adapted by Leslie Darbon

Directed by Gregory Cohen

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Agatha Christie’s

A Note from the Executive Director, Madison Mooney & Producing Artistic Director, Sean Gray

Hello and welcome to the Playhouse. We wanted to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for supporting the Playhouse and thank you for supporting the arts of Long Beach. Theatre is not created in a vacuum; it takes a village, and an observer to finish the formula. We hope you enjoy our production and your whole visit with us.

We are always open to input from you, a healthy dialogue with our audience can only improve what we produce on our stages. Let us know what you thought, we are open to critiques and compliments, we welcome it.

Our Playhouse is a place where everyone is welcome and we hope you feel the same.

Thank you, once again, for your patronage. Enjoy the show.

Madison Mooney & Sean Gray

madison@lbplayhouse.org • Office: 562-494-1014 ex 506 sean@lbplayhouse.org • Office: 562-494-1014 ex 504

5021 E. Anaheim St. LB, CA. 90804

562-494-1014 * www.lbplayhouse.org * 5021 E. Anaheim St. LB, CA. 90804

Coming soon...

Established in 1929, Long Beach Playhouse is recognized as the first performing arts organization in Long Beach with over 85 continuous years of production. Our eight-play Mainstage season is presented with the undying energy of cast, crew and house volunteers. Long Beach Playhouse is financially supported through memberships; funding and grants from foundations, corporations and government programs; along with contributions of generous patrons like you.

The Mainstageat Long Beach Playhouse

The DirectorGregory CohenGregory Cohen is very pleased to be returning to the Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage with this classic murder mystery. LBP is Greg’s theatrical “home,” and this show marks his 26th production as director (Around the World in 80 Days, Into the Woods, Taming of the Shrew, Spinning Into Butter, And the Winner Is…) . He just finished acting on the Mainstage, appearing as Bernard in 2016’s Don’t Dress for Dinner. Other productions directed by Greg around L.A., Riverside, and Orange counties include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Rainmaker, My Three Angels, Funny Money, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Few Good Men, and Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?, The Boys Next Door, and Rumors. Greg runs theatre workshops in Long Beach and Orange County and is a private acting coach and hypnotherapist. He and his wife, Kysa, share their busy lives with the foci of their universe, Bethy and Lovey.

Behind the Scenes

Stage ManagerAmber Goebel Amber Goebel is excited to be working her first show here at the Long Beach Playhouse. She will be graduating this spring from CSU, Long Beach with a major in Technical Theatre, emphasis in Stage Management. Past credits include A View From the Bridge, Rock of Ages, The Clean House, Grease, and Singin’ in the Rain. Many thanks to the family for their unending support! Enjoy the show everyone!

Set DesignLight DesignSound DesignCostume DesignScenic PainterProp Master/DesignerBoard OperatorPhotographyPromotional DesignCostume Shop

Spencer RichardsonKelsey McGillSean GrayDonna FritscheDrew OteroLarry MuraDominic MishlerMike Hardy Daisy Ramirez-GutierrezRosy Anselmo, Abertha Montgomery, Rebecca Roth, Jill Soloway, Analidia Lopez

Director’s Notes

The SettingLetitia Blacklock’s Drawing Room,

England, 1947

There will be one 15-minute intermission.

My mom loved a good murder mystery and Agatha Christie novels were always littering her bedside table. She was constantly channelling her Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot, trying to solve the crime before she got to the final chapter. I grew up watching her lose herself in the black and white movies showing on our living room television. She was engrossed in the mystery; I was amused by the slightly overacted, and blatantly underscored performances that felt so quaint and dated to my young eyes. This production is my attempt to recreate that magical blend of theatricality and mystery that so bewitched my mom. I think she would have gotten a blast out of the talented cast I’ve been lucky enough to enlist in my efforts. I hope you do too. Enjoy!

Kawika Aguilar (PATRICK SIMMONS)SAG-AFTRA member and CSUF alumni, Kawika has performed numerous shows across Southern California, including Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Picasso), Titus Andronicus (Demetrius), and King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Arthur). Kawika is currently the content developer for The Collaboratory, a children’s edutainment company, and actor for The L.A. Troupe, Theatre-in-Education.

Meet

The Cast(in order of appearance)

Rachel Thomas-Chappell (MISS BLACKLOCK)Rachel is thrilled to be making her Long Beach Playhouse debut in A Murder is Announced. She is a graduate of New Mexico State University and the Second City Conservatory –Chicago. Favorite roles include Mina in Dracula, Fanny in On the Verge, Arlie in Getting Out and Joan in La Femme Follies.

Briana Miller (JULIA SIMMONS) Briana is thrilled to be appearing on the LBP Mainstage again. She very recently appeared hereas Laura Lyons in The Hound of the Baskervilles. She is a theatre major who lives in Cerritos with her three puppies. Briana would like to thank the whole cast and crew for being so incredibly kind and amazing! And she would like to thank you, the audience, for coming out and supporting theatre tonight. Enjoy the show!

