Return to flip book view
June 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 2024
The Dramateurs, Inc. at The Barn Playhouse present Based on the novel A Murder is Announced by Agatha Chrise. Adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon. Produced through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. Producer Dee Henken Director Maureen Scallano DONOR INFORMATION The Dramateurs, Inc. gratefully acknowledge the generous support we’ve received from members, subscribers, and friends. January 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024 Mark Ayers Linda Bergnes Andrea Bridgens Allen Collins Marianne and Steve DiNenno Sharon Gareld Lauren Kersteer Jana Kinder Neil Schafer John and Rose Schulberger Konnie and Paul Stark Giving Tuesday 2023 November 26 - December 31, 2023 Donaons of $20 or more are listed in our playbills. List updated as of May 31, 2024. Steve Arcidiacono Laurie and Bill Baltrus Timothy Bean Emily Beck Ma Bookler Jean Brooks Eileen Ciccarone Anthony DeCarlo Chris DiMeo Marianne DiNenno Steve DiNenno Tara Feathers Karen Gresh Aubrey Henken Diane and John Henken Diane Hodgkiss Michelle Kilmer Kathleen Klocko Jusn Lamphere Rose and Tom Lamphere Ashley and Zachary Miller-Brown Emily Murphy Sue Murphy Kim Newell Shelli Penmall Andrea Rivera Robert (BJ) Schmalbach Dean Soltes Konnie and Paul Stark James Troutman Vince Vuono Rosemary Zummo
DIRECTOR’S NOTES Dear Murder Mystery and Agatha Chrise Fans, The rst me I read an Agatha Chrise play, I was her rst vicm, in her stage play, Ten Lile Indians, an adaptaon of her novel And Then There Were None. Since then, I nd nothing more sasfying than pung on my detecve hat and digging my teeth into one of her novels. The early True Crime Stories. Today, true crime stories seem to be a dime a dozen. You have police dra-mas that rip stories from the headlines, missing persons swept onto prime-me TV, and even television newsmagazines that feature jaw-dropping stories. But Dame Agatha knew just how to combine the fragile human psyche, everyday events and a secret or two, and build it into a wonderful game of cat and mouse. Although A Murder is Announced is not one of the rst novels you think of when you hear “Agatha Chrise”, this story grabbed my aenon as soon as I read it. I couldn’t put it down. It takes you on a roller coaster ride of suspense, cover-up, laughter and surprise. Not only are her characters people we have met and know, but the plot revolves around two things we like to keep close to the vest: money and secrets. This cast is BRIL-LIANT, has eortlessly brought their characters to life, and expertly shows o their aws and humanity, as well as their fragile human psyche. I hope you enjoy this producon as much as I have had bringing it to the stage! It’s now me to get your sleuth on! Maureen Scallano Director and Agatha Chrise enthusiast
SETTING A Victorian house in the village of Chipping Cleghorn, England, 1950s CAST OF CHARACTERS (in order of appearance) Lea Blacklock ....................................................................... Elise Dervinis Julia Simmons .......................................................................... Alyssa Muska Patrick Simmons ......................................................................... Josh Muska Dora “Bunny” Bunner ...............................................................Emilia Casas Mitzi .......................................................................................... Robbie Jean Miss Marple ..................................................................... Linda Palmarozza Phillipa Haymes ........................................................................ Maddi Sloan Clara Sweenham ......................................................... Rosemary Gehrlein Edmund Sweenham ....................................................................Will Myer Rudi Scherz/Sergeant Mellors ................................................. Tony DeCarlo Inspector Craddock ................................................................ Julian Bonner SMOKING IS PROHIBITED ANYWHERE IN THE BUILDING. PLEASE SMOKE ONLY IN THE PARKING LOT. PLEASE COMPLETELY TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES AS THEY INTERFERE WITH OUR SOUND SYSTEM. THE VIDEOTAPING OR OTHER VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. The Dramateurs, Inc. at the Barn Playhouse 2024 Board of Directors President.…………….…….…………………..………..…….…….………………….John Henken Vice-President ..……………..………………….……….…………….……..…..Tom Lamphere Recording Secretary………….….....…………….………………………..….…….Dee Henken Corresponding Secretary…..…..………….…………………………………..Steve DiNenno Treasurer………………..…...…..………..………………………….…...………….Michael Riggs Two Year Board Members….…...……………………….….Steve Arcidiacono (Year 2) Tim Bean (Year 2) Laurie Baltrus (Year 1) Tony DeCarlo (Year 1) Our Broadway Double Feature theater cket rae is happening again this season. The winner of the rae will receive 2 ckets to two separate Broadway shows, 2 ckets to a 1:00 pm manee of Water For Elephants and 2 ckets for the 8:00 pm performance of The Great Gatsby on Saturday, October 26th. The winning cket will be picked on the closing night of our season, October 12th, during the nal performance of We Will Rock You. You need not be present to win. Rae ckets are $10 each. Tickets will be sold at the theater on perfor-mance evenings and online at www.barnplayhouse.org Support our fundraiser and YOU might be the winner of an awesome oung in NYC this fall!
