royalties, musicians, costumes and sets, we are in the black (barely). Thanks to audience members like you we will not have to be in the dark (not performing). Live theater is an important aspect of any thriving community. The mission of the Players is to encourage education, interest, and participation in theater and to provide quality theatrical productions for the local audiences. I am proud to say that I believe we are succeeding in accomplishing that mission. Players are hoping that in the not too distant future we will have a building on our property. Not only will we have a home of our own in which to perform, but other organizations will as well. After 71 years it would be great to have a place to call our own. Your continued support will help us achieve that goal. In addition to our regular three-show season we will be presenting the Pulitzer Prize winning play Doubt this July at SU. Please be sure to catch our A Face for Radio productions throughout the year as well as upcoming Musical Reviews and a Christmas production. Check our website often for information. Thank you again for your continued patronage and now enjoy the show. Sharon A. Benchoff OfficersPresident Sharon Benchoff Vice-President Ken Johnson Corresponding Secretary Terri Thornton Recording Secretary Kel Nagel Treasurer Charles Linton Immediate Past President Becky Mumford Board of Directors David Allen Amanda Welch-Hamill Ernie MatthewsKathy Panchyk Lisa Robbins Tom Robinson Susan Rogers Standing Committees Advertising David Allen Box Office John Alex Concessions Brenda Allen Fund Raising Rusty Mumford Historical Bonnie Bosies House Carol Alex Maintenance Lester Huss Membership Terri Thornton Nominations Pat Oberholtzer Patrons Ernest Matthews Program David Allen and David and Pat Oberholtzer Production Ken Johnson Scholarship Rusty Mumford Season Tickets Ernest Matthews 212th 71st Production Year
Presents
Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Darbon
Directed by Robert Forester Guerrieri Hall Wor Wic Community College
Fri., May 15 and, 22, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Sat., Feb. 16 and 23, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. and Sun, Feb. 17 and 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
Presented by Arrangement with Samuel French
This production was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council, awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Director’s Message Welcome to the world of Agatha Christie. I have always loved a good mystery story, and no one wrote them better than Dame Agatha Christie. When I was a child I would visit my Grandmother Forester and she would read an Agatha Christie novel to me out loud, and we would try to figure out who might have committed the crime. As I grew older I discovered The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and The Lookout Club series of mysteries. I read them all. There is something about a good mystery that makes me just lose myself in it: the twists and turns, the discovery of the clues, piecing it all together and then the final few pages when all is revealed. We hope that you will enjoy our production of A Murder Is Announced. The cast and crew have worked hard to bring this production to the stage, and we have had a great time at rehearsals putting all the pieces of the puzzle in place. Now sit back, relax and try to guess whodunit. Robert Forester
Watch for our
Remaining Shows
We hope that you will come see our remaining show this Season:A special production of Doubt For more details and to order tickets Visit us on-line at
www.communityplayersofsalisbury.org Synopsis
A newspaper ad in the small town of Chipping Cleghorn announces that a murder will take place that very evening at the home of Letitia Blacklock. This comes as a surprise to the residents of Miss Blacklock's home, but they assume it is some sort of joke or party idea. Accordingly, many townspeople turn up that night, expecting a murder mystery party. But, to everyone's surprise, when the lights go out, a true murder is committed. The victim is unknown to everyone, and the local police are stumped. Fortunately, Miss Marple just happens to be in the neighborhood... The action takes place in the sitting room of Little Paddocks, a home in Chipping Cleghorn. Act I Scene 1, The morning of Friday October 13, 1953 Scene 2, 6:10 The same day Scene 3, The following Saturday morning 10 Minute Intermission You’re invited to visit the refreshment stand in the lobby during intermission. Act II Scene 1, The following Sunday afternoon Scene 2, The following Monday morning Scene3, 6 p.m. the same day Please do not take photographs or video during our performance, and please turn all cell phones and pagers off or to vibrate. Cast (In order of appearance)
