Behind the Scenes

ou may have noticed that the stage floor at your theater here at The Colonial Players is a major element of the set design. This partly is the result of not having a large backdrop Yto work with that all four seating sections can see. But everyone can see - and even walk on - the stage floor.

Set design begins months before the play opens with a reading of the play and discussions with the director. The director brings the overall vision and the set designer develops a design of furniture and backdrops to support the vision and action of the play. But the floor always plays a key role in your theater. It is what you see when you walk in and what you see throughout the play. And each play's set designer comes up with a unique design for the floor.

One of the very first things that happens after one show closes is that the next show's set designer and painters (all volunteers) repaint the floor with the new design. Because time between shows is limited, the old paint is not removed; the new design goes on right over the top of the last one. After the design has been painted, a top coat of polyurethane typically is applied to protect the design for the next five or six weeks. There is some debate as to how long the current floor has been in place and how many times the floor has been repainted.

Some think the floor was replaced around 1980, which would mean roughly 300 different floor designs have come and gone. A conservative estimate of 2.5 gallons per design means that the stage floor has had about 750 gallons applied over the years. A couple of core samples taken recently reveals that the paint is, on average, 3/4 inch thick.

Many of your painters are quite adept at faux finishing. The illusion of hardwood plank flooring is quite popular, as is stone, brick, marble, and linoleum. But the floor also has seen a painted shag rug, train tracks, grass, starry skies, a life-size board game, and much more. Water can be T a bit challenging, but has been done with some coordinated lighting. And if a design element h is to be projected onto the floor, such as the shadows created on the floor of a jail cell by the e bars on the cell's window, the designer must ensure that the floor's paint will help make the a t projection visible. r e

i

We hope you notice and appreciate our wonderfully ever-changing stage floor done by your n

very talented volunteers.

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– TIM BROWN 0 º

MAY 31 TO JUNE 22 2018/2019 season - 12 - THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE PRODUCTION STAFF COLONIAL Hello, and welcome to the final production of Director...... Mark T. Allen PLAYERS, our 70th season! Producer...... Richard Atha-Nicholls Stage Manager...... Herb Elkin INC. How have we reached the end of our season already? It seems like only yesterday that we Costume Designers...... Amy Atha-Nicholls, Jean Berard 108 East Street • Annapolis, MD 21401 were primping and pampering the theater for Properties Designer...... Constance Robinson Rumors Telephone: 410-268-7373 our opening production, . And yet, here Lighting Designer...... Ernie Morton we are – preparing to turn off the lights and thecolonialplayers.org begin sprucing up the theater for next season. Sound Designer...... David Cooper Set Designers...... Mark T. Allen, Amy Atha-Nicholls, Richard Atha-Nicholls BOARD OF DIRECTORS Often in the summer, we have a number Assistant Stage Manager...... Cat Cochran of limited-run productions, including our Stage Crew...... Jane Elkin, Emma Miller, Holly Miller Corporate Officers: Promising Playwright contest, One-Act Festival, President...... Shirley Panek and other special events. This year we are Assistant Properties Designer...... Deborah Guy-Skriloff Vice President...... Steve Tobin starting the summer off with some well-earned Lighting Assistant...... Lyana Morton Secretary...... Rosalie Daelemans upgrades to the theater in July. But don’t worry Sound Assistant...... Shirley Panek Treasurer...... Kaelynn Bedsworth – we still have something special in store for Sound/Lighting Technician...... Brittany Rankin Directors: you before we open our doors for the new Artistic...... Beth Terranova season! Floor Design...... Amy Atha-Nicholls Education & Special Projects...... Joe Thompson Floor and Set Painting...... Amy Atha-Nicholls, Richard Atha-Nicholls, Edd Miller Human Resources...... Fran Marchand August 2, 3, and 4 we will bring you a Set Decoration...... Constance Robinson Marketing ...... Sarah Wade reimagining of our Promising Playwright Special Effects...... Brandon Bentley Operations...... Wes Bedsworth contest. This year, three very familiar Colonial Production...... Tim Brown Players names have each penned a one-act Dialect Coach...... BettyAnn Leeseberg-Lange play which will be brought to life on our stage. Assistant to the Producer...... Amy Atha-Nicholls After that, we’ll be getting ready for our first Play Consultant...... Darice Clewell CP SPECIAL EVENTS production of our 71st season – the classic Season Sneak Peek Arsenic and Old Lace; and taking a short break Hair Consultant...... Doug Dawson Summer One Act Festival to party with a little end-of season celebration Lead Carpenter...... Ted Yablonski Promising Playwright Contest to recognize our 70 years serving the Annapolis Carpenters...... Norm James, Jim Robinson, Bob Mumper Post Show Talk Back community. Poster/Program Cover Designer...... Drama Queen Graphics Scholarship Award Season Celebration I hope to see you here and around town at Program Designer...... Harlequin Designs some of the other great theaters that Annapolis Photography...... Colburn Images For information on these events, contact: has to offer. Program Editor...... Tom Stuckey [email protected] Enjoy the show, and see you soon! Program Assistant...... Nancy Long

