Olney's Witness for the Prosecution Brings Together Returning Talent 9/28

Olney Theatre Center, a 73-year-old professional, award-winning, year round Theatre, announces the upcoming opening of the Witness for the Prosecution, an adaptation of Agatha Christie's short story. The production is set to grace Olney Theatre Center's mainstage from September 28 to October 23, 2011.

Directed by John Going, Witness for the Prosecution will have audiences at The Edge of their seats as the wife of a man who is on trial for murder testifies against him. This production will also bring together some of Olney Theatre Center's longtime regular cast members, including Monica Lijewski playing Janet MacKenzie; James Slaughter playing Mr. Mayhew; Drew Kopas as Mr. Clegg; Alan Hoffman playing Clerk-Usher; Jeffries Thaiss playing Leonard Vole; Alan Wade playing Mr. Myers; Paul Morella playing Inspector Hearne/Police; and Greg Twomey playing Warder.

These talented veteran actors return to the Olney Theatre stage in this production of one of Agatha Christie's least-known but powerful works. They bring this wealth of talent and expertise back to Olney Theatre Center this Fall for this dramatic and enthralling production.

"We are honored to bring these cast members back together for another Olney Theatre Center production" said Olney Theatre Center's Artistic Director Jim Petosa. "Their experience, talent and chemistry will allow them to transform this work of one of the world's most honored storytellers into an audience delight."

John Going is an Associate Artistic Director at Olney Theatre Center, where he has staged more than 30 productions. He is also a four-time Helen Hayes Award nominee as well as a Helen Hayes Award recipient for his production of The Miser at the Folger Theatre. In addition to his award recognition, Going is a member of the Stage Directors, Choreographers Society, and a National Players Alumnus.

Monica Lijewski has been seen previously in the Olney Theatre Center productions of Oliver!, Cinderella, and Carousel.

James Slaughter has been in numerous productions at Olney Theatre Center, including six with director John Going at the helm. Those shows include Mornings at Seven, The Constant Wife, Blithe Spirit, Noises Off, Design for Living, and Present Laughter.

Drew Kopas previously graced Olney Theatre Center's stage as Young Charlie in Da.

Alan Hoffman appeared in Olney Theatre Center's productions of Fiddler on the Roof, The Underpants, 1776, and Annie.

Jeffries Thaiss has been in nineteen productions at Olney Theatre Center including Dinner with Friends, Trumpery, The Glass Menagerie, Is He Dead?, The Underpants, The Mousetrap, Democracy, 13 Rue de L'Amour, Enemy of the People, Hedda Gabler, The Heiress, Saint Joan, Carousel, Piaf, Anna Karenina, Monster, Candida, She Loves Me, and Holiday.

Alan Wade previously appeared in Copenhagen, Charley's Aunt, Tartuffe, Art, Holiday Memories, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Voice of the Prairie, Fallen Angels, and When We Were Married. He most recently appeared in this season's Helen Hayes Recommended show Farragut North.

Audiences will recognize Paul Morella from previous Olney Theatre Center productions including the Helen Hayes Recommended show Opus, Dinner With Friends, A Passion For Justice, The Millionaires, Rabbit Hole, The Mousetrap, Private Lives, ‘Art', Coffee with Richelieu, The Laramie Project, The Rivals, Becket, Broken Glass, M. Butterfly, Monster, Night Must Fall and The Time of Your Life, as well as his adaptation of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol which he brought to Olney Theatre Center last winter.

Greg Twomey has been seen previously at Olney Theatre Center the musicals Big River and Godspell.

Tickets start at $26, please contact the Olney Theatre Center Box Office at (301) 924-3400 to make reservations.

About Olney Theatre Center
Olney Theatre Center, located in Olney, Maryland, is a 73-year-old professional, award-winning, nonprofit, Equity theater whose mission is to inspire and nurture artists, students, technicians, administrators, and its audience members through its diverse array of theatrical and musical productions year round. Located in arts-rich Montgomery County, Olney Theatre Center is easily accessible from Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD. For more information please visit www.olneytheatre.org.

About the National Players
In operation since 1949, National Players is America's longest running touring company. Comprised of young professional actors, each year the company travels throughout the country (including every region of Maryland) performing two plays in repertory - one Shakespearean play and one dramatic classic. National Players reaches students and families who might otherwise have a limited opportunity to see live, classical theater. In addition, Players conducts workshops with students in such theater-related areas as Shakespeare, playwriting, acting, stage combat, scene analysis, and improvisation. Committed to the development of young theatrical talent and audiences, National Players' tours celebrate the experience of theatergoing by presenting the world's greatest dramatic literature. www.nationalplayers.org

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