Suspense Thriller Opens at Florida Rep

Suspense Thriller Opens at Florida Rep

Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the March 20 opening of its next production, Art of Murder by Joe DiPietro, a murder mystery thriller that takes audiences a darkly comic & suspenseful roller coaster ride.

Art of Murder delves into the dangerous side of the art world, and tells the story of one eccentric painter who has plans to dispose of his crooked art dealer.
 
"I love a good murder mystery, like Sleuth or Deathtrap, " said Producing Artistic Director, and Art of Murder director, Robert Cacioppo, "but once you know the ending, the thrill is gone. This production of Art of Murder is only the second in the country, so I assure you, I am the only one who knows how it ends. You are in for a real treat."

Joe DiPietro is one of America's hardest working playwrights, and Florida Rep will produce two of his plays this spring (The Last Romance April 24-May 17), giving audiences a taste of his signature wit, intelligent dialogue and his unique variety.

Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Play, Art of Murder plunges audiences into the art world, exposing some of its most dangerous and grasping personalities. It tells the story of a world-renowned & eccentric artist, Jack Brooks, and his devious plot to murder his flamboyant art dealer, Vincent.

Like any good suspense thriller, there are plenty of twists, turns, gunshots and a few big surprises. As Jack is busy stabbing backs, he forgets to tie up a few loose ends - namely his wife, Annie, and their maid, who are in the house on the night of the planned execution.

Art of Murder features Tom Nowicki, Rachel Burttram, Chris Clavelli and Jessica Leach, an ensemble that pairs some of Florida Rep's most familiar faces with some that are new to the Arcade stage. As Jack Brooks, Florida Rep welcomes Nowicki, an Orlando based actor who has been seen on stages across the country, as well as extensively on television (Dexter; ER) and in film (Remember the Titans; Glory). As Annie Brooks, audiences will recognize Burttram from her work this season (Dancing at Lughnasa; The Glass Menagerie), and past seasons (Doubt; Rabbit Hole; Proof). The cast also includes Jessica Leach as thier maid, Kate. Leach is one of the Rep's season-long performance interns, who was seen in Born Yesterday and in the Childrens Theatre series.

This is the last appearance in season 11 for Florida Rep's Associate Artistic Director, Chris Clavelli. Clavelli appears as Vincent Cummings, the flamboyant art dealer whose days are numbered in Art of Murder. He was seen onstage this season in Born Yesterday, Indian Blood, Dancing at Lughnasa, and directed The Glass Menagerie and Alone Together. Clavelli will be seen one more time this season for a one-night-only reading of his own one-man show, A Little More than You Wanted to Spend, on April 5th at 7pm.

Directed by Robert Cacioppo, Art of Murder opens on March 20th and runs through April 12th. Creating a foreboding and imposing atmosphere is key in a play like this, and led by Cacioppo's vision that comes out of the most eccentric pages of Architectural Digest, the expert design team has put together an interesting & frightening world for this play. The designers are, Kenneth J. Martin (set; Visiting Mr. Green), Graham Kindred (lighting; Indian Blood) and Roberta Malcolm (costumes; Dancing at Lughnasa).

Art of Murder by Joe DiPietro plays at Florida Rep March 20 - April 12, 2009. Performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8pm, with 2pm matinees on Wed., Sun. and selected Saturdays with special Twilight Performances at 7pm on March 22 & 29.

Florida Rep is also pleased to announce a $10 preview performance on Thursday, March 19 at 8pm. Call or visit the box office for details.

Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry in the Historic Arcade Theatre in the Fort Myers River District. Subscriptions and single tickets are available through the Box Office at 239-332-4488. Or visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org.

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