FRONT OF HOUSE – SHIRLEY PANEK Box Office...... Lynda Cunningham ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Subscriptions...... Lynda Cunningham Mariaspictureplace.com Mary Beth Yablonski LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! John Robinson • Linda Becker • Denise Summers • Maria Dawson News & Cues Editor...... Beth Terranova STAY UP-TO-DATE ON Webmasters...... Wes Bedsworth WHAT'S GOING ON AT CP. Anne Sharpe

- 2 - - 11 - TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS DIRECTOR’S NOTES

John Purnell Joyce & Charles Shue Dame Agatha is back on The Colonial Players eliminate. For much the same reason, 1950 is Thank you for your support. Your generous Jim & Charlotte Robinson Robert Smith stage for the first time since the Fall of 2011. equally problematic as seven years earlier was gifts help us to continue to provide Joseph Scabis Roderick Smith Michele & Earl Schaffer Dennis & Maureen Sullivan That production of Christie’s The Unexpected 1943. I also feel that 1933 more realistically educational and training programs, John & Judy Schuyler Rolph & Joan Townshend Guest is a very fond memory for me, as it also reflects the world these characters inhabit as encouragement and entertainment to all Anne Sloan Carolyn Wells was my first foray on this stage as an actor. I shown by their attitudes and mores. who are interested in dramatic arts. Philip Tawes Elizabeth Wilson Pat & Stephen Troy Karen & John Wright am grateful and honored to be granted the Mary Walker opportunity to make this production my A murder mystery falls into a challenging William & Gazella Weigand PATRONS directorial debut with CP. genre both in literature and in theater. Within Dr. Stephen & Christine Killian LIFE MEMBERS Brian Whaley Meredith H. Allison Sally Larson that genre, Agatha Christie is an icon with a Fred Fishback Dr. Jim Wise Sandra Collyear Altherr Lynne Malley unique and well-known style. She is a master Richard Gessner Gail Wise Wayne Bethards Why have we decided to set this production Joyce C. Miller & Chris Beaton Fran & Maureen Wright Theresa Berg in September of 1933 when the play was of misdirection and of subtle characterization. Anne & Manfred Muecke Bill & Peggy Griswold Mary Beth & Ted Yablonski Nancy C. Brosnihan Michael & Sage Mumma first produced in 1956 and the novel was first It takes a true team effort to properly present Daniel G. Higgs Pamela Brune Gerald & Monica Oudens published in 1944? The script itself leads us all the red herrings she plants throughout the Judi Hilton-Hyde Dianne Crews Susan Porter SPONSORS Frank McLane Hyde Christopher Dean to the answer. There is a date referenced at story, as well as the true clues to the mystery, Mr. & Mrs. William N. Jim & Judy Barrowman Ronald Powell Carol DeGarmo without telegraphing anything; at the same Scherer, Jr. Jill & Dick Breen one point as occurring on a specific day of the Dr. & Mrs. James W. Ross Kathleen Finerty Sandra Sundeen Marion & Joe Brenner week. Looking backwards from 1956, that exact time, we keep in mind that a not insignificant Col. USMC (Ret.) Mary Finnerty Beth Terranova Bob Brewer Richard W. Smith Denise Frey combination of date and weekday occurred portion of the audience is familiar with the story Larry & Betty Thompson Carol Carman Allan Starkey Michael & JoAnn Gidos only in 1950, 1944, and 1933. Another clue is and is watching to see how well we present Cathy & Dick Whaley Jim & Pat Church Mrs. Benjamin B. Wills, Jr. Eliot Girsang Virginia & Chris White Judy Crews-Hanks provided in the opening moments of the show, Dame Agatha's misdirections. We certainly Alice Riley Hall John & Judi Wobensmith James Crosson when Mr. Royde mentions that he has just spent hope we’ve