Julia Simmons............................................................... Miranda Robbins Letita Blacklock................................................................... Lisa Robbins Dora “Bunny” Bunner........................................................... Robin Finley Patrick Simmons................................................................... Joshua Smith Mitzi................................................................................. Kimberley Roop Miss Jane Marple.................................................................. Cindy Gore Phillipa Haymes............................................................... Brenna Johnson Mrs. Clara Swettenham................................................ Susan A. Rogers Edmund Swettenham............................................................. Daniel Winn Rudi Scherz..................................................................... Steven Marshall Inspector Craddock................................................................ Jack lynch Sergeant Mellors............................................................... Joe Prettyman Production Staff Director/Producer....................................................................... Robert ForesterStage Manager............................................................................ Steven MarshallSet Design........................................................................................ Ken JohnsonLighting Design/Lighting.............................................. Sharon Benchoff Costume Designs.............................................................................. Cast Props..................................................................................... Joanne Little.. Set Construction................................................. Ken Johnson, Jim King, Jean King, Sharon Benchoff, Gary Finley, David Allen Debby Nagel, Kel Nagel, Brenna Johnson, and Mary Veise Sound...................................................................................... Gary Finley Publicity......................................................... Kathy Panchyk, Cindy Gore Lisa Robbins, Susan Rogers and Robert Forester Cover Design & Poster................................................................. Kathy PanchykProgram............................... David and Brenda Allen, David and Pat OberholtzerAcknowledgments
Jones & Dryden Truck Rental Kathy Panchyk Bill Gore Jean King Jim King Derrick Smith Cast and Crew Clear Channel Broadcasting Great Scott Broadcasting PAC 14 The Daily Times WBOC (Channel 16) WMDT (Channel 47) A special thank you to those individuals who assisted us but whose names do not appear here. Who’s Who in the Cast Robin Finley (Dora Bunner) – Robin performed in our productions of Little Women, The mouse That Roared, and You can’t Take It with You. She has been in many Wor-Wic productions including Sylvia, Dearly Departed, Lizzie Borden and Nunsense. She thanks Robert for seeing her as “Bunny”. Robin also thanks her family for their patience and “running lines”. Cindy Gore (Miss Marple) – Cindy Gore has been an active member of Players for almost four decades. Her favorite roles include Miss Hannigan in Annie, M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Mother Superior in Nunsense, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma!, Mama in I Remember Mama, Emily Brent in Ten Little Indians also directed by Robert Forester and, most recently, in this season’s production of Rumors as Cookie.. She directed The Pleasure of His Company, Night of January 16th, Blithe Spirit, Little Women, The Mouse That Roared and Bell, Book and Candle. She has directed and performed for Wor-Wic's dessert theatre, most recently as one of the Mop Ladies with Kim Roop, Robin Finley and Susan Rogers, with whom she shares today’s stage. A ten year breast cancer survivor, Cindy reprised her role as Mother Superior in their production of Nunsense, a fund raiser for Relay for Life. A former theatre arts teacher at Parkside and Snow Hill High Schools, Cindy also served two terms as President of Players, and was the first director for Players’ Youth Summer Theatre Camp. She dedicates this performance to her favorite fans, Bill, Rob, Vince, Angie, Dylan, Julia and her Dad who hasn’t missed a performance since she played a Black-eyed Susan in first grade. Brenna Johnson (Phillipa Haymes) – This is Brenna’s sixth show with Players. She was most recently seen in Thoroughly Modern Millie. By day she is the chorus director at Stephen Decatur Middle School and co-directs the drama productions there. She is also very involved with her church. Brenna would like to thank her husband, Ken for picking up the slack at home during rehearsal time. Jack Lynch (Inspector Craddock) – Jack has appeared in many Community Players productions including Annie, 1776, Our Town, Arsenic and Old Lace, Fiddler on the Roof, Laughing Stock, and most recently, The Fantasticks. He has also directed several shows. Jack has found the Inspector to be a very challenging role, but one he has enjoyed because of the wonderful cast. Steven Marshall (Rudi Scherz) – Steven makes his debut with the Players here. He is currently a student at Wor-Wic Community College. Joe Prettyman (Sergeant Mellors) – Joe first appeared with Players in Dial M for Murder, but his favorite role was as Alfred in My Three Angels. An RN by day, Joe enjoys spending his spare time with his 11 month old grandson, church and Players. Thanks to Robert for casting me with this awesome, talented cast.
