2009—2010 SEASON SLEUTH by Anthony Shaffer Directed by Michael Evan Haney CONTENTS 2 The 411 3 A/S/L & RMAI 4 FYI 5 HTH 6 F2F 7 B4U 10 IRL 11 RBTL 12 SWDYT? At The Rep, we know MIHYAP: Top Ten Ways to that life moves fast— Stay Connected at The Rep okay, really fast. 10. TBA Ushers will seat your school or class as a group, But we also know so even if you are dying to mingle with the group from the that some things all girls school that just walked in the door, stick with your are worth slowing friends until you have been shown your section in the theatre. down for. We believe that live theatre is one of those pit stops worth making and are excited that you are 9. SITD The house lights will dim immediately before the performance begins and then go dark. Fight off that oh-so- going to stop by for a show. To help you get the most bang immature urge to whisper, giggle like a grade schooler or yell for your buck, we have put together WU? @ THE REP—an at this time and during any other blackouts in the show. IM guide that will give you everything you need to know to get at the top of your theatergoing game—fast. You’ll find 8. SED Before the performance begins, turn off all cell character descriptions (A/S/L), a plot summary (FYI), phones, pagers, beepers and watch alarms. If you need to biographical information (F2F), historical context (B4U), text, talk or dial back during intermission, please make sure and other bits and pieces (HTH). Most importantly, we’ll to click off before the show resumes. have some ideas about what this all means IRL, anyway. 7. TMI Not to sound like your mom, but “if you need to go now, you needed to go then.” Leaving the theatre during the performance is disruptive, so take care of any personal needs before the show starts. 6. RTM When you arrive at the theatre, read the production program. It’s like a deluxe version of liner notes and a free souvenir, all in one. 5. P-ZA? NW! Though your ability to eat ten slices at one sitting may impress your friends, no one wants to listen to The Teacher’s you chew, slurp or smack, so please leave all food, drink and Lounge gum outside the theatre. In an effort to make our 4. TLK-2U-L8R We know that you will be dying to discuss educational materials more what you see onstage with your friends, but please wait until intermission. Any talking—even whispering—is very accessible to students and easier for distracting for both the actors onstage and the audience educators to incorporate into the seated around you. classroom, our study guide is written in a student-oriented format. We hope that you will circulate this guide among 3. LOL Without you, we really wouldn’t have a show. It’s your students in the weeks preceding your visit to The your job to laugh when a scene is funny or maybe even shed Rep, encouraging them to browse it before and after a tear or two in a tender moment. However, since you are not class and as time allows, using it as a launch point for the audience at The Jerry Springer Show please refrain from inappropriate responses such as talking, whistling, making both pre- and post-performance discussions.You may also catcalls or singing along with the performers. want to visit our website, www.repstl.org, for additional information including educational games, activity 2. SOP While it’s great that you want a celeb picture of suggestions and behind-the-scenes information. Any your day at The Rep, the theatre is off-limits to the paparazzi. materials, either from this guide or from our website may Flash photography interrupts the performance and along with be reproduced for use in the classroom. As always, we videorecording is prohibited by Actors’ Equity rules. You can appreciate your making live theatre a sneak a peek at production photos on our website, www.repstl.org. part of your classroom experience and welcome your feedback and 1. LLTA Let the actors know that you respect their work by questions. remaining for the curtain call at the end of the performance. Show your appreciation through applause. Show Me Standards: CA 2, 3, 5, 7; FA 2, 3, 4, 5; SS 2, 6 and Illinois Learning Standards: 1, 2, 5, 15, 16, 18, 25, 27. Widely known as a writer of thrilling mystery MARGUERITE is Andrew’s unfaithful wife novels, ANDREW WYKE is an intelligent, who Milo is hoping to take as his own. distinguished gentleman with a love for intellectual games…but is he too smart for Andrew hasn’t been entirely faithful