Agatha Christie News

For the past few weeks I've been enjoying Gotham's slight theatrical lull that began just before Christmas and seems to have ended with the inauguration. Oh, it's not that nothing has been opening, but the relative scarcity of new Broadway shows and high-profile Off-Broadway productions has given me more time than usual to check out the goings-on Off-Off Broadway. While figuring out what could fit into my schedule, a recent column by my friend and esteemed colleague Peter Filichia, singing enthusiastic praise for The Roundtable Ensemble's Equity showcase of Linda Escalera Baggs' tense and heart-ripping drama, Silent Heroes, sent me scrambling through old emails to see who to contact for press tickets. Alas, as I'm writing these words there are only three performances remaining for this excellent production (Friday at 8, Saturday at 3 and 8), but at the recession-friendly price of only $18, this very well acted and conversation-stimulating 90 minutes is well worth squeezing into your weekend.

Something's Afoot opens on a dark and stormy night at an English country estate. Guests invited to Lord Dudley Rancor's home discover that not only is the host dead, but so is his butler. Based on Agatha Christie's 'Ten Little Indians,' Something's Afoot will keep you guessing as the determined guests unmask the murderer among them.

Center Repertory Company?s Artistic Director Michael Butler unveiled the company's 43rd subscription season. Running from September 3, 2009 to June 26, 2010, the season will be expanding Center Rep?s programming to include eight productions to be performed in all three theatres of the Lesher Center for the Arts. From the suspense of Agatha Christie to the music of Elvis Presley, Center Rep?s 09-10 season will delight audiences while also featuring the works of Caryl Churchill, No?l Coward, Reduced Shakespeare Company, Michael Frayn and five-time Emmy Award nominee Harold Gould. A variety of subscription packages, ranging from $128 to $522, can be purchased by calling 925-943-SHOW.

The Jewish Theatre Workshop is getting ready for its production of 'The Mousetrap' by Agatha Christie, and they are hoping to see all of you there! This is an exciting murder mystery where you have a chance to guess the murderer at intermission, and win free tickets to the next JTW show. Check out the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yijTymw-c9s and for more information about the show visit the JTW website, http://www.jewishtheatreworkshop.org, and see the attached flyer.

Silver Spring Stage presents A Bad Friend by Jules Feiffer, directed by Seth Ghitelman and produced by Brenda Ryan Ghitelman, set in the 1950?s McCarthy era, an eloquent and honest story of a teenager trying to find her own voice in a time when having one?s own ideas are under threat. The community theatre premiere of A Bad Friend will perform weekends February 20 to March 15.

Silver Spring Stage presents A Bad Friend by Jules Feiffer, directed by Seth Ghitelman and produced by Brenda Ryan Ghitelman, set in the 1950?s McCarthy era, an eloquent and honest story of a teenager trying to find her own voice in a time when having one?s own ideas are under threat. The community theatre premiere of A Bad Friend will perform weekends February 20 to March 15.

The Jewish Theatre Workshop is getting ready for its production of 'The Mousetrap' by Agatha Christie, and they are hoping to see all of you there! This is an exciting murder mystery where you have a chance to guess the murderer at intermission, and win free tickets to the next JTW show. Check out the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yijTymw-c9s and for more information about the show visit the JTW website, http://www.jewishtheatreworkshop.org, and see the attached flyer.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Friday, January 23, 2009.

THE 30thth ANNUAL SHELLIE AWARDS gala celebration honoring outstanding achievement in the performing arts in Central Contra Costa County was held Saturday, January 17th at 7:30pm at the Lesher Center for the Arts. The black-tie event featured production numbers from each of the nominated musicals along with scenes from each of the nominated plays. Ken Bergmann conducted the Shellie Awards Orchestra and the MC's for the evening were Jeff Collister, Jerry Motta, Kerri Shawn, and Michael White. Throughout the evening the audience was entertained with live and 'remote' video broadcasts from backstage and other areas throughout the Center. Shellie Awards innovator, Scott Denison, says 'The Shellie Awards were founded thirty years ago in order to recognize outstanding achievement in the performing arts in Central Contra Costa. This is an evening to honor the nominees, as well as the winners.' Patterned after Broadway's Tony awards, this year's Shellie Awards honored over 120 individuals and their work in musical and non-musical theatrical productions, which took place between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008. The 12 regional companies participating were: Act Now!, Antioch Rivertown Theatre, Center REPertory Company, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, DLOC, Galatean Players Ensemble Theatre, Onstage Repertory Theatre, Pittsburgh Community Theatre, Role Players Ensemble Theatre, Town Hall Theatre Company, The Vagabond Players, and Willows Theatre Company.