Who’s Who in the Cast Lisa Robbins (Miss Blacklock) – Lisa has been on Players’ stage for many years. She played Dolly in Hello Dolly, the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Shelby in Steel Magnolias and many other roles. She directed our production of Footloose and the Sizzlin’ Summer Music Review. She also directed Peter Pan for the Salisbury School. Lisa has worked on many television shows including HBO’s The Wire, West Wing, Hack, The District, America’s Most Wanted and recently a new fall series Body Politic. Her movie credits include National Treasure, Manchurian Candidate and the soon to be released My One and Only with Renee Zellwager. Miranda Robbins (Julia Simmons) – This is Miranda’s eleventh show with Players. Past shows include Annie (chorus), Hello Dolly (chorus), The Wizard of Oz (chorus), Meet Me in St. Louis (Agnes), How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying (chorus), Footloose, (Wendy Jo), Anything Goes (Purity), High School Musical (Gabriella Taylor) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Alice). She also performed in Sizzlin’ Summer Review and is involved in A Face for Radio. Miranda attends Wor-Wic Community College. Susan A. Rogers (Mrs. Swettenham) – Susan is a veteran of Players’ stage. She was last seen as Bellomy in The Fantasticks. Other credits include Reno in Anything Goes, Annie in Annie Get Your Gun and Aunt Quennie in Bell, Book and Candle. She directed High School Musical and is currently the director of The Mezzanine Arts Forum and Kaleidoscope Children and Youth Productions, her children’s threatre company. Thank you to Scott, Meredith, Zachery, James and Madison for letting me come out and play with my mentor Cindy Gore and other acting friends—and for putting up with me. Kimberley Roop (Mitzi) – Kim is thrilled to be making her debut with Community Players in this production. She was recently seen in Wor-Wic’s Dessert Theatre production of Ladies of the Mop. She is a Wor-Wic nursing professor, married with three children. “Love to my family and friends for their encouragement and inspiration, and to Robert Forester for this amazing opportunity; as Mitzi would say: ‘Thank you, You’re welcome.’” Joshua Smith (Patrick Simmons) – Josh has performed in several Players shows such as Footloose and Thoroughly Modern Millie. He played Ryan Evans in High School Musical. He was seen in Possum Point Players A Christmas Carol. He is a junior at Delmar High School where he performed as Sergeant Paprika in The Beatles Slept Here and as Michael Feldman in Back to the 80’s. He has made All State Chorus as well as All Eastern Chorus. Daniel Winn (Edmund Swettenham) – This marks Daniels debut with Players. His credits include Nick in A Midsummer’s Night Dream and John Proctor in The Crucible as well as several featured roles in Wor-Wic’s dessert theatre. Who’s Who Backstage Robert Forester – (Director/Producer) – A Murder Is Announced marks Robert’s second time directing an Agatha Christie mystery for Players. His first was Ten Little Indians which also featured Cindy Gore and Jack Lynch who head up tonight’s cast. Other directing credits include Starting Here, Starting Now and The Fantasticks. He is a veteran of more than 70 shows including Wait until Dark, Anything Goes, Godspell, The Fantasticks, Don’t Drink the Water, Sound of Music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, I Remember Mama, Phantom of the Opera, Oliver, Eqqus, Oklahoma!, Once upon a Mattress, Sugar Babies, Bell, Book and Candle, Fiddler on the Roof, Into the Woods and many musical revues. Robert is employed at Beaver Run School as a Title 1 Instructor and is the Director of Readers Theatre there as well. Sharon Benchoff (Lighting) – Sharon has been an active member of Players for over two decades, best known for her work as a lighting designer for over thirty productions