either, his own good? as he has been sneaking around with his mistress, TEÁ. MILO TINDLE seems to be a simpler kind of man, eking out an existence by running While Andrew would have us believe that all his own travel agency. Milo is immediately at “coppers” are buffoons, there’s more than odds with Andrew because he wants to marry meets the eye to INSPECTOR DOPPLER, his wife (that’s right, Milo wants to marry DETECTIVE SERGEANT TARRANT and Andrew’s wife!), which leads both Andrew POLICE CONSTABLE HIGGS. Their roles in and Milo into a deadly series of intellectual the games may surprise you! games. READ MORE ABOUT IT We encourage you to explore the following books and websites for more information. Poe, Edgar Allan. The Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan. http://www.mysterywriters. Murders in the Rue Sherlock Holmes: The Complete org/ Are you the next Anthony Morgue. CreateSpace, Novels and Stories Volume I. Shaffer? Edgar Allan Poe? Carolyn 2009. Heralded as the first Bantam Classics, 1986. Sherlock Keene? Check out this website for modern mystery story, The Holmes isn’t just an iconic hero the latest information on authors, Murders in the Rue Morgue for the mystery genre, he’s the new works and much more! is a gripping and chilling basis of a long-running franchise http://www.poemuseum.org/ mystery that will leave you that continues to fascinate and Can’t find a copy of The Murders guessing until the very end! And puzzle people today. Check out in the Rue Morgue? Want to learn if you like this one, Edgar Allan this volume of five stories and see more about dark and mysterious Poe has a large collection of short if you’re a Sherlock yourself! character behind the first modern stories, poems and more! Keene, Carolyn. Nancy Drew mystery writer? Check out the Starter Set. Grosset and online Poe Museum, complete Dunlap, 2009. Hey girls, think with full text samples of some of being a detective is just for the Poe’s work (including The Murders boys? WRONG! Let Nancy Drew in the Rue Morgue), information show you that sometimes the best on his life and links to more! man for the job is a woman! 3 *SPOILER ALERT* boots. He gives Milo the appropriate instruction and tools to carry it all out, but AS THE LIGHTS come up on the living unfortunately Milo doesn’t seem to be a room of Andrew Wyke’s mansion, the best- natural criminal. After some considerable selling mystery writer puts his final touches struggle, it finally seems they have on the latest book in his series following everything in place…that is, until Andrew the brilliant sleuth St. John Lord Merridew. turns on Milo. Just as Andrew delights in the passage he’s written (a passage in which Merridew easily AS IT TURNS OUT, the whole evening solves a mystery that stumps all of the was one of Andrew’s elaborate little games, police), Milo Tindle arrives at the front door. and unfortunately Milo will not be coming Andrew has invited him to discuss important out a winner. As Andrew holds Milo at business, namely Milo marrying Andrew’s gunpoint, he reveals his disgust for Milo and wife. his attempt to steal his wife. Just before the lights go down on the end of Act One, SURPRISINGLY, ANDREW seems quite Andrew shoots Milo. all right with Milo’s desire to steal his wife. In fact, the whole reason Andrew has SEVERAL DAYS LATER, Inspector Doppler summoned Milo is to make sure that Milo arrives at Andrew’s door. All signs of the has the resources to keep his wife from struggle nights ago are gone, but Doppler coming back. Andrew’s concern is spot seems to know something went down. He on, as Milo doesn’t seem able to support says he’s investigating Milo’s disappearance, the lavish lifestyle to which Andrew’s as he hasn’t been seen since the night he wife is accustomed. Andrew, however, has met with Andrew. Andrew reveals the night’s anticipated this and has a plan ready to game, but claims that in the end Milo walked make sure it all goes off without a hitch— away and that he had only been shot with a Milo must rob him. blank. Doppler investigates, finding blood in the house where Milo was shot. He suspects OF COURSE, Milo is reluctant to agree Milo is buried out back in the garden (as at first, but the plan does seem to be there is freshly dug dirt in the flower bed), flawless. Milo will get away with around and decides he has seen enough to take 90,000 pounds (close to $150,000) worth of Andrew in for the killing.