DEATH ON A SUPERMARKET SHELF to Play Centerstage Theatre, 3/4-26

Death on the Supermarket Shelf premieres at Federal Way's Centerstage Theatre from March 4-26, 2016. Written by local playwright, and Centerstage Theatre's managing artistic director Alan Bryce, Death on the Supermarket Shelf brings together talented local actors and powerful music to explain the details behind the jaw-dropping scandal that terrorized our nation. In 1982, 8-year-old Michelle saw her mother die from poisoned Extra-Strength Tylenol. Six more deaths were reported that same day. What followed was a nationwide panic that forever altered consumer confidence and plagued one little girl to this day. More than three decades later, no arrests have been made and many questions remain unanswered. Death on the Supermarket Shelf is a real-life murder mystery with a darkly disturbing backdrop of corporate intrigue.

Twelve cast members and one understudy play multiple roles including: Jamie Pederson as Ed Reiner, Dean Wilson as James Lewis, Kate Witt as Leann Lewis; Dale Bowers as James Burke, Melanie Hampton, Sara Henley-Hicks, Cora Pearlstein, David Hsieh, Gianni Truzzi, Cooper Harris-Turner, Amanda Keogh, Thomas Allen and Molly Winter.

Death on the Supermarket Shelf is directed by Tina Polzin Tina received her MFA in Directing from UW in June. She has worked on the Intiman Festival and directed comedy, farce, drama, devised works, one person shows and musicals in France, New York, California and Washington. As a teaching artist she has worked nationally and internationally with all ages and special needs, teaching theater, conflict resolution, literacy, science and D&D.

The playwright Alan Bryce is currently the managing artistic director for Centerstage Theatre in Federal Way, WA. He started as an actor in British Regional Theatre working at various reps, including the Lyric Theatre (Belfast) the Crucible Theatre, (Sheffield) and Butlin's Holiday Camps. In 1974, Alan served as artistic director for London's fringe house the Overground Theatre. Under his leadership, the Overground transferred several shows to commercial productions including at the West End, for BBC TV and Radio. He has served as a theatre consultant for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington DC); director of development and artistic director at Proctor's Theatre (New York) and executive director of the Landers Theatre (Missouri). In Seattle Alan acted in ACT Theatre's Black Coffee. As a playwright, Alan's sci-fi revue The Trouble With Ants ran at several theatres throughout Great Britain with a stay at the acclaimed Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh). Oor Wullie, a musical written with Milton Reame-James based on the beloved Scottish comic strip character, ran at the Overground and later toured to King's Theatre (Glasgow), King's Theatre (Edinburgh), His Majesty's Theatre (Aberdeen) and many others. Other plays include: For All That, A Time of Your Life, an adaptation of A Christmas Carol, a tribute to the British Invasion bands of the 1960's called I'm Into Something Good, and eight Murder Mystery Events for Centerstage Theatre fundraisers.

All shows are at the Knutzen Family Theatre on Fridays through Sundays March 4th - 26th. One additional performance is added on Thursday March 10th. Tickets are $35 for adults; $30 for Seniors and Military; $15 for anyone under 25 years of age. Tickets may be purchased at 253 661 1444 and at www.centerstagetheatre.com. Performance dates and times also at www.centerstagetheatre.com.