accomplished that, and that you PRODUCERS Elizabeth Hepler Cynthia Curtis the previous seven years living in Malaya. As the enjoy our efforts. Bill Allen Cindy Dawson Elia & John Howser Col. USA (ret.) Fred DESIGNERS Karen Elliott Sara Jones only reference made to any war in the script is – MARK T. ALLEN & Donna Arquilla Chuck & Mary-Jo Bedsworth Susan Elson Emily Joyce in the past tense -- and for the British World War Eugenia Conlin Judge Wes & Kaelynn Bedsworth Mary Evelyn Bell Thomas Fellowes II ran from 1939 through 1945 -- 1944 is easy to Timothy Brown Marna Bornick Walter Frick Martin Karmann-Bauer Cardinal Engineering, LLC Pat & Karen Brown Carol & Joe Friend Carol Kasper James W. Cheevers Richard Davis Wes & Ellen Gardner Jane Lunney Meg Hosmer Mr. & Mrs. Robert Downey Valerie Gutterson Kristi Merritt Gary & Janice Jobson Noel E. Durm Karen Hirakawa Para & Miller Families ABOUT THE DIRECTOR Alice Kurs Raymond Flynt Dianne & Duncan Hood Susan Bailey Miller Margaret A. Ross June D. Fordham Jerry Hopkins Bill & Priscilla Mitchell MARK T. ALLEN is delighted to every production for the next eight years and Bob Sherer Cynthia Garn Jim & Linda Johnson Carolyn Morris be directing his first full-length served as the organization’s final president. It Fred Sussman Jay Resnick & Judy Sarubin Doris Gomoljak Christopher & Rebecca Jones show for The Colonial Players. was there he began directing with Christie’sThe & Sharon Kolstad Fred & Anne Hallett John & Beverley Kadas Wayne Singley The Tobin Family Dr. Ross & Patricia Heisman Bernard & Hannah Kaufman Joanne Trepp His only other CP directing credit Mousetrap. He has also worked with the Laurel Dr. Stephan Lisa & Richard Hillman Kathy & Dave Larrabee Joan & Bill Weingartner is Foxglove, the one-act written Mill Playhouse, directing for them Christie’s A & Tamara Tymkiw Michael Williams Deborah & Ken Hoffman Helen Fisher Leitch by CP stalwart Rick Wade. His Murder is Announced as well as Black Coffee, Jim Magner & Karen Whaley Helena & Bill Hunter Ken & Roberta Liddick Rowena Winkler Betty & Robert Hyers Kathleen Lottenbach John & Judith Youngblood theatrical career began at Richard Montgomery The Hollow, Teahouse of the August Moon, DIRECTORS Michael J. Keller Francisco Montero Mark Zablotny High School in Rockville, which quickly led to 45 Seconds from Broadway, Death Takes a Don & Lucy Arthur Paul Keller Ed & Jeanne Paglee volunteering with the Rockville Little Theatre. Holiday, and most recently And Then There Janet & Nick Berry Nancy & Dan Long John Pinkham Ed & Carolyn Cohee Peter Madden Thomas Reeves For one semester he was a theater major at Were None. When not directing, he remains Timothy Dangel Lois & Noel Milan Ken & Maureen Reightler what was then Towson State College, but quickly active as a performer, with his most recent Fred & Susan Eckert Mr. & Mrs. Henry L. Mortimer Carolyn Rhoads realized he was not, as they say, “ready for role being Sir Hugh Evans in CP’s production Max & Toby Green Pam & Ted Mussenden Justin Ritchie prime time.” He drifted away from theater until this season of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives Tylar & Carol Ann Hecht Phil & Sandy Ourisson John & Constance Robinson Nancy M. Janelle Thea B. Pinskey Prasan Samal his daughter discovered it on her own during of Windsor. Mark enjoys spending his spare middle school, at which time both of them time with his daughter, his son-in-law, and their became involved with the Columbia Community three children. The Colonial Players gratefully acknowledges the generous bequest from Roland Riley, Players. He worked in some capacity on almost a longtime patron whose gift helps ensure the future economic viability of our theater.