PRODUCTION STAFF Director .......................................................................... Maureen Scallano Producer ..................................................................................... Dee Henken Assistant Director ....................................................................... Cheryl Balas Stage Manager ..................................................................... Suzee Krausen Set Design.......................................................................... Steve Arcidiacono Master Carpenter ............................................................................ Tim Bean Scenic Arst ...................................................................................... Sue Abla Set Decoraon .............................................. Cheryl Balas, Suzee Krausen, Phoebe Myers, Alexis Leigh Ross, Maureen Scallano Set Construcon ..................... Cast and Crew, Gregory Dervinis, Allison Hall Costumes................................................................................... Sandy Orwig Props ......................................................................................... Maddi Sloan Lighng Design ................................................................................ Tim Bean Sound Design ........................................................................ Tom Lamphere Light and Sound Board Operaon ............................................... Dean Soltes Cast Photos .............................................................................. Leslie Hopper Producon Photos.................................................................. Steve DiNenno Program ........................................................................... Marianne DiNenno Box Oce ............................................................................ Eileen Ciccarone Publicity ........................................................................... Marianne DiNenno Hospitality & House ................................................................ Laurie Baltrus Opening Night Party .................................................................. Rory Zummo SPECIAL THANKS * Pastor Dwayne and Cindy Mosier for the generous use of the facilies at Ascension UCC. * Willow Manor Players for their assistance with costumes. * The Barley Sheaf Players for furniture loan. * Marianne and Steve DiNenno for furniture loan. * Elise Dervinis for furniture loan and set dressing. * John Henken and Steve DiNenno for assistance with logiscs and auditorium prep. * Andrea Krausen for set décor items. * Jusn Lamphere for assistance with the sound plan. * Julian Bonner for assistance with proper Brish accent delivery and word pronunciaon. * Rob Frankel for assistance with prop blood.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Julian Bonner (Inspector Craddock) - Julian would like to announce that he is very excited to be performing in his first show at the Dramateurs. He was last onstage in late 2022 at Steel River Playhouse in It’s a Wonderful Life and has previously appeared at Playcrafters of Skippack - Denial (2017), You Can't Take It With You (2018), See How They Run (2019) and The Tempest (2021) – and at DCP in Calendar Girls (2020). He would like to thank the entire cast and crew for providing such an incredibly warm and funny environment (both on-stage and off) and Maureen for such an amazing opportunity – I hope I got the accent right… Emilia Casas (Dora "Bunny" Bunner) - Emilia is beyond excited to be making her debut at The Barn Playhouse as Dora “Bunny“ Bunner. Last year, she decided to end her 30-year dry spell and plunge back into community theater as Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act at Barley Sheaf. When not pounding the boards, she can be found in Chester County as a family physician and spending her non-existent free me with her daughter and cat. She is grateful to Maureen Scallano for giving her this opportunity to meet amazing people and to be a part of such a fun producon. Tony DeCarlo (Rudi Scherz/Sgt. Mellors) - Fresh o of his recent turn as Cookie McGee in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Tony is excited to be taking to the stage, once again, at the Barn in his rst straight play since his college days. Previous Barn producons include She Loves Me (Sipos), Rock of Ages(Ensemble), Legally Blonde (Professor Callahan), Something Roen (Nostradamus), First Date (the Waiter and some other “interesng” parts), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Vice Principal Panch). In fall 2021, he performed in the Barn’s musical theater showcase A Night of Broadway. A veteran of the stage, Tony has performed in numerous producons over many years. Among his previous credits, some of his favorites are Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd, Pippin in Pippin, John Adams in 1776, Simon Zealots in Jesus Christ Superstar, Baby John in West Side Story, Richard Miller in Ah, Wilderness!, Jimmy Farrell in Playboy of the Western World, and Bertram Cates in Inherit the Wind. Tony is a commercial banker by day and lives in Bryn Mawr with his wife, daughter, excitable corgi, and beleaguered cat. Tony would like to thank the cast and crew for their support, his family for their love and encouragement, and you, dear theater goers, for supporng local community theater.