Linda Sutera (DORA BUNNER)Linda is excited to debut at LBP in A Murder is Announced. She recently appeared as Violet in August: Osage County at Theatrikos Theatre Company. Favorite roles include Portia in The Merchant of Venice, Meg in Crimes of the Heart, Ouisa in Six Degrees of Separation and Melissa in Love Letters. When they are not traveling she and her husband, Tony live in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Desi Molinari (MITZI)Desi is thrilled to be back at the LBP in A Murder is Announced. Film credits include Maddy in The Bork and Ally in The Parcel (168 Film Festival). Desi resides in Southern California near her Cottonwood Church family.

Meet

The Cast(in order of appearance)

Caitlin Barry (PHILLIPA HAYMES)Caitlin is delighted to be making her debut with the Long Beach Playhouse in Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced. Some of her favorite roles include Estelle in Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit, Katherina in Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, and Angie in Front. Caitlin lives in Long Beach after moving from Austin, Texas in October and is excited to explore her new city.

Kathleen Fabry (MRS. SWETTENHAM)Kathleen has enjoyed being a participant in over 25 plays since she left Corporate America in 1997. Some of her favorite plays include, Oedipus, Medea, Grapes of Wrath, The Foreigner, The Shadow Box, and The Mousetrap. She is pleased to be a part of this talented cast and thanks Gregory Cohen for casting her in her second appearance at the Long Beach Playhouse. She thanks her family and friends who continue to support her efforts. Enjoy the show everyone.

Sarah Green (MISS MARPLE)Sarah’s thrilled to return to the Playhouse, having most recently appeared here as Judith in Hay Fever. Other Playhouse shows: Arms and the Man, The Philanderer, Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird, Dead Guilty. Other theatres: The Mandrake (Archway); Don Juan (A Noise Within); Julius Caesar (Knightsbridge). In real life she stays out of her neighbors’ business, unless a murder is afoot or chocolate cake is involved. Or both.

Lee Samuel Tanng (EDMUND SWETTENHAM)This is Lee’s eleventh show at the Long Beach Playhouse. He was most recently seen on this stage as Christopher Wren in The Mousetrap. Previous LBP shows include Hay Fever, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Murder on the Nile, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Gay Dream, A Flea in Her Ear, and And Then There Were None. Lee is currently the lead nurse for emergency and critical care at Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Irvine.

Meet

The Cast(in order of appearance)

Rick Reischman (INSPECTOR CRADDOCK)This performance marks Rick’s 7th performance at the Long Beach Playhouse! He was most recently seen as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days. When Rick isn’t acting, he likes writing and producing his own short films. He recently completed writing his first full length play. He is also producing and staring in Beyond Therapy, which premiers February 2017 upstairs in the Studio Theater for the collaborative season.

Zach Sanchez (SERGEANT MELLORS/RUDI)Zach is making his second appearance on the main stage for A Murder is Announced. His debut performance was exactly one year ago as he portrayed the role of Jamie in the production The Hot L Baltimore. He is so excited to once again shine at the Long Beach Playhouse with a whole new cast and crew. He wishes everyone to have a great show, and have a lot of fun because this play is nothing but that.

At a large, tastefully appointed Sneden’s Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken and wife Chris must get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and mis-communications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.

Next on the Mainstage!

only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience

Madison Mooney Executive Director

Sean Gray Producing Artistic & Technical Director

Donna Fritsche Costume Shop Manager & Resident Costume Designer

Larry MuraAssistant Technical Director

Alex ShewchukPatron Services Manager

Stephen OlearVolunteer Coordinator

Evan BattleKellee CullinghamLottie FrickAngela KozikNatasha LopezFront of House Staff

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TreasurerDan Ryan

President Tony Diaz

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER:

In consideration of our performers and patrons, please turn off all cellular devices during the show. Cameras and recording devices are prohibited. Late seating is at the discretion of the House Manager. Beverages and concessions are offered before performances and during intermission and you may bring drinks purchased at our bar into the theatre. Smoking is restricted to the area in front of the theatre on Anaheim Street.

Extra Funding made possible by:

Special thanks to our Set Sunday Volunteers! Ray Smith, Jerry Loeb, Flo Dartt, Marie Santora, Bob S. Turner, Tom Long, Lana Haines, Tammy Barile, Roscoe Evans, David Lovegren, Mal Groff, Emmett W. Fry, Bob Boyce, and the Cast, Crew and Design team for A Murder is Announced! Many thanks.

