STARRING:
MARK HILAN as Jack Brooks
THERESA DEAN as Annie Brooks
CHRISTIAN ACHKAR as Vincent Cummings
CIVIA WIESNER as Kate
Directed by Brian Westerley
Apprentice Director – Eli Ravenson
Producer – Jean Hood
Stage Manager – Jeanie Gaither
The egos of the fine art scene can be a real killer and Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is out to prove it with their staging of Joe DiPietro’s ART OF MURDER. This satirical murder mystery will have audiences laughing at the edge of their seats, and will keep them guessing about the identity of both the murderer and the victim. The play opens on CVLT’s Main Stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 and runs Friday and Saturday evenings through Feb. 8, with one matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday Jan. 26.
DiPietro, the acclaimed playwright behind the Broadway musicals I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Memphis, sets his play in the remote Connecticut countryside estate of Jack and Annie Brooks (played by Mark Hilan and Theresa Dean). The couple are both accomplished artists (despite Jack receiving more recognition), and have a meeting planned with their scheming art dealer, Vincent (Christian Achkar). As lecherous and overbearing Jack mistreats his vengeful wife, he makes passes at their Irish immigrant housekeeper, Kate (Civia Wiesner). In true suspense-thriller fashion, all four have the motive, means, and opportunity, but who will kill and who will be killed? As Mrs. Brooks says, “There’s a monster inside all of us. Most of us keep the monster buried, but sometimes it must come out.”
Friends of CVLT will be offering three pre-show Happy Hours at 7 p.m. with cash bar (beer, wine) and complimentary nibbles. Guest bartenders include:
Of course, any show about fine artists requires plenty of fine art, and CVLT’s neighboring Valley Art Center was happy to oblige. While creating the set, director/designer Brian Westerley and technical director Edmond Wolff collaborated with VAC mixed-media artist Suzan Kraus to adorn the Brooks residence. Also contributing original art is VAC Executive Director Mary Ann Breisch, including the mysterious Study in Red #4, which was created specifically for the show. The two non-profit arts organizations have a combined 130 years of service to the Chagrin Valley and surrounding communities
This high-action mystery is “short in length, but long on laughs, thrills, and chills,” according to Mr. Westerley. The show is produced by Jean Hood with Jeanie Gaither performing Stage Manager duties. Eli Ravenson serves as Apprentice Director.