Mystery Scholar Christopher Chan to Host Seminar at Peninsula Players Theatre, 8/17

Peninsula Players Theatre's popular series of free public seminars continues August 17, at 2:30 p.m. with mystery scholar Christopher Chan. Seminars are held at the theater select Saturdays throughout the season.

Chan hosted last year's seminar on mystery writer Agatha Christie. He is completing his Ph.D. at Marquette University and is a contributing editor for Gilbert Magazine, specializing in book and television reviews in addition to writing historical and critical essays on Christie's work.

Artistic Director Greg Vinkler will also be in attendance. Vinkler is cast in "The Game's Afoot" and played Sherlock Holmes in The Players' 2008 production of "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" by Steven Dietz adapted from the 1899 play by William Gillette and Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Saturday Seminar Aug. 17 will focus on actor/playwright William Gillette, the first playwright to adapt Sherlock Holmes to the stage and who portrayed Holmes in more than 1,300 performances. Gillette built a 24-room castle along the banks of the Connecticut River that resembled a medieval fortress.

Ken Ludwig's murderously funny "The Game's Afoot" is on stage at Peninsula Players Aug. 14 - Sept. 1. The world famous actor William Gillette, the first actor to write and star in a play featuring Sherlock Holmes, has invited his eclectic cast members to his opulent home for a Christmas dinner party and séance. When a mysterious death occurs, Gillette must don his stage persona, sidestep danger and unmask the culprit's murderous romp.

Peninsula Players Theatre is committed to providing educational programming for the community. The Players has a long history of educational initiatives including an intern program that dates back to the founding days of The Players in the 1930s. The theater continues to offer theater tours and post-show discussions as listed in the program and website. Reservations for free seminars and tours and tickets to "The Game's Afoot" may be made by contacting the box office at 920-868-3287.

Topics for fall Saturdays are yet to be scheduled. Visit The Players new website www.peninsulaplayers.com for topic announcements.

Peninsula Players is America's oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. In the past 78 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country.

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