Vice President Jane Nunn

SecretaryHalley Hardy

Cheryl Avirom, Kysa Cohen, Carl DaSilva, Gaurav Datta, Bart DeLio, Emily Holman, Tom Long, Gigi Fusco Meese,

Anna Kate Mohler, Roxanne Patmor, Ray Smith, Miguel Solario

THE STAFF

Legacy CircleMary Lou BusbyPeggy HolmesJoan A. Ryan

Honorary Producers ($1,000 and Up!)Craig & Julie DanleyHaberbush FamilyRoxanne Patmor

Cynthia RustaniusDr. Ronald &

Miriam SommerPat & Ray Smith

Marlene Temple and The Temple Family Charitable

Foundation

Executive Producer ($500-$999)Kaye Briegel

Pamela CincolaLouis Euzarrage

Myra KremenPhyllis Nofts & Evie Ray

Dan RodgersPat & Ray Smith

Director ($250-$499)Anonymous

Kathleen & Barry BlodgettDorwin Family

Carolyn & Anthony EndresHarriet Whitmyer &

Danial GolsonSteve & Judie Gratch

Martin Fiebert & Margo Kasdan

Meg & Peter KohnGeraldine Fuentes

Beth Nolan & Scott Mahlberg

Jerry Barba & Stephen OlearWilliam & Polly Ridgeway

John H. SullivanJohanna & Robert Tramazzo

Patty Williams

Starring Role ($150-$249)

Robert & M. BourguetTony & Cyndy Diaz

Ron & Paula DuffautMal Groff

Janeice McConnellWilliam McDonald

Beverly O’NeillJerry Barba & Stephen Olear

Harold & Betty OlsonGeorge & Beverle Ray

Dan & Deb RyanSam Tanng

Vonderschmitt Family

Ensemble Cast ($50-$149)

Jill Aversa Flo Dartt

Carl daSilvaDan & Jeri Davini

Bart DeLioMichael & Marie Downs

David & Joanne FeldmanJoseph Vanderhost &

Kristi FischerKaren Flaig

Pamela FloresMarc & Donna Furon

Arlene GaleSusan Garcia

Floyd & Annie GillsRichard & Alvena Graham

Mike & Halley Hardy

Legacy Circle Jerry Barba & Stephen Olear2016 MEMBERS & DONORS

Stephen Harvey & Venetia Lai

Carol HobaughSharon Hollander

Dr. Glen & Joyce HowardLinda & Kent Huber

Judith JohnsenBetty Karnette

Sam & Donna KellyMelvin & Susan Lefkowitz

Long Beach RegularsTom & Irina Long

Nancy LewisJoseph MacDonald

Lisa MarchTed & Janice Martin

Phillip & Barbara MateriColleen Maxfield

William McDonaldMarilyn McGraa

Frank & Katherine McIlquham

Miriam McLeodTerry & Barney Mooney

Madison MooneyMargie & Paul Muns

Miles NevinMargaret Nolde

Jane & Mitch NunnDoug Otto

Charmaine PackPatricia Raymer

Dan & Becky RobbinsRoberta S. Rohwedder

John RoyceWayne RussAnne Ryder

Douglas SeagravesRobert SlaterLinda SuteraNatalie SwiftBruce Tanis

Edward Van BoemelSusan Vidor

Carol WelchRon & Janee West

Dan WilkinsonLiliana Witz-Hancsak

Friends (Up to $49)M. AndagMatthew &

Jacqueline AzzaraJames & Constance Davis

Beverly HampsonMary Hochenauer

Pravin & Catherine ParmarSusan RagoneJoy RosenthalPauline Strong

Barbara & Terry WassmanBrucelle Williamson

Life MembersAnne Abrams | Barbara Bagstad | Richard Baker | Maria Brewer

| Jean Burjarski Erma & Burdell Bulgrin | Janet & Kenneth Cassell | Ruth & Fred Cole | Miriam & Emanuel Coster | Barbara

S. Crooker-Cassaday | JoAnn Curtis | Lucy Daggett | Betty L. Davenport | Connie Davis | Kathy Davis | Diane & Robert

Dickenson | Adelaide Eriksen | Norman Eriksen | Karen J. & Horst A. Feyler | Jean & William Friedrichs | Jack Gavrel | Joseph L. Goodlove | Deborah & Donald Griffin | Clemit W. Hale | Sandy Hall Jeanne & Ernest Hardin | Elaine & George Herman | Mari

Hooper IShelley & Ken Hunt | John W. Hutchison | Sharon & Tim Irwin | Judy Johnson | Jean & Les Jones | Sandi & Kevin Kayse

| Laura Killingsworth | Joyce Klenner Caroline & Ray Klund | Charles W. Knapp | Leah & Stan Levy | Flora & Jerry Loeb

Patricia & Gaetano Marchese | Zettia & Bill Miller | Albert Molle | Betty & Milton Moskowitz | Charlotte & Louis Moskowitz | Jack

Motsinger | Marjorie & Paul Muns | Susanna & John Mould | Glen M. Nakadate | Lionel Okun Toni & Michael Ortiz | Susan Claire

Anderson Reid | Dottie & Ken Reiner | Susan Rice & Chris Quint | Dr. Mark & Bonnie Rosen | Dr. Howard & Suzanne Rosen | Mary & Norman G. Saatjian | Sandra & Butch Scheffler | Pat M. & William R. Smith | Dr. Ronald Sommer | Richard H. Stahl | Daphne & Jack Stutesman | Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Tavoularis | James Thomas | Tom Thompson | Johanna C. & Robert J. Tramazzo | Barbara S. Van

Alstine | Avalee & Lietta Wagner

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Many Thanks to our Honorary Producer

Marlene Temple and The Temple Family Charitable Foundation