Elise Dervinis (Lea Blacklock) - Elise is delighted to have this opportunity to invite friends and family to Lile Paddocks for a cup of tea and cake. She sends thanks to the Lady Mayoress (Maureen) and the Chipping Cleghorn Village Council (Dee, Cheryl, & Suzee) for the hostessing ps! Elise’s favourite roles include Madame Arca (Blithe Spirit), Maria Merrelli (Lend Me A Tenor), MJ (Inspecng Carol), Ethel Banks (Barefoot in the Park), and Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn (Music Man). In a variety of disguises, she also produced, directed, and performed in the Haunted Theater. Her direcng credits include: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Christmas Carol, I Hate Hamlet, Whose Life is it Anyway, Angel Street, Mousetrap, Bell, Book, and Candle, Harvey, Anton in Show Business, and Move Over, Mrs. Markham. Her guests at Lile Paddocks are invited to enjoy unlimited Sherry, Honeyed Apples, and sandwiches. If she gets a chance to visit the Dart Valley she will be sure to collect some violets! Elise sends her appreciaon and gratude to S & G for their support. Thanks to everyone on and ostage for making A Murder is Announced a wonderful house party! Rosemary Gehrlein (Clara Sweenham) - Rosemary sends a shout-out to a great cast, crew, and producon team for their amazing talent and hard work, and is happy to be back on stage at The Barn Playhouse aer her last performance here as Marge in The Bridges of Madison County. Rosemary has appeared in a variety of musicals and plays at several local theaters over the past 15 years, most recently at Forge Theatre in Hate Mail and Love, Loss, & What I Wore. Favorite musical roles include Reverend Mother (Nunsense), Martha Watson (White Christmas), Rosie Brice (Funny Girl), and Aunt March (Lile Women), and in plays, Maria (Lend Me a Tenor), Penny (You Can’t Take It With You), Bey Meeks (The Foreigner), and Martha Gillee (The Game’s Afoot). However, Rosemary is looking forward to her most excing and important role – that of Grandmom Rosie – coming this September! The ulmate “dream role”, she (and Poppy) can’t wait! Lots of love to the parents-to-be! You will both be amazing! Robbie Jean (Mitzi) - Robbie is thrilled to be making her debut at the Barn! Her previous credits include several regional commercials and independent lms. Most notably, she starred in the short lm "Self Tape”, which garnered praise for her performance when she won "Best Actor” at both The Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles as well as the O Page Film Fesval in Philadelphia. Robbie would like to thank the enre cast and crew for such a wonderful experience, as well as her friends and family for all of their love and support, especially her husband Chris.
Alyssa Muska (Julia Simmons) - Alyssa is thrilled to be a part of another Barn producon, her rst straight play in almost ten years! She was seen most recently as Sherrie Chrisan in the Barn’s producon of Rock of Ages last season. Other favorite credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Cathy Hia in The Last 5 Years. Alyssa would like to thank Maureen and the enre producon sta for their hard work and dedicaon to this show, this wonderful cast for sharing their me and talents, and as always lots of love and gratude to her husband Josh, and her family and friends for their connued support of her love for the theater. Josh Muska (Patrick Simmons) - Josh is excited to be back on stage in his rst play since college. Last year Josh was in The Barn’s producon of Rock of Ages. A big thank you to all the friends and family that have come out to support the show and theatre. Thank you to the cast, crew, and producon sta for making this a fantasc experience. Will Myer (Edmund Sweenham) - Will is making his debut at the Barn. Will has been in love with theatre and the arts since he was in 6th grade. Over the years, he would go to the Hershey Theater Company where his passion for theater grew. Will has an Associates Degree in Communicaon Arts Theatre at DCCC. In the fall, Will nished up his role as Stan in Sweat. His other roles include Shakespeare's Macbeth as Bloody Captain/First Murderer/Instrumentalist, as well as A Midsummer Night's Dream as Tom Snout/The Wall/Mustardseed, and Shrek in Shrek the Musical at Delaware Valley Friends. While away from the theatre, Will enjoys wring, making videos, and exercising to maintain his weight. Will wants to thank his family and friends for supporng him and wants them to know how much he loves them. Will also wants to thank Maureen and her sta for giving him this opportunity, and thanks to the cast members for welcoming me into this new community. Linda Palmarozza (Miss Marple) - Linda is a theater veteran with over 40 years of community and regional theater credits. This is her rst me on The Barn stage and is thrilled to playing Miss Marple, one of Agatha Chrise’s iconic characters, and to be working with director Maureen Scallano and the talented cast in this producon. Last season, she was in another Agatha Chrise drama playing Mrs. Warwick in The Unexpected Guest at Old Academy Players in Philadelphia. Some of her other roles in the past two years have been Abby Brewster in Joseph Kesselring’s Arsenic and Old Lace