including The Fantasticks, Footloose, The Wizard of Oz, and 1776. Sharon has also directed Noises Off, An Inspector Calls, Laughing Stock and Wait until Dark. She recently designed the lighting for Salisbury School’s Peter Pan and Bennett high School’s Rock and Roll Revival, as well as productions at the Mar-Va Theater in Pocomoke. She is honored to serve as Player’s President. Gary Finley (Sound) – Gary has been lighting shows for Wor-Wic Community College for the past eight or nine years, including most of their annual Dessert Theatre and Variety Show productions. This exposure, along with encouragement from friends and family, developed into a desire to work with Community Players. Gary has lighted Harvey, Laughing Stock, Bell, Book and Candle, An Inspector Calls, and You Can’t Take It with You and has been the sound technician for several other shows. Lynne Bratten (Costumes) – Lynne has been helping Players for longer than she cares to remember. She enjoys working behind the scenes as costumer. Ken Johnson (Set Design and Construction) – Ken began his “career” with Players as a follow spot operator for Don’t Drink the Water almost thirty years ago, and he hasn’t stopped. He has directed The Sunshine Boys, Don’t Drink the Water and Thoroughly Modern Millie. He has appeared on stage often, perhaps most notably as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Finch in How to Succeed, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof and Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Ken is Vice-President of Players. He’d like to thank his family for putting up with the long hours working at Players, especially his new bride, Brenna. Joanne Little (Props) – Joanne, a retired county music instructor, is best known for her work on the piano, playing for over 40 Players musicals, but she has been in charge of props for about 25 of our straight shows. She presently is performing with the Wor-Wic chorus and the Bennett Senior High choir.
In MemoriamAnn Pennewill McWilliams March 10, 1941 – October 14, 2008
The Community Players of Salisbury is saddened to lose another member who contributed her time, energy and talents over many years. Although not active recently, she spent many years working behind the scenes.
PATRONS 2008-2009
Sustaining Members Tom & Susan Robinson Guardians Dr. Lynne Everett Kel and Debby Nagel Jean and Vic Laws In Memory of Mary E. Spencer Benefactors Mrs. Mildred Palmer Angels Lloyd & Alice Foard Stephen & Holly Hearne Rod & Pat Layton Fred G. Livingood Carol & Ed Prager Donors Fred & Nancy Althaus Ron & Jackie Ayers Ann Marie & Chris Barnes Andy & Marilyn Booth Jane S. Buckley Michael & Annette Conger Don & Debra Cooper Marguerite Powell Davis Carol & John DeBerardinis Ed & Norma Fleischer Hamilton & Kathleen Fox Mr. & Mrs. Gordon D Gladden Barbara S. Hanson – Dance Unlimited Irving & Bernice Herrick Adrianne & Lewis Kadushin Jim & Donna Kaylor Barbara K Laskey Chuck & Sheila Lemak Jean & Ralph Lopez Jack Lynch & Joe Poveromo Ken & Liz MacFarlane Mary Frances Macon Susanne Morris Marian L. Patterson John & Vickie Pick In Memory of Betty L. Provance Gerry Schmidlin Lee & Manya Sterner David & Ginny Studley Ann B. Suthowski - In memory of John J. Suthowski Mary & Stephanie Taylor Shirley Thomas Taylor M. William & Frances Tilghman Richard & Karyl Tyler Stephanie Willey Terri & Chuck Woodward Dan & Kate Zimmerman Sponsors Barbara Benton Mr. & Mrs. Charles L Bloodsworth Mary-Alice S. Hawkins Bob & Eleanor Hoekstra Marjorie Poisker Haroldine Shaner Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Thomas Barry P. Wilson Dick & Betty Wootten Friends Ms. Carolyn Cathell Anne Cuomo Bob & Kay Hutchinson Arline B. Mascarich Frances M. Mezick Dorothy Paris Moon Phil & Krista Perdue Holly & Miles Riggin Mr. Richard Sames Roland & Miriam Scheck
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