Interview: Michael Mullen’s Detecting & Costuming AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD
Next up for Theatre 40, the west coast premiere of Agatha Christie’s The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd opening November 14, 2024. Jules Aaron directs the cast of Michael Mullen (as Christie’s master detective Hercule Poirot), Matt Landig, Todd Andrew Ball, Michael Robb, Joe Clabby, David Hunt Stafford, Rebecca Del Sesto, Anica Petrovic, Michele Schultz, Caroline Westheimer, Diane Linder and Riley Introcaso. Pierot’s alter-ego and costumer found time between his multi-tasking of detecting and costuming to answer a few of my queries.
Interview: Writer/Director Melanie MacQueen on ALL THESE WOMEN
On October 19, Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills is presenting a reading of All These Women, written and directed by Melanie MacQueen. Centering on the newly elected president Woodrow Wilson, the story delves into how the Women’s Suffrage Parade pushed him to finally agree to Voting Rights for All. I decided to speak with Melanie about how the play came into being, her plans to present it as a reading, and how she plans to keep presenting it in the future.
ALL THESE WOMEN Comes to Theatre 40 Next Month
Theatre 40 announced a staged reading of the new play ALL THESE WOMEN, written and directed by Melanie MacQueen, on October 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in Beverly Hills. Admission is $10 at the door.
Agatha Christie Thriller TOWARD ZERO Comes to Theatre 40
Towards Zero, a mystery thriller is now playing at Theatre 40. Adapted for the stage by Agatha Christie and Gerald Verner, this mystery thriller explores the psychology of jealousy amidst a savage murder. Catch the show from September 21 to October 22, 2023, in Beverly Hills. Reserve your tickets now!
Interview: A Man of Multi-Occupations Craig Hissong Directs AGATHA CHRISTIE'S TOWARDS ZERO
Next up for Theatre 40, Agatha Christies’ Toward Zero opens September 21, 2023. Craig Hissong directs this classic whodunnit with the cast of includes John Combs, Katyana Rocker Cook, Christopher Franciosa, Hisato Matsuyama, Michael Mullen, Kristin Towers Rowles, Jeremy Schaye, Michele Schultz, Holly Sidell and David Hunt Stafford. A master of many theatrical positions, Craig carved out some time to give me some clues to the behind the scenes of Towards Zero.
OTHER DESERT CITIES Opens January 13 At Theatre Palisades
Theatre Palisades was founded in 1963, making 2023 their 60th anniversary. They will be opening the anniversary season with 'Other Desert Cities' by Jon Robin Baitz. The play made its Broadway debut in November 2011 and was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE Moves To Zoom On November 7
Theatre 40 is presenting a rehearsed reading of the play The Christmas Truce by Phil Porter as the concluding event in its Fall 2022 Monday Night Seminars series. The reading was originally scheduled to take place in the theatre, but will now instead be presented virtually on Zoom on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
BWW Review: SUNDAY DINNER Proves to be a Challenge When Family Secrets are Revealed
At the center of his play is the Matera family, soon to get together for a very special SUNDAY DINNER in that their son Michael (James Tabeek), a young priest in the Chicago Archdiocese, is returning to his parents' home in the Bronx after his grandfather dies. And just as Jewish mother would “qvell” about her son being a doctor, no doubt a Catholic mother would love to brag about her son being a priest. So of course when we first meet the family's matriarch Rose (Sharron Shayne) and her sister Margaret (Michele Schultz) as they are preparing the table for what they expect will be an interesting gathering, we soon learn because so many family members will be there with lots of past history, emotional reactions are bound to be ignited.
SUNDAY DINNER Will Have its World Premiere at Theatre 40
Michael Matera, a young priest in the Chicago Archdiocese, returns to his parents' home in the Bronx after his grandfather dies. The Matera clan is gathering at the family home for Sunday dinner. Soon after Michael arrives, his retired working-class father Eddie confesses a sin (more like a felony, really) to Michael. It's a misdeed which could have serious consequences for other members of the family. To Eddie's dismay, Michael refuses to grant him absolution. There are reasons for this (which won't be given away here; You'll have to see the play to find out).