also at Suzette Krausen (Stage Manager) - Suzee has been involved with theater since she was a child and was iniated in the myscal world behind the scenes with Into the Woods at the Players Club of Swarthmore (Costumes) in 2009. She has worked at The Barn Playhouse in Jeersonville (Stage Crew/Stage Manager), The Players Club of Swarthmore (Stage Crew/Costumes/Props/Stage Manager), Stagecraers in Chestnut Hill (Props) and Forge in Phoenixville (Stage Manager). Sandy Orwig (Costumes) - Sandy is excited to be part of staging this "Queen of Crime" murder mystery. Thank you to Maureen, for working together to help bring your vision to life on the stage. Enjoy following the many twists and turns to the end! Maureen Scallatino (Director) - Maureen has had a long relaonship with the stage from the tender age of six. Even when her children were small, performing was always not far from her mind. She was always coaching her children how to perform well in school producons and church shows, but never a stage-mom. When her children were grown, she returned to performing and hasn’t looked back. Direcng is the next step in expanding her love of theater and her tenacity to learn every part of onstage and backstage work. When performing, Maureen tends to be cast as the supporng comedic role, and has been grateful to play many characters she has personally loved including: Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man, Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins, Mazeppa in Gypsy, and Grandma Addams in The Addams Family. When she’s not performing or helping gather show props, she plays the ute/piccolo with the Southampton Community Band, and manages their markeng and promoonal iniaves. Maureen is making her directorial debut at the Barn, but she has been direcng shows for church, high school, college and other community shows throughout her life. When it came to choosing a show for the Barn stage, she read many scripts to nd the right story to bring to a live audience. Plus, she is thrilled her rst show is an Agatha Chrise play, an author close to her heart, maybe since Maureen loves a good crime story as much as The Queen of Crime herself. Maddi Sloan (Props) - Maddi is thrilled to be working on the props for this murder mystery! Usually seen on the stage, her favorite past roles include Bea in Something Roen! (Barn Playhouse), Meg March in Lile Women (Playcraers of Skippack), Gloria in Boeing Boeing (Faceme Theater), the soprano of the Angel City Four in City of Angels (MCT), and most recently as a chorus girl in Nice Work If You Can Get It!
WHO’S WHO ON THE PRODUCTION STAFF Cheryl Balas (Assistant Director) - Cheryl has worked at the Barn, on and o, for several years, both on stage and behind-the-scenes. Starng with stage crew for Sweeney Todd back in 1998 to walking the boards as Madge Geisel in the 2016 producon of The Game’s Afoot. Assistant Direcng this producon of A Murder Is Announced is her rst step back on her journey to one day be a director. Nothing is more interesng to her than bringing a good story to life on the stage. She would like to thank Maureen for giving her this opportunity and the wonderful, talented and hardworking cast and crew for the privilege and pleasure of helping them to bring this all together. Thanks also to her family and friends for their support and encouragement whenever she sets out to achieve a goal. Diane Henken (Producer) - Dee is happy to be producing A Murder Is Announced. Previous favorite Barn on-stage adventures include The Producers, and Anything Goes, where she got to make good use of those decades-old tap-dancing skills. More recently, Dee prefers behind the scenes, with favorite shows being That Championship Season, Man of La Mancha, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Curtains, First Date, and Legally Blonde, all at The Barn Playhouse. Dee serves as Recording Secretary for the Dramateurs. When not at the Barn, she works in Learning & Development for a pharmaceucal company. Her favorite roles connue to be as John’s leading lady, as Mom to the awesome JW, amazing Aubrey, and perfect daughter-in law Sabrina, and as indulgent caretaker to 2 gooall pups. Many thanks to Maureen and to the enre cast and producon team, for your commitment and enthusiasm. Congrats everyone! Old Academy Players and Abby Binder in David Lindsay-Abaire’s Ripcord at Playcraers in Skippack. Besides theater, her other passion is as an “overacve” volunteer for Stray Cat Blues, Inc., a Montgomery County non-prot cat rescue. She is currently fostering a sweet momma cat named Magic and her six kiens named the Material Kids -- Chion, Silky, San, Fleece, Wooly, and Denim. They are all available for adopon. Maddi Sloan (Phillipa Haymes) - Maddi is elated to be stepping into this mysterious role. She was most recently seen in Nice Work If You Can Get It, and will be connuing her season at the Barn as Maggie in A Chorus Line in August! Favorite past roles include Bea in Something Roen! (Barn Playhouse), Meg March in Lile Women (Playcraers of Skippack), Gloria in Boeing Boeing (Faceme Theater), and the soprano of the Angel City Four in City of Angels (MCT). Thanks so much to the cast, crew, and producon team for being so welcoming!
