   |
CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK CLOSES MARX THEATRE SEASON WITH AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SUSPENSEFUL MYSTERY WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, MAY 2-JUNE 4 (CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park completes this year’s Marx Theatre season with deceptions, disguises and brilliant plot twists, all center stage in Agatha Christie’s classic courtroom drama Witness for the Prosecution. The show begins public previews on May 2 and continues through June 4. Leonard Vole is a soft-spoken, down-on-his-luck young man who befriends Miss Emily French, a wealthy widow. Leonard becomes invaluable to her, helping with her finances and offering companionship. But when she is found murdered, Leonard quickly becomes the primary suspect. Leonard vehemently refutes having anything to do with the woman’s demise. However, he understands why his denial has become difficult to accept when it becomes public knowledge that he has been named the primary beneficiary in her will. The situation is complicated further by the fact that the maid, Janet MacKenzie, swears that she heard Leonard speaking with Miss French on the night of the murder. Leonard admits he was at the French home, but asserts that he returned to his own prior to the time of her death. Leonard’s fortune depends solely upon the testimony of his German wife, Romaine, who he claims can supply him with an alibi. But on the witness stand she drops a bombshell, only the first twist in this frequently surprising plot. Christie’s most beguiling tale of secrets, Witness for the Prosecution will keep audience members on the edge of their seats until literally the play’s final seconds. Witness for the Prosecution enjoyed great success when it premiered in London in October 1953, playing to packed houses for nearly two years. The first New York production in 1954 was a similar smash, playing a total of 645 performances and bringing its actors two Tony Awards. The script was popularized on film in 1957, in a production directed by Billy Wilder and featuring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester. Agatha Christie was born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller in Torquay, Devon, on September 15, 1890, the daughter of an American stock broker father and British mother. Educated at home and at an exclusive French finishing school, she began writing after a childhood illness, concocting her first mystery in 1916. She created two of the most famous fictional detectives of all time, Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. For her considerable literary accomplishments, she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1971. By the time of her death on January 12, 1976, she had written 80 novels and short story collections and more than a dozen plays. The show’s cast includes Richert Easley as Carter and Dr. Wyatt, Tarah Flanagan as Greta, Julian Gamble as Mr. Myers, Dale Hodges as Janet MacKenzie, Joneal Joplin as Sir Wilfrid Robarts, Christopher Kelly as Leonard Vole, Mark Leydorf as Inspector Hearne, Robert Langdon Lloyd as Mr. Mayhew, Deanne Lorette as Romaine, Michael Rothhaar as Justice Wainwright and Stephen Skiles as the Clerk of Courts. Other members of the ensemble are portrayed by the Playhouse’s Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company, including Michael Anthony, Courtney Bell, David Bunch, Alex Dittmer, Jarred Kjack, Rob Riley and Ann Marie Siegwarth. The show is directed by Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney. The production team for Witness for the Prosecution includes Paul Shortt (Set Designer), Elizabeth Covey (Costume Designer) and Phil Monat (Lighting Designer). The first stage manager is Jenifer Morrow and the second stage manager is Suann Pollock. Prices for Witness for the Prosecution range from $35.50-$48.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $32.50 for the preview performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3. The official opening night is Thursday, May 4 at 8:00 p.m. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. Tickets to Witness for the Prosecution are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office, there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also are available online at www.cincyplay.com. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. |
|
Meet the Artists 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7 Audio Described Performance Signed Performance Playhouse Perspectives Dining Options Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Sponsors Production Sponsors: Design Sponsor: Fine Arts Fund Partner: The 2005-2006 Marx Theatre Series is presented by The Marx Season Design Sponsor is the ### |