The Colonial Players gratefully acknowledgesv the recent gift from the Donald M. Reed Living Trust that made possible the critical upgrade of our stage lighting control system.

- 10 - - 3 - THE CAST THE STAFF (continued)

BEN BELL MICHAEL N. DUNLOP Olney Theatre, and Everyman Theatre. BettyAnn been really excited to discover the interplay of light (Nevile Strange) (Mathew Treves) was the resident dialect coach at REP Stage for over and shadow that this script makes possible. Ernie Ben is thrilled to be performing on Mike is thrilled to return to The 10 years. She is especially proud of The Judas Kiss has also designed lighting for this season’s Silent stage again with such an amazing Colonial Players stage, where he (winner of Helen Hayes Awards for direction and Sky and previously for It’s a Wonderful Life. cast. This is his first appearance appeared as a gentleman and as leading actor) and most recently Twilight, a-one with The Colonial Players. the undertaker in the 1987 and woman show with 31 characters starring Danielle CONSTANCE ROBINSON Previously he portrayed Petruchio in The Taming 1988 versions of A Christmas Carol. More roles Drakes. Her regional credits include the Repertory (Properties Designer/ of the Shrew, Scapino in Scapino, and Wadsworth followed. He was Scrooge in two productions of Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis Black Repertory Set Decorator) in Clue. He also has a long history of performing A Christmas Carol, with other favorites being A Theatre, St. Louis’ New Theatre, and Chicago’s Since 2003, Connie has volunteered with local Improv groups such as All Puns Intended Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum, Trying, Court Theatre. BettyAnn is an Equity actress. She as a public relations consultant, and Free Range Improv. In his free time, Ben enjoys Morning’s at Seven, and Casa Valentina. Previous dialect coached the HBO Series The Wire, worked graphic designer, box office using his acting and improv skills to play Dungeons performances with Prince George’s Little Theatre with NPR’s All Things Considered, and was Howard assistant, properties designer, and set decorator and Dragons and is generally a huge nerd. He would were Don't Dress For Dinner, Deathtrap, and The Stern’s dialect reduction coach. She reminds for The Colonial Players. She serves on the current like to thank his daughter, Natalie, and his girlfriend, Man Who Came to Dinner. Mike has also been people that she taught Howard HOW to speak, not Marketing Committee and has collected props for Allison, as well as family and friends for the support seen in Bowie Community Theatre's productions of WHAT to say. BettyAnn served as president of the over 17 productions at CP and other local theaters. they gave him during this production. Daddy's Girl, Dearly Departed, and Dearly Beloved Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA), She is proud to have received three WATCH and Compass Rose's productions of Oliver and To the international organization for voice, diction, nominations for Properties Designing. Connie JIM BERARD Kill a Mockingbird. Mike has been a member of dialect, and text specialists. She created her accent enjoys her volunteer hours because of the terrific (P.C. Benson) SAG-AFTRA since 1988 and acted in various film, modification business, Talking Well Consulting, people she works with. Recently she completed Jim is excited to be making his television, and commercial video productions in LLC. BettyAnn tells internationals whose accents the floor and set painting and decorating for A first appearance on The Colonial the Baltimore/Washington market with a recent need more clarity: “Adjust Your Accent; Keep Your New Brain according to the vision of Set Designer Players stage and to be working role in Veep on HBO. He works as a standardized Culture; Own Your Future!” Carol Youmans, who unexpectedly passed away with so many friends in this patient role playing for medical school training of on March 27th, before the show opened. Connie talented cast and crew. He is especially pleased to doctors and nurses. Other role playing assignments ERNIE MORTON dedicated her work on that show to her friend be working with his real-life leading lady, Jean, who include