WHO’S WHO ON THE PRODUCTION STAFF Cheryl Balas (Assistant Director) - Cheryl has worked at the Barn, on and o, for several years, both on stage and behind-the-scenes. Starng with stage crew for Sweeney Todd back in 1998 to walking the boards as Madge Geisel in the 2016 producon of The Game’s Afoot. Assistant Direcng this producon of A Murder Is Announced is her rst step back on her journey to one day be a director. Nothing is more interesng to her than bringing a good story to life on the stage. She would like to thank Maureen for giving her this opportunity and the wonderful, talented and hardworking cast and crew for the privilege and pleasure of helping them to bring this all together. Thanks also to her family and friends for their support and encouragement whenever she sets out to achieve a goal. Diane Henken (Producer) - Dee is happy to be producing A Murder Is Announced. Previous favorite Barn on-stage adventures include The Producers, and Anything Goes, where she got to make good use of those decades-old tap-dancing skills. More recently, Dee prefers behind the scenes, with favorite shows being That Championship Season, Man of La Mancha, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Curtains, First Date, and Legally Blonde, all at The Barn Playhouse. Dee serves as Recording Secretary for the Dramateurs. When not at the Barn, she works in Learning & Development for a pharmaceucal company. Her favorite roles connue to be as John’s leading lady, as Mom to the awesome JW, amazing Aubrey, and perfect daughter-in law Sabrina, and as indulgent caretaker to 2 gooall pups. Many thanks to Maureen and to the enre cast and producon team, for your commitment and enthusiasm. Congrats everyone! Old Academy Players and Abby Binder in David Lindsay-Abaire’s Ripcord at Playcraers in Skippack. Besides theater, her other passion is as an “overacve” volunteer for Stray Cat Blues, Inc., a Montgomery County non-prot cat rescue. She is currently fostering a sweet momma cat named Magic and her six kiens named the Material Kids -- Chion, Silky, San, Fleece, Wooly, and Denim. They are all available for adopon. Maddi Sloan (Phillipa Haymes) - Maddi is elated to be stepping into this mysterious role. She was most recently seen in Nice Work If You Can Get It, and will be connuing her season at the Barn as Maggie in A Chorus Line in August! Favorite past roles include Bea in Something Roen! (Barn Playhouse), Meg March in Lile Women (Playcraers of Skippack), Gloria in Boeing Boeing (Faceme Theater), and the soprano of the Angel City Four in City of Angels (MCT). Thanks so much to the cast, crew, and producon team for being so welcoming!
Alyssa Muska (Julia Simmons) - Alyssa is thrilled to be a part of another Barn producon, her rst straight play in almost ten years! She was seen most recently as Sherrie Chrisan in the Barn’s producon of Rock of Ages last season. Other favorite credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Cathy Hia in The Last 5 Years. Alyssa would like to thank Maureen and the enre producon sta for their hard work and dedicaon to this show, this wonderful cast for sharing their me and talents, and as always lots of love and gratude to her husband Josh, and her family and friends for their connued support of her love for the theater. Josh Muska (Patrick Simmons) - Josh is excited to be back on stage in his rst play since college. Last year Josh was in The Barn’s producon of Rock of Ages. A big thank you to all the friends and family that have come out to support the show and theatre. Thank you to the cast, crew, and producon sta for making this a fantasc experience. Will Myer (Edmund Sweenham) - Will is making his debut at the Barn. Will has been in love with theatre and the arts since he was in 6th grade. Over the years, he would go to the Hershey Theater Company where his passion for theater grew. Will has an Associates Degree in Communicaon Arts Theatre at DCCC. In the fall, Will nished up his role as Stan in Sweat. His other roles include Shakespeare's Macbeth as Bloody Captain/First Murderer/Instrumentalist, as well as A Midsummer Night's Dream as Tom Snout/The Wall/Mustardseed, and Shrek in Shrek the Musical at Delaware Valley Friends. While away from the theatre, Will enjoys wring, making videos, and exercising to maintain his weight. Will wants to thank his family and friends for supporng him and wants them to know how much he loves them. Will also wants to thank Maureen and her sta for giving him this opportunity, and thanks to the cast members for welcoming me into this new community. Linda Palmarozza (Miss Marple) - Linda is a theater veteran with over 40 years of community and regional theater credits. This is her rst me on The Barn stage and is thrilled to playing Miss Marple, one of Agatha Chrise’s iconic characters, and to be working with director Maureen Scallano and the talented cast in this producon. Last season, she was in another Agatha Chrise drama playing Mrs. Warwick in The Unexpected Guest at Old Academy Players in Philadelphia. Some of her other roles in the past two years have been Abby Brewster in Joseph Kesselring’s Arsenic and Old Lace also at Suzette Krausen (Stage Manager) - Suzee has been involved with theater since she was a child and was iniated in the myscal world