BWW Reviews: A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED - Comedy, Suspense, Mystery and Intrigue

BWW REVIEWS: A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED - COMEDY, MYSTERY, SUSPENSE, and INTRIGUE!

By Agatha Christie

Directed by Frank Stinehour

Produced and Co-Directed by James Cass

Apprentice Director: Justin Levine

October 11th - 27th, 2013

The Carrollwood Players is to be commended once again this season, for ambitious and innovative programming.
How fortunate we are to have such a "jewel" of a community theatre here in Tampa.

After a stellar opening night performance, the cast received a well deserved standing ovation, from a very appreciative audience.

Agatha Christie, wrote the novel "A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED", in 1950, featuring the most famous sleuth, Miss Marple. It was the first, "Marple mystery" to be adapted for television, and was presented live on NBC's Goodyear Playhouse in 1956, starring Jessica Tandy as Letitia Blacklock.
The book was adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon and opened in London at the Vaudeville Theatre in September of 1977 and later adapted to the screen twice, in 1986 and in 2005.

The time is the late 1950's, in Chipping Cleghorn. The curtain opens to a stunning, pale blue and white, Victorian living room, heavily draped, with vintage antiques and gilded gold accents. Set Designer, James Cass, has once again proven himself, to be a master Set Designer, with a keen eye for detail. His set design and decor are the caliber of professional theatre. BRAVO!

As the story unfolds, the townspeople interest is peaked, when "a murder is announced", in the newspaper Gazette. The ad states a specific date and time for...a Murder. Neighbors arrive at the home of Miss. Blacklock ("Little Paddocks"), on Friday, the 13th, and at 6:30 P.M., the lights go out...and there is a MURDER. You will have to see this fine production, to find out the clues and to solve this mystery yourself!

Director Frank Stinehour and Co- Director James Cass, have assembled a strong ensemble of talented actors. They are all well- rehearsed and move about the stage with ease. Kudos to the directors for finding the comedy in this piece, which made the drama and mystery even more effective. The directors have combined their talents, (stage direction, set design and lighting design, and together, have given the audience a visually beautiful production, which moved at a perfectly brisk pace. Add to this talent pool, the plentiful costumes by Chris Dietz, and you have a winning production team!

Petra Sussman, made a lovely, Letitia Blacklock, the centerpiece of this production. Her sophisticated portrayal, added just the right panache to her role. As Inspector Craddock, Paul Jannereth was honest and natural in his role, commanding the stage, without overtaking it. A fine performance, indeed. Nancy Fueyo was the perfectly classic, Miss. Marple. Her understated portrayal, comic timing, and exquisite elocution made her the "ideal sleuth". Handsome Aushay Stinogle, as Patrick and the lovely Sarha Connolly, as Julia, gave impressive performances, giving tension and intrigue to every scene. Sherri Connolly as Mrs. Swettingham and Kahan Nazar as her "shifty" son, Edmond Swettingham, added great interest to the plot, as neighborly guests and suspects. Erin Kirby as the widowed, single mother, Philipa gave a confident, yet sympathetic performance. Cherub faced, Sara Connolly was outstanding, lighting up the stage, as the quirky and lovable, Bunny. She shined in every moment. If there was a show stopping performance, and there was, it was by a Carrollwood Players favorite...the petite, powerhouse, actor Jen Martin as Mitzi, the argumentative, lying, Hungarian maid. Miss Martin enters the stage like a "bull in a china shop"! She is grandiose in her moves and in her dialogue, but never once being out of character or unnatural in the role she portrayed. She is believable and she gives an outrageously wonderful performance.

"A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED" has it ALL. Comedy, Suspense, Mystery, and Intrigue! This is a "MUST SEE" production.

Please support Community Theatre and all of the volunteers, that put in endless time and talent, to make the magic happen, simply... "for the LOVE of the theatre".

"A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED" - runs October 11th through October 27th, 2013
Ticket Prices $18.00 adults up to 62, $15.00 Seniors 62 and up and Student/Military with ID

Group discounts are available upon request
CALL - (813) 265-4000
The theatre is located at 4335 Gunn Hwy Tampa, Fl, 33618
The next production at Carrollwood Players is"Behind Closed Doors" Nov. 3rd though Nov. 16th

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