witnesses for mock trials and diplomats (Lighting Designer) Carol, who she will miss dearly. As she collects is the costumer for this show. This is Jim’s second from fictitious countries in attache training. Ernie is usually found lurking in props for Towards Zero, Connie is thankful for the appearance in an Agatha Christie mystery under the shadows waiting for the next assistance of our new CP volunteer, Deborah Guy- the direction of Mark T. Allen. The first was when JEFFREY MILLER scene change as a stage manager Skriloff. She also thanks her husband, John, for his Jim portrayed the butler, Rogers, in And Then There (Superintendent Battle) for a dozen shows, most recently continued assistance fixing or creating props, and Were None at Laurel Mill Playhouse in 2016. Jim No stranger to community and with A Christmas Carol and The Merry Wives of is also grateful to friends for their support. has since made several more appearances at LMP, dinner theater, Jeffrey is glad to Windsor, but now he is bringing the light. Ernie has including, in 2018, as the maitre d’ in the one-act be back on The Colonial Players ISO and Paul, the father in You Can’t Take It With stage after a six-year absence. You, in which he spent most of his time on stage in He most recently appeared as ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT boxer shorts. He also appeared as the butler, John, Sidney Redlitch in Bell, Book and Candle. Favorite AGATHA CHRISTIE’S place atop the pantheon of English language mystery writers is made clear in Prince George’s Little Theater’s production ofThe roles have included the king in The King and I; by the fact that more than one billion copies of her novels have been sold in the original English and Man Who Came To Dinner in 2017. Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew; Fred in an additional billion in translation. She is the best-selling novelist of all time, and only the Bible and Kiss Me, Kate; (he never confuses the latter two. William Shakespeare’s plays and poems exceed sales totals for her books, short stories, and plays. LAUREN BROWN Well, hardly ever. There was that time…); Miles (Kay Strange) Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Christie's reputation as "The Queen of Crime" was built upon the large number of classic motifs Lauren is a graduating senior at to the Forum at both Montgomery Players and that she either introduced or made popular in her 66 detective novels. She developed what Broadneck High School and is very The Daytona Beach Playhouse; and Ned Quinn in is now considered a classic mystery structure. A murder is committed, and there are multiple excited to play Mrs. Kay Strange. Hogan’s Goat. He was a guest soloist twice with suspects. Over the course of the book or play, a detective gradually uncovers the secrets of the This is her first production with The the Naval Academy Band, and was a featured suspects in a plot filled with shocking and surprising developments. Her works often ended with Colonial Players as well as her first time playing a soloist with The Arundel Vocal Arts Society. In suspects summoned to a drawing room of an upper class home, where the detective revealed role with a British accent. Recently Lauren has been his other life, he is the airport security program the identity of the killer. in productions such as Antigone and Little Shop manager in the Office of Airport Security at BWI Christie conceived of two unlikely characters for her crime novels. Hercule Poirot, the funny little of Horrors. She thanks her parents, friends, and Marshall Airport and an adjunct professor in the man with a perfectly groomed mustache and patent leather shoes, introduced in 1920, was a teachers for supporting her through this process aviation program at the Catonsville campus of the big hit with readers, but Christie came to despise his character, whom she once described as “an and helping her toward graduation. Please enjoy Community Colleges of Baltimore County. egocentric creep.” She much preferred Miss Marple, the genteel old lady of St. Mary Mead who the sandwiches on this wild ride of a whodunit! helped push bumbling police detectives towards finding the solution to the murders that kept happening in her quiet English village.