behind the scenes with Into the Woods at the Players Club of Swarthmore (Costumes) in 2009. She has worked at The Barn Playhouse in Jeersonville (Stage Crew/Stage Manager), The Players Club of Swarthmore (Stage Crew/Costumes/Props/Stage Manager), Stagecraers in Chestnut Hill (Props) and Forge in Phoenixville (Stage Manager). Sandy Orwig (Costumes) - Sandy is excited to be part of staging this "Queen of Crime" murder mystery. Thank you to Maureen, for working together to help bring your vision to life on the stage. Enjoy following the many twists and turns to the end! Maureen Scallatino (Director) - Maureen has had a long relaonship with the stage from the tender age of six. Even when her children were small, performing was always not far from her mind. She was always coaching her children how to perform well in school producons and church shows, but never a stage-mom. When her children were grown, she returned to performing and hasn’t looked back. Direcng is the next step in expanding her love of theater and her tenacity to learn every part of onstage and backstage work. When performing, Maureen tends to be cast as the supporng comedic role, and has been grateful to play many characters she has personally loved including: Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man, Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins, Mazeppa in Gypsy, and Grandma Addams in The Addams Family. When she’s not performing or helping gather show props, she plays the ute/piccolo with the Southampton Community Band, and manages their markeng and promoonal iniaves. Maureen is making her directorial debut at the Barn, but she has been direcng shows for church, high school, college and other community shows throughout her life. When it came to choosing a show for the Barn stage, she read many scripts to nd the right story to bring to a live audience. Plus, she is thrilled her rst show is an Agatha Chrise play, an author close to her heart, maybe since Maureen loves a good crime story as much as The Queen of Crime herself. Maddi Sloan (Props) - Maddi is thrilled to be working on the props for this murder mystery! Usually seen on the stage, her favorite past roles include Bea in Something Roen! (Barn Playhouse), Meg March in Lile Women (Playcraers of Skippack), Gloria in Boeing Boeing (Faceme Theater), the soprano of the Angel City Four in City of Angels (MCT), and most recently as a chorus girl in Nice Work If You Can Get It!
Elise Dervinis (Lea Blacklock) - Elise is delighted to have this opportunity to invite friends and family to Lile Paddocks for a cup of tea and cake. She sends thanks to the Lady Mayoress (Maureen) and the Chipping Cleghorn Village Council (Dee, Cheryl, & Suzee) for the hostessing ps! Elise’s favourite roles include Madame Arca (Blithe Spirit), Maria Merrelli (Lend Me A Tenor), MJ (Inspecng Carol), Ethel Banks (Barefoot in the Park), and Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn (Music Man). In a variety of disguises, she also produced, directed, and performed in the Haunted Theater. Her direcng credits include: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Christmas Carol, I Hate Hamlet, Whose Life is it Anyway, Angel Street, Mousetrap, Bell, Book, and Candle, Harvey, Anton in Show Business, and Move Over, Mrs. Markham. Her guests at Lile Paddocks are invited to enjoy unlimited Sherry, Honeyed Apples, and sandwiches. If she gets a chance to visit the Dart Valley she will be sure to collect some violets! Elise sends her appreciaon and gratude to S & G for their support. Thanks to everyone on and ostage for making A Murder is Announced a wonderful house party! Rosemary Gehrlein (Clara Sweenham) - Rosemary sends a shout-out to a great cast, crew, and producon team for their amazing talent and hard work, and is happy to be back on stage at The Barn Playhouse aer her last performance here as Marge in The Bridges of Madison County. Rosemary has appeared in a variety of musicals and plays at several local theaters over the past 15 years, most recently at Forge Theatre in Hate Mail and Love, Loss, & What I Wore. Favorite musical roles include Reverend Mother (Nunsense), Martha Watson (White Christmas), Rosie Brice (Funny Girl), and Aunt March (Lile Women), and in plays, Maria (Lend Me a Tenor), Penny (You Can’t Take It With You), Bey Meeks (The Foreigner), and Martha Gillee (The Game’s Afoot). However, Rosemary is looking forward to her most excing and important role – that of Grandmom Rosie – coming this September! The ulmate “dream role”, she (and Poppy) can’t wait! Lots of love to the parents-to-be! You will both be amazing! Robbie Jean (Mitzi) - Robbie is thrilled to be making her debut at the Barn! Her previous credits include several regional commercials and independent lms. Most notably, she starred in the short lm "Self Tape”, which garnered praise for her performance when she won "Best Actor” at both The Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles as well as the O Page Film Fesval in Philadelphia. Robbie would like to thank the enre cast and crew for such a wonderful experience, as well as her friends and family for all of their love and support, especially her husband Chris.