THE 30thth ANNUAL SHELLIE AWARDS gala celebration honoring outstanding achievement in the performing arts in Central Contra Costa County was held Saturday, January 17th at 7:30pm at the Lesher Center for the Arts. The black-tie event featured production numbers from each of the nominated musicals along with scenes from each of the nominated plays. Ken Bergmann conducted the Shellie Awards Orchestra and the MC's for the evening were Jeff Collister, Jerry Motta, Kerri Shawn, and Michael White. Throughout the evening the audience was entertained with live and 'remote' video broadcasts from backstage and other areas throughout the Center.

Caldwell Theatre Company 2008-2009 Mainstage Season celebrates its 34th Season in Boca Raton.

GLIMPSES OF THE MOON is pleased to announce the following special guest stars have confirmed to appear Monday nights at 8pm in the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel.

Caldwell Theatre Company 2008-2009 Mainstage Season celebrates its 34th Season in Boca Raton Play #1 Now - December 14, 2008 She Loves Me Musical Book by Joe Masteroff Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick Music by Jerry Bock Based on Parfumerie by Miklos Laszlo This blockbuster multiple award-winning musical is considered the most charming musical ever written. With a book by Cabaret's Joe Masteroff, and music and lyrics by the team that brought us Fiddler on the Roof and Fiorello!, She Loves Me is an enchanting love story. Georg and Amalia are two coworkers who bicker constantly but anonymously write each other through a Lonely Hearts column, and ultimately fall in love. With 25 show-stopper songs, She Loves Me is, as Frank Rich of The New York Times said, '... a continuously melodic evening of sheer enchantment and complete escape' and is, as TheaterMania writes, '... impossible not to love.'

GLIMPSES OF THE MOON is pleased to announce the following special guest stars have confirmed to appear Monday nights at 8pm in the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel.

SHARON CARR ASSOCIATES, LTD announces the return engagement of GLIMPSES OF THE MOON, a Jazz Age musical with book & lyrics by Tajlei Levis and music by John Mercurio, directed by Marc Bruni. GLIMPSES OF THE MOON is back by popular demand for an ongoing run at Off-Broadway's Oak Room in the Algonquin Hotel (59 West 44th Street, between 5th and 6th Ave.).

SHARON CARR ASSOCIATES, LTD is pleased to announce the return engagement of GLIMPSES OF THE MOON, a Jazz Age musical with book & lyrics by Tajlei Levis and music by John Mercurio, directed by Marc Bruni. GLIMPSES OF THE MOON is back by popular demand for an ongoing run at Off-Broadway's Oak Room in the Algonquin Hotel (59 West 44th Street, between 5th and 6th Ave.).

On September 23rd, 2008 Elaine Paige, the iconic star of Evita, Cats and Sunset Boulevard celebrates 40 years on the stage in Memories, a revealing insight into a dazzling life. The platform will be followed by a book signing.

Whodunit by Dame Agatha Christie Entertains at the Olney Theatre Center

T. SCHREIBER STUDIO is pleased to announce their double-bill production of THE ACTOR'S NIGHTMARE and THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND, directed by Peter Jensen. THE ACTOR'S NIGHTMARE and THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND will play a 6-week limited engagement at the Gloria Maddox Theater at T. Schreiber Studio (151 West 26th Street, 7th Floor). Performances begin Thursday, May 8th and continue through Sunday, June 15th. Press are invited starting Friday, May 16th at 8 p.m.