- 4 - - 9 - THE STAFF THE CAST (continued)

AMY ATHA-NICHOLLS in the tech booth and helps with lighting. Cat was NICOLE MUSHO MARTIN THOMPSON (Costume Co-Designer/ the lighting designer at Broadneck High School since (Audrey Strange) (Ted Latimer) Floor Designer) the fall of 2016, having designed over 20 shows in Nicole is very excited to be back Martin is excited to be back on The Maker of stuff, nonsense, and that time, and will be going to college for theater in a show at The Colonial Players. Colonial Players stage. CP credits mischief by decree. Amy has worn lighting in the fall. She’s thankful to all the mentors Her previous performance include roles in The Philadelphia many hats, including puppeteer, and friends she’s made while working at CP and to with Colonial was in the 2015 Story, The Busy Body, and three costumer, pyrographer, designer, playwright, archer, all the cast and crew members who welcomed her production ofThe Liar. A Philadelphia native, Nicole productions of A Christmas Carol. Additionally for wench (when required), and assassin on occasion into their world! Other theaters she’s worked with has also been in a number of shows throughout CP, he directed the one-act play The Shepherd's (specializing in heart attacks...). Mostly she acts include Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Infinity college and high school, including The Imaginary Chameleon and designed sound for various as Polly Filler for all the jobs that need doing. Her Theatre Company, and, briefly, the Ballet Theatre of Invalid, Antigone, Footloose, Beauty and the Beast, productions including Company. He was one of latest hat is Chair of the North American Discworld Maryland. Cat looks forward to working and learning and Our Town. Her most recent role was as Nina in two Colonial Players Scholarship recipients in 2010. Convention this summer in L.A. - nadwcon2019.org. with Colonial and Infinity Theatre Company one PGLT's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Other performance credits include Michael Wells Big thanks to Mark & Jean for letting me out to play more time this summer before leaving for college! in Two Rooms, Mr. Marmalade in Mr. Marmalade, again. Love always to R & P, evermore O. ROBIN SCHWARTZ Romeo and others in Shakespeare’s R&J, Horace DAVID COOPER (Mary Aldin) Vandergelder in The Matchmaker, and Matt in Dog RICHARD ATHA-NICHOLLS (Sound Designer) Robin is thrilled to return to The Sees God. Martin graduated from the University (Producer) After a 20-year hiatus, David has Colonial Players stage, where of Maryland's theater program with a B.A. in This is the first time Richard has been re-engaging in the theater she appeared earlier this season performance in 2015. produced at The Colonial Players. community and is thrilled to be as Margaret Leavitt in Silent He’s done it elsewhere, but not for involved with The Colonial Players. Sky. Other favorite credits include Dawn in The JOANNA TOBIN a long time. He sound designed for He has provided behind-the-scenes support on Sex Universal Language (outstanding performance at (Lady Tressilian) the previous three shows this season and is looking With Strangers and the regional community theater the Maryland Community Theatre Festival), Thea Joanna is thrilled to be back on forward to taking a small break over the summer. one-act festival and has performed during the summer Elvsted in Hedda Gabler, and Joan Dellamond in stage after a very long hiatus. She His sound designs garnered two Washington Area pub reading series. He last provided sound design for The Babylon Line. Robin has a degree in Theatre and is particularly happy to be working Theatre Community Honors nominations. Richard The Babylon Line and will be engaged in a number of Communications from Goucher College. “Special with such a wonderful director, has appeared on area stages, and in his spare time roles on a number of shows in 2019. “Thanks, and thanks to my husband, Daniel, for supporting me production team, and cast. Way, way back in the day, he helps run Discworld conventions. Occasionally, break a leg to the cast and crew of Towards Zero!” tirelessly and unconditionally; to my sons, Jacob Joanna served her Actors' Equity apprenticeship at he has been known to direct. Love to C, A & P. and Henry, for being Mommy's cheerleaders; and to the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival under Paul Always in my heart, O. HERB ELKIN family and friends for their loving encouragement. Barry. And long, long past representative roles (Stage Manager) So much gratitude to the whole CP team for the include Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest, JEAN BERARD Herb has been a CP member opportunity to create theater with some truly Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Portia in Julius Caesar, (Costume Co-Designer) and active volunteer for more amazing people.” Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Sister Rita in The Jean is delighted to be involved in than 20 years. After performing Runner Stumbles, and Emilia in Othello. “Love another murder at The Colonial onstage in several CP and other BOB “GUNSLINGER” always to Steve, Diana, and my mother, the best Players. She first joined this area productions, he found his true calling working SINGER cast to work with in a family comedy ever!” wonderful company as Miss behind the scenes. As CP's immediate past vice (Inspector Leach) Bennet in The Unexpected Guest, but this time she president and treasurer, Herb continues to serve Bob is a systems engineer working AARON VONDERHAAR is a costumer instead of a suspect. The fashion of on several committees, but most enjoys stage at NASA Goddard Space Flight (Thomas Royde) this period is absolutely delicious, and this cast fits managing. Recent credits include Quartet (2018), Center. His career in the space Aaron is just excited to be here. it so well! It has been great fun finding just the right 33 Variations (2017), Good People (2016), Side business is only eclipsed in length by his hobby Moonlighting from active duty, colors and styles. The best part has been working Man (2015), Rocket Man (2014), Coyote on a Fence of performance art. Since starting in 1973, he has Aaron started in theater three with the amazing Amy Atha-Nicholls, without (2014), Trying (2013), and Going to St. Ives, winner performed on stage, screen, TV, radio, and now the years ago at KMC Onstage in whose guidance and expertise the costumes would of the 2012 Washington Area Theatre Community internet. Bob has been in more than 46 movies and Germany. Previous shows of note include Avenue have been just ordinary. As always, thanks to Jim Honors award for outstanding play. He thanks television shows, from Year One to Love Different, Q (Nicky and Trekkie Monster), The Addams Family Berard for putting up with life-in-production; oh CP's many volunteers and supporters who make and from Evil Stepmothers to House of Cards. On Musical (Gomez), Peter and the Starcatcher (Mrs. wait! He’s in this too! Look for him as Constable everything possible, worthwhile...and enjoyable! stage, Bob has performed in more than 40 dramas, Bumbrake), and Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey 2). Benson, breaking his first leg on the CP stage. comedies, and musicals and was last seen in Perfect Aaron is thrilled to be involved with theater for the BETTYANN LEESEBERG- Arrangement at the Greenbelt Arts Center as Ted first time stateside, the first time at The Colonial CAT COCHRAN LANGE Sunderson. This is Bob's first production with Players, and the first time in a drama rather than a (Assistant Stage Manager) (Dialect Coach) The Colonial Players, and he hopes you enjoy the musical or comedy. Towards Zero is Cat’s 11th BettyAnn returns to The Colonial performance of the cast and crew in this Agatha production with The Colonial Players to again coach an Agatha Christie whodunit. Players and her first as the assistant Christie, one of her favorites. She stage manager. She usually works coached multiple productions at Studio Theatre, - 8 - - 5- 70th Season 375th Season Production

THE COLONIAL PLAYERS, INC. presents

Written by AGATHA CHRISTIE and GERALD VERNER Directed by MARK T. ALLEN

THE CAST PLACE (in order of appearance) The action of the play takes place in the drawing room at Gull’s Point, Thomas Royde...... Aaron Vonderhaar Lady Tressilian’s house, Saltcreek, Cornwall Kay Strange...... Lauren Brown TIME Mary Aldin...... Robin Schwartz ACT I Mathew Treves...... Michael N. Dunlop Scene One: A morning in September Nevile Strange...... Ben Bell Scene Two: After dinner, four days later Lady Tressilian...... Joanna Tobin ACT II Audrey Strange...... Nicole Musho Scene One: Early the following morning Ted Latimer...... Martin Thompson Scene Two: Two hours later Superintendent Battle ...... Jeffrey Miller Act III Inspector Leach...... Bob “Gunslinger” Singer Scene One: The next morning P.C. Benson...... Jim Berard Scene Two: The same evening

There will be one intermission between Act II, Scene One and Act II, Scene Two Produced by Special Arrangement with Samuel French Inc., New York. Taking photographs and using any recording devices are strictly prohibited. Smoking is prohibited throughout the building.

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