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST Julian Bonner (Inspector Craddock) - Julian would like to announce that he is very excited to be performing in his first show at the Dramateurs. He was last onstage in late 2022 at Steel River Playhouse in It’s a Wonderful Life and has previously appeared at Playcrafters of Skippack - Denial (2017), You Can't Take It With You (2018), See How They Run (2019) and The Tempest (2021) – and at DCP in Calendar Girls (2020). He would like to thank the entire cast and crew for providing such an incredibly warm and funny environment (both on-stage and off) and Maureen for such an amazing opportunity – I hope I got the accent right… Emilia Casas (Dora "Bunny" Bunner) - Emilia is beyond excited to be making her debut at The Barn Playhouse as Dora “Bunny“ Bunner. Last year, she decided to end her 30-year dry spell and plunge back into community theater as Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act at Barley Sheaf. When not pounding the boards, she can be found in Chester County as a family physician and spending her non-existent free me with her daughter and cat. She is grateful to Maureen Scallano for giving her this opportunity to meet amazing people and to be a part of such a fun producon. Tony DeCarlo (Rudi Scherz/Sgt. Mellors) - Fresh o of his recent turn as Cookie McGee in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Tony is excited to be taking to the stage, once again, at the Barn in his rst straight play since his college days. Previous Barn producons include She Loves Me (Sipos), Rock of Ages(Ensemble), Legally Blonde (Professor Callahan), Something Roen (Nostradamus), First Date (the Waiter and some other “interesng” parts), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Vice Principal Panch). In fall 2021, he performed in the Barn’s musical theater showcase A Night of Broadway. A veteran of the stage, Tony has performed in numerous producons over many years. Among his previous credits, some of his favorites are Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd, Pippin in Pippin, John Adams in 1776, Simon Zealots in Jesus Christ Superstar, Baby John in West Side Story, Richard Miller in Ah, Wilderness!, Jimmy Farrell in Playboy of the Western World, and Bertram Cates in Inherit the Wind. Tony is a commercial banker by day and lives in Bryn Mawr with his wife, daughter, excitable corgi, and beleaguered cat. Tony would like to thank the cast and crew for their support, his family for their love and encouragement, and you, dear theater goers, for supporng local community theater.
PRODUCTION STAFF Director .......................................................................... Maureen Scallano Producer ..................................................................................... Dee Henken Assistant Director ....................................................................... Cheryl Balas Stage Manager ..................................................................... Suzee Krausen Set Design.......................................................................... Steve Arcidiacono Master Carpenter ............................................................................ Tim Bean Scenic Arst ...................................................................................... Sue Abla Set Decoraon .............................................. Cheryl Balas, Suzee Krausen, Phoebe Myers, Alexis Leigh Ross, Maureen Scallano Set Construcon ..................... Cast and Crew, Gregory Dervinis, Allison Hall Costumes................................................................................... Sandy Orwig Props ......................................................................................... Maddi Sloan Lighng Design ................................................................................ Tim Bean Sound Design ........................................................................ Tom Lamphere Light and Sound Board Operaon ............................................... Dean Soltes Cast Photos .............................................................................. Leslie Hopper Producon Photos.................................................................. Steve DiNenno Program ........................................................................... Marianne DiNenno Box Oce ............................................................................ Eileen Ciccarone Publicity ........................................................................... Marianne DiNenno Hospitality & House ................................................................ Laurie Baltrus Opening Night Party .................................................................. Rory Zummo SPECIAL THANKS * Pastor Dwayne and Cindy Mosier for the generous use of the facilies at Ascension UCC. * Willow Manor Players for their assistance with costumes. * The Barley Sheaf Players for furniture loan. * Marianne and Steve DiNenno for furniture loan. * Elise Dervinis for furniture loan and set dressing. * John Henken and Steve DiNenno for assistance with logiscs and auditorium prep. * Andrea Krausen for set décor items. * Jusn Lamphere for assistance with the sound plan. * Julian Bonner for assistance with proper Brish accent delivery and word pronunciaon. * Rob Frankel for assistance with prop blood.
SETTING A Victorian house in the village of Chipping Cleghorn, England, 1950s CAST OF CHARACTERS (in order of appearance) Lea Blacklock ....................................................................... Elise Dervinis Julia Simmons .......................................................................... Alyssa Muska Patrick Simmons ......................................................................... Josh Muska Dora “Bunny” Bunner ...............................................................Emilia Casas Mitzi .......................................................................................... Robbie Jean Miss Marple ..................................................................... Linda Palmarozza Phillipa Haymes ........................................................................ Maddi Sloan Clara Sweenham ......................................................... Rosemary Gehrlein Edmund Sweenham ....................................................................Will Myer Rudi Scherz/Sergeant Mellors ................................................. Tony DeCarlo Inspector Craddock ................................................................ Julian Bonner SMOKING IS PROHIBITED ANYWHERE IN THE BUILDING. PLEASE SMOKE ONLY IN THE PARKING LOT. PLEASE COMPLETELY TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES AS THEY INTERFERE WITH OUR SOUND SYSTEM. THE VIDEOTAPING OR OTHER VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. The Dramateurs, Inc. at the Barn Playhouse 2024 Board of Directors President.…………….…….…………………..………..…….…….………………….John Henken Vice-President ..……………..………………….……….…………….……..…..Tom Lamphere Recording Secretary………….….....…………….………………………..….…….Dee Henken Corresponding Secretary…..…..………….…………………………………..Steve DiNenno Treasurer………………..…...…..………..………………………….…...………….Michael Riggs Two Year Board Members….…...……………………….….Steve Arcidiacono (Year 2) Tim Bean (Year 2) Laurie Baltrus (Year 1) Tony DeCarlo (Year 1) Our Broadway Double Feature theater cket rae is happening again this season. The winner of the rae will receive 2 ckets to two separate Broadway shows, 2 ckets to a 1:00 pm manee of Water For Elephants and 2 ckets for the 8:00 pm performance of The Great Gatsby on Saturday, October 26th. The winning cket will be picked on the closing night of our season, October 12th, during the nal performance of We Will Rock You. You need not be present to win. Rae ckets are $10 each. Tickets will be sold at the theater on perfor-mance evenings and online at www.barnplayhouse.org Support our fundraiser and YOU might be the winner of an awesome oung in NYC this fall!
DIRECTOR’S NOTES Dear Murder Mystery and Agatha Chrise Fans, The rst me I read an Agatha Chrise play, I was her rst vicm, in her stage play, Ten Lile Indians, an adaptaon of her novel And Then There Were None. Since then, I nd nothing more sasfying than pung on my detecve hat and digging my teeth into one of her novels. The early True Crime Stories. Today, true crime stories seem to be a dime a dozen. You have police dra-mas that rip stories from the headlines, missing persons swept onto prime-me TV, and even television newsmagazines that feature jaw-dropping stories. But Dame Agatha knew just how to combine the fragile human psyche, everyday events and a secret or two, and build it into a wonderful game of cat and mouse. Although A Murder is Announced is not one of the rst novels you think of when you hear “Agatha Chrise”, this story grabbed my aenon as soon as I read it. I couldn’t put it down. It takes you on a roller coaster ride of suspense, cover-up, laughter and surprise. Not only are her characters people we have met and know, but the plot revolves around two things we like to keep close to the vest: money and secrets. This cast is BRIL-LIANT, has eortlessly brought their characters to life, and expertly shows o their aws and humanity, as well as their fragile human psyche. I hope you enjoy this producon as much as I have had bringing it to the stage! It’s now me to get your sleuth on! Maureen Scallano Director and Agatha Chrise enthusiast
The Dramateurs, Inc. at The Barn Playhouse present Based on the novel A Murder is Announced by Agatha Chrise. Adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon. Produced through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. Producer Dee Henken Director Maureen Scallano DONOR INFORMATION The Dramateurs, Inc. gratefully acknowledge the generous support we’ve received from members, subscribers, and friends. January 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024 Mark Ayers Linda Bergnes Andrea Bridgens Allen Collins Marianne and Steve DiNenno Sharon Gareld Lauren Kersteer Jana Kinder Neil Schafer John and Rose Schulberger Konnie and Paul Stark Giving Tuesday 2023 November 26 - December 31, 2023 Donaons of $20 or more are listed in our playbills. List updated as of May 31, 2024. Steve Arcidiacono Laurie and Bill Baltrus Timothy Bean Emily Beck Ma Bookler Jean Brooks Eileen Ciccarone Anthony DeCarlo Chris DiMeo Marianne DiNenno Steve DiNenno Tara Feathers Karen Gresh Aubrey Henken Diane and John Henken Diane Hodgkiss Michelle Kilmer Kathleen Klocko Jusn Lamphere Rose and Tom Lamphere Ashley and Zachary Miller-Brown Emily Murphy Sue Murphy Kim Newell Shelli Penmall Andrea Rivera Robert (BJ) Schmalbach Dean Soltes Konnie and Paul Stark James Troutman Vince Vuono Rosemary Zummo
June 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 2024